The Blackwood Curse

Chapter 13

Sarah’s POV

The sun had set, leaving the Blackwood mansion cloaked in darkness, save for the flickering glow of sconces lining the hallways. Dinner had been a tense affair. Eleanor and Victor's pointed questions lingered in my mind, each one feeling less like polite conversation and more like a test I wasn't sure I had passed.

I wandered the halls aimlessly, the silence pressing against my ears. There was something oppressive about this house, something alive in its walls. The paintings seemed to watch me as I moved past them, their oil-painted eyes cold and judgmental.

The storm outside had picked up again, rain lashing against the tall windows. My footsteps echoed as I turned a corner, finding myself in a part of the mansion I didn't recognize. The hallway was narrower here, the air colder.

I paused, glancing over my shoulder. I could have sworn I'd heard footsteps behind me, but when I turned, the hall was empty.

"Get a grip," I whispered to myself, shaking my head.

But the unease didn't leave. Instead, it grew heavier with each step I took.

---

Eren's POV

I watched Sarah leave the dining room earlier, her shoulders tense and her expression unreadable. My parents had done exactly what I feared—they'd latched onto her, drawing her into their web of control. They approved of her, yes, but approval from Eleanor and Victor Blackwood was never without strings.

"You look troubled," Axel said from across the room, his voice cutting through my thoughts.

I turned to face him, finding his ever-present smirk in place. He leaned casually against the wall, a glass of brandy in hand.

"Don't you have anything better to do?" I snapped.

Axel chuckled, taking a slow sip of his drink. "You're so defensive, brother. It's almost as if you're scared."

I stiffened but didn't respond.

"Relax," he continued, his tone mocking. "I'm just here to enjoy the show. You know, you've changed soo much since Sarah" he said with a smirk that I wanted to rip right off.

"Stay away from Sarah," I said, my voice low and threatening.

Axel's smirk widened. "Oh, Eren. You're so possessive. It's almost endearing."

He pushed off the wall and sauntered toward me, stopping just short of invading my space.

"But let me ask you this," he said, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "How long do you think you can keep your secrets hidden? How long before she sees you for what you really are?"

His words sent a chill down my spine, but I refused to let it show. Instead, I met his gaze with steely resolve.

"You don't know what you're talking about," I said.

"Don't I?" Axel replied, his smile turning cold.

---

Sarah's POV

I found myself at the entrance to the west wing, the area of the mansion I'd been warned to avoid. The double doors were slightly ajar, and a faint light spilled out into the hall.

Curiosity pulled me forward, my hand hesitating on the doorframe. I peeked inside, my breath catching at the sight before me.

The room was grand, with high ceilings and ornate furniture, but it was the walls that held my attention. They were lined with photographs, paintings, and newspaper clippings—an entire gallery dedicated to the Blackwood family's history.

I stepped inside, my eyes scanning the images. Many of them were portraits, their subjects cold and unyielding. There were photos of Eleanor and Victor in their younger years, their expressions just as stern as they were now.

But then my gaze landed on a smaller photograph tucked in the corner. It was a picture of Eren and Axel, standing side by side in the garden. Eren looked serious as always, while Axel wore a mischievous grin.

I reached out to touch the frame, but a voice behind me made me jump.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

I spun around to find Eleanor standing in the doorway, her expression unreadable.

"I didn't mean to intrude," I said quickly. "The door was open."

Eleanor stepped inside, her heels clicking softly against the floor. "You're not intruding, Sarah. This is your home now. You're free to explore."

She stopped beside me, her gaze fixed on the photograph I'd been looking at.

"Eren and Axel were so different as children," she said, her voice tinged with nostalgia. "Eren, even though younger than Axel, he was always the responsible one, always trying to please us. Axel, on the other hand..." She trailed off, her lips curling into a faint smile.

"What about Axel?" I asked, unable to hide my curiosity.

Eleanor's smile faded. "He was... difficult. But every family has its challenges, don't they?"

I nodded, unsure of how to respond.

"Tell me, Sarah," Eleanor said suddenly, turning to face me. "How are you finding married life?"

Her question caught me off guard. "It's been... an adjustment," I admitted.

Eleanor nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Marriage is always an adjustment, especially when you're married into a family like ours."

Her words echoed Victor's from earlier, and I couldn't shake the feeling that they carried a deeper meaning.

"Just remember," she continued, her voice low. "We Blackwoods protect our own. Always."

---

Axel's POV

I watched from the shadows as Sarah left the west wing, her expression troubled. She was beautiful, even more so when she was lost in thought, her mind spinning with questions she couldn't yet answer.

Eleanor had gotten to her, I could tell. My mother had a way of planting seeds in people's minds, seeds that would grow into doubt and fear.

Good.

Eren didn't deserve her. He never had.

I stepped out of the shadows, my footsteps echoing softly as I followed her down the hall. She didn't notice me at first, too preoccupied with her own thoughts.

"Sarah," I said softly, my voice breaking the silence.

She turned, her eyes widening slightly when she saw me.

"Axel," she said, her tone wary. "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," I replied, a small smile playing on my lips.

She hesitated, her gaze flicking to the west wing doors behind me. "Just... exploring."

"Dangerous place to explore," I said, my tone light but my meaning clear.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn't respond. Instead, she turned and walked away, her steps brisk.

I watched her go, my smile fading.

Soon, Sarah. Soon you'll see the truth.