Marcus/Rocco
We didn't speak much during the drive. Not because
there wasn't anything to say. There was too much.
The convoy stretched across the highway as the city
slowly disappeared behind us. Seraphina drove ahead.
Darren insisted on driving separately. Mostly because
he claimed his equipment needed the space.
I suspected it was because he had trust issues. Callie
called it both.
"You know," Noah said from the backseat, "We spent
quite a while in this area but no one has actually told us what this place is."
I glanced into the rear-view mirror. Riley looked you
from her phone. "Good point."
Noah pointed forward dramatically.
"We're technically driving into the middle of nowhere
because sleep-deprived sherlock found a pattern."
"That's a little unfair."
"It's exactly fair."
Callie looked over at me. I looked back. For a moment
neither of us spoke. "It's where we grew up."
The car went silent.
"What?" Noah blinked. Then blinked again.
"The estate," Callie looked out the window, "that's
where we lived."
Riley sat upright, "Wait," her eyes moved between us.
"Where we trained? Both of you?"
I sighed. "Not exactly where we trained. It's a bit
farther." Callie nodded.
"Why have you never mentioned that?" Noah asked.
I shrugged. "Guess it never came up."
"How does that never come up?"
"Pretty easily."
"It absolutely does not."
Callie laughed. Noah looked personally betrayed. The
conversation continued for most of the drive.
Questions. Stories. The occasional interruption from
Noah. The usual. And after a while, the estate felt like a destination and more
like a memory.
Then we saw it. The gates. Everybody went quiet. Even
Noah. Which was impressive.
The iron gates stretched high above the road. Old. Weathered.
Covered in vines. Beyond them, the estate emerged.
A massive manor sitting atop a hill. Stone walls.
Towering windows. Ancient trees surrounding the grounds. The entire place
looked frozen in time.
Like the last seven years had simply passed around it.
"Whoa…" Riley's voice barely rose above a whisper. No
one made fun of her because she was right.
The place was beautiful and sad and lonely.
The gates opened with a loud metallic groan. The sound
echoed across the grounds. Something about it made my chest tighten.
Home.
Valen appeared beside me. Hands in the pockets.
Looking unusually interested. "So, this is it." I glanced toward him and
nodded. He was right.
The cars rolled to a stop near the manor. Nobody moved
immediately. The building seemed larger up close. Older. The years visible in
every stone.
Then Darren was already out of his car. Of course.
He started taking pictures. Recording videos. Scanning
the property. Probably hacking a satellite while he was at it.
Livia giggled. "He's been waiting for this all week."
"Since yesterday."
"Same thing."
Noah climbed out. Then looked up at the manor then
back at me. Back at the manor again.
"You grew up here?"
"Yep."
Noah stared. "I hate rich people." Callie burst out
laughing. Even Riley laughed. Breaking the tension instantly.
"Come on."
I started toward the entrance. The familiar stone path
stretched ahead. Each step bringing another memory.
The front doors opened with surprising ease. The air
inside smelled faintly of dust, old wood, time.
No one spoke at first.
The entrance hall remained exactly as I remembered.
The staircase. The chandelier. The marble floor. Everything.
It's been seven years and somehow it was all still
here. Callie slowly stepped beside me. Neither of us said anything till-
"The vase is still in one piece."
I followed her gaze. The enormous blue vase near the
staircase. "The one you broke?" I asked.
Callie turned to me in disbelief, "you promised never
to mention that."
"I lied." She smacked my shoulder
The others moved deeper into the manor. Exploring.
Looking around. Teasing us about portraits and just taking everything in.
It almost felt normal. Then Seraphina stopped and room
immediately quieted.
"What?" Darren asked.
Seraphina frowned. Looking downward. Toward the floor.
Something only, she seemed to notice. Slowly, she drew her sword.
Every instinct in my body sharpened. "What is it?" she
didn't answer. Her eyes remained fixed on the ground. On a faint symbol burned
into the stone. So faded it was almost invisible.
Almost. "There." The word came quietly I almost didn't
catch it.
Darren crouched beside it, brushing dust away.
Revealing more of the mark.
A circle with ancient symbols and scorch marks. And
with that, the atmosphere inside the manor changed. The nostalgia vanished and
so did warmth.
Leaving only questions and somewhere beneath our feet…
Deep below the estate…
Something stirred.