The mansion had fallen into an uneasy silence. Outside, the sky glimmered with a faint crimson haze — the reflection of the strange moon that had risen above the clouds. Inside, the air shimmered faintly around the glowing orbs that hung in each room, their dim golden light swaying gently like a heartbeat.
In one of the upper chambers, Urvashi sat by the bedside, her eyes fixed on the orb's soft radiance as her daughter Raani played idly beside her. The stillness felt heavy, almost sacred, as though the mansion itself were holding its breath.
Then the orb slipped from Raani's hand. It rolled lazily across the marble floor and came to rest near the open doorway.
"My stone fell down," Raani said, rising quickly. "I'll go and take it."
Urvashi's heart skipped. "Raani, no!" she said sharply. "Laila told us not to step out of the room."
But the girl only smiled — a small, reassuring smile that daughters often give their mothers when they believe fear is unnecessary. "It's just near the door, Mom. I'll be right back."
Before Urvashi could stop her, Raani had already crossed the threshold. She bent to pick up the orb, her fingers brushing its cold surface. A chill wind drifted through the corridor, brushing against her hair.
And then — a tap on her shoulder.
Raani turned.
The air froze. A silent gasp formed on her lips — and never left.
Inside, Urvashi waited. Seconds passed. The silence deepened. "Raani?" she called, rising nervously. "Raani, come back!"
When no answer came, she rushed toward the door. The moment she stepped into the hallway, her breath caught.
Her daughter stood frozen — quite literally — encased in a sculpture of translucent ice, her eyes wide, her lips parted in shock. Frost glimmered over her lashes like shards of glass.
"Raani!" Urvashi screamed, stumbling forward. Her knees hit the floor as she tried to touch her daughter's face. "No… no, please!" Her cry broke the quiet of the mansion, echoing like a curse.
---
In another room, Vihaan and Gauri jerked upright.
"That was Aunt Urvashi," Gauri whispered, her heart thudding.
Vihaan's face darkened. "We have to go out. Something's wrong."
They dashed into the corridor just as others emerged from their rooms — Dadi, Veena, Sharda, Yug, and Charvi — their faces pale with confusion. The walls around them gleamed faintly, a thin film of frost spreading along the edges.
From the dim corridor ahead, Laila appeared, her steps light, her presence commanding. Her long crimson veil floated behind her, and her eyes — silver like moonlight — glowed faintly in the dark.
"The attack has begun," she said, her voice calm yet ominous.
Vihaan's tone sharpened. "How do we save her, Princess? Tell us!"
"You can't," Laila replied, shaking her head slowly. "Not until this fight is over."
Gauri's voice trembled. "But how can we fight what we can't even see?"
Urvashi knelt beside her daughter's frozen form, sobbing helplessly. "I told her not to go out… she didn't listen…"
Vihaan crouched beside her. His voice softened. "Aunt, try to remember. Did you see anyone? Anything at all?"
Urvashi wiped her tears, her breath shaking. "No… I—I was hiding under the table. My eyes were closed. I only saw… some smoke, and then…" She broke off, unable to finish.
Laila's gaze turned cold, distant. "This doesn't matter now," she murmured. "He is here."
Vihaan frowned. "Who is?"
But Laila did not answer. Her silence felt heavier than words, like the pause before a storm.
---
Later, Gauri found Vihaan standing by the window, his reflection caught between moonlight and shadow. His jaw was tense, his eyes searching the horizon.
"What are you thinking?" she asked softly, walking up to him.
He didn't turn. "Nothing."
"Vihaan," she said firmly, placing a hand on his arm. "Don't hide things from me. I can see it — you don't trust her."
He sighed, finally facing her. "Laila knows who attacked Raani. She's hiding something. I can feel it."
"Maybe she has her reasons," Gauri said gently. "She's helping us, isn't she?"
Outside their room, the household gathered. Laila stood at the center of the grand hall, her presence glowing faintly like starlight.
"We must search every corner," she instructed. "I'll go and check the northern corridor myself."
"Where are Vihaan and Gauri?" Sharda asked.
Yug smirked. "Still in their room. Probably plotting something heroic."
Laila gave him a look that silenced his grin. "You joke too much for a night like this."
"Humor is my weapon," he replied with a half-shrug.
"Then sharpen it," she said dryly. "Darkness won't spare you."
She turned to leave, her crimson skirt whispering across the marble. "I'm going alone. Light obeys me — I don't need another source."
Yug raised an eyebrow. "Even the strongest warrior needs company, Princess."
Before he could say more, Charvi pinched him sharply. His face twisted in pain. "Right," he muttered, rubbing his arm. "I already have a bodyguard."
Laila's lips curved faintly. "Then let your guard stay close. Urvashi, come with me."
Urvashi rose slowly, her eyes still red, and followed Laila down the shadowed corridor.
---
Back in their room, Gauri leaned against the wall, watching Vihaan. "I still think you should trust Laila," she said. "She's a princess — she's trying to save us."
Vihaan gave her a look. "Oh really? What is she — your childhood friend? You're defending her like one."
Gauri smirked. "Maybe I just don't like you doubting people who are helping us."
He sighed, half-smiling despite the tension. "Fine. Let's go to the others."
When they stepped into the hall, they found Yug crouched near the wall, examining something on the floor with exaggerated seriousness.
"Yug," Vihaan asked, "what are you doing?"
"Finding clues," Yug declared proudly.
Vihaan chuckled. "Clues? What are you, a discount detective?"
"Don't ruin my moment," Yug said without looking up.
Charvi appeared behind him, arms crossed.
Vihaan shook his head. "Laila has separated us into rooms — we're weaker divided."
Gauri stepped closer. "Don't say that, Vihaan. Laila's trying to help."
"She's right," Yug added quickly. "And have you noticed her maroon dress? No attitude, full elegance."
Charvi's eyes narrowed dangerously.
Charvi turned toward Yug, amused. "Oh really?" she asked sweetly but laced with jealousy.
Yug swallowed. "I mean… her magic. Elegant magic. Strictly observation, nothing personal."
Gauri smiled knowingly and tugged both Yug's and Charvi's ears. "All right, what's going on between you two?"
"Ow! I'll tell you after we survive this night, promise bhabhi!" Yug yelped.
Gauri let go, laughing softly. The sound broke the tension in the corridor for just a fleeting moment.
Vihaan shook his head. "You've stolen my ACP attitude," he teased. "And yet… I still can't shake this feeling about Laila."
Gauri met his gaze, her expression steady. "Sometimes," she said, "five minutes are enough to know someone's truth."
Her words lingered in the air — soft, resolute — as outside, the wind began to howl again. From the woods beyond the mansion, a whisper rose — a strange, echoing call that didn't sound entirely human.
The red moon shimmered overhead, watching in silence.