CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
OLIVIA
I restlessly roamed the expanse of my bedroom, my mind racing with fragments of haunting dreams. Each step I took on the cold marble floor echoed with the weight of my frustration. The lavish tapestries adorning the walls, meant to bring comfort, only deepened my sense of unease and disconnection. Despite the opulence surrounding me, peace felt like a distant memory.
The first dream lingered like a shadow, vivid and inescapable. I had been fleeing Salvatore’s relentless pursuit, the twin blades heavy in my hands, their weight tethering me to a reality that felt just beyond my reach. The second dream jolted me awake in a grand, unfamiliar castle-like room—a world drenched in luxury that suffocated more than it comforted.
In the present, Roman stood nearby, cradling baby Luna. His laughter and soft coos directed at our daughter clashed with the storm inside me. Though my heart swelled with love for them both, my joy as a mother was tainted by the ever-present fear of the enemies lurking just beyond the edges of our fragile sanctuary. I smiled and nodded, doing my best to stay present for my husband and child, but the gnawing unease of my dreams refused to be silenced.
Roman and I had hidden the blades in a secret place deep in the woods beneath a well-placed boulder where even the shadows seemed unaware of their existence. They were our lifeline, perhaps the only leverage we had left, and we could not afford their discovery.
“Hand me the baby, would you please?” I asked softly. Roman gently placed baby Luna in my arms, her delicate form molding perfectly against my chest. Holding her close, I traced the elaborate frescoes on the bedroom ceiling with my eyes, their artistry starkly contrasting with the storm brewing in my mind.
It had been two weeks since I’d brought her into this world—a world riddled with shadows and deceit. My lips hummed a lullaby, but my thoughts were elsewhere, ensnared by the fragments of dreams that refused to let me rest.
In the hallway, I caught sight of my mother, her eyes locking onto mine with an urgency that made my stomach churn. Since uncovering the truth about her—the vile layers of deceit and manipulation hidden beneath her maternal facade—I had steered clear of her. Her presence was a storm cloud, dark and menacing, and I refused to stand in its path.
“Olivia, honey,” she called out, her voice sickly sweet.
“Close the door, please,” I murmured to Roman, avoiding her gaze. “And let’s go outside. I need some air to clear my thoughts.”
He nodded without hesitation, always my steadfast protector. As he placed himself between me and the woman who had birthed me but no longer held any claim to my trust, I felt a flicker of gratitude. We stepped through the French doors onto the balcony overlooking the lush gardens below.
The cool evening air kissed my skin, a temporary balm to my frayed nerves. For a moment, amidst the soft rustling of leaves and the fragrant scent of roses, I imagined peace. But peace was fragile, and it had no place in a life built upon treachery and blood. Roman and I were an island of two in a sea of uncertainty, our vigilance the only shield against the tides of betrayal.
Behind us, the heavy creak of the bedroom door shattered the illusion of solitude. Malik entered, his presence a reminder that we were never truly alone, even in the quietest corners of Mathias’ estate.
Roman placed a steadying hand on my back, guiding me and baby Luna back inside. I kept my gaze fixed on the window, the reflection of the garden my only anchor. I didn’t want to speak to Malik. I didn’t want to face anyone except Roman. Trust was a fragile thread, and mine had been severed too many times.
“Olivia, why have you been skulking in shadows, avoiding me?” Malik’s voice broke through the silence, his words edged with hurt. “We’re family. I miss our conversations.”
Turning away from the window, where the last rays of daylight struggled to pierce the encroaching shadows, I met Malik’s gaze.
“Family.” The word tasted like ash on my tongue. “How can we speak of family when trust is such a fleeting ghost?”
Pain flashed across Malik’s features.
“I know you found the moon dagger,” he said quietly, moving closer but respectful of the space between us. “I know about Luna, about her being Timeborne. And Lazarus... I know you’ve met him.”
My breath hitched, my eyebrows shooting up as I stared at him in bewilderment. “But... how?” I stammered. My thoughts raced, tangling in confusion. “No one is supposed to know about that,” I added, my voice dropping to a near whisper.
Malik and Roman exchanged a look that seemed to carry unspoken words. “Roman told me while you were unconscious.” He tamped the air with his hands. “Before you react, love, remember this—I have always been your ally and protector. I gave you my word before, and I’ll give it again. I will always care for you, Roman, and Luna. I will protect all of you until my last breath.”
He paused, letting his words sink into my paranoid brain.
