Aristarkh faced his study like a caged predator. His hands still faintly stained with the blood of the low grade crimson altar he had slaughtered hours ago, clenched and unclenched at his sides. He had called for a meeting with his most trusted people. The doctor, Elian. His best friend, Lucien. The butler, Dimitri.
"She was in her bed," he snarled. "In my house. Under my barrier. And still—they came for her."
His best friend, Lucien Morozov, had arrived a few minutes earlier from Aristarkh's call for a meeting. "Calm yourself before you shatter the entire wing," Lucien said evenly. "Fury will not shield her. We must understand why they keep coming."
Aristarkh approached him. "Do you think I do not want to understand? Do you think I enjoy standing by while this crimson altar invades my barrier to touch what is mine?"
The doctor, a gaunt man named Dr. Elian adjusted his medicated glasses nervously, clutching a bundle of notes. He stood awkwardly between predator and confidant.
"My lord," he began carefully, "the protective barrier—"
"—was intact," Aristarkh snapped. "I made it myself. Every sigil, every thing. And yet they breached it. Explain to me, doctor, how such a thing is possible."
The butler, Dimitri, an old man with grey hair, stepped forward and bowed before speaking. "Forgive me master Aristarkh. The wards flickered before the attack. It was only for a breath but long enough for the crimson altar to slip in. And they must be powerful if a low grade could slip in easily. And … it was as if something inside the mansion pulled them."
Aristarkh froze, his gaze snapped towards Dimitri then to Doctor Elian. "Inside?"
The doctor hesitated. His eyes flickered towards Lucien, as if hoping the other man would intervene but Lucian remained silent and the doctor spoke sternly.
"There is… resonance ," Elian said finally. "Something emanating from the girl."
Aristarkh's fangs snarled. "Say her name."
The doctor swallowed. "From Ana."
There was a long stretch of silence. Aristarkh's eyes burned bright. His chest heaved with an effort to tame the fury clawing its way through his ribs.
"Choose your words carefully, doctor. You speak of her as though she is cursed. She is mine." His voice was a low growl and carried a hint of danger.
Elian lifted his notes, hands trembling slightly. What I'm saying is that I studied her when she came in. I studied her for a while. "Her blood is not cursed but marked. There is… an energy within her blood I have not seen before. You sensed it the day she first stepped into this mansion, how you weren't able to control yourself for a while." He nods before continuing. "The crimson altar must have sensed it. It calls them like a beacon."
Aristarkh stalked closer until he looked above the man. "What energy?" His voice came out rough from fury.
"I cannot say with certainty," Elian admitted, voice faltering. "But it's not ordinary human blood. There is a thread…a lineage… mixed with something older. Something powerful. Maybe… dominant—until now."
Aristarkh's grip on the desk tightened to the point of cracking it. The name Anya echoed in his head. His fragile maid, the girl who couldn't even lift her gaze to meet him at times, who blushed and stammered at his presence—harboring a power that drew monsters through his barriers?
"She knows nothing of this," Aristarkh murmured. His voice softened, "she cannot. And she will not. Do you understand me? Not a word."
Dimitri bowed again. "As you command."
Lucien however did not agree easily. "Aristarkh," his voice deep and sharp. "If she is the key, hiding it from her may endanger her more. The crimson altar will not stop. You know this."
Aristarkh's jaw clenched. His eyes stared into Lucien's own. "And you know what will happen if she learns the truth before the right time. She is already scared from the attacks and telling her, fear will only break her. And I will not see her shattered."
Lucien said nothing but his narrowed eyes said plenty.
Still the question hung between them like a blade: what is she?
Upstairs, I tossed and turned on the bed. The mansion was quiet but I couldn't sleep properly. My mind replayed the chaos of the day and the night. The crimson altar attacks. Aristarkh's fury as he tore the creature apart, Ivanov protectiveness. I was afraid and scared.
I woke up, touching my chest to at least find comfort from where Aristarkh's mark still lingered and tingled faintly. I tried to feel comfort but I couldn't.
I turned to my side. Tatiana wasn't beside me. "What's happening to me?" I whispered. I suddenly heard whispers, as if people were calling my name… I stood up to go to the window, I was sweating. I didn't even know when Tatiana slipped silently into the room.
"You're restless," Tatiana murmured.
I screamed at her entrance, feeling scared. I turned and looked at her.
She approached me, cleaning the beads of sweat on my forehead with a soft towel. "Here, have this." She gave me tea. I sat on the bed, taking a sip.
She studied me carefully. Her gaze was sharp and knowing. "You're afraid."
My throat tightened. I took another sip of tea. I wanted to deny it but I couldn't find my words. "It's just the attack. I've never—
Tatiana sits beside me. Her hand reached out to squeeze mine. Comforting. "You're safe here. Aristarkh won't let anything touch you."
I tried to believe it, but from the whispers and all. It didn't sit right with me.
I laid down beside her, she stayed beside me. Helping me fall asleep. I felt warm and comfortable with her. And this time, I fell asleep.
Back in the study, Aristarkh dismissed Elian and Dimitri, leaving only himself and Lucien. The silence between them was long before Lucien broke it.
"You're hiding something from yourself, you've seen the signs. You know this is no coincidence."
Aristarkh stared at the wall, picking up his cigarette and taking a long drag. "I will not admit it until I must. Until I have proof. Until I know what she truly is."
"And when you do?" Lucien took his own pack of cigarettes, taki
ng a drag.
"Then gods help anyone who tries to take her from me."