Chapter 14 Chapter 14
Bailey’s POV
The glass hall stretched far beyond the ballroom. Talk about being a control freak. The next room was the kitchen. I froze. The place looked like a hurricane had ripped through it—pans and bowls scattered, lettuce and cabbage strewn across the floor. Traces of blood and scorch marks hinted that something went seriously wrong.
“Move it.” Nathaniel’s voice cut through my thoughts.
“What happened down there?” I asked, motioning toward the chaos.
Nathaniel followed my gaze and stood still. No reaction. Judging by that blank expression, he was responsible. Too old for tantrums? Or maybe not.
“I had a minor spat with the chef. I didn’t like his soup,” he said with a shrug.
“Well, that escalated quickly. Too salty?"
“It’s nothing that concerns you. Now, move on.” My throat still ached from earlier. Nosebleed gone, though he seemed entirely unaffected.
We reached his burgundy wooden door. I stared at it like it held the universe’s secrets. The hall spun, my stomach tipping. Nathaniel raised his right hand; energy pulsed from his palm in visible waves, like heat rising off asphalt. The door glowed with intricate engravings, spiraling outward. Then everything stilled.
“What was that mumbo jumbo?” I muttered.
“A protection spell. Designed to stun anyone who dares enter. Makes it a piece of cake to kill them,” he said flatly. The hall felt heavier, dangerous.
The final engraving faded, and the door opened. I hoped he didn’t notice the earlier damage.
“What happened to my bathroom? It reeks of magic,” he asked.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said, playing dumb. My chances weren’t high.
Nathaniel’s stare drilled into me.
“What?!”
“I’m measuring the percentage of stupidity in your brain,” he replied.
“You do realize you’re insulting people, right?” I shot back.
“Just stating facts. Nothing untrue.” He was impossible.
“Really? And you’re such a smartass?” I waved my hands in frustration.
“No. I’m a genius. Unlike you, who can’t even lie convincingly. Better to come clean—what did you do in the bathroom?” His pupils were fully dilated. Creepy.
“I didn’t do anything!”
“The residue magic says otherwise.” He gestured to the slightly open bathroom door. Electricity hummed in the air. I was caught. My lies didn’t stand a chance.
“Well, the evidence is wrong! Not my fault! You did this to me!” Anger bubbled up, flooding out after being suppressed for so long. My heart pounded.
Nathaniel sighed. “The real culprit is my younger brother, not me.”
“Oh, really? But it’s your fault too! If you hadn’t gone mad, none of this would’ve happened!”
“I don’t care what you think. You’re a thorn in my shoe. Use your last moments wisely—or soon, you won’t have any left.” He jerked his head as if listening to a distant voice. “I’ll be there in a moment.” Then his gaze returned to me.
“We’ll continue this later. Stay out of trouble, or you’ll deal with me again. And as you’ve seen, it won’t be pleasant.” He passed, slamming the door. Click. Locked.
I collapsed onto the king-sized bed, staring at the ceiling. My next move: escape. But how? The room was a minefield of spells. I tested the walls. Nothing.
I grabbed the chair by the nightstand and smashed it against the wall. Shards flew, the room shuddered, and a defensive spell briefly glowed before vanishing. The magic had reacted—but it had underestimated me.
Next, the window. Rectangular, sealed with magic. I tugged—and it tugged back, smacking me in the face. Ouch. Its magic was faint; breakable.
Focus. Emotions. Fear triggers the heart’s power… but I wasn’t afraid. Anger, then. Nathaniel’s smug face flashed in my mind. My hands glowed red, searing with energy. The power surged, and the window shattered into glittering shards.
I peered out. The castle was at least twenty stories high. Not exactly safe ground. Sheets became a makeshift rope. Foot over foot, tight grip, don’t look down.
Then—a movement. A stone eagle statue on the roof had turned, glowing red eyes locked on me. Its wings spread, claws poised. Alarm system? My stomach flipped.
It lunged. I dodged just in time as the statue smashed the wall where I’d stood, sending dust and rubble everywhere. Heart hammering, I channeled more power, firing a red surge into the eagle’s chest. Shards of stone exploded. For a moment, silence.
Water splashed around me. My body sank, slow and heavy. The castle blurred. My heart pounded like a drum in my ears.
I was falling… and yet, somehow, I was alive.
Somewhere beneath it all, I knew the real challenge was just beginning. Nathaniel, the castle, the magic—it wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.