“I understand why trust is hard for you, but I’m on your side. I may not be an angel, but trust isn’t beyond us.”
His sincerity tugged at something deep within me, loosening the knots of doubt strangling my heart. Despite the suspicions raging, I whispered, “I want to trust you, Malik.”
“Then let’s start with honesty,” he said. “Ask me anything.”
Inhaling a slow, steadying breath, I steeled my nerves and grasped onto the opportunity before it slipped away. “I’ve asked you before, and you refused to tell me. How is Isabelle connected to Mathias and Balthazar? I told you about my dream, where Isabelle seemed to know them. But you’ve stayed silent. Why? I have to know.”
Malik’s lips curved into a secretive smile as if amused by a private joke. “You are starting to remember, Olivia. Not completely, but it’s there, somewhere in the depths of your mind.”
“Then tell me how they’re connected,” I said, my frustration mounting.
He shook his head. “Some paths you must walk yourself to understand the journey. But I will say this—Balthazar wasn’t always the monster we now know.”
“Wasn’t always evil?” I couldn’t hide the skepticism in my voice.
“No,” Malik said. “He was flawed, yes, but not inherently malevolent. He made grievous mistakes—trying to kill you, trying to burn you alive. Unforgivable acts. It was Mathias who made Balthazar the way he is, and Alina as well.”
My heart raced with fear and curiosity. The web of our past was complex and dark, and I ached for clarity. I turned back to the window, needing space.
“Olivia?” Roman’s voice pulled me back from the precipice of my thoughts, his hand warm on my shoulder.
I looked up at him, the worry in his eyes mirroring the turmoil within me.
“There are so many secrets around us,” I said, shifting Luna to my other arm. “So much is coming to light. And speaking of my mother… There’s something I overheard before Luna was born.”
Roman’s posture stiffened, his gaze sharpening like a blade ready for battle.
“What is it?” he asked quietly, aware that walls might harbor more than ornate tapestries.
“Mathias and my mother...” The words tasted bitter, and Luna stirred restlessly against me as if sensing the tension. “They spoke in hushed tones in the living room when I was heading to the kitchen.”
In the corner of the room, Malik leaned against the doorframe, his presence nearly forgotten. A soft tut escaped him, a sound that seemed to carry skepticism and curiosity.
“They didn’t see me,” I said. “I heard them plotting—against us, Roman. They spoke of control, of power... and of treachery.”
I shared the exact details of the conversation with him.
Roman’s jaw clenched, his eyes darkening with the rising storm of betrayal. “We knew we couldn’t trust anyone, not truly, but to hear your mother is involved...”
“It’s troubling but not surprising,” Malik said. “Mathias has always been a master of games, and your mother is nothing short of evil.”
“Or perhaps the other way around,” Roman muttered.
Luna cooed softly, blissfully unaware of the tangled webs threatening to ensnare her future. Her tiny breaths filled the room with an innocence that felt almost fragile against the heavy tension pressing down on us.
“Either way,” I said, tightening my hold on my daughter, “we need to be prepared. For Luna’s sake.”
Roman stood by the window, his silhouette framed by dusk’s dim, fading light. The shadows cast by his figure stretched long across the room, a silent reflection of the storm brewing within him.
“Olivia,” he said, returning to me. His eyes held a solemn depth as he reached for my hand. “Marcellious spoke of dark omens in his fevered state from the Belladonna. He raved about Lazarus coming to destroy Salvatore.”
A chill slithered down my spine. It was one thing to suspect a threat, another to hear it spoken aloud with such certainty.
“We’re in a lot of danger,” I whispered, the truth settling over me like a shroud.
“I know. Lazarus—Gaius, as he once was to me—warned us in the caves. I’ve been vigilant ever since.” His voice dropped, a note of something akin to fear lacing his usual confidence. “When Marcellious was lost to the Belladonna’s grip and foretold of Lazarus’ intent, Mathias gripped my arm so tightly it left marks. As if the very thought of Salvatore’s destruction terrified him.”
My heart pounded in my chest as I processed his words. If Mathias had feared Lazarus, the threat would have been graver than we had realized.
“Then it’s true. No one can be trusted.” I glanced at Malik, who watched us with wary eyes. “Except for you, Malik.”
“Exactly,” Roman said. He stood resolute, a fortress against the uncertain storm brewing beyond these walls. “We stand alone, Olivia. The three of us. But we stand together.”
