Fate of deception

Chapter 30 - Z

Amir stood in his dimly lit room, pacing back and forth as the weight of his decision pressed on him like a storm cloud about to burst. He ran a hand through his dark hair, his thoughts spinning uncontrollably. The vial of potion gleamed on his desk, half-hidden in the shadows.

His plan was as fragile as it was dangerous. Should he lure Umaizah in slowly, letting things unfold naturally over time? Or should he take the quicker route, using the potion when she wasn't looking, and then... what? Steal her away?

His heart thudded in his chest. He had to decide.

Turning toward the window, Amir stared out into the night. The cool wind brought memories of the first time he saw her. It had been a night not unlike this one, at the Serendrian Forest, where her presence seemed to outshine the moon itself. There was something about her that unsettled him from the start, something that made him want to love her, but also something deeper, more vulnerable, that he refused to acknowledge.

He squeezed his eyes shut, my voice in his head growing louder.

"Stop. Think. You can't rush this."

My voice commanded him, echoing from some deep, unknown part of himself. It wasn't the first time I had spoken to him, but tonight, I felt stronger, more insistent. He clenched his fists at his sides, determined to push it away. He didn't need advice. He knew what he had to do.

Ignoring my voice, Amir straightened his posture, heading toward the door of his room. His footsteps were quiet but resolute as he walked down the hall to Layna's bedroom, where Umaizah was resting. He hesitated outside the door, his hand on the handle. For a moment, he thought of turning back, but the image of Umaizah asleep, still and unaware, drove him forward.

He opened the door quietly and stepped inside. The room was bathed in the soft glow of the moon, casting long shadows over the furniture. There she was, lying on the bed, her breathing soft and even. She looked so peaceful, so... untouched by the chaos swirling in his mind.

Amir moved closer, his breath catching slightly as he gazed down at her. He couldn't help but remember the way she had looked at him that night in the forest—fearful, hesitant. It had intrigued him then, and it intrigued him still.

Carefully, he knelt beside the bed, studying her face in the moonlight. She was even more beautiful up close, and for a brief moment, he almost forgot what he was supposed to do. Almost.

"Make your choice," My voice whispered, stronger now, more demanding.

But Amir silenced it once again, standing up slowly. He slipped his arms beneath her, lifting her effortlessly from the bed. Her body remained limp in his hold, still deep in sleep as he carried her through the halls back to his own room. His eyes stayed on her face as he laid her down gently on his bed, making sure she was comfortable before stepping back.

She didn't stir.

With one last glance at her peaceful form, Amir turned on his heel and headed toward the hidden door in his room, leading down to the lair he had painstakingly prepared. It was where he kept his supplies, where he hid everything I didn't want others to see. The place where the real work began.

Descending into the shadows of the lair, his thoughts churned with growing intensity. He needed more samples of the potion, more preparation for the plan that was forming in his mind. He didn't know yet what the final outcome would be, but one thing was certain: once he set this into motion, there would be no turning back.

He reached for the vials, his fingers tightening around the glass as a sense of grim determination settled over him. He was playing a dangerous game now, one that only he could control. And whether Umaizah realized it or not, she was already a part of it.

The voice in his mind whispered once more, softer this time.

"Choose wisely, Amir."

But this time, he didn't even flinch.

He had already made his choice.