CHAPTER 2

The air smelled like salt and sun-warmed sand as Jamie bounced across the beach, toes digging into the soft, golden grains. He was already sweating through his t-shirt, hair sticking in clumps, freckles bright across his pale skin from the morning sun. Lucas trailed behind, calm and steady, blond hair glinting in the sunlight, stormy blue eyes fixed on Jamie with a mixture of exasperation and amusement.

“Jamie, slow down!” Lucas called, letting his backpack swing lazily at his side. “you  don’t wanna get hurt but some unknown sea creature.” He looked around wearily as they continued walking less and less people were around.

“This part of the beach is deserted. I dont think we should continue going. Lets go back to the main beach.” Lucas suggested

Jamie turned, frowning like a kid who had just been told he couldn’t have dessert. He clumsily pulled of his sweat and sea water soaked t shirt

 “And that’s exactly why we’re here! To exploreeee. Lets see if we can find any secret spot.” 

Lucas shook his head, he stopped walking.

“And get stranded or stung by jellyfish? Not sure that’s part of the plan.”

Jamie laughed and spun in place, arms wide. “The possibility of that happening is next to impossible. There isn't even any jellyfish in this part of the ocean.”

The main beach stretched out like a painting, crowds scattered on the main shore, umbrellas dotting the sand.They were very far from it.

 Jamie’s eyes had already spotted the cove—a narrow inlet tucked behind jagged rocks, shimmering water curling gently like a hidden invitation. He gasped.

“Come on, Lucas,” Jamie said, tugging at his friend’s arm. “Look at it! It’s perfect. Where do you think it leads to?”

Lucas hesitated. “Jamie. The tide… it looks weird. Maybe we shouldn’t—”

“We only live once,” Jamie interrupted, stepping forward, already moving toward the cove. “Come on. Stop overthinking it.”

Lucas groaned, but followed reluctantly, the sand warm beneath his feet. He didn’t like how Jamie’s excitement always pulled him along—like a storm dragging him in—but he didn't want to admit he loved it too.it but some excitement in his otherwise boring life

The cove narrowed as they walked deeper, sunlight streaming through the jagged rock walls, turning the water into an impossibly clear blue-green. Jamie’s heart raced. This wasn’t reckless yet—just thrilling. The cove was dark with crystals of different colours brightening the way. They walked until sunlight streamed from another opening

They came out into what seems to be another seckuded part of the beach. Completely private, free from any debri or human plastic wastte. Jamie let out a loud scream and laughed running on the fine sand. Lucas eyes widened at the beauty of the beach.

“ Lets go Lukeyyy” Jamie screeched as he ran into the clear blue water. Lucas dropped the bag he was carrying taking of his button up shirt and ran after Jamie. The splashed water at each other laughing. They had been in Italy for a week and this was the most fun that they were having. Until the sun started to set.

Then a sudden wave surged higher than expected, pushing Lucas causing him to slipped, his foot landing awkwardly on the wet stone.

“Lucas!” Jamie shouted, scrambling toward him.

Lucas gritted his teeth trying to stand upright but he landed but into the ocean floor with a splash, gripping his ankle.

 “I… I think I twisted it.”

Jamie’s chest tightened. “It’s my fault. I told you to follow me. I—”

Lucas shook his head, wincing. “It’s the tide too. Don’t blame yourself.”

Jamie shook his head firmly. “I’ll get help.” He glanced around, scanning the curving beach, the cliffs rising on either side. The tide was already higher than it should have been. “Stay here. Don’t move. I’ll be right back.”

Lucas’s eyes widened. “Jamie, don’t leave me!”

Jamie hesitated, but his jaw set. He couldn’t carry Lucas, and staying was just as dangerous. “I have to,” he said. “I’ll be back. Trust me.”

He ran back to the cove but to his surprise it was completely filled with water. The sea levels had risen. Trying to swim through there was a death sentence.

He ran back to the beach. Lucas spotted him looking at him with fearful eyes asking whats wrong. Jamie shook his head.

