Chapter 3

Zyra's pov ~

“This is your family now.”

I step out of the car slowly, my hand still resting on the door like I might need it to steady myself. The drive here felt longer than it should have.

There's a big ass estate in front of me that looks really scary. In the middle of it is a large house.

The woman who brought me here gives me a small nod. “Go on,” she says gently. I legit wish I could run away right about now. If these people kill me inside this house I doubt anyone would know...

I reach the front door and hesitate just long enough to notice something strange.

There’s no doorbell.. rich people stuff. Before I can think about it further, the door opens.

Three boys or rather, men are standing in the doorway. Everything in me goes still.

Surprise is an understatement. They look… stunned like they’re seeing something impossible.

We just stand there, staring at each other. That's when I start to notice the similarities.

We have the same sharp lines in the face, eyes and bone structure.

One of them breathes out slowly, like he’s trying to process it.

“That’s…” he starts, then stops. They all just keep staring at me.

“You are…” the second one says, his voice sharper, more controlled. “You’re Zyra.”

I nod once, refusing to say anything yet. The third one finally steps forward slightly, his gaze softer than the others but just as intense.

“You are our sister.”

Sister.. I don't know how to feel about that word so I don’t respond. A very uncomfortable silence follows.

The one in front shifts his stance slightly.

“I’m Kaelen,” he says. His voice is calm and controlled. “This is Soren.”

He gestures slightly to the one who spoke earlier. Soren doesn’t smile. He just studies me, eyes narrowing slightly like he’s trying to figure something out.

“And Elric,” Kaelen finishes. The third one nods once.

Elric.

He doesn’t speak. He just keeps watching me.

“Come in,” Kaelen says after a moment. It sounds less like an invitation and more like an instruction. If I may say so myself.

I step inside.

Everything feels off inside this house to say the least. It is wayyy to quiet.

Everything is in place. Nothing is out of line. Well, they probably have maids, Zyra. Have you thought about that?

True..

I take a few steps forward, my eyes moving around unwillingly. There are hidden cameras everywhere. Small and precise placements in corners.

I stop walking. Soren notices immediately.

“What is it?” he asks.

“Nothing,” I say. He doesn’t believe me. I can tell by the way his jaw tightens slightly.

Kaelen moves past us, like he’s already decided the moment is over.

“You’ll stay here,” he says, gesturing toward the staircase. “This is the second floor.” I follow without any questions.

Kaelen stops at one of the rooms and opens it.

“This is yours.” I step inside. The room is… perfect as if it was intentionally created for me. Did they actually prepare the room for me?

“Dinner is by seven,” Kaelen says from the doorway. “You should rest.” He doesn’t wait for a response before he leaves. The door closes softly behind him.

I stand in the middle of the room for a long time without moving it touching anything.

I move eventually, walking to the window. The view stretches far beyond the house. It's beautiful.

I've been trying to put aside my fears all day but now, they are coming back in full force.

These people don't even look like they want an inch of my hair here. I'm so afraid that living with them might be worse than living with my foster parents.

I don't even fucking know these people. I might do something to tick them off without knowing.

"At least with my fosters, I knew how to survive... I might die here." I mutter to myself as tears begin to stream down my face.

~~

Dinner is horribly awkward. We are eating at a long table that feels unnecessary for four people. The space between us is too wide. Conversations don’t flow. They start and stop, like everyone is choosing their words too carefully.

Kaelen asks simple questions.

“How was the trip?”

“Do you need anything?” I answer just as simply.

“Yes.”

“No.”

You would think they would have the courtesy to properly introduce themselves.

Soren watches more than he speaks. Every time I look up, his gaze is already on me. Ughh

Elric barely speaks at all but I can feel his constant attention.

After dinner, Kaelen dismisses it like a meeting.

"You should get some rest,” he says again.

How much rest could one possibly get?

I nod and quickly head up to my room.

~~

I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, listening.

That's when I hear their hushed voices. I sit up slowly, my movements instinctively quiet. The voices are coming from downstairs.

I move carefully, stepping out into the hallway. The floor doesn’t creak thankfully. I follow the sound and I stop just outside a door. The voices are clearer now.

Kaelen, Soren and Elric are arguing.

“She doesn’t remember anything,” Soren says.His voice is sharp.

“That’s not normal. She was literally just three.” There’s a pause. Then Kaelen speaks.

“We don’t know what was done to her.”

Elric’s voice comes next.

“But according to our sources,something was. However, I don't think it has started showing its effects on her yet.”

“Her reactions,” Soren continues. “The way she looks at things. It’s off.”

“She’s been through something,” Kaelen says.

“That’s more than that,” Soren snaps. “You felt it too.”

Felt what?

“Something is wrong,” Soren says finally.

I take a step back without meaning to and my stupid foot shifts slightly making a small sound. Normally, it should not be heard but in this silence.. It’s too loud.

Everywhere immediately goes quiet. My heart starts beating faster.

“She’s listening.” I'm definitely dead this time around.