Shadows in the Fire

Dante’s voice is low but piercing. “You should’ve known I’d come back for you.”

Isabella backs away, heart hammering. “How did you get in?”  “Did you really think Lucian could keep me out? He’s too angry to see what’s there beneath his nose.”

Her eyes dart toward the door. “If he finds you here…” “He won’t,” Dante interrupts, getting closer. “Not unless you scream.”

“I should scream,” she adds.  “But you won’t,” he replies, smiling maliciously. “Because you don’t want him anymore. You’re tired of being caged.”

Her jaw tightens. “I’m not choosing you either.”  He stops just inches from her. “Then why aren’t you calling for help?”

“I don’t know,” she whispers, He observes her face, eyes softer now. “Because deep down, you remember how it felt with me. Before everything turned to hell.”

Isabella’s heart aches with confusion. “You betrayed me, Dante. You left me to rot.”

“I was protecting you. You were in too deep, and Lucian… he’s dangerous.”

“I know he is,” she says. “But so are you.”

Dante sighs. “Maybe. But I still love you.”

Before she can reply, a loud bang echoes from the corridor.

Dante snatches her wrist. “We need to move. Now.” She hesitates. “I can’t just run again.”

“You don’t have a choice,” he continues. Another bang. Footsteps. Getting closer.

Isabella bites her lip. “Fine. But not through the front. There’s a service stair.”

They run. Down the short stairs, past shadows and silence. Until a voice explodes behind them.

“Isabella!”

Lucian.

She freezes. Her name sounds like thunder in his mouth. Dante pulls her. “Ignore him!” But she turns. Slowly.

Lucian stands at the top of the stairway, breathing hard, eyes fixated on her.

“Don’t,” he says. “Please.” Her heart shatters. “You locked me in, Lucian. Again.”

“I was trying to protect you!”

“From who? Dante? Or from yourself?”

He stares at Dante, then at her. “He doesn’t love you. He’s using you.”

“Like you did?” she snaps. Lucian steps forward. “No. I never used you. I just… I didn’t know how to keep you safe without losing you.”

“She doesn’t want your version of safe,” Dante replies. “Let her go.”

Lucian growls. “Shut up.”

“Both of you shut up!” Isabella screams. “I’m not a prize. I’m not a war to be won.”

The stairwell falls silent. “I need space. From both of you,” she says. “Let me go.”

Lucian’s hand lowers. “You can’t leave.” “I already did,” she whispers.

She turns and runs. Out the back exit. Into the night. Dante hesitates, then follows. Lucian stares into the dark, mouth tight, eyes full of fire.

“She’ll come back,” he mutters.

But even he doesn’t believe it.

The wind howls as Isabella and Dante travel through the woods. The hush is thick. “I don’t know where to go,” she says. “I have a place,” Dante says. “Safe. Hidden.”

“I don’t trust you.”

“You don’t have to,” he says. “Just don’t go back to him.”

She considers for a moment. “You still working with Victor?”

His eyes narrow. “No. That deal is dead.”

“Why?”

“Because he wanted you.” “And you didn’t?” He doesn’t answer.

They reach a little cabin. Hidden by foliage and quiet. Inside, it’s dusty, cold, but peaceful.

She sits on the old couch. “This feels like a trap.”

“It’s not.”

Dante kneels in front of her. “I messed up. But I never stopped caring.”

“Why now?” she says. “Why come back now?”

“Because Lucian’s falling apart. And if he falls, he’ll drag you with him.”

She swallows hard. “You think he’ll hurt me?” “I think he already has.”

Her eyes flood with tears. “I hate him,” she whispers.

“No, you don’t.”

She looks away. “I wish I did.” Back at the estate, Lucian smashes the room apart. Books, lights, cushions. Everything crushed.

Alessia watches from the door.

“She’s gone,” she says softly. He doesn’t stop. “You drove her away, Lucian.”

“I know!” he roars. “She loved you.” “I loved her.”

“Then why didn’t you act like it?” He drops to his knees, breathing deeply. “Because I was scared.”

Alessia kneels alongside him. “Then go find her.”

“What if she’s with him?”

“Then fight for her.” He glances at his sister, lost. “What if I’ve already lost?”

Alessia says, “Then make her fall in love with you again.”

At the cabin, Isabella can’t sleep.

Dante sits near the window, looking.

She walks to him. “Why are you awake?”

“Waiting for the sunrise.” She sits beside him. “I used to do that when I couldn’t sleep.”

“I remember.” He glanced at her hand. “Still wear the bracelet I gave you?”

She hides her wrist. “It’s not about you.” Dante smiles sadly. “Everything’s about you.”

Isabella stands. “I need to think. Alone.” She walks outside.

The chill hits her skin like ice. She wanders into the woods. Barefoot. Free.

Then she hears it.

A whisper.

“Isabella.” She spins. Victor emerges out from the trees. She breath. “No. You’re dead.”

He smiles. “Not yet.” She backs away. “Dante said...” “Dante lied. Again.”

“What do you want?”

“You.” He lunges. She shouts... But this time, someone hears.

A shadow crashes through the trees. A gun fires. Victor stumbles.

Lucian emerges, wild-eyed, breathless.

“Get away from her!” Victor snarls, lunges again but Lucian tackles him.

They struggle, fists and anger, until Victor falls. Lucian pants, bleeding from his mouth, eyes on Isabella.

“Are You okay?”

She nods, shaking his head. Dante runs from the cabin, stops at the scene. “Is he...?”

“Not yet,” Lucian growls. Victor grunts.

Lucian lifts his rifle. “No,” Isabella says. “Let him live. Let the law deal with him.” Lucian hesitates, then lowers the weapon. For a moment, no one talks.

Then Isabella turns to both men. “No more lies. No more cages. If you desire me, prove it. But I won’t be anyone’s pawn again.”

She goes away, leaving them both in the shadows.