Author’s POV
"So, what’s your plan?" Asher asked in a low and cautious tone.
"We’ll ask for help," Alistair replied without hesitation. "From Lucien."
Asher froze as his expression darkened.
"No," he said flatly. He coldly rejected the idea of involving Lucien.
Alistair raised an eyebrow. "You don’t even want to hear why?"
"I don’t care what reason you have," Asher growled. "I don’t want that man anywhere near Sera. Let alone dragging him in and owing him anything."
"He’s already involved," Alistair shot back firmly. "You think you can keep him out of this? He saved her and more than that... He likes her. He was there for Sera when neither of us was!"
"I don’t trust him," Asher snapped. "He’s dangerous for her and..."
"So are we," Alistair cut in, his voice low. "But sotis it takes a monster to get rid of another."
"And you’re sending our sister to that monster?" Asher spat back at , his voice shaking with rage.
Alistair didn’t flinch. "It’s Sera’s decision who she wants to be with," he said sharply. "And if it’s a monster, then so be it."
His tone didn’t waver as he continued. "Because we’ve already failed her once by trying to control everything. This ti... we will just stay behind her quietly. We have her back, and that’s it. No matter who she chooses."
He paused, holding Asher’s glare.
"And Lucien’s not the kind of man you think he is."
Asher scoffed. "You’re defending him now?"
"I’m not defending anyone," Alistair replied. "I just know him better than anyone in this world."
"But what do you think we should do now?" Asher asked again, his voice low but restless. "We have Sera’s location... finally."
Yes, what Asher had said was right. They had tracked down Seraphina’s location the very sa day they realized she was gone. She hadn’t just run away... It seed as if she wished to vanish from this world.
Asher had wanted to drop everything and drive straight to Emma’s cousin’s house in the next city. Bring Sera back, hug her and apologize to her, still not knowing what condition she was in!
They had just heard a little bit from the guards at the gate.
But Alistair had stopped Asher from going there.
"All we need to know is that she’s alive and safe," he’d said in a calm and firm voice. "That’s enough for now."
But it wasn’t enough for Asher, he was still restless.
He didn’t want his sister holed up in so stranger’s place, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, sleeping under a roof that wasn’t his. It didn’t sit right with him.
He was feeling so guilty that he couldn’t even give his sister a safe ho!
"She shouldn’t have to hide," he’d muttered, fists clenched. "She didn’t need to! But..."
And Alistair had looked him straight in the eye and said, "What you are saying is right. But don’t you think that the stranger’s place is still safer than the Lancaster mansion?"
Asher had nothing left to argue with. Because he knew it was true, and it made his blood boil.
He was angry at himself, at their mother, and lissa. But mostly at himself because he had kept quiet for all these years while Seraphina suffered right under his nose.
And now... He didn’t even have the guts to take Sera in the house!
Because she had chosen this, and Asher wasn’t going to let her stay there for long.
At present, Asher looked down at his phone, which buzzed in his hands, the glow of the screen lighting up his tired eyes. Then he turned to Alistair.
"The house is ready," he inford Alistair in a flat tone.
"So soon?" Alistair raised a brow. "Didn’t we just start planning this yesterday?"
"Of course," Asher muttered, slipping the phone into his pocket. "We’re bringing Sera back, aren’t we? I’m not letting her stay in that hellhole another day. She’ll have her own place where she feels safe... And she didn’t need to run away to keep herself alive."
Alistair let out a cold chuckle. "Oh? That’s the sa place you were planning to shift into... with your dear Mother and your beloved sister lissa?" His tone was sharp and full of sarcasm.
Asher rolled his eyes. "Broke people shouldn’t talk."
Alistair narrowed his eyes, but before he could say anything, Asher exhaled and added flatly, "I sold that house."
"What?" Alistair’s head snapped up as his eyes were almost bulging out of his sockets. "You did what?"
"You heard ," Asher said calmly. "I’m not dragging my sister into a house that was originally ant for soone else, especially the people who tornted her.
He said while shrugging as if it was only normal.
Alistair blinked. He was still processing Asher’s words. "Damn..." he muttered under his breath. "Brother, you’re seriously loaded. Can I live there too?"
His tone was light, but he really wanted to stay there.
He didn’t want to stay in this place either. The mansion felt like a haunted cage that was filled with lies and people worse than ghosts or monsters.
Or he could have just stayed at the hotel... But as Asher had ntioned, he was broke and could only afford a few days’ stay there.
He could’ve called Lucien. But his pride didn’t allow him to.
As much as he liked Lucein, he was still pissed.
He was pissed because he had eyes on Seraphina. He didn’t care if Lucien was dangerous and mysterious to the world, but... How could he like his sister of all people!
"As long as Sera welcos you...You can stay there!" Asher responded nonchalantly.
Alistair stared at his brother, amused but still wanted to choke him. "You know," he muttered, "Sera might actually kick you out... but she wouldn’t do that to ."
Asher didn’t bother arguing. "Whatever," he murmured under his breath.
Because deep down, he knew Alistair wasn’t wrong.
She probably would slam the door in his face before even hearing him and honestly, he wouldn’t bla her.
He exhaled sharply and leaned back against the wall, eyes cold. "Now all I’m waiting for... is lissa’s reaction. Let’s see what that witch does when she finds out."
There was a hint of a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.
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