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Chapter 11: A Shadow in the Room
The front door shut behind them with a heavy thud. Ari's little hand clung to Mara's as she pulled her excitedly across the grand hallway.
"Mara, Mara—you'll love it! The house is fun now, not lonely. I have so many things to show you!" Ari's curls bounced as she practically skipped.
Mara's eyes swept the marble floors, the glittering chandelier above, the portraits staring down from the walls. The house had always seemed too big for Ari, but now it looked… stranger. Colder.
Still, Ari's joy made her soften. "Alright, show me, but slow down"
They reached the sitting room. Ari rushed ahead, tugging her cousin through the doorway.
Mara froze.
There, by the tall window, stood someone. No,not someone,Something.....
The figure was taller than any boy his age had a right to be, shoulders broad, skin a dull gray that caught the faint light wrong. Jagged black horns curved from his head, and his eyes glowed faintly red, steady and unblinking. His clothes hung in tatters, as if burned or clawed through.
Mara's heart stopped.
Her voice barely made it past her lips. "What… what is that?"
Ari's smile widened. "Oh! That's Ace! He—"
But Mara didn't let her finish. With a gasp, she yanked Ari behind her, arms spread wide like a shield. Her chest rose and fell too fast. "Stay back!" she shouted, with her voice cracking.
The creature didn't move. He only watched, his eyes burning softly in the dim room.
Mara's hands trembled. Every inch of him screamed wrong. Human faces didn't look like that. Human eyes didn't glow. And horns ,certainly horns didn't belong to anything that walked on two legs.
"Don't come closer," she warned, though her knees shook. "You're not… you're not human. I don't know what you are—but you're not touching her."
Ari tugged at her arm, pouting. "Maraaa, stop! He's good, hee....."
"Quiet, Ari!" Mara snapped, keeping her gaze locked on the figure. Fear pulsed in her throat. "I don't care what he told you. Whatever he is, he's dangerous."
Ace finally shifted, one slow step forward, his shadow sliding across the floor.
Mara's breath hitched. Her vision spun, and before Ari could protest again, Mara's strength gave way, with her body folding as she collapsed onto the couch, fainting in a rush of terror.
Ari gasped, eyes wide, clutching her cousin's hand. "Mara?"
The only answer was silence, and the heavy, steady sound of Ace's breathing.
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