Sofia's POV
"Aaaaaah!"
Someone screamed from outside. We all ran out, panic rising in our chests, desperate to see what was going on.
My heart nearly stopped when I saw Grandma lying on the ground.
"What happened to her?" I asked, rushing to her side as a wave of fear hit me hard. I knelt beside her, gently lifting her head while trying not to panic.
"We don't know, miss," one of the maids said breathlessly. "We also rushed out when we heard her scream."
Two maids helped me support her to a chair. "My back... I hit my back," Grandma groaned, her hand pressing against it with pain etched across her face.
Adam appeared, his expression filled with concern. I didn't understand it, but somehow, I could feel his pain—like a silent echo in my chest—even though we weren't bonded yet.
"Get me the car keys," Adam barked at his personal guard, who ran off without a word.
Adam and Nightshade carefully lifted Grandma into the car. One of the maids climbed in to stay with her. Just as Nightshade was about to get in too, Adam stopped him.
"You don't need to come with me. I'll go. You and Sofia should continue with the plans," he said firmly and shut the door before driving off with the guard.
We stood there, watching the car until it disappeared from sight. Then Nightshade turned to me.
"I must get going now," he said politely, giving a small bow.
His guard opened the door for him, and without another word, he was gone.
I frowned. He seemed far too calm for the dangerous mission ahead. Was he really ready for it? Could someone so calm be trusted with something that serious?
I pushed the thought aside and headed back into the training room. Alone now, I resumed my training. I followed the steps Adam had shown me before, every movement burned into my muscles.
But my stomach had no respect for my ambition. It growled loudly, reminding me I hadn't eaten.
I tried to ignore it, pushing through, but the hunger was too much.
Finally, I called for my maid.
"Please... get me something to eat," I said, sounding more like a grieving child than a warrior. I didn't care anymore.
She rushed off and returned quickly with two other maids, each carrying trays of food. I didn't even wait. I sat down and ate like I hadn't tasted food in days.
Minutes later, I stood again, wiping my mouth. I couldn't waste time. I threw myself back into training.
Then an idea struck me. I walked toward a nearby guard. "You—let's spar."
He bowed his head immediately. "Ma'am, I have no right to fight you."
I raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"
He hesitated. "The King wouldn't—"
"It's just training," I cut him off. "I need to test my improvement."
Still, he resisted. "I can't, ma. The King will return soon..."
I turned sharply, irritation surging through me. "How dare you disobey your Luna?"
That shook him. He dropped to his knees in fear. "I didn't mean to, ma... please forgive me."
I bent down, helped him up, and placed a wooden stick in his hand. "We fight. Now."
Reluctantly, he accepted. At first, he went easy on me—but that was his mistake. I struck him hard, flipping our positions.
He gasped and swung back, hitting my arm.
"Aah!" I yelped, more from shock than pain.
"I'm sorry, ma! I'm sorry!" He dropped the stick immediately, terrified.
"Don't stop unless I tell you to," I said coldly. "Keep going."
He nodded, and we continued. Blow for blow. Strike for strike. Sweat dripped down our faces. Eventually, I signaled for a break.
My maid approached with water. I noticed the guard was exhausted, so I handed him the bottle instead.
"Keith," I said, "get me another one."
After finishing the water, I dismissed them all. "You can return to your posts."
I needed answers. I needed to understand more about this family—about Adam. And now that they were all gone, I had the perfect chance.
I walked toward the Memory House, that eerie place filled with silence and secrets. Keith followed me, as always.
But when I reached the door, she stopped.
"I'm sorry, ma. I can't go in with you," she said gently.
"What? Why?" I asked, confused. She followed me everywhere—even into literal pits. Why stop now?
"This house... holds the family's history. Only blood relatives are allowed inside."
That only made me more curious.
What secrets were they hiding in here?
I tried convincing her, but she wouldn't budge.
Swallowing my fear, I walked in alone.
Someone had recently cleaned it. The air was still, too still. The silence pressed against my ears.
I climbed the stairs. As I moved higher, the lights seemed to dim with every step. The shadows grew deeper.
I reached a landing. Total darkness. I switched on my phone's flashlight.
There were doors—many doors. Each had a picture of its owner mounted on the front.
I walked toward Adam's. Locked.
Tried another. Also locked.
"How am I supposed to open this?" I muttered to myself, frustration building.
I went back downstairs to search. Maybe there was a key.
Then, I saw it.
A small box sitting in the corner on a table. I walked toward it. Tried to open it.
Locked.
I examined it, felt every edge, pressed every part—nothing.
Defeated, I was about to give up when something else caught my eye. A framed picture with "RIP" carved on it.
I moved closer, my hand trembling as I touched it.
CLICK.
A loud unlocking sound echoed through the house. My heart jumped.
"What was that?"
I turned around—and froze.
The small box was blinking blue.
I rushed over. It had unlocked on its own. My hands shook as I opened it.
Inside... was a remote.
A strange thought filled my head—maybe this remote opens one of the doors.
I clutched it tightly and turned toward the stairs, my heartbeat echoing in my ears.
Then I heard it.
Creeeaaak.
A door slowly opened upstairs—on its own.