Chapter 4 Evelyn's offer

"Stay with us," Evelyn said, her voice hollow. "Our house is big enough to accommodate both of you. We'll take care of you, Livia. And I promise, I will help you uncover the truth behind your father's death."

The offer thrilled Livia. For a moment, she felt there was a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness that surrounded her and her mother's lives. However, doubt soon crept in. This was too big, too profound to decide in an instant.

"Thank you, Evelyn," he replied softly. "I will discuss this with my mother first."

Livia said goodbye, her pace quick, but her mind whirling. Arriving at the inn, she found her mother, Isolde, sitting, arranging clothes with a face that could no longer be hidden: tired, weak, but still trying to look strong.

"How was today, dear? Did you find a job?" Isolde asked, trying to hide the anxiety that was evident in her eyes.

Livia shook her head and leaned closer to tell her everything, in detail. About Evelyn, about the offer, about the words of truth that Livia could not forget. Isolde's face changed even more, her expression troubled, full of question marks.

Isolde fell silent. Her eyes stared intently at Livia. "Evelyn... Edgar's wife, you say?"

Livia nodded, watching her mother intently, searching for any trace of doubt in that usually stern face.

"Do you think his offer is sincere?" asked Livia, voice trembling, full of anxiety. Isolde stared out the window as if trying to find an answer out there. "I... I don't know, Livia. We did meet a few times. But their relationship with your father, with us, always felt... foreign. I never knew much about them, there was never any familiarity."

Livia felt her heart beat faster. There was something behind her mother's words, something unsaid. "But, Mom, what if Evelyn can help us?

Do we have to pass up this opportunity just because of doubt?" Isolde stared at Livia, her face growing tense. "What do you expect from all this, Livia? The truth? But, what if it's not the truth you want? What if there are greater dangers ahead of us?"

Livia grasped her mother's hand tightly, her eyes flashing with determination. "Mom, I've had enough of this life. We must seek justice for Father. Evelyn... she knows something, Mother. She says she knows who ruined our family."

Livia's heartbeat quickened, her conscience pounding, trembling with an unstoppable desire. However, Isolde looked increasingly worried, the anxiety reflected on her face.

"Livia... be careful. Don't you think they have some hidden agenda?" her mother's voice suddenly rose, full of worry. "We could be caught up in a bigger game."

Livia bit her lip, unable to contain her deep frustration. "Mother, we have no choice. We're cornered. There's no other way. No one is coming to help us. We have to do this on our own, no matter how dangerous it gets!"

Isolde stood up, her eyes wet, but she tried to hold back the tears. "I know, Livia. I know you want to uncover the truth. But don't let your anger blind you. We must remain cautious."

Livia felt a tremor in her body. There was a tension that burned every fibre of her being. The desire to find the truth rushed through her, but her mother's doubts chained her steps.

"But Mom, if we keep hiding, our lives won't change. Dad... we need to find out who's responsible for everything." Livia's voice grew louder, more determined. "I can't keep living in the shadow of Father's death. We must act now!"

Isolde looked at her daughter, her eyes full of anxiety, but also emotion. "Livia, you're an adult. If you believe this is the right thing to do, I will support you. But remember, we must be careful. We don't want to fall into a bigger trap."

Livia looked into her mother's eyes, a conviction that could not be extinguished. "We'll find the truth, Mom. No matter what happens."

Isolde paused for a moment, weighing the options. On the one hand, she feared endangering Livia by getting further involved in the mystery of Rhysand's death. On the other hand, she could not ignore her daughter's desire to uncover the truth.

"All right," Isolde said finally. "We accept Evelyn's offer. But we must remain vigilant. We must not let our guard down."

Livia smiled broadly. She knew this would not be an easy path. But she was sure that, together, she and her mother could make it through.

Livia's curiosity had led her to the abyss. But she didn't care. She was ready to face whatever lay ahead, as long as she could find justice for her father.

A week after the conversation between Livia and Isolde in their modest guesthouse, the car driven by Edgar glided smoothly away from the neon lights of downtown Ravenhold.

The city was a contrasting blend of past and future - during the day, the streets were filled with busy merchants, artists displaying their works on the corners, and passing vehicles.

Towering gothic architecture meets modern skyscrapers, creating a mesmerizing scene, as if the old and new worlds coexist.

However, when night comes, Ravenhold changes. Glittering neon lights cast a glow over the deserted streets, and the sparkling nightlife entices those who wish to forget the daytime hustle.

Behind the apparent beauty, there is something darker and more hidden - vampire clans that lurk in the shadows and werewolf packs that roam the night. Their lives coexist with humans, but the balance is increasingly fragile, like a tension waiting to explode.

The music from the nightclubs that had been blaring was now faintly audible, replaced by the roar of car engines and the night breeze. Livia stared out the window, noticing the changing scenery around her.

The skyscrapers were replaced with old gothic houses as if they had entered a different world.

Anxiety began to creep up on her. Not only was the air noticeably colder, but there was also something strange here suffocating calm, as if something bad was waiting to happen."

Beside her, Edgar drove with a flat face, as if he didn't care about the feelings that were raging inside Livia. The atmosphere in the car was tense.

Livia wanted to ask Edgar more questions, but the words seemed to get stuck in her throat, something she didn't understand.

After about fifteen minutes of driving, their car entered a quieter, darker street. Old trees towered on both sides of the road, their branches filled with lush leaves forming a natural canopy that blocked out the moonlight.

The air felt colder and damper, mingling with the scent of wet earth and dried leaves. Finally, their car stopped in front of a towering wrought iron gate. Two stone wolf statues stood proudly on either side of the gate, their obsidian eyes gleaming in the car headlights.

Livia felt her heart beat faster. The statues seemed so real as if they were ready to pounce on them at any moment. Edgar pressed a button on the dashboard, and the metal gate rattled open. Their car rolled, down a path flanked by towering cypress trees.

At the end of the path, there was a large house with pointed towers that clawed at the night sky.

The stained glass windows cast a dim light, creating long shadows that danced on the large grassy lawn.

"We're here," Edgar said, his voice breaking the silence. Livia swallowed, feeling a mixture of awe and horror. The house exuded a mysterious aura that gave her goosebumps. She glanced at her mother, who looked just as tense.

Edgar opened the car door too quickly as if he wanted to get out of the car immediately. Although his smile was trying to be soothing, the tension was still palpable.

"Come on," Edgar invited, opening the car door. "I'm sure you'll want to rest soon." Livia felt her body stiffen as she stepped out of the car, her heart pounding. The house, which seemed so grand and beautiful, but made her feel like something was lurking behind every shadow reflected in the stained glass."

Edgar led Livia and Isolde up the stone steps to the main door. The large, solid wooden door was decorated with intricate carvings depicting wolves howling under a full moon.

Livia couldn't ignore the rapid beating of her heart. Wolves again. Why did everything seem to be related to that creature? Edgar opened the door with a soft creak that broke the silence of the night.

The interior of the house was dimly lit, illuminated by a few dim wall lamps. The air inside was cold and humid, mixed with the faint scent of sandalwood incense and old wood.

Livia felt a mysterious aura enveloping the house as if every corner held centuries of dark secrets.

Behind the dazzling beauty of the grand architecture lay forgotten memories, dark secrets that only Edgar could know.