Chapter One Hundred And Fifty Nine

Chapter One Hundred And Fifty Nine
Naomi’s Pov

We moved into Lucian’s residence, and a strange sensation crept over my heart. Relief? Uncertainty? Fear? Perhaps a little of each. 

I'd hoped it would not go according to plan. 

For days, I'd fantasized about the worst. Lucian took me in and locked me in a dark room, punishing me for my wrongdoings, or, worse, looking at me with hatred in his eyes. 

But that hasn’t happened. 

Rather, he'd taken me in with arms open. 

I took my position in the grand entrance hall, dim chandeliers illuminating warm, soft lights over polished floors. All seemed too quiet, too still, as the walls seemed to inhale and exhale in harmony with me. 

Was it over?

Alexander. Dead.
Bain. Lost.
Aaron. Erased. 

My tormenters, one at a time, fell. 

Would the others fall too? 

Would all slave dealers, all buyers, all depraved monsters living off misery cease to occupy this earth? 

A strong desire, an impossible one, but one I clung to with my whole heart. 

I breathed out, my hands folded in my dress, and I took in my new environment. 

With all battles won, all wounds incurred, what lay in store for me? 

I shot a glance at Lucian. 

A distance of a pace between him and me, and I'd understood one thing. I missed him.

More even than I'd ever have considered I could.

I missed the way he looked at me when he thought I wasn’t paying attention.

I missed the quiet strength in his presence. 
I missed the way he protected me, even when he had every reason not to. 

And I missed how much he cared, even when I thought no one would. 

I had spent too much time waiting. 

Waiting for the right moment. Waiting for the perfect time. 

But the truth was, there was no perfect time. 

Every moment could be the right one. 

I had almost lost everything. I had been through the depths of despair, clawed my way back from betrayal and pain. 

I refused to let fear hold me back anymore. 

I lifted my head, meeting Lucian’s gaze with newfound determination. 

I was going to tell him. 

I was going to lay my feelings bare all of them. 

I took a deep breath. 

"Lucian," I said, stepping forward. 

He straightened, as if sensing the shift in my energy. His eyes searched mine, waiting. 

But just as I opened my mouth to say the words— 

A sharp knock echoed through the mansion. 

The sound shattered the moment, ringing through the halls like a cruel reminder that peace was never truly ours to keep. 

Lucian's expression darkened instantly. His body tensed, muscles coiling like a predator ready to strike. 

I clenched my fists. 

Every time is a good time… 

Maybe not just this time. 

I forced a weak smile.

Lucian took a slow, deliberate path to the doorway.

Another knock.

Louder and with a sense of urgency to it.

"Wait here," he whispered, a voice little louder than a whisper.

My gut twisted in my insides.

I could see that something was wrong.

Lucian reached for the handle, but before he could grab it—

A voice, sounding through the doorway.

"Lucian. It’s an emergency." 

Lucian’s motion ceased in its tracks.

The voice sounded like Travis'.

Without hesitation, Travis yanked open the doorway.

And when he did, 

Everything changed.

Travis stood in front of him, breath rough, face normally calm twisted in an expression I couldn’t accurately label fear? Fury? Desperation? 

"Travis?" There was an edge in Lucian’s voice, an alarm in it. "What’s wrong?" 

Travis raked a trembling hand through his hair. 

"It’s the DeLuna," Travis delivered in a tight voice, "She’s vanished." 

Lucian’s whole frame stiffened. "What?" 

"Vanished," Travis reiterated, entering and closing the doorway softly behind him. His eyes flicked in my direction for an instant before refixing onto Lucian. "They don’t know where she’s gone, but… She'd left a message." 

My heart pounded in my chest. 

A message? 

Lucien’s jaw clamped shut. "What kind?" 

Travis reached into his overcoat and produced a wadded sheet of parchment, handing it over to Lucian, who uncrumpled it, I crept a little nearer, my heart pounding in my chest. 

Lucian’s eyes moved over the note, his face expressionless. 

And then— 

His fingers clamped down on the sheet.

So tight, I feared that he'd tear it in two. 

Lucian.
You believe that it's over.
But you're wrong.
I will return. And when I do… I will claim my own. 

The note hadn't even been signed off with a name. 

But everyone else, and I all knew whose handwriting it was. 

A shiver traveled down my spine. 

She’s not finished yet. 

The nightmare wasn't finished yet. 

Lucian’s breathing hadn't changed, but I could see the flame burning in his eyes. 

He wadded up the note in his fist, voice menacingly low when speaking. 

"Go and find her," he instructed him. 

Travis nodded. "I have my men searching." 

Lucian swung at me then, and I could see a shadow in his eyes. 

I swallowed thickly, a mixture of horror in my gut. 

"Naomi," he whispered softly. 

I forced my eyes to lock with his. 

"She’s coming for you." 

The statement shot a sharp stab of horror through me. 

For me? 

I couldn’t even speak, and then Travis cleared his throat. 

"There’s… more," Travis added uncertainly. 

Lucian’s eyes flashed at him. "What?" 

Travis took a deep breath and then added, "She wasn’t alone when she vanished." 

I took a quick breath in. 

"What do you mean?" Lucian snarled, demandingly. 

Travis' mouth pressed into a thin, white line. 

"There was a man," he told him. "A new player. Someone new to the board. He waited for her. Aiding her." 

Lucian's hands fisted at his sides. 

"Who?"

Travis hesitated, and then I saw it in his eyes—

He knew who it was.

And whatever name he was about to say, it wasn't a name I'd ever heard him say, a name I'd ever even heard, for that matter.

And then, in a whisper, almost, he whispered:

"His name is Kieran."

The room fell silent.

I'd never heard that name, ever.

But seeing the way Lucian's whole body tautened—

He'd seen it

...

I saw Lucian turn and withdraw, hands clamped over the edge of the table, white at the knuckles.

The room changed atmosphere.

It was heavy with dark presence.

Lucian took a slow, deep breath, then rose and descended with a hitch in his shoulder.

And then, in a voice colder even than I'd ever heard him use, he said:

"Find him too."

Travis nodded firmly. "Consider it done."

And at that instant, I knew—

We hadn't finished fighting yet.

The war that I'd convinced myself was over…
Had only begun.

A knock came on the door again, "Naomi," Lucian tapped me awake.

I stretched a bit, I just realized I had fallen asleep in his arms.

"Wait, so it was all a dream?" I asked no one in particular, searching Lucian's calm demeanor.

"What dream, Naomi?" Lucian insisted.

But the loud knock interrupted us again.