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nightfall-by-jacqui-natla · 1 year ago

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22. URSA CLAN

THE DRIVE BACK WAS TENSE AS WE MADE our way through the winding roads, the silence between us as heavy as the storm clouds gathering above. Each mile brought a sense of foreboding, amplifying the unease that already simmered within our group. The mansion loomed in the distance, its gothic architecture casting an even darker shadow as we pulled into the driveway. The sight of its towering spires and intricate stonework only added to the feeling of dread that had settled over us.

Rushing inside, we were met with an atmosphere that crackled with tension. Joseph greeted us at the entrance, his expression etched with concern.

"Are they inside?" Rhona inquired, her voice tight with anxiety.

"Gabriel and Simon are with Saoirse," Joseph responded, his tone grim. "And Adeline is giving Ethan her usual death stare."

A low growl escaped Alana's throat, her eyes narrowing. "If she harms him—"

"Don't worry," Joseph cut in, raising a placating hand. "She hasn't harmed him. Yet. But they need to have a conversation with her. Now."

Confusion clouded my thoughts as I tried to make sense of the situation. What had transpired in my absence? What had caused this tension?

"Oh, wait," I began to piece the puzzle together, realization dawning upon me.

"I know what you're thinking, Violet," Joseph interrupted my thoughts, his voice calm yet filled with understanding. "You were in their territory, and you too saw a shadowy figure lurking. Was that shadowy figure my brother?"

His words hung in the air, the weight of the truth settling upon us all.

"It's not what you think," I began.

Joseph raised an eyebrow, waiting for me to continue.

Helena, who had been listening intently, couldn't help but interject. "Why would you even be there?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and concern.

"I didn't think I had gone too far," I confessed, feeling a pang of guilt. "But Simon did mention something about the Ursa Clan, and... well..."

I trailed off, unsure of how to explain the events that had unfolded. The truth was, I never expected to encounter them. My only goal was to see Ingram, but the bear shifters got caught in the middle. Thankfully, he intervened. Who knows what the bears would have done to me.

Joseph's concern deepened, his brows furrowing as he listened intently.

"Violet, you need to understand the gravity of this situation," Joseph said, his voice laced with urgency. "The Ursa Clan is not to be trifled with."

I nodded, fully aware of the danger I had unknowingly stumbled into.

"But why were they after you?" Alana asked, her voice filled with concern. "What did you do to provoke them?”

"I didn't do anything," I replied, my voice tinged with frustration. "I was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. I had no idea their territory extended that far."

Just then, the door swung open and Simon emerged, his golden eyes locking onto my presence.

"Violet," he began, his voice low and filled with a mixture of relief and concern. "We were told what happened. Are you alright?"

I nodded.

"I'm fine, thanks to you," I replied, a sense of gratitude washing over me.

Simon's gaze softened, his expression one of understanding. "I did warn you about the Ursa Clan but I haven't told you about their land," he admitted, a hint of regret in his voice. "They are fiercely protective of their territory and do not take kindly to outsiders."

I let out a sigh, realizing the gravity of the situation.

"They're waiting for you," he added, his words hanging in the air like a foreboding cloud.

As we approached the mansion, my eyes caught sight of Gabriel engrossed in conversation with one of the girls, while the other girl directed her intense gaze solely at Ethan. Joseph's warning had been accurate; she truly possessed a deathly glare.

The girl, fixated on Gabriel, possessed an exquisite beauty, appearing a few years older than myself. Her slender, athletic figure matched my own height of 5 foot 7 inches. With deep brown eyes and hair of the same hue, her triangular face was perfectly complemented. A radiant tan adorned her flawless skin. She donned a black T-shirt beneath a stylish double denim jacket, paired with jeans and black knee-length boots, complete with delicate heels.

In stark contrast, the second girl, probably around the same age as me, who still stared at Ethan with a murderous intent, stood a few inches shorter than her companion. Her features were the antithesis of the first girl's. With deep chestnuty brown hair, an oval face, and piercing blue eyes, her porcelain skin exuded an ethereal quality. She wore a brown leather jacket over a vibrant red shirt, accompanied by black leggings and sturdy black Dr. Marten boots.

Gabriel, sensing my presence, turned his gaze away from the girl.

"I'm guessing that's her," she murmured softly to him.

He simply nodded before distancing himself from her. Gabriel's golden eyes were now fixed on me, almost as if silently conveying, 'the floor is yours'.

"Hello, I'm Saoirse Osborne," the tan girl greeted.

