The dim light of a single candle flickered against the stone walls of the hideout, casting long, shifting shadows. Liana paced the room with restless energy, her heels clicking against the floor as she muttered to herself. The anticipation of Gareth’s return clawed at her nerves.
“Where is he?” she hissed, glancing toward the door for the hundredth time. Her mind raced with scenarios, each one more dire than the last. If Gareth had been caught, it could jeopardize everything.
A rustling sound outside made her freeze. Her heart pounded as she backed into the shadows, her breath shallow and her senses on high alert.
“Let me go!” a voice cried out, muffled but familiar.
Liana’s lips curled into a triumphant smile.
Mira.
Liana stepped back into the dim candlelight, her confidence returning as she straightened her posture. Moments later, the heavy door creaked open, and Gareth strode in, dragging Mira behind him. Her sister’s struggles were fierce but ultimately futile as Gareth’s grip remained unyielding.
Gareth shoved Mira forward, sending her stumbling into the room. “She’s all yours,” he said with a smirk, leaning against the wall as though presenting a gift.
“Gareth,” Liana said smoothly, stepping toward him. Her voice was calm, almost lazy, but the satisfaction in her tone was unmistakable. “You’ve truly outdone yourself this time.”
Mira’s wide eyes locked onto Liana, disbelief and pain swirling within them like a storm. “Liana?” she gasped, her voice trembling. “You… you’re behind this?”
Liana’s smile faltered for only a moment, her expression hardening into one of cold contempt. She stepped forward and, without hesitation, struck Mira across the face. The sharp crack of the slap echoed through the small room, sending Mira stumbling to the ground. Her hand flew to her cheek, but she didn’t look away.
“Welcome back, sis,” Liana sneered, her tone dripping with venom. “Did you really think you could escape me?”
Mira pushed herself up, her defiance burning brightly despite the pain. “You’ve always hated me,” she said through gritted teeth, her voice steadying. “But this? Teaming up with Gareth to drag me into your twisted schemes? How low can you go, Liana?”
Liana crouched down in front of Mira, her face a mask of cruelty as she grabbed Mira’s chin, forcing her to meet her gaze. “You’ve always been a burden,” she hissed. “The pitiful little shadow that everyone pitied. But not anymore. I’m finally going to have what’s mine, and you’re not going to get in my way.”
Mira’s eyes burned with fury. “What you’re doing won’t end well, Liana. The moon goddess doesn’t bless the wicked.”
Liana let out a bitter laugh, releasing Mira with a shove. “The moon goddess?” she mocked. “She abandoned you long ago, dear sister. You’re nothing. A forgotten relic of a pathetic past.”
Gareth, who had been watching the exchange with a smirk, clapped his hands slowly. “Touching, really,” he drawled. “But we don’t have time for family drama. We’ve got bigger fish to fry.”
Liana straightened, brushing imaginary dust from her dress as she turned to Gareth. “You’re right,” she said icily. “We need to keep her contained. Secure her—now.”
“With pleasure,” Gareth said, his grin widening as he stepped forward. He grabbed Mira’s arms, twisting them behind her back and binding her wrists with practiced ease.