The Devil's Game 1

d back into the mansion, but it was noth

his men trailing like shadows, and

ve she'd spent all her fight in her escape attempt. Now

e a silent judge. Its halls, so fa

furious whispers to the guards. All she coul

as her father was simply too cunning a fox that a singular attempt would see her free - but per

ting haze of monotony. Ayra's r

ng windows that overlooked the sprawling lake behind the estate. She

erything-her phone, her journals and even the half-formed nonsense she'd scribbl

ir stiff movements betraying their fear of

own up with and ever more unfamiliar men

ished and perfect, but she could hardly

han a cell. And every time she tried to push back

appen to some extent but i

..

walls close in. She'd stand by the window for hours, han

emorized by the third day. It didn't matter-every door

t hiccup with he

to throw her father off her trail for long enough during the second

ing for her in the wrong places. But she hadn't

the fortress her home had become and she felt mor

n worse was

. Ayra tried to measure it by the way sunlight poure

AS mean

r life, was stripped bare. The emptiness echoed her own feel

.

allowed

here, always with an escort; a brief trip to another wing

to cover it. But still, she bore

mbness gave way to fire. T

n despair and the reality of her situation hit her. And he

erally anyone one else would have don

cket to death and desp

.

had a dominant family that called the shots there and Sostch -

th other influential families formed The Orrery Consortiu

e world by a long shot and the Cyrus family ha

eneral had no stain, rumour

ntaining their grip on the steering wheel of the Consortium woul

hat seemed to historically be a part of

and his methods either left you speechless in sh

a would loathe to marry. Even rumours mad

in his office, but his presence loomed

his men who patrolled the estate, the dark-suit

it seemed; she was Lucian's as well. The

eyes and quiet authority,

Did he know she was being

hough

id once, but the woman fled the moment Ayra hinted at needing help,

e both of them

d her. She'd sit by the window, staring

of warmth and safety. What would her mother think now? Woul

..

sometimes but they

m with the swagger of a m

is voice dripping with false patience. "Why

so hard it bled,

er. A good match? For what? Power? Status? It certainly wasn'

greeted her ears. Lucian had post

merc

n welcome. Her elder sister Lisbeth stood at her door,

Ayra asked, sounding

sed a brow

Your wedding was postponed is what I actually came

the conversation