Ava could barely breathe after Karl’s departure. Her chest felt tight, and her mind spun with questions that seemed to multiply with every passing second. She clutched the locket tighter, unsure whether it was a blessing or a curse. Karl’s warning echoed in her ears: “You’ll need it soon enough.”
The dragon’s presence had shaken her to her core. The beast was more than just a creature; it was a force, something otherworldly that Karl controlled effortlessly. Ava couldn’t forget how the air had felt heavy, suffocating, as if the dragon’s very breath could consume her. And yet, Karl had promised it wouldn’t hurt her—at least not without his command.
Ava exhaled shakily, her eyes darting around the attic. She couldn’t stay here, waiting for whatever destiny Karl believed in to swallow her whole. She had to get out, figure out what this locket meant, and most importantly, understand how she fit into all of this.
But first, she needed to clear her mind.
Despite the fear that gnawed at her, Ava made her way to the small window in the attic, pushing it open to let in some air. The sky outside was a dull gray, the kind that pressed down on you, offering no sign of hope or light. But even that small gust of wind brought a strange sense of calm. She could think clearer now, and the plan started to form in her mind.
She glanced back at the locket, still glowing faintly. There was something about it… something powerful, almost alive. She knew it wasn’t just a simple object. It had a connection to Karl, and perhaps, to her own mysterious past. Ava closed her eyes for a moment, trying to remember her family—the ones she had lost, the reason she had built the time machine in the first place.
But no matter how hard she tried, her memories felt distant, as if they were slipping away.
Suddenly, a soft knock at the door broke her thoughts. Her heart jumped into her throat as she turned sharply. Who could it be this time? Was Karl back? Had he sent someone else to watch her?
The door creaked open slowly, and Ava’s breath hitched. To her surprise, it wasn’t Karl—or the dragon. It was the old maid.
Her wrinkled face looked weary, as if burdened by years of secrets, and yet there was a glimmer of something in her eyes. Pity, perhaps. Or was it fear? Ava couldn’t tell.
“I heard the master was here,” the maid whispered, stepping cautiously inside. “You shouldn’t have angered him.”
Ava’s fists clenched. “I didn’t ask for any of this,” she hissed. “I just want to understand what’s going on. Why is he keeping me here? What does he want from me?”
The maid hesitated, her eyes flicking to the locket in Ava’s hand. She paled visibly, as if the sight of it struck fear deep within her. “You… you shouldn’t have that,” the maid murmured, stepping back slightly. “That belongs to the master.”
Ava frowned, glancing at the locket. “He told me to keep it.”
The maid’s expression tightened, as if struggling with what to say next. “The master is not like other men,” she said quietly. “He has… power. Power that no one else should possess. And that locket, it’s tied to him in ways you can’t understand.”
Ava swallowed, her pulse quickening. “What do you mean? What kind of power?”
The old woman’s gaze darkened. “The kind that twists fate. The kind that bends the will of others. That dragon—he controls it, but it’s not just the dragon. The master’s power reaches far beyond what you’ve seen.” Her voice trembled, as if the weight of her words were too much to bear. “That locket—if you wear it, it will protect you, but it may also bind you to him in ways you won’t be able to escape.”
Ava’s heart raced. Bind her? Was that why Karl had given it to her? To trap her in his world, to make sure she couldn’t leave?
But before Ava could ask more, the maid stiffened, her eyes wide with panic. “I’ve said too much,” she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. “He’ll know. He always knows.”
Ava grabbed her arm, desperation flashing in her eyes. “Please, tell me more. I need to know why I’m here, what he wants!”
But the old woman shook her head furiously, her fear too overwhelming. “No. I can’t.” She pulled away from Ava’s grip, her hands trembling. “I’ve warned you. That’s all I can do.”
And with that, she hurried from the room, leaving Ava standing in the middle of the attic, the weight of her warning pressing down on her.
Ava looked down at the locket again, her mind swirling with questions. What had Karl done? How was she connected to him? And most importantly—how could she escape whatever fate was waiting for her?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden sound outside—loud, heavy footsteps that made the floor shake slightly. Ava’s heart leapt into her throat.
It was Karl.
She rushed to the window, her eyes darting across the grounds. And then she saw him—Karl, standing in the middle of the courtyard, his eyes closed, his hand resting gently on the dragon’s head. The dragon let out a low growl, its fiery breath rising into the air like smoke. Ava’s breath caught in her throat as she watched the two of them, man and beast, so in sync it was terrifying.
And then, as if sensing her gaze, Karl’s eyes snapped open and locked onto hers.
Ava’s blood ran cold.
He stood there for a moment, unmoving, his fiery gaze piercing through her. Then, slowly, a smile curled on his lips—a smile that sent a shiver down Ava’s spine.
Without a word, Karl turned, the dragon following him like a shadow, and they disappeared into the darkness of the woods surrounding the mansion.
Ava’s heart pounded in her chest. She didn’t know what Karl had planned, but she knew one thing for sure—whatever was coming next, it would be more dangerous than anything she’d faced before.
And this time, she had no idea if she’d survive.
YOU ARE READING
ECHOES OF TIME
Historical Fiction**Trailer for Echoes of Time** In a world where the past holds the key to the future, Ava Chloe is a brilliant computer science engineer haunted by a tragedy she can't remember. Driven by a relentless desire to uncover the truth, she builds a time m...