Running along the edge of the beach, Jamie spotted something he hadn’t noticed before: a mansion, perched atop the cliffs, pale stone glowing in the late afternoon sun. On the outside he was able to spot two figures. He couldn't fully see them so he called out to them.

“ Help! Please HELP ME! My friend is hurt.” His throat felt hoarse

It seemed they didn't hear him because they walked leisurely back into the mansion

Jamie sighed, crouching behind a rock, heart thundering. He couldn't go back to Lucas with no help. It was because of him that they were trapped on this beach with no way out.  Lucas warned him and now hes hurt. The cliffs hemmed the beach in, no clear way around to reach the mansion from the sand. Jamie held back a sob

“You’re not supposed to be here.”

The voice came from behind, smooth, measured, commanding.

Jamie spun. Two men stood there—tall, with brooding eyes and impossibly confident. One’ had dark hair that gleamed midnight-blue hair  under the sunset rays, sharp eyes scanning him with unnerving precision. The other had pitch-black hair, a faint shadow of stubble across his cheek and chin, and a cross glinting at his neck. Both exuded power that wasn’t about yelling or threats—it was inherent.

“This is private property.” The stubble one said.

Jamies forced his mouth that stopped working to start up.

“I… my friend… he’s hurt… I didn’t know this was private,” Jamie stammered, words tumbling over each other. His stomach twisted into knots. His hands wringling together.

The man with the dark stubble—Matteo—stepped closer, his fingers closing around Jamie’s wrist. Firm, but not too the point of painful. Enough to stop him from running. Jamie didn’t resist; he couldn’t.

“Take us to him.. if he exists” Matteo said, voice low, calm, but threaded with authority. It sounded like a threat.

Jamie nodded quickly, heart racing, and led them back to Lucas. Each step made the sand shift beneath his feet, a constant reminder of the accident he’d caused. Matteos warm had around his wrist grounded him.

When they reached Lucas, he stared up at them in fear holding unto his ankle. Jamie subtly nodded to calm him down.  The dark haired man—Enzo—moved quickly, crouching down to examine Lucas foot before lifting him up with surprising ease. Their eyes met as Lucas yelped in surprise. Sparks flickered between them, subtle but impossible to miss, and Jamie’s stomach did a weird flip. He reminded himself to focus—this wasn’t about him.

Matteo stayed close behind Jamie, eyes sweeping over the beach and cliffs, cataloging everything.

“Follow us” Matteo said, tone neutral but unmistakably commanding. A hint of a smile showing.

Jamie nodded again, as if he would leave his friend with them, keeping his gaze forward, though he felt Matteo’s scrutiny like a weight pressing down. Subtle movements: the way Matteo’s fingers brushed lightly over the railing as he led Jamie into the mansion, the faint gleam of a watch beneath his cuff, the precision in every step. Everything about him radiated control.

Inside, the mansion was stunning. Polished marble floors, high ceilings, walls adorned with art that spoke of old money and older taste. Jamie’s eyes darted around, absorbing details he normally would have missed: the faint scent of leather and aged wood, the glint of sunlight through tall windows, the way shadows pooled in the corners.

He followed Matteo silently, each footstep careful. He didn’t know what this world was, or what they wanted from them—but he could feel it: danger, wealth, influence, and… something else, something magnetic about Matteo.

Lucas was led elsewhere by Enzo, whose gaze had lingered just a fraction too long. Sparks, tension, something unspoken—and Jamie felt a small pang of uneasiness, though he didn’t understand why.

“Wait where are you taking him to?” He asked trying to follow them. A hand closed around his wrist firmly.

“ Your friend is in great hands with Enzo. Dont worry.” Matteo  stopped at a quiet hallway, turning to Jamie. “Let me show you where you will stay tonight.”

Jamie swallowed. He couldn't object. “Yes… of course...Thank you” 

And even as he said it, his heart thudded for reasons he couldn’t name.

He knew one thing for sure: He might have just said thank you to either a devil or a guardian angel.