Dark Desires, Darker Truths

The air inside Blackthorn Manor had become thick with secrets, and every corner of the house felt like it was closing in on Lila. Since that night outside Adrian’s door, nothing had been the same. There was an undeniable shift between them, an electric charge that pulsed whenever they were near.

Lila found herself unable to think about anything else. She had tried to avoid him, to push the overwhelming tension aside, but it followed her like a shadow. And the more she resisted, the stronger the pull became.

The following day, Lila wandered through the garden, trying to clear her mind. She could feel the weight of the manor pressing on her, but the soft rustle of leaves in the garden calmed her, if only for a moment. Her hand traced the edge of the stone fountain as she walked, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Adrian.

What was it about him that made it impossible to ignore? His touch, his gaze—they were both intoxicating. And yet, every time she found herself near him, she was reminded that there was something dangerous lurking behind those dark eyes.

Later that evening, as the sun dipped behind the horizon, Lila found herself standing in front of the study, her hand trembling slightly as she reached for the door. She had tried to stay away, to keep her distance, but something inside her told her that the answers to her questions lay with Adrian.

She pushed open the door, stepping into the dimly lit room. Adrian was standing by the window, his back to her. The room smelled of old leather and dust, the heavy silence pressing down on them both. He didn’t turn around when she entered, but the tension in the air thickened as if he had been waiting for her.

“What are you doing here?” His voice was low, almost like a warning.

“I need to know the truth,” Lila said, her voice steady despite the storm raging inside her. “About you. About Blackthorn Manor. About the curse.”

Adrian turned to face her then, his eyes dark and unreadable. For a moment, he didn’t say anything, his gaze locking with hers, as though weighing something in the silence between them.

“The truth is not something you want, Lila,” he finally said, his voice rough. “The truth will change everything. And once you know it, there’s no going back.”

Lila took a step closer, her heart pounding. “I can’t keep living like this, not knowing what’s going on. There’s something wrong with this house, something wrong with us. I need to understand.”

Adrian’s jaw clenched, and for a brief moment, she saw a flicker of emotion in his eyes—something almost… vulnerable. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by the cold, unyielding mask he always wore.

“You don’t understand, Lila,” he said, his voice tight. “You think you can handle the truth, but you can’t. It’s too much for you.”

She refused to back down. “I don’t care what it is. I need to know.”

Adrian’s gaze darkened, and he moved closer, his steps slow and deliberate, like a predator closing in on its prey. His presence filled the room, a weight that made it hard for Lila to breathe.

“Very well,” he said, his voice almost a growl. “But understand this: the moment you learn the truth, you’ll never be the same. You’ll never look at me—or this place—the same way again.”

Lila swallowed hard, her heart racing. She nodded, unable to speak the words that were swirling in her mind. She was in too deep to back out now.

Adrian stepped toward her, his hand reaching out to touch her cheek. The touch was soft, but it sent a jolt of electricity through her body. She wanted to pull away, to remain distant, but the warmth of his fingers against her skin was too much to resist.

“You’re already tangled in this web,” he whispered, his voice low and full of dark promise. “I warned you, Lila. But now that you’re here, there’s no turning back.”

Before she could respond, Adrian pulled her closer, his lips crashing down onto hers with an intensity that took her breath away. The kiss was fierce, hungry, like he was trying to claim her in a way that left no room for doubt.

Lila responded without thinking, her hands tangling in his hair, pulling him closer as the heat between them grew. It was as if the world around them had ceased to exist, leaving only the two of them in that moment of undeniable connection.

But then, just as quickly, Adrian pulled away, his breath ragged. He rested his forehead against hers, his chest rising and falling with each breath. His eyes were dark with desire, but also something else—a warning.

“This is the last time, Lila,” he whispered, his voice strained. “You can’t keep coming to me like this. I’m not what you think I am.”

Lila’s mind raced, her heart still pounding in her chest. She was torn between the intense attraction she felt for him and the fear of what he was saying.

“Then tell me the truth,” she breathed, her voice barely a whisper. “Tell me what’s going on. Tell me what’s happening to us.”

Adrian closed his eyes, his expression one of torment. “You’re asking for something you can’t understand. But if you want to know, if you’re willing to go all the way…” His eyes opened, locking onto hers with a fierceness that made her blood run cold. “I’ll show you. But be prepared, Lila. Once you see it, there’s no going back.”

The darkness in his words sent a shiver down her spine, but Lila nodded. She wasn’t afraid anymore. The pull between them was stronger than her fear, stronger than the warnings. She was already lost, and she needed to know the truth—no matter what it cost her.

“Show me,” she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.

Adrian’s lips twisted into a dark smile. “Very well. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***