Fine. If Stephany wouldn’t speak, Valerian would make her.
Until she was ready to tell him the truth—
"You’re staying here."
Valerian’s voice was like ice as he strode to the double doors, pulling them open. He turned back, his eyes dark and full of hurt from the betrayal.
"You will
stay
in this room until you tell me the truth."
And with that, he stepped out and slammed the doors shut.
Stephany’s breath hitched. The sound of the lock turning sent cold terror spiraling through her. She rushed to the door, hands slamming against the wood.
"Brother!
Brother!
You can’t do this to me! You can’t lock me in here!"
On the other side, Valerian’s voice was calm. "I
can
and I
will.
Not until you tell me the truth."
Then—silence. His footsteps faded down the hall, leaving her alone in the suffocating darkness of her room.
Stephany’s heart pounded. She pressed her forehead against the door, her hands shaking.
Valerian had never done this before. Never once had he restricted her freedom—not as long as she stayed away from danger and avoided the places he deemed too perilous. He had always been protective, yes, but never suffocating. Until now.
Stephany’s fingers curled into fists, nails biting into her palms as rage surged through her like wildfire.
How dare he? How
dare
he?!
He had no right to lock her in like this, no right to control her life as if she were some caged bird!
Without the key, how was she supposed to meet Lucien now? Without her freedom, how was she supposed to escape this suffocating house, this prison disguised as a home?
She should have left with Lucien when she had the chance—she
should
have run.
Her breath came fast, heart pounding against her ribs.
Was this how it was always going to be? Trapped under her brother’s control forever, expected to obey his every demand like some puppet on strings?
"He has
no right
to do this to me!" she hissed, slamming her fist against the locked door.
She was every bit the heir to this household as he was. She was
supposed
to be the other leader of CROSS. It was her birthright, her legacy. That’s what Lucien had told her. They were meant to share the power, to make decisions
together
.
And yet, as long as Valerian stood in her way, as long as he held all the control, how could she ever be with Lucien? How could she ever be free?
And worse—
She had
no idea
how she was going to get out of here.
=== ===
Days passed, but Stephany remained unyielding. No matter how many times Valerian confronted her, she refused to speak. Her silence was a wall—impenetrable, infuriating. She would not confess, would not break.
Her defiance only grew worse. She refused to eat, refused to speak, refused to acknowledge her brother’s authority. She turned her room into a battlefield, smashing expensive vases, ripping curtains, overturning furniture—all in a desperate bid to provoke him.
And then she went too far.
The moment the news reached him, Valerian stormed into her chambers. His expression emotionless, his anger contained beneath a mask of cold restraint. The scent of blood lingered in the air, faint but unmistakable. The servant had only been trying to persuade her to eat when she lashed out, the blade slicing too close, leaving a crimson trail against the pale skin.
"This is getting out of hand, Stephany," Valerian’s voice was steel, his patience spent.
She met his gaze with unshaken defiance, fire burning in her eyes. "I want out. You can’t keep me locked up like some prisoner! I am
every bit
a Cross, just as much as you are!"
Valerian’s jaw tensed. "I told you—you’ll be free the moment you tell me the truth.
What did you do with the stolen items, Stephany?
"
Her glare sharpened. "I
told
you, it wasn’t me! Why would I steal from the vault?"
Lies.
He could hear the falsehood in her voice, see the flicker of unease in her eyes. She was hiding something.
"Then why," he asked, voice deathly quiet, "did you have the key?"
Stephany’s heart pounded. She had been careful, but not careful enough.
Damn it.
"I was protecting it," she insisted.
His expression darkened. "You’re lying."
She crossed her arms, standing her ground. "Then I can’t do anything if you refuse to believe me. But how long are you going to keep me locked up like this? I’m your sister, Valerian. Why are you treating me like a prisoner?
Like a criminal?
" a tear slipped through her eyes.
Something in Valerian wavered. She had always been his weak.
Truthfully, he had
wanted
to let her go. A whole week had passed since she was confined, and he had nearly convinced himself to loosen his grip. But then—
"Prisoner?"
A slow, amused chuckle slithered into the room.
Stephany’s blood ran cold.
From the doorway,
she
stepped forward—Evelyn Night, dressed in flowing black, a ghost of a smile curling her lips.
"My dear Stephany," she crooned. "Do you truly believe you’re a
prisoner
? Locked in a grand chamber, surrounded by luxury, with meals served to you daily? A soft bed, a private bath, every comfort imaginable?" Evelyn tilted her head. "Please, don’t insult those who
actually
suffer behind bars."
Stephany’s lips curled in disgust. "What are you doing here, witch?
Who let you in?
"
Evelyn’s smirk widened. She turned her gaze to Valerian expectantly.
And he—
he looked away.
Stephany’s heart plummeted.
"What is the meaning of this?" she demanded. "
Brother.
Why is she here?"
Evelyn let out a small, delighted laugh. "Oh, dear. You truly don’t know?" Her eyes glittered with something sinister. "Your brother is growing rather impatient, you see. So he asked me to . . .
help
."
The air turned razor-sharp.
Stephany’s breath hitched. "Help?"
Evelyn reached into the folds of her cloak and withdrew a small glass vial. The liquid inside shimmered darkly, almost black in the dim light.
It was unmistakable.
A truth potion.