CHAPTER 32

Vera stared at Lucian, her fingers tightening slightly around the glass of water.

“…What do you mean?”

Lucian leaned back against the counter, calm, watching her for a moment before smiling.

“Relax.”

“That is not an answer.”

“It wasn’t supposed to be.”

“You just said something weird and now you’re acting like it’s nothing.”

“Maybe it is nothing.”

“Then why say it?”

“Because watching you think about it is entertaining.”

Vera narrowed her eyes. “You’re annoying.”

“I get that a lot.”

She set the glass down with a thud. “Stop playing games.”

“I’m not playing.”

“Yes, you are.”

“Not really.”

“Then explain what you meant.”

Lucian looked at her for a long moment, calm, sharp behind his eyes.

“You really don’t know, do you?”

“Know what?”

He stepped closer, curious but not threatening. “You’re standing in the middle of a house full of people who could kill someone without blinking, and yet you look more confused than scared.”

“That’s because none of you explain anything.”

“That’s fair,” he chuckled, stopping a few steps in front of her. Vera noticed something strange—up close, he looked exactly like Kael. Same face, same height, same dark eyes. But Kael felt like a wall—cold, controlled. Lucian felt like trouble. The kind that smiled first.

“You’re thinking too loudly,” Lucian said.

“I’m not thinking loudly.”

“You are.”

“No I’m not.”

“You just compared me to Kael.”

She froze. Lucian grinned. “See?”

“That was a guess.”

“Sure.”

“Are you always like this?”

“Like what?”

“Annoying.”

“You should see me on a good day.”

“I should go back upstairs.”

“Probably.”

She picked up her glass, sipping quietly. “You still didn’t answer my question.”

“Which one?”

“What you meant earlier.”

He glanced toward the hallway, then back. “Trust me. You don’t want the full story at midnight.”

“That’s exactly the kind of answer that makes someone want to know more.”

“Curiosity is dangerous here.”

“I’ve noticed.”

“Smart girl.”

“Stop saying that like I’m five.”

“Fine.” He leaned against the counter. “But seriously. You should be careful.”

“Of what?”

“My brother.”

Before she could reply, a voice interrupted. “Lucian.”

Just one word, but it changed the entire room. Vera turned. Kael stood in the doorway, calm. His eyes moved slowly from Lucian… to Vera. Lucian didn’t flinch. “Brother,” he said casually.

Kael stepped in. “What are you doing?”

“Talking.”

“At midnight.”

“People do that sometimes.” Kael’s eyes flicked to Vera. “Go back to your room.”

“I was just getting water.”

“You have water in your room.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“You do now.”

Lucian watched them, then said casually, “You should relax, Kael.”

“I am relaxed.”

“Doesn’t look like it.”

Silence. Lucian walked past Vera, stopped near Kael. “You look tense,” he murmured. Kael turned, eyes meeting his identical twin’s. The air between them was sharp.

“Did I interrupt something earlier?” kael asked lightly. Lucian chuckled.

“This is weird,” Vera muttered.

“Anyway. I’m going back to bed,” Lucian said, passing her and whispering, “Sleep well.” Then he left. The kitchen felt quieter.

“Why are you still here?” Kael asked.

“I told you. Water.”

“You got it. So leave.”

“You’re very rude.”

“You’re still here,” he replied, blocking her way.

“…Move.”

Kael didn’t. He stepped closer, just enough to shrink the space between them.

“You’re doing that thing again,” Vera said.

“Standing too close?”

“You walked into my house.”

“You kidnapped me.”

“You always have a choice.”

“Not when someone locks the gate.”

“You could try to run.”

“And you’d let me?”

“No.”

“Then that’s not really a choice.”

Kael studied her face. “You’re not scared enough.”

“Maybe I’m tired of being scared.”You don’t trust me.”

“I trust you enough to keep you alive.”

“That’s not comforting.”

“It should be.”

“You talk like that’s supposed to make me feel better.”

“It’s the truth.”

“The truth is always nice?”

“No.”

“You’re impossible.”

Kael leaned on the counter beside her, trapping her lightly. No touch,“You came downstairs alone. You should stop wandering the house at night.”

“Why?”

“Because I might forget to behave.”

“You’re not funny.”

“I wasn’t joking.”

“Are you threatening me?”

“No.”

“Then what was that?”

“A warning.”

Vera pushed past him. “I’m going back upstairs.”

“Good.”

She walked toward the hallway, but stopped mid-step. “You still didn’t answer something.”

“Why did you bring me here?”

Silence. Kael didn’t answer. Vera scoffed and went up the stairs.

Halfway up, she heard voices—Lucian and Aaron near the top. Lucian leaned against the railing; Aaron stood stiff.

“You’re still awake,” Lucian said.

“Could say the same about you,i heard voices in the kitchen.”

“Interesting Lucian said casually.

Aaron frowned.

You shouldn’t eavesdrop,

I didn’t. You just happened to hear everything

Aaron rubbed his neck. “I’m tired.”

“Sure,” Lucian said, smiling. Aaron stiffened as Lucian passed. He finally let out a breath. Vera reached the top step.

“Oh,” Aaron said, noticing her.

“You heard that?”

“A little.”

Aaron looked embarrassed. “Great.”

“Don’t worry.”

“That doesn’t help.”

She leaned on the railing. “Your friend is… interesting.”

“That’s one way to say it,” Aaron muttered.

“You don’t like him?”

Aaron froze. “…What?”

“You look uncomfortable around him.”

“I don’t.”

“You do.”

“No I don’t.”

“You’re doing it again.”

“Please go to bed.”

“Okay,” she laughed quietly, and headed to her room. But her mind kept replaying the kitchen scene—Kael standing close, his words near her ear.

At her door, she paused, glanced toward Kael’s room. For a second, she thought of knocking, then shook her head. No. She stepped inside.

Downstairs, Lucian poured water, observing Kael. She’s interesting. Doesn’t look scared of you.

“She should be,” Kael replied calmly.

Maybe that’s why you like her.

“I didn’t say I like her.”

You didn’t have to.”Silence. Lucian warned, “Careful, brother.” Kael said nothing. Lucian passed him, stopping once.

You’re getting attached.

“No.”

“We’ll see.” Lucian left.

Upstairs, Vera lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Kael’s words echoed: You should stop wandering at night… I might forget to behave. She blushed, muttered, “Idiot,” and whispered softly into the darkness, “…Why did you bring me here?” Somewhere down the hall, Kael stood outside her door, quiet. Listening. But he didn’t answer.