Dark Desires

Chapter 14

As night falls, I decide to take a chance. I know where Daven lives — the infamous Hargrove manor, just beyond the edge of town. It's a risk, but I need to find out what he's hiding. I grab my coat, tuck the printed screenshots of the video into my bag, and head out. The drive to the Hargrove manor is a blur of headlights and swirling thoughts. My heart thuds in my chest like a war drum, each beat hammering home the possibility that the man I've grown to trust, maybe even love, might be involved in my mother's death.

 The drive to the Hargrove manor is a blur of headlights and swirling thoughts. My heart thuds in my chest like a war drum, each beat hammering home the possibility that the man I've grown to trust, maybe even love, might be involved in my mother's death. When I arrive, the grand estate looms over me like a dark sentinel, its windows flickering with a dim light from within. I swallow hard and steel myself. If I want answers, I'll have to be brave. I quietly approach the side of the manor, hoping to find an entrance without alerting Daven. 

I find a door slightly ajar at the back. Taking a deep breath, I slip inside. The air is thick with the scent of old wood and... something metallic, almost like the tang of blood. My stomach turns, but I force myself to keep moving. I tiptoe through dimly lit hallways until I hear voices. I press myself against the wall, listening intently. The other voice is Daven's, low and urgent. "You don't understand, Antoinette. I never asked for this life, and I won't let it take her away from me." My blood runs cold. Who is he talking about? And what does he mean by "this life"? Before I can stop myself, I step forward to get a closer look. The floor creaks beneath my feet, and suddenly, the voices go silent. A door swings open, and I find myself face to face with Daven. 

His eyes, usually a mesmerizing green, flash crimson in the dim light "Amelia," he breathes, his voice tinged with both surprise and something darker. "What are you doing here?" I tighten my grip on my bag, the photos inside crinkling beneath my fingers. "I should be asking you that, Daven. I know... I know you're hiding something." His expression shifts, torn between frustration and something that almost looks like sorrow. "You don't understand, Amelia. I was trying to protect you." "Protect me from what?" I demand, my voice trembling. "You know something about my mother's death, don't you?" He takes a step toward me, but I back away. "Amelia, it's not what you think. 

I've been trying to—""Stop lying to me!" I shout, the tears finally spilling over. "I saw the crest, Daven. It was your family's symbol on the man who killed her." His face pales, but before he can answer, a figure steps out from the shadows behind him. It's Johnathan. The one who had captured both him and Antoinette. "Hello again, Amelia," Johnathan says with a cruel smile, his eyes gleaming red. "It looks like you've found yourself in quite the predicament." Daven turns to face him, his body tensing. "Johnathan, leave her out of this. She's innocent." Johnathan lets out a low, mocking laugh. "Innocent? She's been poking around where she doesn't belong. 

It's time she learns the truth, don't you think?" I take a shaky step back. "What truth?" But before either of them can answer, Johnathan lunges toward me. I scream, but Daven moves faster, intercepting him with inhuman speed. The two of them clash, a blur of shadows and flashing eyes, and I'm left standing there, frozen in terror. What have I gotten myself into?