The moon hung high over the Pratap Singh mansion, its pale light spilling across the marbled floors and glinting off the ornate chandeliers. The grand doors creaked open — and Yuvaan stepped inside, his clothes torn and soaked, his arms wrapped protectively around an unconscious Kiara.
Her hair was damp, clinging to her face, her wrist bruised, her breathing shallow. The soft jingle of her anklet echoed through the silent hall.
Within seconds, footsteps thundered from upstairs. Chandrika, wrapped in a deep maroon shawl, descended the staircase with Angad close behind. The rest of the family soon followed — Vinod, Susheela, Aakash, Riddhi — each with varying shades of concern, fear, and suspicion.
"Yuvaan!" Chandrika gasped, clutching the banister. "What happened to my bahu?"
Angad rushed forward, eyes wide. "Bhai, she looks hurt—did something happen on the way back from the temple?"
Before Yuvaan could answer, Susheela's shrill voice cut through the hall.
"I knew it!" she cried, clutching her pearls dramatically. "You've killed her, haven't you? You brought her body here in the middle of the night! What will we tell the police, Vinod ji?"
Yuvaan's crimson eyes glinted dangerously for a split second — but Vinod quickly stepped forward, frowning at his wife.
"Susheela! Not a word more. Do you even hear yourself?"
Susheela flinched, but muttered under her breath, "This family is cursed… everything goes wrong around him."
Ignoring her, Chandrika hurried toward Yuvaan, her voice trembling but composed.
"Yuvi, tell me, what happened? Why is she unconscious?"
Yuvaan exhaled, his tone measured but laced with exhaustion.
"We were attacked, Moti Baa. A group of goons on the highway. They blocked our way, and… Kiara tried to protect me. She got hurt in the scuffle."
Gasps rippled through the family. Aakash's expression turned cold. "Goons? At a temple? Sounds too convenient, doesn't it?"
"Enough, Aakash," Chandrika snapped, silencing him. Her sharp eyes, however, softened on Yuvaan. "You said she was hurt while protecting you?"
Yuvaan's jaw tightened, his voice low and almost reverent. "Yes. She… saved my life."
Something in the way he said it — the faint crack in his voice — silenced the entire room. Even Susheela stopped muttering.
Chandrika stepped closer, brushing Kiara's hair aside gently. "She's burning up. Angad, call the doctor right now."
But Yuvaan shook his head, his tone steady.
"No need, Moti Baa. She'll be fine. Just needs rest."
Chandrika frowned. "Yuvi, this isn't the time for stubbornness—"
"I promise," Yuvaan interrupted softly, looking straight into her eyes, "she's safe now. I won't let anything happen to her."
There was something ancient and unshakable in his words — a quiet authority that made even Chandrika hesitate. After a pause, she nodded slowly. "All right, beta. But stay with her. If her condition worsens, you'll tell me immediately."
Yuvaan inclined his head respectfully. "Always, Moti Baa."
Without another word, he carried Kiara upstairs — his every step careful, protective. The family watched as his figure disappeared into the dimly lit corridor.
Chandrika turned toward the others, her voice dropping low.
"There's more to this than he's saying," she murmured, eyes thoughtful. "But whatever it is… I saw the truth in his eyes tonight. That boy may act like he doesn't care about love— but his heart beats for her now."
Susheela huffed, "Or maybe he's just acting again."
But Chandrika ignored her, whispering under her breath as she looked toward the dark hallway,
"You only know how to spew venom but I hope that love finds it's way into Yuvaan's heart."
---
Upstairs, Yuvaan gently placed Kiara on their bed, brushing the damp hair from her face. He sat beside her, his crimson eyes softening into something almost human.
He whispered, "You jumped after me, you fought for me… and now you sleep like nothing ever happened."
A faint smile tugged at his lips. "You foolish, stubborn girl."
For a moment, the world felt still — the darkness around him not a curse, but a quiet, watchful companion.
The Shetty Mansion was heavy with silence. The clock struck midnight, but neither Vikram nor Varun Shetty had the strength to rest. Rainwater dripped from their clothes, leaving faint trails on the marble floor as they stepped in.
Vikram's hands trembled — something rare for the seasoned Reeva hunter. He sank into a chair, voice hoarse.
"I shot him, Varun… I saw the arrows pierce his chest. And then—" His words faltered. "—she jumped after him. My Kiara… she jumped."
Varun knelt beside him. "Dad, don't lose hope. Maybe the river carried them downstream. We'll find her, I promise."
Vikram shook his head slowly, staring blankly at the floor. "I've hunted demons all my life, but I never thought my weapon would turn against my own blood."
Just then, soft footsteps echoed from the corridor.
Mishka appeared — calm, her expression unreadable, her dark hair falling over one shoulder. She didn't rush to speak; she simply stood by the doorway, her gaze steady.
"Uncle," she said quietly, her tone carrying neither judgment nor emotion, "you don't need to search anymore."
Both men turned sharply.
Vikram rose half from his seat. "What do you mean?"
Mishka took a few slow steps forward, her eyes meeting Vikram's. "They're alive."
Varun's eyes widened. "Alive? How can you be sure?"
"I saw them," she said softly. "Outside the Pratap Singh mansion. Yuvaan carried Kiara in his arms. She looked unconscious… but breathing."
For a long moment, silence filled the room — not of peace, but disbelief.
Vikram's hands clenched into fists. "He's alive? Even after Nether Venom?"
Mishka's gaze shifted slightly to the flickering lamp beside her. "It shouldn't be possible. But somehow, he survived. Maybe her presence protected him."
Her voice was calm, almost distant — but her words cut deep.
Vikram's expression hardened. "No. He's manipulating her — again. That's what demons do."
Varun stood, resolve building in his eyes. "Then we'll bring her back, Dad. Tonight."
Mishka didn't move, but her eyes flickered with something — worry, or perhaps knowledge she wouldn't share. "Be careful," she murmured. "That mansion isn't safe anymore. The moment Yuvaan came back… something dark returned with him."
Vikram paused by the door, looking back at her. "You've changed, Mishka. You speak like you've seen more than you're saying."
Mishka lowered her eyes. "Maybe I have."
And with that, Vikram and Varun stepped out into the night once more, their footsteps echoing through the silent halls — leaving Mishka alone in the dim corridor, her expression unreadable as she whispered under her breath:
"Some wars… aren't fought with weapons."