A silent vow passed between us, unspoken yet as binding as the ancient spells that once wove destinies and bloodlines together. Whatever darkness loomed ahead, we would protect our family, our Luna. The room seemed to hold its breath as if acknowledging the weight of our commitment.
Outside, the fading dusk stretched long shadows across the ground, twisting them into shifting shapes that seemed to conspire in silence.
“What about Reyna?” I asked hesitantly, doubt creeping into my voice. “Can we truly trust her and Osman? Yes, they’ve helped us—Reyna during my contractions, Osman at the tavern—but they suddenly entered our lives. How can we be certain of their true intentions? Their true identities?”
The fear of betrayal lingered, its roots entwined with the memory of my mother’s whispered conspiracy with Mathias. Their treachery had painted the world in shades of suspicion and unease.
“What if they’re plotting against us too?” I continued, my doubts clouding every thread of thought.
Malik shifted uncomfortably. His eyes flickered with something inscrutable before returning to their usual stoic glint. I watched him closely, trying to decipher the secrets lurking beneath the surface.
“Olivia, my love,” Roman said gently.
My attention snapped to Roman.
“I believe we can place our trust in Reyna and Osman,” he said, his voice carrying a sense of conviction. “While you were unconscious, I carried you out of the cave. It was treacherous—Raul and his men had surrounded us. But Reyna… she dealt with them all, Olivia. Swiftly and with precision. She fought as though she were born for battle.”
“No!” My voice rose in disbelief. “She looks so slight, so fragile. Like a bookworm. Angelic, even.”
“Angel or not, she’s far from being a mere bookworm,” Roman replied firmly, a hint of respect edging his tone. “I asked her who taught her to fight, and she said it was her father.”
“We don’t know if she’s telling the truth,” I said. “She might be an ally, but we can’t be sure. What if everyone is trying to kill us?”
Gently, I placed Luna in her crib, smoothing a hand over her tiny form before stepping back. The weight of exhaustion pressed against me, but I forced herself to focus on Roman.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Olivia,” Roman said. “Let’s take this one day at a time. I’ll tell Mathias that I intend to step away from the search for the blades, at least for now.”
His gaze drifted to the crib where Luna lay peacefully asleep, her tiny chest rising and falling in rhythm. Oblivious to the chaos surrounding her existence, she seemed like a beacon of serenity amidst the storm.
“I’m a new father,” he said, “and I don’t want to leave your side or baby Luna’s.”
I looked into Roman’s eyes, finding solace in their depths.
“Maybe you should go to the future, Olivia,” Roman said. “You’d be safe there.”
“Not without you, Roman. I would never leave you behind.”
“Even if that were an option,” Malik interjected, his tone solemn, “you can’t time travel. Not with Luna. She’s Timeborne and the risks...”
A chill crept over my skin as I brushed my fingers against the smooth surface of the armoire.
“You’re right, Malik,” I muttered. “If we time travel, it could awaken her darkness. Only we three know of Luna’s gift, which must stay that way.”
My gaze drifted to the cradle. “But staying here isn’t safe either. We can’t keep hiding within these walls.”
Malik leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. “Then what do you propose?”
“Let’s tell them we’re taking a hiatus from searching for the blades,” I said, facing him. “We need space to breathe, to plan our next move without prying eyes on us.”
“Mathias will grow suspicious if the excavation team stops now. He’s anxious to find the blades,” Roman said, his brow furrowing.
“Obsessed is a better word,” Malik said.
“Then we’ll be careful with our words,” I said, clasping my hands together to steady their trembling. “We’ll make them believe it’s a strategic retreat.”
Malik nodded, though doubt flickered in his eyes.
“And what of Isabelle and Armand’s connection to all this? Does Balthazar know who they are?” I asked, recalling the fragmented pieces of my dreams that tangled with reality.
“You will have to ask him yourself, Olivia,” Malik replied, his voice steady but evasive.
“Then take me to see him.” I stepped forward, determination setting my jaw. “I need answers, and if Balthazar has them?—”
“No.” Malik raised a hand to halt my advance. “It will be difficult to get answers from Balthazar. Mathias would never allow it. You know how closely he guards his secrets, especially those concerning Balthazar.”
“Damn Mathias’ rules!” I said, frustration boiling over. “How am I supposed to piece together my past when everyone keeps it out of reach?”
“Patience, Olivia,” Malik said, his tone as calming as the cool touch of his hand on my shoulder. “There are other ways to uncover the truth that don’t involve alerting Mathias to your intentions.”