Her voice was smooth and melodic, carrying a hint of confidence that matched her striking appearance. As she extended her hand towards me, I couldn't help but notice the delicate silver bracelet adorning her wrist, glinting in the lamplight.

I took her hand, feeling a warmth and energy radiating from her touch. "Nice to meet you, Saoirse," I replied, trying to match her poise. "I'm Violet."

Saoirse's smile widened, revealing a row of perfectly aligned teeth. "Violet, what a lovely name. It's a pleasure to meet you too."

As our hands parted, I turned my attention to the second girl, still fixated on Ethan with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. Her name, I realized, was yet to be revealed.

Noticing my curiosity, Saoirse stepped forward, breaking the tension in the air. "Violet, this is Adeline Darcy," he introduced, gesturing towards the captivating girl.

Adeline's gaze briefly flickered towards me, her eyes piercing through my soul before returning to Ethan. Her lips curled into a slight smirk, revealing a mischievousness that contrasted with her ethereal beauty.

"Nice to meet you too, Adeline," I said, trying to maintain a calm composure despite the unease that lingered in the air.

Adeline's response was a mere nod, her focus unwavering. It was as if she had already made up her mind about me, and I couldn't help but wonder what had transpired between her and Ethan to evoke such a chilling glare.

"We want to talk to you about last night," Saoirse said. "Adeline spotted you in our territory in our nightly routine in our bear forms."

Her words hit me like a sledgehammer. It was one thing to know I had been in danger, but to hear it confirmed by someone who had witnessed it firsthand made my skin crawl. Adeline's eyes, still fixed on Ethan, glowed with an icy fury that suggested she was far from forgiving.

Saoirse continued, her tone gentle but firm. "Our clan is very protective of its borders, as you've probably gathered. Adeline is particularly vigilant." She glanced at her friend, a note of understanding in her voice. "It's how we've survived for so long."

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of their scrutiny. "I understand. I didn't mean to trespass. It was a mistake. I was just... trying to find my way back."

Adeline's eyes finally shifted from Ethan to me. "A mistake that could have cost you your life," she said, her voice as cold as her gaze. "We don't take kindly to intrusions, no matter the intent."

Simon, who had been particularly quiet, stepped forward. "Adeline, she didn't know. She's new to all of this. It's my fault. I should have made sure she knew the boundaries."

Adeline's eyes narrowed. "And you think that excuses it? Ignorance is no shield in our world."

"Enough, Adeline," Saoirse said softly, yet with an authority that silenced further argument. She turned to me. "We're not here to punish you, Violet. We just need to ensure it doesn't happen again. For your safety as much as ours."

I nodded fervently, eager to show my understanding and remorse. "I promise it won't happen again. I'll be more careful."

Adeline took a step forward, her expression unyielding. "See that you do. Next time, we might not be so forgiving."

With that, she turned on her heel and stalked out of the room, leaving a palpable tension in her wake.

Saoirse gave me a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about her. She's just very protective. But we do need to establish some boundaries. For everyone's sake."

I nodded again, feeling the gravity of the situation settle in. This was a world of rigid rules and fierce loyalties, and I had to learn quickly if I was to navigate it safely.

Saoirse and Adeline left the mansion and Gabriel shut the door. The heavy door thudded closed, sealing the mansion in an uneasy silence. Gabriel turned to face us, his expression thoughtful.

"We need to be more vigilant," he said, breaking the quiet. "Violet, this was a close call. Next time, it might not end so well."

"I understand," I replied, my voice steady despite the residual fear. "I'll be more careful."

Joseph stepped forward, his concern evident. "We should take this opportunity to regroup and reassess our plans. The Ursa Clan's reaction shows how precarious our situation is."

Alana, still tense from earlier, added, "We can't afford any more mistakes. Everyone needs to know the boundaries and the risks involved."

Simon nodded in agreement. "I'll make sure Violet is up to speed on everything. She won't be caught off guard again."

As the group dispersed to their tasks, I felt a mix of relief and determination. I was grateful for their support, but I also knew I had a lot to learn. The weight of my mistake hung heavy, but it was also a catalyst for growth.

Ethan approached me, his expression serious yet understanding. "Violet, don't be too hard on yourself. We all make mistakes, especially when we're new to this world. Just remember, we're all here to help each other."

I smiled, appreciating his words. "Thanks, Ethan."

As the night deepened, I retreated to the window sill, the events of the day playing over in my mind. The mansion, with its gothic architecture and ancient aura, felt like a fitting backdrop to the complex, shadowy world I had entered. The storm clouds that had loomed earlier had finally broken, rain pattering softly against the windows, a soothing counterpoint to the tension that had filled the evening.

