Chapter 54: THE LINE BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG

The Tension Grows

Victor’s smug smile is still fresh in my head, but suddenly Lucian stands with his back to me, anger pouring from him like heat. His eyes are focused on Aaron, the anxiety between them like a thick cloud. I can actually feel the storm forming in Lucian’s thoughts he’s ready to tear Aaron apart. 

“I’m not letting him walk away from this,” Lucian says, taking a threatening step toward Aaron. “Traitors don’t get second chances.” 

"No!" I run ahead, my heart pounding. “Lucian, please, just listen to him!” My voice is shaky, but I know I can’t let this happen. Aaron might be our only chance to figure out what’s actually going on. 

Lucian turns his hard look to me, his mouth stiff. “Why? He sold us out, Isabella. He ought to pay. ” We don't know everything he does," I beg, taking Lucian's arm. I touch his tight muscles, yet he doesn't shake me away. "Just give him a chance to explain, please." 

Lucian, clearly torn, glares at Aaron and then back at me. What if he's lying once more? Are you willing to risk everything? 

Aaron is standing there looking guilty and desperate, and I swallow hard, my heart racing. I have to think he's telling the truth, even though I'm not sure. Lucian, I must know. We must be aware. 

Lucian's knuckles turn white as he clenches his hands. He steps back after what seems like a lifetime, his eyes still burning with rage. "All right. He talks. But I'll kill him if he even breathes wrong. 

I nodded and released a shaky breath. Although it's a small victory, it's sufficient. For the time being. 

Aaron lets out a breath of relief, but Lucian's icy stare never leaves him. 

The Actual Conflict 

Aaron looks at us both nervously as he clears his throat. His voice is low as he starts, "You don't understand what's really going on here." Clara is after more than just Lucian. She has much bigger goals in mind. 

Lucian's look is unreadable as he crosses his arms. Greater than taking my life? Tell us. 

Aaron pauses, looking from one of us to the other. She is being abused. Someone in a higher position is in charge of pulling all the strings. Clara is merely a piece in a much bigger plan. 

A shiver goes down my back. "Who?" I ask, hardly raising my voice above a whisper. 

Aaron's eyes grow gloomy. Victor Kingston does not hold the top place in the food chain. Above him is a person we have never ever heard of. Isabella, they are the ones who want you dead. 

My throat tightens every breath. "Me? Why? 

Aaron gives a disappointed shake of his head. "I'm not exactly sure why. Nevertheless, it is linked to your father and his memory. They fear that you will find the truth. 

Beside me, Lucian tenses up and narrows his eyes. “What truth?” 

Aaron looks at him, then back at me. “Something about your family… about the power your father had. They fear that you will find it and turn it against them. 

The weight of his words is crushing me, making me feel lightheaded. "I never heard anything from my father." 

Aaron says in a worried tone, "That's the point." "They made sure you were unaware. However, it is important enough that they are willing to kill in order to hide it. 

Lucian takes a step forward, his face expressionless. Clara is merely the messenger, then. Someone we haven't even seen yet poses the true threat. 

Aaron gives a nod. "Exactly." 

The parts are slowly coming together, and my mind is racing. Everything now makes sense: Clara's attacks, Victor Kingston's participation, and my father's lies. However, I still don't know a lot. 

A Race Against Time 

Lucian turns and looks at me intently. If this turns out to be the case, we must find the true wrongdoer. Quickly. 

My heart is racing as I nod. However, how? We have no idea who they are. 

Aaron shifted uneasily. That is the problem. They're already watching us. Victor is aware that we are on him and that the person behind the strings won't be far behind. We won't have a chance if we don't act fast. 

Lucian's anger is obvious as he clenches his jaw. “We need a plan. Right now. 

Aaron looks around uncomfortably. "Not far from here is a safehouse. It is not connected to the grid. There, we may regroup and decide on our next course of action. 

Lucian's eyes narrow. “And why should we trust you? How can we be certain that this isn't another trap? 

Aaron's voice is hardly more than a whisper, and he looks to be in pain. "Because I'm attempting to mend what I damaged." I can assist you in stopping them, but I cannot take back what I have done. 

My heart hurts as I gaze at Lucian. Aaron may or may not be telling the truth, but it seems like we have no other choice. We must take advantage of the chance that he is right. 

For a short time, Lucian's attitude calms as his eyes shift to mine. "Are you certain about this, Isabella?" 

My heart is racing as I bite my lip. " I'm not sure. However, we cannot simply wait for them to follow us. We must take action. 

For a long time, Lucian looks at me with troubled eyes. Finally, he gives a nod. "All right. The safehouse is where we'll go. If, however, this is a trap— 

Aaron interrupts in a strong voice, "It's not." "I swear." 

Lucian doesn't argue, but his eyes narrow. "Leave now." 

Tension is high as we go quickly in the direction of the exit. Every step I take makes my heart race because I feel like the unknown is dragging me down. 

Lucian takes hold of my hand as we near the door and draws me in. His voice is harsh as he whispers, "I won't let anything happen to you, Isabella." "No matter what." 

I nod, feeling a knot in my chest. "I understand." 

His eyes meet mine as he squeezes my hand. The world appears to slow down for a time, and all I can think about is how much I count on him and how much I trust him, despite the chaos all around us. 

However, Aaron stops and his eyes widen in fear as we are ready to go outdoors. "Hold on." 

I turn to Lucian and we both stop, looking at him. "What?" Lucian loses his anger and strikes out. 

Aaron's voice hardly gets beyond a whisper as his face goes white. "We're not by ourselves." 

As I look around, fear creeping up my spine, my heart skips a beat. "What do you mean?" 

Aaron's look flickers across the poorly lit hallway. "They've located us already." 

The sound of footsteps reverberates throughout the building before I can even understand what he has spoken. With my heart racing, I tighten my hold on Lucian's hand. 

Aaron says in a shaky voice, "They're here." "We must leave. Right now. 

Lucian tightens his hold on my hand and draws me in, his eyes getting darker. "Run," he orders in a low, deadly voice. 

We run for the exit without saying another word, the sound of footsteps growing in volume behind us. Fear and excitement are rushing through me as we are running out of time, and my heart is thumping in my chest. 

However, I can't get rid of the feeling that it's already too late as we break through the door and into the night. 

As we approach the car, a dark figure appears from the darkness, blocking our way. 

Kingston Victor. He looks down at us with a calculating, chilly smile. "Are you going somewhere?" 

My heart is beating in my chest, and my blood is chilly. We've been captured. And there's no escape now.