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The course of his life was mapped out in detail, meticulously planned. Hers seemed so small and simple in comparison. Fear thrummed louder within her as she wondered with dread–could she withstand his power and ambitions? Or would she be left trampled in his path?
Chapter 6
Present
Her memories and nightmares morphed into a new form tonight, absorbing everything that had been weighing on her the past few days.
Gabriella’s haunted words. Gio’s cunning gaze on the day of their betrothal…and even now, with his intent inspection of her, gauging and measuring her every time they were together.
The honor of the Family is in my blood.
Blood.
Blood.
Glistening on her fingers.
All of it blended together into a dream that was erratic and confused. As Ana blinked and tried to orient herself, she noticed something on the ground. Bloodstains…leading her out of her old bedroom.
They led down the grand staircase.
Past her grandfather’s office…
And out to the backyard.
Ana knew she should turn back. Nothing good ever came of spilled blood. But her steps took her farther and farther away until she saw it. A lone figure.
Hello?
It was hunched over and sobbing, an agonized sound that struck fear into her heart. The darkness made it hard to see, but when her eyes adjusted, she saw it had long, curly black hair.
Gabi…
She gasped, scared and alarmed, and rushed to help the girl. But when Ana reached out to her with trembling hands, Gabi whirled around–and she shrieked, loudly and horrifically, scrambling back until she fell backward.
The moonlight exposed Gabi's grotesque, disfigured form, covered in black soot and ash. Every inch of her body was burned beyond belief.
Help me. Her hole of a mouth opened.
Help!
Ana wheezed, jolting into wakefulness with a gasp. Her surroundings blurred around her as her head spun.
God. What the hell was that? The dreams had never felt so real before. The screams were so loud, she could almost hear them even now, echoing throughout the house. Blaring through each room.
Wait.
She sat frozen in the empty bed. After several minutes, she heard it again.
Scrambling out of bed, Ana quickly crept to the door and paused. It wasn’t her imagination. Someone was screaming–here in the house.
Her mind immediately went to Gio, and she ripped open the door, seeing a faint light coming–not from his office–but from somewhere beyond. She rushed down the hallway, fear choking her with the possibility that something had happened to him. That someone had broken in.
Voices grew louder.
One was moaning and pleading.
Heart thudding, Ana slowed, edging toward the balcony. She was able to see the living room below from this vantage point, and the sight there arrested her. In disbelief, she saw who it was that was screaming for his life.