The memory of Adeline's piercing gaze towards Ethan lingered in my mind, impossible to shake off. It had already been six long hours since Saoirse and Adeline departed from the grand mansion, leaving me with a stern reminder about their domain and the consequences of crossing its boundaries.

Ethan stood by the window, his silhouette stark against the moonlit backdrop. The night was quiet, but the tension in the air was palpable. His golden eyes, usually light hearted and humorous, now held a flicker of something I couldn't quite place.

"Hey, Ethan," I spoke softly, trying to break through the silence. "Are you okay?"

Ethan's gaze slowly shifted from the moonlit scene to meet my concerned eyes. His lips curled into a faint smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"I'm fine," he replied, his voice tinged with a touch of weariness. "Just lost in thought, I guess."

I took a seat beside him, the weight of his unease palpable in the air. Adeline's intense stare and their cryptic warning replayed in my mind, causing a shiver to run down my spine. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss, that danger lurked just beyond the edges of our peaceful existence.

"Ethan," I began cautiously, "what happened between you and Adeline that makes her hate you so much?"

He didn't turn to face me, but I saw his shoulders tense. After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice low and measured. "Adeline and I... we were once close. A long time ago, before she became a member of the Ursa Clan, our paths crossed under less hostile circumstances."

I waited for him to continue, sensing there was more to the story.

"We met during a... difficult time. Our clans had established the truce a hundred years ago, but old grudges lingered. Trust was fragile. Adeline and I, we found common ground, saw the potential for genuine peace."

"And then?" I prompted, curious about the bond that must have formed from such an encounter.

Ethan sighed, finally turning to look at me. His eyes were clouded with memories. "We became... friends, of a sort. We realized that our clans didn't need to be enemies. We shared ideas, dreams of a future where our kinds could coexist without fear. But it wasn't meant to last. One night, Adeline's sister, Callie, came to warn me about an impending danger. She was loyal to the cause of peace, as we were."

He paused, the weight of his words heavy in the air.

"What happened?" I asked gently.

"There was an incident," Ethan continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "Callie was caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. She died trying to protect me from the Children of the Moon. It was a tragic accident, but it felt like a betrayal to Adeline. She blamed me for her sister's death. Our friendship ended that night."

The pain in his voice was raw, unguarded. This was a side of Ethan I had never seen before. His stoic facade had cracked, revealing the deep scars beneath.

"And now?" I asked, trying to understand the undercurrent of emotions I had seen in Adeline's gaze earlier.

"Now," Ethan said, his expression hardening, "there's a delicate balance we must maintain. Adeline's warning tonight wasn't just about the boundaries of our truce. It was a reminder of the consequences we've faced before. The peace between our clans is fragile, and there are those who would see it broken."

I nodded, understanding the gravity of his words. The night felt heavier, the silence more oppressive. We had to navigate this delicate balance, or risk reigniting old tensions that could devastate both our worlds.

I took a deep breath, breaking the silence that had settled like a thick fog. "Well, that does explain a lot about Adeline."

Ethan nodded, his eyes distant as if still lost in the painful memories. "It's not just about her sister, though. It's about trust, betrayal, and the fear of history repeating itself."

I pondered his words, the weight of them sinking in. "So, what do we do now? How do we navigate this fragile peace without causing more harm?"

He turned to face me fully, his expression resolute. "We have to be cautious, always aware of the boundaries we've set. We can't give them any reason to believe we're a threat. And most importantly, we have to find a way to rebuild that trust, little by little."

"Is that even possible?" I asked, doubt creeping into my voice.

Ethan's smile returned, though still faint and tinged with sadness. "It's not going to be easy, but it's the only way. We can't change the past, but we can try to shape a better future."

His words hung in the air, a mixture of hope and determination. I realized then that this was more than just a truce between the clan and the coven; it was a deeply personal mission for Ethan. He was willing to bear the burden of his past mistakes if it meant forging a path to lasting peace.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine," I told him.

Ethan's eyes softened at my words, though I could still see the shadows of his past lurking in their depths. He gave a small nod, as if trying to convince himself as much as he was me.

"Thanks," he said quietly. "I appreciate it."

The room fell silent again, but this time it felt more contemplative than oppressive. I watched as Ethan turned back towards the window, his gaze lost in the expanse of the moonlit night. The weight of history and the delicate thread of peace were now clearer than ever.

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