9. Isabel
9
ISABEL
T en seconds .
That’s it.
I don’t wait for Theodore to explain further. My body moves on instinct, adrenaline flooding my system as I prepare to bolt.
My legs push off the damp grass, and I’m gone, plunging into the darkness of the forest. My heart slams against my ribcage as the cold night air bites at my skin.
One .
The trees loom above me, skeletal shadows stretching across the ground like twisted fingers. The forest is dense, the underbrush snagging at my ankles as I push through it. I don’t care about the scratches blooming on my skin or the sting of branches whipping against my face. I just need to get away.
Two .
The sound of my heartbeat is thunderous in my ears, drowning out everything else. But then, I hear a distant rustle of leaves. It’s faint, but it’s enough to send my pulse skyrocketing. Are they coming already?
Three .
The earth beneath my feet shifts unpredictably. Roots jut out like hidden traps, and I almost trip over one, stumbling forward. I catch myself just in time, but my momentum falters, and I waste precious seconds finding my balance.
Four .
The forest is alive with sounds—crickets chirping, the distant hoot of an owl, the whisper of the wind weaving through the trees. But underneath it all, I swear, I can hear footsteps.
Five .
I glance over my shoulder, and for a split second, I see nothing but the outline of the mansion in the distance. I force myself to keep going, pushing past my burning legs and the ache in my chest.
Six .
The moonlight filters through the canopy above, casting fractured beams onto the mossy floor. I cling to those small patches of light, letting them guide me forward.
Branches snag at my hair, pulling me back, as if the forest itself is conspiring against me. I tear myself free, biting back a curse. My lungs burn, and every breath feels like fire, but I can’t afford to slow down.
Seven .
Eight .
I can feel them. I don’t know how, but I can feel them behind me. The weight of their presence presses against my back like a physical force, urging me to run faster.
Nine .
They’re coming. My mind reels, frantically searching for a plan, an escape, anything. But the forest is an endless labyrinth of trees and shadows.
Ten .
The crunch of leaves and snapping branches behind me turns into a thunderstorm of movement.
Fuck .
I don’t dare look back, but I can hear them—footsteps pounding on the ground, low chuckles carried on the wind. They’re toying with me, letting me know they’re close.
“ You can run faster than that, can’t you, Siren ?” Theodore’s voice cuts through the night, taunting, like he’s enjoying every second of this twisted game.
Panic tightens my chest and steals what little breath I have left. I duck beneath a low-hanging branch, the rough bark scraping my arm as I barely make it under. My ankle twists slightly as I land awkwardly, but I force myself to keep going, ignoring the sharp pain shooting up my leg.
The forest opens, revealing a small clearing. For a moment, I hesitate, the openness making me feel exposed, but there’s no time to think.
“ You’re making this fun for us, Isabel ,” a voice calls out, laced with amusement. “ Keep going. Let’s see how far you get.”
I bite back a scream, tears pricking my eyes as I force my limbs to move faster. My thighs ache and my lungs feel like they’re on fire.
“ You’ve got this,” I whisper to myself, a feeble attempt at encouragement. “ Just keep going. Don’t let them win.”
I nearly trip over an exposed root, catching myself at the last second. My head spins. I need to find cover, but there’s nowhere to go.
A voice drifts through the trees. “ Where do you think you’re going, Siren ?” It’s Theodore , but it sounds like he’s right behind me.
I spin, heart hammering, but there’s no one there, just trees and shadows.
“ I can hear your heartbeat, corazón.” It’s coming from my left—or is it? The sound shifts, slipping around me like smoke.
I turn again. “ Stop it!” I scream into the night, but my voice feels swallowed up by the forest.
Maxwell’s distinct laugh rings out, and it seems to come from above, as if he’s perched in the trees. “ Aw , don’t be scared, Starling . We just want to play.”
My legs tremble, the overwhelming urge to collapse battling the instinct to run. I stagger backward, barely catching myself before tripping over a root.
Why are they doing this to me? The thought rattles through my brain.
What do they want from me?
Ever since Valeria and I started looking into the Whitmores , I’ve kept my head down, staying in the shadows. I used my pseudonym for everything, but it wasn’t enough.
I’ve been poking around where I don’t belong, digging into the family and the secrets they’ve buried for decades. I thought I was being clever, outsmarting them. God , how stupid could I be?
I was bound to be caught eventually, wasn’t I ?
My stomach twists as a new fear takes hold. If they’ve come for me, what about Valeria ? Is she safe? My pulse quickens as the thought hits me like a slap to the face. If they’re after me, they could be going after her too.
Oh God , Valeria .
“ Do you think she knows where she’s going?”
Maxwell’s laugh follows. “ I doubt it. She’s just running blind. Poor thing.”
I grind my teeth, anger bubbling up alongside the fear. “ Fuck you!”
Branches slap against my arms and face, leaving thin, stinging cuts, but I barely notice. All I can focus on is the sound of their pursuit.
“ You’ll tire out eventually,” Julian says, almost bored, like he’s certain of how this will end.
“ Leave me alone!” I shout, desperate for this chase to end.
“ Oh , but you don’t want us to leave you alone, do you?” Theodore’s voice slithers into my ears, and I can practically feel the warmth of his breath against my cheek.
My fingers curl into fists, nails digging into my palms as I try to steady myself. My mind is racing, a jumble of panic.
“ We’re everywhere, Starling . There’s no escaping us.”
The words send a shiver down my spine, and I start running again, the panic clawing at my chest making it impossible to breathe.
“ Faster , Siren !” Theodore calls out, his voice ringing through the forest like a predator’s growl, and I can almost feel his presence right behind me.
I dart left, then right, weaving between the trees, but their voices follow me, swirling around me like a tornado.
“ You can’t hide from us,” Julian taunts, and the sound seems to come from everywhere at once, pressing against my ears, my skull, my entire body.
My thoughts spiral as I push forward, my eyes scanning desperately for any sign of a way out.
They’re playing with me. This is all a game to them. A hunt.
A maniacal laugh rings out. “ She’s determined, isn’t she? It’s adorable.”
My throat tightens, and tears prick at the corners of my eyes.
Then , silence.
Where are they?
My eyes dart through the darkness, scanning the trees.
“ You’re making this too easy, Isabel .” It comes from somewhere to my right, but when I turn, I see nothing.
I stagger back, my hand flying out to steady myself against a tree.
“ Don’t stop now, Starling ,” Maxwell’s voice joins in, closer this time. “ We were just starting to have fun.”
A rustle behind me.
I spin, but before I can react, a hand shoots out of the darkness and clamps around my wrist.
“ No !” I scream, thrashing against them, but it’s useless. Theodore steps into view, his face shadowed but unmistakable.
“ There you are, my siren.”