12: AMAYA’S POV

The sun was beginning to go to sleep, casting long, skeletal shadows across the stone paths of the Valak estate.

I walked faster than usual, my breath hitching in my chest.

Regina said that I was free to roam and roam about, I did.

I turned away from the main gardens, seeking a bit of true silence.

Anywhere that was furtherest from the main house was a welcome idea.

I followed a narrow, gravel path that sloped downward, hidden behind a thicket of towering cypress trees.

That was when I saw something that intrigued me.

A low, concrete building sat huddled in the shadows. It looked nothing like the rest of the estate.

It was nothing but gray walls, a heavy steel door, and a single, high window barred with iron.

"What is this place?" I whispered to myself.

I took a step closer, my curiosity momentarily overriding my fear. It looked like a bunker.

I wonder what they kept in here.

"You're a long way from the palace, little princess."

I jumped, a small gasp escaping my lips as I spun around.

A guard was leaning against a tree just a few feet away.

He wasn't one of the silent, professional ones that usually flanked Bane.

This man was younger with a cruel, lazy smirk playing on his lips while he tossed a small pocketknife into the air and caught it.

"I... I was just walking," I said, my voice trembling.

I started to back away. "I didn't know this area was off-limits."

"Everything is off-limits if I say it is," he said, pushing off the tree.

He started to circle me, his boots crunching loudly on the gravel.

"The Boss has everyone on edge because of you. We’re pulling double shifts, missing sleep... all to watch over a girl who doesn’t even look that pretty”

"I'm sorry," I managed to say, my eyes fixed on the knife in his hand. "I’ll go back now."

"Not so fast."

He stepped into my path, blocking the trail back to the main house.

"I’ve been hearing stories about you. The girl who was worth a massacre. Raul’s little widow."

He reached out, his fingers rough as they caught a lock of my hair.

I flinched, my heart hammering against my ribs. I felt trapped.

This felt like that night with Raul all over again.

"Don't touch me," I whispered.

"Or what?" he chuckled, his eyes dark and mocking. "You going to tell Bane? He’s a busy man, Princess. I think you’re a bit of a brat. All this luxury, and you still look like you’re at a funeral."

He leaned in closer, his hand dropping from my hair to my shoulder, his grip tightening until it hurt.

"Maybe you need someone to remind you. You aren't family. You’re a spoil of war and spoils are meant to be shared”

"Let go of me!" I cried out, shoving at his chest with all my strength.

He didn't budge. Instead, he laughed, the sound harsh and ugly.

"Feisty. I like that. Raul probably didn't know how to handle you, but I’m a better……..”

I didn't wait for him to finish. I drove my foot into his crutch as hard as I could and he fell to the ground in pain.

"You little bitch!!!”

I took off running, my lungs burning as I scrambled back up the gravel path.

I could hear him cursing behind me, his heavy footsteps echoing for a few seconds before they stopped.

I ran until my legs felt like lead, until the wild greenery gave way to the manicured lawns once more.

I was sobbing by the time I reached the stone fountain near the conservatory.

My dress was snagged, my hair was a mess, and my shoulder throbbed where he had gripped me.

"Amaya? My God, what happened?"

I looked up through a blur of tears. Regina was standing near the fountain, a glass of wine in her hand.

Her bright, cheerful expression vanished instantly, replaced by something sharp and lethal.

"Amaya!" She rushed to me, grabbing my shaking hands. "Talk to me. Who did this?"

"The... the guard," I choked out, my chest heaving. "By the gray building... the one in the trees. He... he grabbed me. He... had a knife, Regina. He wouldn't let me go."

Regina’s eyes turned to cold fire.

The "preppy", giant woman I had gotten used to was gone. In her place stood a Valak.

A woman who lived in a world of blood and knew exactly how to navigate it.

"He touched you?" she asked, her voice dangerously low.

"He... he grabbed my shoulder. He wouldn't let me pass. He was saying such horrible things" I buried my face in my hands, my body racking with fresh sobs. "I just wanted to walk. I didn't do anything wrong."

Regina pulled me into a firm embrace.

"Shh," she murmured, stroking my hair, but her gaze was fixed on the path I had just run up. "You didn't do anything wrong, honey. You’re safe now."

"Is he going to come after me? He knows where I sleep”. I whispered into her shoulder.

"No," Regina said. "He isn't going to do anything ever again."

"As much as I hate to say this," Regina said quietly. "You belong to my brother. And anyone who forgets that is a liability we don't tolerate."

"Regina, please... don't tell Bane," I begged. "He’ll... he’ll kill him. I don't want more blood on my hands."

Regina looked at me for a long moment.

"Amaya, you’re so sweet"

"Please," I repeated.

Regina sighed and tucked a stray hair behind my ear.

"Fine. I won't tell Bane. Not yet, anyway."

"You promise?"

"I promise I will make sure it’s taken care of," she said.

She looped her arm through mine, turning me back toward the main house.

"Now, let’s get you inside. You need a bath and a drink,

I walked beside her, my heart finally slowing down, but I couldn't shake the look in her eyes.

It was the same look Bane had.

She was definitely pissed off.

This was far from over.