Chapter 15: What the Silence Says

Mara sat by the large window of the Blackwood mansion, watching raindrops slide down the glass. The storm outside felt like a reflection of the turmoil in her heart. Damon had left that morning, but unlike his usual calm self, he had a cold look that made it clear she shouldn’t ask any questions.

But Mara’s mind refused to rest. That night when she wandered into the east wing and saw the chained door… it had been etched into her memory like a forbidden mark. She hadn’t told Damon, not because she trusted him, but because she wasn’t sure what it meant, or if she was even safe.

The house staff avoided the east wing. Whenever she brought it up, their eyes would shift nervously, and they would quickly change the topic. It felt to Mara like their silence was heavy, almost suffocating her.

By afternoon, her curiosity had grown too strong to ignore. The storm outside had calmed down, leaving the mansion in an eerie silence. She quietly made her way back to the east wing, her fingers brushing against the chilly stone walls. When she reached the door that was chained shut, she paused.

The large padlock caught the faint light, standing out not as a decoration but as a serious barrier, meant to keep something inside or keep someone out. Mara leaned in closer and noticed some light scratches around the lock, as if someone had tried to break it open before.

Her hand hovered over the cold metal. What’s behind this door, Damon? What are you hiding from me?

“Mara.”

Startled, she turned around quickly. Damon stood at the far end of the hallway, his tall figure partially hidden in shadows. His face was hard to read, but she could tell his jaw was tightly set and his fists were clenched by his sides.

“I-I was just—”

“exploring?” His voice was deep and tense as he approached her deliberately, like a predator. When he reached her, he placed a hand against the door, just above the lock, his other hand gripping her chin to force her eyes on him.

“This area is off-limits. Didn’t I make that clear?” He said in a steady tone, but his eyes were intense with warning.

Mara swallowed hard. “Why? What’s in there, Damon? A locked door in your own house, chained like it’s hiding something. It’s not normal.”

He studied her, his thumb brushing her jaw almost tenderly, but his grip was iron. “Some doors aren’t meant to be opened, Mara. Not by you.”

Her heart raced. She realized his words meant more than just the door. They were about him, his life, and the secrets he kept.

“Then why bring me here at all?” she whispered. “If you expect me to live in a house full of secrets, you can’t expect me to stay silent forever.”

For the first time, Damon’s composure cracked. His eyes flickered with something raw, something almost vulnerable. But it disappeared as quickly as it came. He leaned closer, his lips brushing against her ear.

“Curiosity will ruin you, Mara. Don’t test me.”

Then he released her and stepped back.

The silence between them stretched heavy. Damon finally turned and walked away, his footsteps fading, leaving Mara staring at the chained door.

She wrapped her arms around herself, shivering. Damon was hiding something. Something that had teeth, something that terrified even him. And Mara knew, no matter what he said, she couldn’t stop herself from finding out the truth.