Chapter 5 Setting The Trap

Isabella walked back and forth across her room, the only sound in the quiet being the faint click of her heels on the marble floor. The gala was just a few days away, and she felt like she was going to burst from the weight of what she was about to accomplish. It was the perfect time: Seraphina's big yearly celebration, when all the appropriate people would be there and secrets could be kept or told. She stood in front of the mirror and ran her fingertips over the lovely clothing that was hanging on the wall.

It was a statement, an outfit made to attract and interest, but all she felt was fear. She continued thinking about Nathaniel and the plan they had made. The sabotage was already happening, and Isabella could feel the walls around Seraphina's dominion starting to break. But there was still a knot in her stomach. Are you sure this is going to work? she said to her reflection, as if the woman in the mirror could hear her. A quiet rap on the door broke her train of thought. Isabella? Nathaniel's voice came from the other side. Come in, she said, her voice strong yet shaky with nervousness. He walked in without thinking, and his presence filled the room. Nathaniel was tall and imposing, and his piercing eyes looked at her with such passion that her heart raced. He looked at her for a moment before he spoke. We're ready, he responded, sounding calm and sure of himself. The last piece is in place. Things will be different after tonight. Isabella nodded, but she still felt uneasy. Are we really ready for this? Nathaniel moved closer and looked into her eyes. You've already made the choice, Isabella. Now is your chance. Don't doubt yourself now. Her heart raced. She knew he was right. There was no way to go back. Not right now. Not after what they had done. Right, she answered, her voice soft yet firm. Let's make sure the game ends tonight. Isabella and Nathaniel met in a quiet, dark room away from the mansion the night before the gala. They could converse without worrying about being heard because it was a private location. The air was heavy with tension, and the weight of their plan hung over them like a storm about to break. Nathaniel whispered, We're so close now, as he ran his fingertips over the edge of a map that was spread out on the table. Seraphina's empire is built on weak links, and it won't take much to break them. Isabella leaned in and stared at the map. How do we get started? Nathaniel looked at her with sharp, focused eyes. First, we cut off her money sources. I've already set up a way to let people know about her bad investments. People she relies on will start to wonder if they are faithful. And the rest? Isabella enquired, her fingers curling over the edge of the table. Next, we go after her friends and family. One by one, we'll turn them against her. Quiet, subtle, but effective. Nathaniel's lips turned up in a faint, knowing smile. By the time she gets to the gala tomorrow, she'll already be in a fight she doesn't even know about. Isabella gulped. There was no doubt about the strength of Nathaniel's remarks, but a part of her held back. She had been stuck in Seraphina's universe for a long time, but now she was going to destroy it all. The notion was exciting and scary at the same time. I'm ready, Isabella responded, her voice firm even if she was in a storm. Let's get this over with. Nathaniel's eyes flashed with somethingmaybe acceptance, or something more threatening. Good, he said. This is just the start. But it's the first step. And it's the one that counts. The gala night came, and the estate's huge ballroom was filled with golden light. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling and gave lovely light on the people below. It was the perfect place to lie and pretend to be someone else. Isabella stood by the door, her heart racing as she looked around the room. The sounds and the talking all seemed far away. Her eyes darted to the stage, where Seraphina would shortly make her big debut. This was the time. The end of everything they had been working towards. Are you ready? Nathaniel's voice sounded low in her ear, and there was a hint of something electrifying about it. Her heart raced as she turned to him. As ready as I'll ever be. He smiled, and his eyes still had that calm assurance in them, but there was something else in them today that made her question if he, too, felt the weight of the night crushing down on him. Nathaniel put a comforting hand on her shoulder and murmured, I'll be right there with you. Isabella nodded, but even his touch couldn't make the searing pain in her chest go away. She was so near to her goal, so close to the revenge she had been wanting for so long. But in the back of her mind, a voice kept asking, At what cost? As the clock crept down, the stress just became worse. They both looked at each other one last time before turning to the throng. They had put forth the effort. They had made the trap. Now, they only had to wait. But when she stood in the sea of guests, which was sparkling, she suddenly felt uneasy. Was this the proper way? Could she get away from the damage they were going to cause? Or was this merely the start of a new jail? She gasped as she saw Seraphina come into the room. She was as dominant as ever. The woman looked around the room, and a frigid smile pulled at the edges of her lips. Isabella's heart skipped a beat. The trap was ready. Now, all they had to do was make sure it worked.