Chapter Sixteen

We both took a moment to appreciate the fact that Damian had parked his car behind bushes, out of sight, and we were already set in motion. 

My heart raced through my chest, pounding with excitement. "Are you prepared for this?" I inquired, but the words disappeared as soon as I stopped. 

Damian didn't immediately glance at me. He opted to take a deep breath and exhale slowly. "No, I'm not sure.". We are unable to make an alternative decision. 

After his departure, the car door swung open and I followed him, my legs feeling like jelly under my feet. Despite my instinct to move fast, I was convinced we were making the wrong choice. Why did they say it was so difficult? If Lucian knew we were in his hands, what would happen? If we were unable to escape, what would be the outcome? 

Then Damian looked back at me with an unreadable face, telling me "Stay close to me," his voice was soft but firm. 

Nodding, even though I had a heavy heart, I nodded. "I'll.". 

We proceeded towards the gates, staying out of sight. The area was remarkably peaceful, with no noise of humans or guards, and no dogs barking. It was too quiet. Too perfect. I was made more fearful by that. 

Silence: The sound of Damian's phone rang. He pulled it out, his eyes fixated on the screen. He had a tense reaction with a clenched jaw and trembling shoulders. "It's reminiscent of an abandoned trap," he said softly. 

It took me a while to figure out what he meant by the ground beneath us. The gate was awaited with trembles and then clattered from the other side. At this point, it was too late to retreat. 

With a hiss, Damian grabbed my wrist and proceeded to run. 

As we hurried towards the shade of the trees, it appeared as though the world was about to detonate. A loud explosion of gunfire erupted, followed by the sound of bullets flying past me. 

My heart raced in my chest as I cried out, "Dancing!". 

He didn't answer. Instead, he pulled me deeper into the trees and tightened his grip on my arm while we ran. Why? The sound of footsteps growing louder behind us made me realize we were being pursued. 

Aria. 

As I ran through the thick woods, I caught my breath in a brief panic and heard the sound of rushing water bodies. There were heavy footsteps behind us. Damian was swaying me along, his grip on my wrist being firm, and his actions remaining steady even when I sensed the threat. The trees around us seemed to blend together, my eyes narrowing towards the rushing sound of those who were after us. 

I squirmed in amazement. "Damian!" I exclaimed, trying to free myself. 

“Keep going,” he said, not slowing down. 

Clenched his jaw and with a determined face: ‘They’re trying to catch us but we’ve been safe. Not today.”. 

There was a dense fog with stodgy air. I sensed a weight of urgency, my mind racing towards ideas and forward toward something that could give us an advantage. 

I panted and looked over my shoulder, thinking, "We're so close to them." "They'll catch us if we don't". 

Before I could finish, a loud crack was heard in the air, followed by another shot. It was so close, the bullet smashed right through me and I felt an air bubble.’ The. 

I experienced a sudden collapse, with my heart racing. I detected the warm spout of blood, but there was no chance of stopping. The possibility of being shot again didn't elicit any emotion, and I didn’t even feel the pain.". 

Damian didn't hesitate. With ease, he pulled me to an abrupt end, leading us along narrow roads through two huge trees. He had a sharp focus, his eyes scanning our surroundings as if he were seeing every action before it happened. 

He whispered, "Come with me," his voice low and composed. "We must find a way out.". 

My gaze widened as I nodded to match his pace, but my legs felt like they were on their own. I was terrified, but it didn’t help that way. Not now. My father's life, and my own, were at stake. Hence, I was cautious with my actions. Why? 

Damian didn't break his stride. He was always ready to take action, even when everything seemed bleak. His self-assurance was both reassuring and daunting. 

With a surge of emotion, I whispered, "We're not going to survive anymore." What actions will you take? 

My heart was pounding with sadness as I watched him slip away. This was it. Our escape was imminent.’ The. If Lucian's men found us, it would be over. 

Damian stopped abruptly. I almost hit him, my heart was shattered. 

“Stay in here,” he whispered, his eyes fixed on the trees nearby. “Don’t go any further.”. 

When I opened my mouth to protest, he gave me the look that immediately shut me down. With a frigid stare, his eyes seemed to be aware of the future. 

He went into the void, moving with the quiet, calculated care of those who had done it before. A thousand times, I would say that. He remained concealed by trees and disappeared into the depths of darkness. His face was almost invisible to me. 

I stood in a state of shock, my heart racing. I knew they weren't far behind, but the sounds of pursuit had faded away. Until they had us, though, they were out there somewhere. Damian was set to face them alone.? 

The thought of running after him, screaming, didn't come to mind. The sensation was felt in my legs, but I found myself frozen in fear. I experienced a sharp pain in my side, but the fear was so intense that it could be considered an enemy. 

I heard a rustling noise from the back and began to spin. I waited for only a moment to react before an entity appeared from the heavens. I burst into tears, the recognition hitting me hard from above. 

It was him. 

Lucian. 

His appearance was unsettling, his grin contorting and pedantic. Standing there, the man who had stolen everything reflected through the moonlight into his eyes. 

Lucian's voice was smooth as velvet, but there was no warmth in it. "You were going to come for him," he said. 

I never imagined you would be so eager.’ 

My heart froze. My chest and the anger that was building up inside me grew out, mixing with the fear. Is it a bold move to come over here? After everything? After everything he'd done? 

I screamed, "You're too late," my voice was unsteady but firm. "My father is already free.". 

Lucian chuckled, stepping closer. He felt a sense of excitement in the air as if something was about to take flight. "You're so tall, right? You look at me closely.". No one escapes Lucian.”. 

I took a step back, willingly searching for anything I could find. My fingers pressed against a heavy branch, but before I could react, Lucian was there, his hand gripping my wrist with such force that it sent shivers down my spine. 

I lashed out and attempted to flee, but his grip grew thicker, with his fingers invading my flesh. 

"I don't think that," Lucian said. "You are going to join me.". 

Our discussions are not limited. What should we focus on? 

Despite my arm's movement, it had no purpose. I was trapped. Despite feeling scared, I refused to let fear control me. Not without a fight. 

My voice grew louder and more confident as I said, "You'll never win." “Damian will intervene to stop you from winning. 

He's already”. 

A sudden crack was felt before I could act. Then I slid with shock, seeing Lucian's hand slip from my wrist. 

He came out of hiding with his gun in hand, and his expression was colder than my own, saying to Lucian, "Let her go, Lucien." His voice was low and menacing. 

My heart raced, and I blinked until it was too late. The trap had been set. Then we were all sucked in.