Chapter 6: The Villa Feels Like A Cage

The drive to the villa felt endless. As the city lights disappeared, winding roads led them through dark forests that felt oddly quiet. Mara sat in the back seat beside Damon, her fingers fiddling with the hem of her dress, her heart racing the farther they went.

It wasn’t until the car rolled through massive wrought-iron gates that she realized just how far Damon had taken her away from everything she knew.

Mara’s breath caught. “It’s beautiful… and terrifying.”

The villa rose in the distance, its white stone walls glowing faintly under the moonlight. It wasn’t a house or even a mansion; it looked more like a grand fortress, sitting on a cliffside with the ocean’s restless waves crashing below.

As the car came to a stop in the courtyard, she noticed neatly trimmed hedges surrounding a sparkling fountain shaped like an angel. The scene was serene, almost too perfect, making her wonder if the villa had secrets it was hiding.

“Welcome home,” Damon said, breaking the silence.

“This is where I’m supposed to feel safe?” Mara asked as she stepped out of the car, the wind whipping her curly hair around her face.

He turned his head, but didn’t respond. Instead, he opened her door and offered his hand. She hesitated but took it, feeling the familiar warmth of his palm—steady and strong, but also a little frightening.

Inside, the villa stretched with high ceilings, marble floors, and antique paintings on the walls that seemed to follow her with their eyes. The air smelled faintly of cedar and salt from the sea. Every step echoed, reminding Mara just how alone she was here.

Two figures were already waiting inside. Isla, her shy maid, bowed her head quickly, while Elias, tall and stoic, stood like a shadow against the wall.

“This villa is off-limits to everyone but us,” Damon said firmly. His voice filled the hall, echoing against the cold marble. “No one enters without my permission, and no one leaves without me knowing. Do you understand, Mara?”

She lifted her chin. ‘I’m not a prisoner.”

“You’re not,” he replied, locking eyes with her. His gaze was cold but had a hint of protectiveness. “But until I figure out who I can trust, you’re not safe anywhere else. Here, at least, I control everything.”

Her throat tightened, but she nodded.

Damon waved Elias away. “The area has been secured. There are no patrols inside these walls. You’ll stay within the villa at all times.”

“Yes, sir,” Elias said.

Mara noticed Damon’s shoulders relax just a little once Elias left, which sent a shiver down her spine. Was this villa really safer, or was it just another form of imprisonment?

Isla led Mara upstairs to her room. It was huge, with silk curtains swaying gently in the breeze and a sparkling chandelier overhead. A grand canopy bed dominated the center, draped in elegant silver fabrics. It felt too perfect, too polished. Not hers.

“I’ll unpack your things,” Isla said.

“Thank you,” Mara replied, her voice shaky.

Left alone, she stepped out onto the balcony. The ocean spread endlessly before her, waves breaking against the cliffs below. Freedom looked so close—but unreachable.

She wrapped her arms around herself, whispering into the night, What am I doing here?

Later, Mara wandered the villa. Every hallway seemed to stretch forever. She passed locked doors, some with polished handles that looked untouched for years. The silence pressed against her, broken only by the distant sound of the waves.

It wasn’t until she reached the library that her steps faltered.

The door was slightly open, with light spilling out. She pushed it gently and froze.

Inside, Damon stood by a tall window, his back to her, speaking into the phone with a dangerous voice.

“…if anyone goes near her again, I’ll cut their entire bloodline from the map. Do you understand me?” A pause. “Good. Then make sure they remember who owns this coast.”

He ended the call with a snap. For a moment, he didn’t move, his shoulders tense. Then he spoke, not turning around.

“You shouldn’t wander at night.”

Mara’s heart raced. “I wasn’t wandering. I couldn’t sleep.”

His head tilted slightly, reflection catching in the glass. His eyes were darker than the sea outside.

“You’ll get used to the silence here. Eventually.”

She stepped inside. “You make it sound like this place is a graveyard.”

“In some ways, it is.”

Her eyes widened. “What do you mean?”

He finally faced her, his expression softening just a little when their eyes met.

“ There are secrets in these walls, Mara. Things you don’t want to uncover. If you value your peace of mind… don’t ask.”

Her lips parted, but no words came. He moved toward her. When he stopped in front of her, he reached out and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. The touch was light, but it made her chest tighten.

“Stay close to me. Always,” he murmured. “This villa was built for protection, not comfort. And if you want to survive here, you can’t afford curiosity.”

She took a deep breath and met his eyes. “What if I don’t want to live like this? Feeling trapped behind your walls?”

His jaw tightened, and his voice dropped, sounding almost fearful.

“Then you’ll die, Mara. And I can’t let that happen.”

The room went quiet. Her heart pounded. His hand lingered near her cheek before he pulled it back and stepped away.

“Go to bed,” he said sharply. “Tomorrow, we’ll start your lessons. If you’re going to live in my world, you need to learn its rules.”

She stood frozen in the doorway, torn between anger and an unsettling longing.

And as she finally walked back to her room, Mara couldn’t shake the feeling that this villa wasn’t just a safe place. It was a cage.