POV: Iris
My breath quickens, my heart pounding wildly. He stares at me with eyes gleaming with a dark, dangerous light.
I step back, petrified, but Demon's arm catches me. He spins me around and pulls me tight against his chest.
I can feel the heat of his body against my back, then his warm breath brushing my neck.
His hand wraps around my throat, and warmth spreads from his touch, flooding my entire body.
Ryan steps in front of me, his dark gaze locked on mine, as if he's about to devour me. My breath catches. His hand slides around my hips possessively before his nose traces along my neck.
— Mine, he says in a deep voice that makes my whole being tremble.
His hand slips under my shirt, caressing my stomach before moving up to my chest. I suppress a moan.
Demon presses kisses along my skin, lightly scratching the flesh of my neck. His hand remains firm around my throat—tight, but not choking.
Ryan rolls my nipple between his fingers, and this time, I can't hold back the moan that escapes me.
Demon growls against me. I don't understand. I should push them away, forbid them to touch me, fear their burning gazes.
And yet… no. It feels as though I've found my place. As if, all along, this is where I was meant to be.
Their touch clouds my mind; reason abandons me.
— Mine, repeats Demon, lifting my shirt before lowering his mouth toward my chest.
I hold my breath… but suddenly, the light snaps on, blinding me. Panicked, I pull my shirt down in haste.
I try to move away, but Demon holds me back and growls.
— What's going on here?! thunders my father's furious voice.
Hayler, standing behind him, looks at us one by one. Panic grips me; fear paralyzes me.
— I asked a question! my father roars again.
I struggle to break free from Demon's grasp, to no avail.
— Let her go! my father orders.
But Demon doesn't move.
My father lunges toward him, but before he can reach us, Ryan hurls him violently across the room. He crashes into the glass table, shattering it to pieces.
— Dad! I cry, trying to fight my way free to reach him.
— What's wrong with you?! shouts Hayler, her voice trembling with anger.
Ryan steps toward her, menacingly.
That's when I notice his eyes: they've changed color. The bright gleam is gone, replaced by a deep, inhuman black. He advances toward Hayler, every step heavy with threat.
Hayler closes her eyes and begins to recite in a calm but firm voice:
— Per ignem et umbram, spiritus revincitur, dormi in tenebris.
A flash of light bursts forth, and Ryan collapses to the ground.
— No… no! Ryan! I scream, my throat tight.
My ears ring; tears stream down my cheeks. Why does it hurt so much? Why does it feel like something's been ripped out of me? My chest tightens until I can barely breathe.
I fight against Demon's grip, and this time, he releases me.
My feet carry me to Ryan's motionless body. Demon rushes past me toward Hayler, but she begins again:
— Per ignem et umbram, spiritus revincitur, dormi in tenebris.
Demon collapses too. Another sob escapes me.
Hayler steps toward me, her face suddenly softened.
— Iris, my darling, she says gently.
I jerk back, pointing a trembling finger at her.
— Stay back! Don't come near me! I scream, tears blurring my vision.
I turn—and bump into a chest. My father stands there, unharmed.
A nervous, hysterical laugh escapes me. Maybe I'm losing my mind; maybe I've finally reached my limit.
— Don't come near me! I'm warning you!
— Iris, please, listen to us, Hayler pleads.
— I said don't come near me!
I back up until I hit the wall. No more refuge.
Hayler looks at me sadly, then begins reciting again:
— Somnus veniat, mens oblivione tegatur, pax descendat super cor eius.
— You will go to bed and forget all the strange things you've seen since you arrived here, she says calmly.
My body no longer obeys me.
My legs move on their own. I climb the stairs, enter my room, and lie down.
I fight to keep my eyes open, but exhaustion overwhelms me. A tear slides down my cheek before sleep takes me.
---
I wake the next morning with a terrible headache.
— Oh my God, my head's going to explode… I murmur, holding it between my hands.
Even when I'd stolen beer with Cathe, it had never hurt this much. I try to remember the night before, but it's a complete blank. The last thing I recall is leaving class with Cherry. After that… nothing.
