Chapter 5 SHADOW'S IN THE DARK

Kieran's POV

The tray in my hand was moving slightly as I climbed up the stairs to the basement. The sound echoed off the cold, stone walls, breaking the oppressive silence. My steps slowed as I reached the heavy wooden door. I'd thought leaving her down here would teach her a lesson, remind her of her place. Instead, all it did was leave me with a stupid restless unease that I couldn't shake.

I tightened my grip on the tray. The scent of the stew I'd reluctantly brought filled the corridor, but the warmth of the meal didn't match the chill that settled in my chest. I unlocked the door and pushed it open.

Elara was sitting on the floor, her back against the far wall. Her hair was scattered , her clothes wrinkled and filled with dust, but her eyes-those fiery, defiant eyes-met mine immediately. They were sharp, unyielding, and filled with a hatred that burned brighter than the weak bulb swinging from the ceiling.

She didn't say a word as I stepped inside. The door creaked shut behind me, sealing us in.

I set the tray on a small table near the door, my movements measured. She watched me, her gaze between my hands and the tray. She was always calculating, always planning. I could see her mind working, even now.

"You haven't eaten in days," I said, my voice colder than I intended. "You should."

"Spare me the act, Kieran." Her voice was shaky but unwavering. "You don't care if I eat or starve. You just want to keep me here, under your control."

I took a step closer, ignoring the venom in her words. "You think I enjoy this?" I snapped, my own anger flaring. "Do you think I wanted to lock you down here?"

"You did it anyway," she shot back, standing now. "So don't pretend like you're some noble hero. You're just a coward who hides his cruelty behind power."

The tension in the room grew , an unstoppable force pressing against us both. I took a slow breath, trying to calm down the emotions inside me. I wasn't supposed to let her get under my skin, but she always did.

"Eat," I ordered, gesturing to the tray. "You need your strength."

Her lips curled into a bitter smile. "Strength for what? To endure more of your punishments?"

I said nothing, turning away slightly to cover the flicker of guilt that crossed my face. She was right, of course. I had no justification for what I'd done, and yet, I couldn't bring myself to admit it. Not to her. Not yet.

I heard her move, her bare feet shifting against the floor. When I turned back, she was standing closer to the table, her expression unreadable. For a moment, I thought she might actually listen, might sit and eat. Relief washed through me.

Then I saw her hand.

The metal glint of the object she'd picked up from the floor was the only warning I had. She lunged, her arm swinging in a sharp manner. The pain exploded in my skull before I even realized what was happening. The room faded ,my vision blurring as I staggered back.

Elara's POV

I didn't wait to see him hit the ground. My breath came in short, sharp bursts as I walked over him, my heart pounding so loudly it drowned out everything else. The basement door was heavier than I remembered, but adrenaline gave me strength. I pushed it open and began running into the hallway, not daring to look back.

The house was an embodiment of dim corridors and cold, silent rooms, but I didn't care. I ran on instinct, my bare feet slapping against the wooden floors. My only thought was to get out, to escape before he regained consciousness.

The front door loomed ahead, a beacon of hope. I reached for the handle, my fingers trembling, and forced it open. The cool night air hit me like a shock, filling my lungs as I fell slightly outside.

The forest stretched before me, dark and unforgiving , but it was freedom. Without hesitation, I plunged into the trees, the branches clawing at my skin and clothes as I ran.

I didn't stop. Not when my legs burned, not when my lungs screamed for air. The fear drove me forward, faster and faster, until I could barely think.

A sound behind me froze my blood.

Footsteps. Heavy, deliberate. And getting closer.

I glanced over my shoulder, my vision swimming in the faint moonlight filtering through the trees. Kieran was there, his figure a dark shadow among the branches. He moved with a predator's grace, his strides unhurried yet terrifyingly purposeful.

"Elara!" His voice rang out, sharp and commanding. "Stop running. You won't get far."

Panic clawed at my chest, but I forced my legs to keep moving. I followed the narrow path, hoping the little undergrowth would slow him down, but he didn't give up. I could hear him behind me, the sound of snapping twigs and rustling leaves growing louder with every second.

My foot caught on a root, and I stumbled, barely managing to catch myself before falling. The delay cost me precious seconds. When I looked back again, he was closer. Too close.

"Stay away!" I screamed, my voice shacking.

He didn't answer. His eyes, glowing faintly in the moonlight, were locked on me with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

I pushed myself harder, ignoring the burning in my legs, the sting of branches slicing across my skin. But it wasn't enough. He was faster, stronger. I could hear his breathing now, steady and controlled, even as mine turned desperate.

And then he was there.

A hand closed around my arm, jerking me to a stop so abruptly that I nearly fell. I twisted and fought, kicking and clawing, but his grip was very strong.His other hand caught my wrist, pinning it to my side.

"Let me go!" I screamed, tears streaming down my face as I struggled against him.

He didn't speak, his jaw clenched tight, his expression a mask of fury and something else I couldn't name. His strength was overwhelming, his presence suffocating.

I tried one last time, mustering every ounce of strength I had left, but it was useless. He was too strong, too relentless.

"Enough," he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Before I could respond, he moved. His hand struck the side of my head, not hard enough to hurt, but enough to weaken me. My vision blurred, the world spinning as my legs gave out beneath me.

The last thing I saw was his face, looking above me like a shadow.

And then the last thing I saw was darkness.