Mute

Chapter 44

Aria’s POV

Fury boiled within me as I stormed back to the room where Lena waited. She sat on the edge of the bed, her foot tapping impatiently. As soon as she saw my face, she jumped up, her eyes widening in alarm.

“What happened?” she demanded, her voice sharp. “You look like you’re about to murder someone.”

I signed furiously, my hands flying through the air as I recounted every venomous word from Caspian’s mother. The insults, the accusations, the sheer audacity of her disdain for me. Lena’s face darkened with anger as she listened.

“That old hag!” Lena spat, pacing the room. “How dare she treat you like that? As if everything that happened is your fault!”

I nodded, my rage mirrored in Lena’s eyes. I signed, “Once it’s over with the rogues, I’m staying as far away from Caspian and his family as possible. I don’t want anything to do with them.”

Lena stopped pacing and looked at me, her expression was of anger and exasperation. “Good! You shouldn’t have to put up with this crap. But don’t forget, Aria, you still have to complete your one–week stay at the castle. You can’t just walk out on that. You’re already a maid, and breaking that ritual isn’t an option.”

I let out a silent sigh, the weight of my obligations pressing down on me. She was right, of course. The week at the castle was a tradition, an ironclad rule that I couldn’t escape

“Just one more week,” Lena said, her tone more resigned than supportive. “Then you can get the hell out of here and leave all this behind.”

I nodded, frustration mingling with my anger. I signed, “I can’t believe how blind they all are. To treat me like this after everything I’ve been through. It’s infuriating.”

Lena’s eyes flashed. “Damn right it’s infuriating. But you’re stronger than any of them. You’ll get through this week, and then you’ll be free. Just hang in there.”

Her words, while not dripping with sugary support, were a reminder of the reality I faced. I hugged her briefly, not for comfort but as a gesture of appreciation.

As I pulled back, I signed, “Thanks, Lena. I needed to vent.”

“Anytime,” she replied, her voice still edged with anger. “Just remember, you’re not alone in this mess.”

After Lena left, uneasiness consumed me. I felt like a caged animal, pacing in the small room, my thoughts an incessant storm. The decision to lead Caspian and his men to Ethan and his sisters had seemed brave in the moment, but now, with the memory of my near–death encounter fresh in my mind, fear ate at me.

The previous night’s escape played in a vivid nightmare I couldn’t shake. Ethan’s cold, calculating eyes, the cruel smiles of his sisters, the blood and the screams–it was all too real, too recent. Every creak of the floorboards, every whisper of the wind outside my window, set my nerves on edge.

My hands trembled as I paced back and forth, my mind wandering back to the horrors I had witnessed. I moved to the window, hoping the sight of Caspian and his men preparing for the mission would offer some peace. Instead, it only intensified my dread. They were confident, determined, but I knew the true danger I faced.

As night settled; the forest outside seemed to close in, its shadows deepening, growing more menacing.

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Chapter 44

The thought of walking back into that lair of rogues made my stomach churn. I kept busy, checking and rechecking my preparations, trying to quell the rising tide of anxiety.

A knock at the door made me jump. My heart raced as I turned to see Elijah standing there, his face set in grim determination.

“It’s time,” he said, his voice steady.

I nodded, my throat tight. I followed Elijah down the corridor, my steps slow and deliberate. Every fiber of my being wanted to turn back, to hide, but I forced myself to move forward.

The courtyard was a hive of activity. Caspian was in the center, issuing orders, his presence commanding. The moment he saw me, his expression softened for a brief second before the boldness returned.

“Aria,” he said, stepping towards me, but I couldn’t bring myself to meet his gaze. I focused on Elijah instead, signing to him, “Let’s go.”

Caspian’s eyes lingered on me, but I avoided looking at him directly. I couldn’t afford to let my feelings distract me, not now. His voice, though, was a constant in my mind, it was of concern and command.

“Are you ready?” he asked, his tone softer than I expected.

I nodded, signing again to Elijah, “We need to hurry.”

Caspian seemed to understand my reluctance to engage. He nodded, turning to his men. “Let’s move out.”

As we set off into the darkness, I stayed close to Elijah, using him as a buffer between Caspian and me.

Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig, made my heart race.

The path to Ethan’s house was etched in my memory, every step closer heightening my anxiety. I could see the house now, a dark silhouette against the night sky. I stopped, taking a deep breath to steady myself.

“We’re here,” I signed to Elijah, who relayed the message to Caspian.

Caspian’s jaw clenched, his eyes scanning the area. “Stay close,” he whispered, but I couldn’t bring myself to respond.

As Caspian and his men stormed through the house, tension hung heavy in the air.

I followed closely behind, my heart hammering in my chest, each step echoing my rising apprehension. The memories of my harrowing escape from this very place haunted me with every move.

The rooms were silent, the only sound coming were footfalls of the search party. Caspian’s jaw was clenched, his gaze sweeping the shadows for any sign of their quarry. I did my best to stay away from him, my fear of being near him outweighing my instinct to seek protection.

Suddenly, a low creak sounded through the house, followed by the unmistakable sound of metal clashing against metal. Caspian’s head snapped around, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.

“What was that?” one of the men whispered, his voice tight with nervousness.

Before anyone could respond, the floor beneath us gave way with a deafening crash. My heart leapt into my throat

as I stumbled backward, narrowly avoiding the gaping hole that had appeared in our path.

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15:20 Fri, Aug 16

Chapter 44

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Chaos erupted as the men shouted and yelled, scrambling to avoid the trap that Ethan and his sisters had set for us. Caspian reacted swiftly, his instincts kicking in as he grabbed me and pulled me to safety.

“Watch out!” one of the men shouted, his voice high with panic. “It’s a trap!”

Caspian’s grip tightened on my arm as he yanked me back just as the floor gave way. “Stay close,” he ordered, his voice a sharp command.

I stumbled, my heart pounding, and tried to steady myself. The scene was a blur of movement and noise. Men were yelling, trying to avoid the gaping hole that had suddenly appeared beneath them.

“Get back! Everyone, get back!” Caspian’s voice cut through the chaos, authoritative and firm.

I looked around, my eyes wide with fear. “What do we do?” I signed frantically, my hands trembling.

Caspian’s eyes met mine briefly, his expression hard but not unkind. “Stay behind me. We’ll find another way.”

But it was too late for some. A few of the men had already fallen into the pit, their shouts of pain mingling with the sounds of crumbling wood and shifting earth.

“Help! Get us out of here!” one of the trapped men called out, his voice strained.

“Hold on, we’re coming!” Caspian shouted back, his grip on my arm never loosening. He turned to the remaining men. “Form a line, secure the perimeter. We can’t let th

em take us by surprise again.”

I felt a wave of guilt crash over me. I had led them into this.