I push harder, but nothing comes back—only sharper pain.
I lift my gaze to the light filtering through the window. The sun is already high in the sky.
— Oh no! I'm late for school!
I leap out of bed, but dizziness hits me.
I stumble into the bathroom and let out a muffled cry at the mirror: red marks cover my neck.
I rub them frantically, but they don't fade.
— How did I get these…?
After long minutes asking myself the same questions, I finally pull on a turtleneck to hide them, then leave my room.
The hallway is decorated with golden flower carvings winding along the walls like vines.
Morning light reflects off them, casting warm glimmers over the pale marble floor.
I pass a butler carrying a basket of flowers.
— Excuse me? I ask.
— Yes, miss?
— Is something happening today?
— Yes, madam. It's Mr. Demon and Mr. Ryan's twentieth birthday.
— Oh… all right, thank you.
He bows slightly before walking away. I follow him into the living room, lavishly decorated: golden garlands hanging, huge bouquets of lilies and white roses, ivory tablecloths embroidered with gold.
I descend the stairs, awestruck.
— There you are, Iris.
Hayler's voice pulls me from my reverie.
— Are you all right? she asks, scrutinizing me.
— Yes, I reply.
She nods.
— Today is your brothers' birthday. I had a dress brought to your room. Many important guests will be here.
— Don't you think I should stay in my room?
— Absolutely not. You're part of the family; you must attend. And it's your first party with us.
I nod, uneasy.
— Can I help with anything?
— No, no, go rest.
— All right…
I go back to my room, collapse onto the bed, and grab my phone to call my aunt. It's been days since I've heard her voice.
The phone rings twice before she answers.
— Hello, sweetheart? How are you?
— I'm fine, and you?
— I'm all right. I wanted to call you last night, but I couldn't. Everything okay over there?
I stay silent. What could I say? Aside from Hayler and Cherry, who've been kind, everything else is… strange. My father—I avoid him as much as I can. And the twins… better not even talk about them.
— Iris? You there? she insists.
— Yes, everything's fine, I lie.
— You're sure? You know you can tell me anything, right?
— Yes, auntie.
— So tell me, what's it like over there?
We talk for a while. Her voice soothes me. Then I hang up.
My gaze falls on the golden dress laid out on the bed. Flowing, light as air, it shimmers as if made of pearls. A long slit climbs up the thigh, the back bare, the straps barely visible.
I set it down gently and flop onto the bed. I grab my phone again, this time to call Catherine.
Several rings… then her voicemail.
I drop the phone onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.
My life has changed so much in just a few days. I've lost my mother, ended up living with a father who abandoned me, far from everything I knew… and with brothers who seem to want me dead with every look. Maybe, with time, things will get better.
Maybe…
I don't know how long I stay there, lost in thought, before someone knocks on the door.
— Yes?
— Madam asks that you get ready and join her downstairs, says an employee's voice.
— I'll be right there.
I stand, go to the dresser, and start getting ready.
A light makeup: a glowing complexion, golden eyeshadow to bring out my blue eyes, a fine line of eyeliner, a touch of mascara, and clear gloss. I hide the marks on my neck with concealer.
— Come on, Iris, make an effort, I murmur to my reflection.
I curl my blonde hair into soft waves, slip into the dress, and leave the room.
Music floats from the living room—soft and elegant.
Guests are already there, dressed impeccably. I silently thank Hayler for the dress; otherwise, I would have felt even more out of place.
Taking a deep breath, I descend the stairs. Instantly, Hayler approaches me, radiant in a long silver gown finely embroidered with gemstones.
— You look stunning, she says with a smile.
— Thank you, I reply, a little uneasy.
— Come, I have someone to introduce you to.
I follow her. She approaches a man and a woman accompanied by a young girl with her back turned.
— Mr. Albert, I'd like you to meet my daughter, Iris, Hayler says warmly.
The couple turns toward me with a smile—but my gaze freezes on the girl beside them.
I take a step back, breath catching.
— Iris, this is their daughter… Catherine.
— Catherine… I whisper.