Chapter 56: THE NAME THAT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE

A Message That Is Chilling 

My heart is beating in my chest as Clara's men approach with their guns drawn. Lucian pulls me in closer, his hand tightening on mine. The way his muscles are tight and ready to release stress is palpable to me. Regardless of the odds, he is ready to fight. 

His voice is low yet angry as he whispers, "Stay behind me." 

I swallow the fear that rises in my throat and nod. There's no escape. We're bound. However, I have faith in Lucian. I've never been unhappy with him. 

Clara takes a step closer, her cold smile like a blade slicing through the stress. "When you had the opportunity, you ought to have left." 

Lucian's voice is icy and his eyes narrow. "People like you don't make me flee." 

Clara snaps her fingers as her smile grows. Her guys progress one more step. For a moment, I wonder if this is it...if this is the end of it all, and my heart thuds in my ears. 

Then I notice something out of the corner of my eye. Scratched in blood and written in big, black letters on the far wall. 

A name. 

Lucian also sees it. His eyes are fixed on the bloody letters, and his whole body goes stiff. My stomach churns as I follow his stare. 

The name It's eerie. It is recognizable. But I am unable to find it. 

"Lucian?" With a hint of fear in my voice, I whisper. 

He doesn’t answer. He merely stares at the name, his face getting pale. I’ve never seen him like this. He has always been so strong and in charge. However, now... He feels as though the ground has been torn from beneath him. 

“What is it, Lucian?” With a shaky voice, I beg again. 

When he blinks at last, his jaw is so clenched that I'm afraid he could crack his teeth. He talks in a whispery voice. "That's him." 

"Who is he?" I don't get it. However, Lucian's entire way has changed, and I can feel the fear in his words. 

Clara laughs, clearly thrilled to see Lucian's surprise. "Oh, you do remember. Excellent. I hoped that you wouldn't forget. 

With his eyes burning with rage, Lucian wakes from his trance. "You think I'll be afraid of this?" 

With a mischievous sparkle in her eyes, Clara tilts her head. "It ought to. Because Lucian, he's coming for you. And nothing will remain after he does. 

Even though Lucian's hold on my hand is getting more and more uncomfortable, I stay quiet. I see the storm growing inside of him, the fear and anger merging to create something perilous. 

With a final, icy grin, Clara takes a step back. Think of this as a warning. Lucian, get out of here. Prior to it being too late. 

The building lights flash before Lucian can move. Clara and her men suddenly vanish into the darkness as the shadows get darker. 

Panic starts to seep in as I look around. "Where did they go?" 

Lucian stays silent. He's still looking at the name on the wall. 

The Past Comes Up Again 

Silently, we leave the building. As he drives, Lucian's eyes are sharp and unclear due to stress. I can't get rid of the picture of that name in blood or Lucian's face when he saw it. 

I finally break the quiet by saying, "Lucian." "Who is it? What does it signify? 

He doesn't answer for a second. His fingers go white as he simply tightens his grasp on the driving wheel. 

Finally, in an angry, low voice, he says, "It's not just about power." "This is a personal matter." 

I frown as I try to make sense of it. "Personal? How? 

Lucian turns to me and pulls the car to the side of the road. There is a sadness in his eyes that I have never seen before. " I believed that name belonged to someone who is no longer alive. Someone I ought to have killed long ago. 

My heart beats faster. "Who?" 

Lucian clenches his jaw. "My sibling." 

I look at him in disbelief. "Your sibling? However, you never brought it up. "Because I wanted to forget," he interrupts in a stern tone. "I wanted to put him out of my mind totally. Regarding his acts. However, he's back now. He also seeks vengeance. 

My heart aches for him as I grasp for his hand. "What did he do?" 

As he remembers the past, Lucian inhales deeply and looks away. "Our family was betrayed by him." He tried to take our legacy and all of our power. And he vanished after failing. I believed him to be dead. 

I add quietly, "But he's not," as understanding starts to set in. 

"No," Lucian answers in a bitter tone. "He isn't. And now he's trying to reach me through Clara. Everything about this has been a game. And I was totally unaware of it. 

I try to calm him by squeezing his hand. We'll solve this, Lucian. Together. 

His face softens slightly as he looks at me. "You shouldn't be involved in this. It's too risky. 

I assertively say, "I'm already involved." "I will not abandon you." 

His eyes are full of feeling as he looks at me for a while. Then he suddenly yanks me into his arms and holds me there. "I'm not worthy of you," he whispers into my hair. 

I mumble back, "Lucian, you deserve it all." And together, we'll face this. Regardless. 

The Last Warning 

We return to the safehouse, the weight of Lucian’s past hanging heavy between us. He’s quieter than normal, absorbed in his own thoughts. I know he’s trying to figure out the next move, trying to keep one step ahead of his brother. 

But there’s a sense of urgency today, a feeling that time is running out. 

Lucian is in the middle of a heated argument with Alessia when the phone rings. His face tightens as he looks at the caller ID. 

"That's her," he whispers. 

Clara. 

His voice is short and chilly when he replies. "What are you looking for?" 

Clara's smooth, mocking voice can be heard over the phone. Lucian, you're still after ghosts. Did I not warn you? Leave. Prior to it being too late. 

Anger is simmering beneath Lucian's tight jaw, and I can see it. "I'm not going to give up on anything." 

Clara chuckles quietly. Lucian, oh Lucian. So stubborn all the time. However, you're facing a bigger task than you can manage this time. He is on his way to get you. And nothing will stop him once he does. 

"I'll be prepared," Lucian yells. 

Clara's voice becomes serious, almost icy. "You think you can keep her safe, don't you? You think you can protect her from the coming danger? 

For a short moment, I can see the fear flare in Lucian's eyes as they dart toward me. 

With a low, threatening voice, he says, "I won't let you touch her." 

The phone echoes with Clara's chuckle. "Lucian, you can't keep everyone safe. Not from him. 

The line stops before Lucian can reply. He stands with the phone in his hand and a stressed look on his face. 

I put a hand on his arm and take a step closer to him. "What did she mean, Lucian?" 

He keeps his eyes on the phone and doesn't instantly answer. Then, with a sad look, he faces me. "It is beginning." 

"What is it?" With a hint of terror in my voice, I ask. 

When Lucian's eyes connect mine, I notice a spark of doubt for the first time. "The conflict." 

All of a sudden, the safehouse's lights flash and the temperature drops. The room is filled with the sound of a deep, frightening voice. 

"Lucian, I'm coming for you." 

The sound of footsteps fills the air and the windows break before I can reply. 

We are no longer alone.