THE PAWN AND THE KING

18

Raeland's POV

I was spiraling down into madness—I could feel it—my mind a whirlpool of desperation. My room felt like a cage, the walls closing in as I paced back and forth, raking my fingers through my hair until it threatened to pull from my scalp. Valenti was out there somewhere, and every second I spent without her twisted the knot of dread in my stomach tighter. I could barely think straight; the shadows in the corners felt like ghosts of my failures, reminding me of all the times I had let her down.

My sister, Alessia, stood in the doorway, arms crossed tightly over her chest, worry etched across her face. "Raeland, you need to calm down," she pleaded, her voice a mix of concern and frustration. "You haven't eaten properly in days. You're not thinking clearly."

"Calm down?" I shot back, my voice strained, a growl escaping my lips. "I can't afford to do that right now. Valenti needs me," I turned away from her, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I fought to keep the rising tide of panic at bay. My heart raced, pounding against my ribcage like a drum, each beat echoing my mounting desperation.

Alessia stepped closer, her brow furrowing deeper. "You're scaring me, Raeland," she said softly, her tone shifting from frustration to concern. "You have to take care of yourself if you're going to help her."

Ignoring her words, I resumed my frantic pacing, my body thrumming with an energy I couldn't contain. I could feel Alessia's gaze on me, but I wouldn't let her in. I couldn't let her see how close I was to losing it completely. My thoughts raced, consumed by a single goal—finding Valenti. The idea of her in danger twisted my insides, sending waves of nausea crashing over me.

A small figure peeked into the room—my niece, looking up at me with wide eyes. She stepped forward hesitantly, her tiny hands clasped together. "Uncle Rae," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly, "please don't be sad. I'm here."

In that moment, I flashed her a small smile, trying to mask the storm brewing inside me. But it felt hollow, and I quickly turned away, afraid that if I acknowledged the vulnerability I felt in her presence, I would break. "I'm fine, sweetheart," I said, though my voice cracked, betraying the facade I was desperately trying to maintain.

Alessia shook her head and stepped closer. "You need to eat, Raeland. You can't help Valenti if you're falling apart. Just a little something to keep your strength up, yeah?"

What was the point of eating if I'd only throw it all up? My stomach had been twisted for days, coiled so tight with fear and worry that even water felt like too much. Every thought of food was drowned out by the gnawing dread that filled me, but Alessia's eyes bore into me with that familiar persistence.

Just as I was about to push Alessia's offer aside, my phone rang, slicing through the silence like a knife. I immediately snatched it up from the counter, not even bothering to check the caller ID. "Any info?" I barked into the phone, my voice harsh.

A chilling, familiar voice slithered through the receiver, making my blood run cold. "Well, well... if you mean info about Lila Valenti," the voice drawled, sending a sharp chill down my spine. My grip on the phone tightened as I glanced at the screen—Norman Delacroix. My heart froze.

"I have good news for you," he said casually, as if we were discussing the weather.

"What do you mean?" I growled, my voice low and dangerous, my body tense as though bracing for a blow. Alessia, who had been watching with growing concern, leaned in slightly, her face paling as she caught the name on the screen.

"She was with me," Delacroix continued, his tone maddeningly calm. I cursed under my breath. The sickening smirk I knew was playing on his lips came through in his voice. "All you have to do is give me the pendrive your father left behind. I know you have it. Bring it to me, and maybe, just maybe, I'll return your little wife to you."