The corridor stretched long and silent before me. On the left stood the library door, two armored mannequins gleaming faintly in the moonlight. A little further down loomed Father's office—its heavy oak door shut tightly. Beyond that, the hallway ended at a tall window, the very same the intruders had climbed through.
Three of them were inside the office now. I could hear faint scraping noises, the sound of locks being picked, papers being shifted. My chest was tight as I crouched behind the corner.
Then the office door creaked open.
One man slipped out. He muttered something under his breath and began heading for the window at the end of the corridor.
If they escape now, everything they've taken from Father's office will be lost.
I swallowed hard, forcing my trembling hands to work. Tugging at the buttons of my coat, I pulled one loose, smooth against my palm. The library mannequins loomed just ahead. With all the strength I had, I flicked the button.
Clink.
The sound rang out, striking the armor's leg.
The intruder froze instantly, his dagger sliding free. His eyes narrowed, and he crept toward the library door, steps deliberate and quiet. He circled the mannequins, searching every angle. Nothing.
His scowl deepened. Slowly, he turned back—this time toward me, his steps carrying him straight for the corner where I hid.
My breath hitched.
The door opened again. Another man stepped out, whispering sharply, "What are you doing over there? I told you to check out the escape route."
"I heard something," the first muttered, voice low. "I'll check around the corner."
"Make it quick. We cannot linger."
I bit my lip, pressing myself tighter against the wall. The first intruder's shadow lengthened as he leaned forward.
Then—his face appeared around the corner.
Nothing.
The hallway was empty.
He clicked his tongue and pulled back.
Because I was no longer there. I had crawled beneath a small side table, tucking myself into its shadow, a decorative plant above hiding me further.
barely dodged that.
The man turned back toward the office. The door shut once again. I dared to peek out. The three intruders regrouped, their whispers urgent, their eyes darting to the window. They began to move, step by step, toward their escape.
They're going to get away.
My heart pounded. My gaze flicked to the vase on the table.
With a sharp shove, I sent it crashing down.
Crash!
The vase shattered, shards scattering across the floor.
The intruders spun, daggers flashing.
"WHAT WAS THAT!" one snarled.
Their steps quickened toward me, but this time I didn't hide. I stood in the corridor, heart hammering, one hand behind my back.
"Well, well," one sneered. "A rat scurrying in the dark."
"You will not escape," I said, my voice trembling but firm, "after breaking into our house."
For a moment, silence. Then recognition flared in their eyes.
"Your house…?" the tallest muttered. Then his lips curled into a cruel grin. "So you're Alaric's boy. Hah. That makes it simpler. If we drag you with us, your father will come crawling. He'll do whatever we demand."
Their confidence was thick. Their guard, low.
I prepared a spell behind my back to make it a surprise for them.
Now.
I thrust my hand forward, hurling the fireball.
Fwoosh!
It struck one intruder's sleeve, flames curling up his arm. He cursed violently, slapping at the fire, leaving charred cloth and blistered skin.
I tried to conjure one more fireball.
"You little bastard!" another spat. "You've sealed your fate. We'll—"
Footsteps.
Heavy. Sharp. Commanding.
From behind me.
Father.
Alaric's figure appeared, frost swirling around him. With a flick of his hand, six spears of ice crystallized in the air and shot forward with deadly precision.
The intruders deflected desperately, blades clashing with frozen shards, but two spears still grazed them, tearing cloth and skin.
"Move!" their leader barked.
They bolted for the window, vaulting up in frantic escape.
Father gave chase, his stride unyielding. He leaned out the window, frost blooming at his fingertips.
Shhhk!
Another volley of spears shot into the night. One struck true, slamming into a man's leg. He screamed, tumbling into the courtyard below. The others scattered into the darkness, gone.
Guards rushed in, weapons drawn. At Father's command, they captured the fallen man, binding him in chains.
Then Father turned, his gaze falling on me. For an instant, his eyes flickered with steel, but it softened quickly, replaced with worry.
"Lucian," he said firmly, "are you hurt?"
I shook my head quickly, though my knees were weak. "N-no… I'm fine."
His eyes narrowed, not unkindly, but with a weight that pressed like stone. "You should never have been here."
I lowered my gaze, trembling, knowing the scolding was only just beginning.
Then the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the far end of the corridor.
Jason was the first to appear, his expression sharp and wild with worry. Behind him came Mother, skirts gathered in her hands as she rushed forward, Aira stumbling after her with pale, frantic eyes. Lord Cedric followed close, his cloak sweeping the ground, his face grim.