3. Elara

3

ELARA

T he world around me is wrong. I blink, trying to clear my vision, but the darkness remains, pressing in from all sides. The air feels thick, heavy, like it’s laced with shadows themselves. It’s cold but not in any way I recognize—more like a chill that seeps into the bones, making my skin prickle.

Where am I?

I try to sit up, feeling the rough, uneven ground beneath me, only to see a pair of boots step into view. My heart leaps, and I look up to see him—the man, or whatever he is, from the museum. He stands over me, arms crossed, his red eyes watching me with a faint look of impatience.

“Welcome to my world,” he says, voice smooth but filled with something darker. “Comfortable?”

I scramble back, my hands searching the ground for something to defend myself with, but it’s just cold stone. “Where am I? What… what did you do to me?” My voice shakes, but I force myself to meet his gaze, refusing to show fear. “Take me back!”

A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth, though there’s no warmth in it. “Back? You triggered the curse, human. This is where you belong now.”

“Curse?” I stare at him, trying to make sense of his words. “I didn’t… I didn’t mean to! I didn’t know!”

He scoffs, stepping closer, and I see a faint glow of fire flickering in the distance, casting an eerie light across his face. “Ignorance doesn’t absolve you of the consequences,” he says coldly. “You took something that wasn’t yours, and now… you’re bound to me.”

I shake my head, my heart pounding. “This… this can’t be real. I’m just dreaming, right? Some horrible nightmare?”

“Keep telling yourself that,” he replies, shrugging. “It won’t change anything.” He glances around, taking in the shadows that stretch across the room, the air thick with magic and the hum of something ancient.

Swallowing, I force myself to stand, even though my legs feel weak. I won’t let him see me cower. “What do you want from me?” I demand, clutching my hands together to stop them from shaking. “If this is some kind of twisted game, I’m not playing.”

He laughs, a dark, hollow sound. “You think you have a choice?” His gaze drifts to the bracelet on my wrist, the dark jewels glinting like tiny eyes watching me. “You bound yourself to me when you put that on. This isn’t a game, mortal. This is your reality now.”

I stare down at the bracelet, bile rising in my throat. The metal is warm, almost like it’s pulsing in time with my heartbeat. “Fine,” I say, lifting my chin. “Then tell me how to break it. There has to be a way.”

His laughter fades, and he steps closer, his expression hardening. “Break it? There is no breaking a bond like this. You’d be wise to stop dreaming of escape.”

I refuse to look away. “You don’t control me. I’ll find a way out of this, no matter what it takes.”

He raises an eyebrow, seeming more amused than offended. “Is that so? Brave words from someone who has no idea where she is or what she’s up against.”

I clench my fists, trying to hold onto the anger instead of the fear creeping into my veins. “You can’t just kidnap people and expect them to… to stay willingly!”

He smirks. “Willingly or not, you’re here. That’s all that matters. But I’m curious…” He tilts his head, eyes narrowing. “Why do you think you can fight this? Most humans would be begging for mercy by now.”

“Maybe because I have no intention of giving you that satisfaction,” I snap back. It’s a reckless answer, but I don’t care. If I’m going down, I’m not going down without a fight.

For a moment, he just stares at me, as if weighing my words. Then he steps back, a faint smile curling on his lips. “Good. I’d hate for you to be boring.”

I don’t know whether to feel relieved or insulted, but I keep my gaze steady. I won’t let him see the panic bubbling inside me.

“What’s your name?” I ask, trying to buy myself a moment to think.

He raises an eyebrow, as if surprised by the question. “Lucian.”

“Well, Lucian,” I say, folding my arms, “I don’t know what you want from me, but I promise you, I’m not just going to roll over and accept this. I’ll find a way back. I’ll find a way to break this… this bond.”

His gaze darkens, but there’s something almost appreciative in his expression. “Then it seems we’re at an impasse.” He turns away, gesturing for me to follow. “But if you insist on fighting, at least do it from within my keep. You’ll need strength if you’re to survive here.”

I hesitate, glancing around at the shadows that seem to ripple and move with a life of their own. The Underworld, or whatever this place is, is as terrifying as it is strangely beautiful. But I swallow my fear, lifting my chin.

“Fine,” I say, stepping forward. “But don’t think for a second that this means I trust you.”

He chuckles, not even looking back. “I wouldn’t dream of it, Elara.”

As I follow him into the darkness, one thought echoes in my mind—I will find a way out. Somehow, someway, I’ll break free from him. And when I do, Lucian will regret ever pulling me into his world.