“Then we must find them before it’s too late,” I said. “We also need to find how to activate these daggers.”
A sly smile tugged at the corner of Malik’s lips as though he held some hidden knowledge. “The scholars in Anatolia are renowned for their expertise in ancient artifacts. Perhaps Osman could provide insights about the blades and their power. From there, a journey to Anatolia might be our next step.”
His expression darkened, turning serious. “However, we can’t ignore that Raul is imprisoned in the dungeon, and he claims to have alerted the Timehunter leader about our location. Traveling to Anatolia could be dangerous. But staying here isn’t safe for you either, Olivia. With Mathias and Alina hunting for the blade, every moment here is a risk.”
A sense of urgency built within me.
“We have to leave this place immediately,” I said, my decision firm. “With the Timehunter society possibly after us and the constant threat from Mathias and Alina, staying here is no longer an option. And with Lee, Emily, and Marcellious leaving, we’ll soon be completely alone in this house—vulnerable to all sorts of threats.”
My heart raced as the dangers lurking within these human and supernatural walls came to mind.
“This house is crawling with monsters,” I shivered.
“Patience,” Malik said, his gaze never leaving mine. “We’ll get you out of here in a few weeks. But we must concoct a solid story before we make our move.”
“Stories won’t protect us from betrayal,” I said. “I’m angry that my mother is so evil, hiding secrets and truths out of reach. I despise her, Malik.”
“Indeed,” Malik said, his emerald eyes glinting thoughtfully. “Appearances can be deceiving, and allies are scarce. Trust must be earned, even among those who have proven themselves in battle.”
“Then we’ll watch and wait,” I said, my resolve hardening. “We’ll keep our friends close and our secrets closer.”
“Agreed.” Roman took my hand, the warmth of his touch a silent vow of solidarity.
A knock echoed through the heavy wooden door. Malik pulled it open, revealing Emily. She rushed toward me, arms outstretched, and enveloped me in a tight embrace.
As she released me, her words spilled out in a trembling rush. “I’m going to the future with Lee to heal Marcellious, and I’m scared.”
I placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, willing confidence into my voice despite the uncertainty of everything around us. “It’s going to be okay,” I said. “I’ll miss you terribly, but it’s for the best.”
The weight of her impending absence settled in my chest like a heavy stone.
Emily hesitated. “Olivia, I’m hearing rumors that Marcellious and Reyna had an affair. I don’t know what to think.”
“From what little I know, Reyna holds her secrets close,” I said. “She wouldn’t break them. Strict values are her armor.”
“Do you think that?” Emily said, clasping my hands.
“Yes, I do. Have peace in your heart when you travel to the future. My father will be good to you, and I believe you’ll find happiness beyond this madness. I hope to meet with you all soon.”
“Promise me,” she whispered.
“I promise,” I said, my heart echoing the sentiment, even though promises felt easily shattered in our uncertain world.
As Emily exited the room, leaving behind the faintest trace of her perfume, a heavy foreboding settled over me, unshakable.
Osman stepped into the doorway with an air of defeat. His eyes, usually sharp as a hawk’s, now carried a burden that seemed to pull down his broad shoulders.
“Still no sign of the missing blade,” he said. “It’s just as well that we don’t have it.”
I leaned against the wooden bedpost, the polished surface cool against my back, doing little to calm the fire within me. “Why do you say that?”
He sighed. “Because only the scholars of Anatolia can translate the dagger script. And the people of Anatolia? They are brutal and unforgiving. Extracting their secrets would be perilous.”
The weight of his words pressed against my chest, but the need to understand the daggers overpowered any fear. Unlocking the past and safeguarding Luna was worth every risk.
Roman stepped beside me, his presence a reassuring warmth. His hand brushed against mine, grounding me.
“I think we can survive,” he said, his determination slicing through the uncertainty. “Once we find the dagger, we will travel to Anatolia, learn how to decipher the blades, and destroy all the evil and danger around us.”
His confidence bolstered my own. Together, we faced the road ahead—a path fraught with peril and the promise of answers. We could not allow fear to dictate our actions when so much was at stake.
But as his words settled in the air, a shadow passed over his face—brief but unmistakable. He glanced away as if sensing something I couldn’t see. A chill crept up my spine, and I realized that the real battle had already begun long before we set foot on the path to Anatolia.
The danger wasn’t just ahead of us—it was closing in faster than we could prepare for.
And then, in the silence that followed, a single thought pierced my mind— We might already be too late.