Chapter 3 DARKNESS

Aria's POV

A strong odor greets me as I leave the room. Dad isn't there, or is this a set-up to hurt me? A strange smell presses against me, curling into my lungs. A bitter taste that burns my throat and makes breathing difficult. The scent of gas clings to me, going straight into my lungs.

I want to move, but my head aches and the world spins. My arms and legs feel heavy and slow me down. I need help, but I can't speak. I see a figure watching from the window; I stretch my hands, signalling that I am in danger. My legs wobble and I fall to the ground before everything goes black.

*******

I open my eyes slightly and run my fingers over something that feels soft and silky.

I force my eyelids open wide.

Warm light filters into the room, a contrast to the suffocation I experienced before darkness took over. The first thing I see is a grand canopy above me, luxurious and unfamiliar. The scent in the air is different now. Something masculine.

A low murmur echoes near me. A deep voice, smooth but firm.

I blink.

I notice Damien standing at the door with a phone up to his ear. The angles of his face caught the light, making him look even more beautiful. He's wearing a different cloth now- a white shirt, sleeves rolled up to his forearms, dark slacks, the top buttons undone to reveal a sliver of his skin.

"He looks..." I push the thought away.

I shift, and the movement must make a sound because his gaze snaps to mine instantly, blue and piercing.

I swallow hard.

He ends the call without a word.

"You're awake." His voice is calm with something watchful underneath it.

I wet my lips. "Where...?" My throat is dry and aching.

"My place," he says

His words sound awkward to me, I try to sit up, but immediately I budge; pain rushes through my head, causing me to wince.

"Easy." Damien rushes to my side, his hand pressing my shoulder lightly, stopping me from forcing myself up.

His touch is warm and I hate that it feels safe. I know him well now. He's the Damien Calloway Viviene and her mother always hide from me. I only hear his name. I never thought he could be this handsome. Now I see their reasons. They're afraid he might choose me instead of Viviene.

I close my eyes, gathering my thoughts, trying to piece together everything. The party, gas the door locked door, the realization, the panic, the moment my body gave up, sinking into a forced unconsciousness.

But then...

"How did I get here?" My voice is weak.

Damien exhales slowly. "I had someone watching you. Not seeing you come back to the ballroom made me realize something wasn't right. "I found you unconscious."

I process his words.

He knew something was wrong. He had someone watching me.

I should be unsettled by that, but all I can focus on is one thing-he saved me and I don't know why.

"You should rest." . His voice softened, yet it remains firm underneath. He takes a teacup and several pills from the nightstand's tray which makes me stiffen.

"Tea," he says. "And the medicine the doctor prescribed. You inhaled too much of whatever they used. It'll help."

I hesitate.

A small smirk tugs at his lips. "You think I'd drug you?"

I say nothing.

His eyes turn serious. Aria, trust me, if I meant to hurt you, I wouldn't have gotten you out of there.

What he says is true.

I take the cup. When he gives it to me, our fingers connect lightly, and a weird shiver runs through me. I ignore it. I focus on the tea, enjoying its warmth and soothing my throat with every sip.

Damien watches me.

I can sense him staring at me.

"You should stay," he says after a moment.

I stiffen again. "I can't."

"You need rest."

"I need to go home."

His expression is unreadable. "That's not safe."

I set the cup down. "It's my home."

A muscle ticks in his jaw.

"I have to go." My voice is firm. I throw the blankets off and get out of bed. I shiver as the cold air stings my skin. Damien doesn't move to stop me. He's just watching.

"I'll get my driver to give you a ride."

I don't argue.

Because I need to leave.

Because staying here, near him-is dangerous in ways I can't even explain.

**********

(Home)

I step inside the Donavan mansion, my heart a steady, heavy thud in my chest. Everything looks the same, but it feels... wrong.

Like I'm walking into a place that no longer belongs to me.

I hear voices low and hushing momentarily.

I move toward the sound, my steps are careful. The staircase looms ahead, leading to the upper floors where my stepmother and Viviene's rooms are. The voices are coming from behind the half-closed door to Rachel's sitting room.

I pause when I hear my name. Viviene's voice is sounding frustrated. "She was supposed to die. That gas was meant to be enough."

I suddenly can't breathe right, and a freezing feeling wraps around my stomach.

Racheal's voice follows, sounding unbothered. "You were careless. You should have confirmed it."

"How was I supposed to check without being obvious?" Viviene hisses. "Besides, now we have a bigger problem."

Silence.

Then they start speaking again.

"Damien noticed her at the party, and I'm afraid he helped her."

Rachael exhales. "That complicates things."

My pulse is hammering so loud I swear they can hear it.

Viviene's voice is full of venom. "He cares enough to interfere. That makes Aria a threat."

Step mother is silent for a moment. Then, coolly, she says, "Then we must remove her. Permanently, just as you removed that pathetic mother of hers."

A chill rushes down my spine. They're talking about killing me, and they killed my mother.

The realization is like a knife to my gut, twisting it cruelly.

My hands tremble; I should run; I should leave this place this instant.

But I don't get the chance.

I step on a floorboard which creaks beneath me.

Viviene's head whips toward the door.

I don't think. I just move.

I dash down the hall, my heart racing. A chair slides back loudly behind me. I hear footsteps coming after me.

I don't look back.

I race toward the back exit, my lungs burning and my legs screaming. But when I reach for the handle, something slams into my side.

I hit the wall with a choked gasp.

Viviene is in front of me, her eyes blazing with fury. Racheal stands a few feet away, composed as ever. And beside her, stands Luke, our driver holding a lighter.

Viviene smirks. "You really should've just died when we planned it."

The smell of gasoline thickens in the air.

Then-flick, Luke releases fire from the lighter and fire erupts. I hear them hurrying to leave while I am alone bound to the chair, the fires spreading hastily.

They didn't know I was ready.

Because I knew they wouldn't stop.

I reach behind me. My fingers close around the small knife I took from Damien's house.

I slice through the rope they used to bind me.

And just as the flames roar higher-I run, but I don't go far before I fall and blackness envelopes me once again.