Chapter 5. The Exchange

Upstairs, Lucien sat on the edge of his bed.

The tray from breakfast remained untouched.

He hadn’t seen Cassian.

The maid who usually slipped in silently hadn’t come.

But he knew something was wrong. He could feel it.

Footsteps.

Then the door unlocked.

Two guards stepped inside.

“Stand.”

Lucien stood slowly. “Where are you taking me?”

“Don’t speak.”

They grabbed his arms and marched him down the hallway. No one met his eyes. They walked past the staircase, past the library, down to the back courtyard.

The cars were waiting.

He was pushed into the back seat of the third vehicle.

The door shut.

Zayn Kingsley sat across from him as

Lucien froze.

Zayn didn’t speak nor blink. He simply stared.

Lucien lowered his head.

The engine started.

And just like that, the gates of the Ainsworth estate closed behind him.

His past gone.

His future unknown.

The airp