Bound by scars: More than just a caretaker

act herself from her spiraling thoughts, she welcomed the task Lucas had assigned her: reviewing the library inventory. But as she

s. As she walked to the desk at the center, the scent of aged paper and faint cologne hung in the air, grounding her. Her fingers lightly pressed again

ory of Lucas's stern composure in the face of Nathan's threats sent a shudder down her spine. She w

en she turned, his expression unreadable. He appeared less intimidating than usual, but his presence st

out me," he said, a faint

ghtly. "You left clear instructions. I reasone

settling on her. "Proactive, I can appreciate that. But the library isn't just

h an eyebrow. "And you've

rward, grabbed a battered book from the desk, and turned the leaves. "Books have always

would only drive him further into his shell. Rather, she concentrated on her present work

, and for a moment leaving only the two of them. "Delegating is a necessar

shook her head. "You k

her as if she were a riddle to be

ucas's expression flipped a switch as he glanced at the screen. Without a word, he stepped a

the room was impossible to ignore. She could pick up a bit of Lucas's conversation, enough to ga

ran a hand through his hair, the controlled guise he usually wore sl

ll right?" she a

nching and jaw tightened. ''It'

er ground. "Perhaps discussing it migh

the impression that you can give me what I need?

ose words deter her. "Because t

rberated from somewhere in the house, weakening his eyes. Th

commanded, already m

he grasped his arm. He said, "Wait, stay her

ct any further. His fading footsteps and the distant sounds of muffled

her instincts and ensure he wasn't walking into danger. As she weighed the risks, her heart pounded as if it

idor appeared to be a maze, with each shadow lengthening before her. The v

essive, "you're making a mistake

as said calmly. "And nothin

corner. Lucas straightened, his shoulders r

his hand gripping a sharp piece of

Elena stepped into the

essions equally shocked. Nathan's snee

. "Does she know what happened

Nathan, his protective instincts coming alive. "Lea

h, Lucas. You've always been good at p

, Nathan charged, and the