Chapter 56 – Shadows on the Road
He closed his eyes, gripping the edge of his seat until his knuckles whitened. “Titan,” he said quietly but firmly.
“Yes, sir?”
“Keep your eyes open for her. She must be somewhere between the mall and the mansion. If you see her… stop immediately.”
Titan’s jaw tightened. “Understood.”
The car sped faster, carrying them toward Eastwood. Toward danger. Toward whatever fate had already laid its hands upon.
Edward leaned back. His thoughts were a storm, but one truth burned clear through it all:
He would find her. He had to.
The mall wasn’t far, just a short walk from Seraphina’s street. Within minutes, the grand glass doors of the mall loomed ahead, welcoming her into its bright, bustling warmth.
Inside, Elara pulled out the folded slip of paper Ma’am Albright had given her, her eyes scanning the neat handwriting.
One by one, she moved through the aisles, picking up the items carefully: spices and herbs, fresh fruits, a few packets of tea, and some household essentials. She double-checked each item, determined not to miss a thing.
The mall was lively but carried a strange undertone, as though whispers moved just beneath the surface. People chatted in small clusters, their voices low, glancing at their phones more often than usual. Elara noticed, but forced herself to stay focused.
When her small basket was filled, she paid at the counter and tucked the bag securely under her arm. The receipt crinkled in her fingers as she folded it neatly into her pocket.
She exhaled in relief, glad to have completed the errand. But she had no idea that while she was running these simple tasks, fate was already moving its pieces around her, drawing her closer to a storm she could not yet see.
As she was on her way out of the mall, her steps slowed when a pair of voices drifted over from a corner. Two men stood near the glass doors, speaking in tense, hurried tones. Elara didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but their words froze her in place.
“Eastwood is burning,” one of them muttered, shaking his head. “Houses torched. Families running. Some people are already dead–others missing.”
The other man cursed under his breath. “And this is the second time this week.” Elara’s chest tightened. Burnt houses. People injured. Missing. The words struck her like blows. She gripped the bag tighter against her side, her knuckles whitening.
Eastwood.
Fear rippled through her, a wave she struggled to contain. What if the attackers spread further? What if they came this way? And–how will I get back to the mansion with all this chaos?
She shook her head quickly, trying to steady herself. She couldn’t afford to panic now. She had to get back. She had errands to deliver, duties waiting for her in the mansion. Ma’am Albright would be waiting for these items, and Edward… Edward would expect her home.
Her steps grew brisker as she pushed through the doors.
The cool evening air rushed against her face as she stepped outside, the weight of the bag pressing against her arm. She paused on the pavement, her eyes sweeping over the streets. No smoke. No flames. No screaming crowds. Just the quiet hum of the town settling into night.
The silence unsettled her even more.
Elara bit her lip, hesitating. If there’s truly an attack nearby, why does everything look so normal here? Probably it hasn’t spread across all of Eastwood.
Appearances could be deceiving. She knew that much by now.
She reached for her bag, pulling out her phone to order a ride. Just as she unlocked the screen, her phone buzzed loudly in her hand. An incoming call flashed across the screen.
Seraphina.
Elara’s heart eased a little. She swiped quickly and pressed the phone to her ear. “Sera”
“Elara!” Seraphina’s voice was tight, almost frantic. “Where are you? Please tell me you’re already home at the mansion.”
Elara swallowed. “No, I’m… I’m just leaving the mall. I heard some people talking about the attack in Eastwood. Is it true?”
“Yes, it’s true. It’s bad,” Seraphina whispered, her voice trembling. “I just saw the news. They said buildings are destroyed, and some people are missing. You shouldn’t be out right now, Elara. Please, don’t try to go back to the mansion tonight. Come back to my house instead. Stay with us. You can leave in the morning when it’s safer.”
Elara’s throat tightened. For a moment, she wanted nothing more than to accept. The thought of going back into the mansion’s vast halls, facing Edward, facing Ma’am Albright, carrying the weight of Ambrose’s words earlier–it all pressed heavy against her chest.
But she shook her head, though Seraphina couldn’t see it. “Sera, I only took permission for today. What would Edward say if I didn’t come back? What about Ma’am Albright–she trusted me with this list. If I don’t bring the things tonight, they might think I’m careless or…”
“Elara, your safety is more important!” Seraphina cut in, almost pleading. “Please, just come back here. You don’t have to face the roads tonight.”
Elara pressed her lips together. She could hear the concern in her friend’s voice, and it tugged at her heart. But something inside her refused to stay away. Something that felt like obligation… and something else she couldn’t name.
“I can’t, Sera,” she whispered softly. “I need to go back. I’ll order a ride now, and as soon as I get to the mansion, I’ll call you. I promise.”
There was silence on the line, then Seraphina sighed heavily. “Fine. But please, Elara, be careful. Don’t take risks. Just… hurry back.”
“I will. Thank you, Sera.”
They said goodbye, and Elara ended the call.
Her phone screen lit up immediately again–not with a call, but with a notification. Her eyes widened.
13 missed calls.
From Edward.
Her stomach dropped. Heat rose to her cheeks as panic threaded through her veins. Thirteen? She hadn’t even heard the phone ring while shopping. She had kept it tucked into her bag, the sounds drowned out by the noise of the mall.
Guilt clawed at her. Edward must be furious. Or worse–worried.
She bit her lip, her fingers trembling as she quickly hit call back. The line rang only once before it connected.
“Elara?”
His voice burst through the speaker, sharp, urgent. Just hearing it sent a jolt through her chest.
“Sir–it’s me,” she said quickly, breathless. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know…”
But she never finished.
A screech of tires ripped across the road, drowning her words. Elara’s head snapped up just in time to see headlights blinding her.
A dark vehicle swerved toward the curb, stopping with violent speed. Before she could react, before her mind could even process, the back door flung open.
A man leapt out, his face shadowed, his movements swift. In one heartbeat, his hand clamped around her arm.
Elara gasped, her phone slipping from her fingers. “Wait–let me go!”
The bag of groceries tumbled to the ground as the man yanked her forward, dragging her toward the open car.
“Elara!” Edward’s voice roared faintly from the fallen phone, muffled by the ground. But she couldn’t reach it. Couldn’t break free.