Chapter 7

As Damien drove away from the café, his mind wandered back to the events of the previous night. The Shadow's malevolent presence still lingered in his thoughts, a dark cloud that refused to dissipate. He knew they had only weakened it, not banished it entirely. The mansion's secrets were far from fully unveiled, and the danger was far from over.

Arriving at his office, Damien tried to focus on his work, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Elara. Her presence had become a comforting constant in his life, a beacon of light amidst the shadows. He couldn't shake the feeling that their fates were intertwined, bound by the mysteries of the mansion and the malevolent force they faced.

Meanwhile, at the café, Elara was adjusting to her new job. The bustling atmosphere and the friendly chatter of customers provided a welcome distraction from the previous night's events. She threw herself into her work, determined to make a good impression on her first day. Yet, every now and then, her thoughts would drift back to Damien and the strange connection they shared.

As the day wore on, Elara found herself growing more comfortable in her new role. She enjoyed the rhythm of the café, the steady flow of orders, and the satisfaction of serving customers. Her colleagues were welcoming, and she quickly made friends with a few of them. By the time her shift ended, she felt a sense of accomplishment and relief.

Damien, on the other hand, found it increasingly difficult to concentrate. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, the weight of the mansion's secrets pressing heavily on him. He decided to leave work early, hoping to clear his mind with a walk through the city. The fresh air and the bustling streets provided a temporary respite, but his thoughts inevitably returned to Elara and the mansion.

As he walked, Damien's phone buzzed with a message from Elara. "Finished my shift! I'll be heading back to the mansion now. How was your day?"

A smile tugged at his lips as he replied, "It was alright. Left work early to clear my head. Want me to pick you up?"

Elara's response was swift. "That would be great! I'm still at the café."

Damien made his way back to the café, his heart lightening at the thought of seeing Elara again. When he arrived, she was waiting outside, her face lighting up as she saw him. They exchanged warm smiles as she climbed into the car.

"How was your first day?" Damien asked, genuinely curious.

"It was good! Busy, but I enjoyed it. Made a few friends too," Elara replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"That's great to hear," Damien said, feeling a sense of relief. "I'm glad you had a good day."

As they drove back to the mansion, the conversation flowed easily between them. They talked about their day, shared stories, and laughed together. The bond between them grew stronger with each passing moment, a testament to the connection they shared.

When they arrived at the mansion, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the landscape. They walked inside, the familiar creak of the old wooden floors welcoming them home. Damien felt a sense of peace wash over him, knowing that despite the challenges they faced, they had each other.

"How about we take a walk around the garden?" Damien suggested, hoping to prolong their time together.

Elara nodded, a smile playing on her lips. "I'd like that."

They strolled through the garden, the soft rustle of leaves and the chirping of birds creating a serene atmosphere. The garden was a haven of tranquillity, a stark contrast to the dark secrets that lay within the mansion. As they walked, Damien couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment, knowing that they were facing the challenges together.

"Damien," Elara began, her voice soft. "Do you ever wonder why the Shadow is so connected to the mansion?"

Damien nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I do. I believe it's tied to the history of the mansion, to the secrets it holds. We need to uncover those secrets if we want to banish the Shadow for good."

Elara's eyes met his, her gaze filled with determination. "Then we need to keep searching, keep digging. We can't let the Shadow win."

Damien smiled, his heart swelling with pride at her resolve. "You're right. We'll find a way."

As they continued their walk, the conversation shifted to lighter topics. They talked about their favorite books, shared childhood memories, and laughed at each other's stories. The bond between them grew stronger, a beacon of hope amidst the darkness.

When they finally returned to the mansion, the sky was painted with hues of pink and orange, the sun dipping below the horizon. They made their way inside, the warmth of the mansion enveloping them.

"Thank you for today, Damien," Elara said, her voice filled with gratitude. "I needed this."

"Anytime, Elara," Damien replied, his voice soft. "I'm glad we could spend the day together."

As the night wore on, they found themselves drawn to the library, the heart of the mansion's secrets. They sat together, poring over old books and manuscripts, searching for clues that could help them in their quest. The air was thick with anticipation, each discovery bringing them one step closer to the truth.

Hours passed, and the moon rose high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the room. Damien and Elara worked tirelessly, their determination unwavering. They knew that the answers they sought were within reach, and they were willing to do whatever it took to uncover them.

The night drew to a close, and Elara finally found a clue that could lead them to the heart of the mansion's secrets. A hidden passage, mentioned in an old manuscript, that could hold the key to banishing the Shadow once and for all.

Suddenly, Damien felt a sharp pain in his chest, the same excruciating sensation he had experienced after the ritual. He clenched his jaw, determined not to let Elara see his discomfort. He didn't want her to worry needlessly.

"I think I should head home now," Damien said, his voice steady despite the pain. "You should stop for the night too. We've made good progress."

Elara looked at him with concern but nodded. "Alright, Damien. Be safe."

She saw him off, watching as he drove away. Once he was out of sight, she returned to the library, her mind still buzzing with the discovery she had made.

“I guess I’ll tell him about this tomorrow,” Elara thought.

Damien reached home, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. "Huff…huh…huff," he panted, the pain in his chest intensifying. He rushed to his room, collapsing to his knees as he clutched at his heart. The agony was unbearable, but then, as suddenly as it had come, it stopped.

He stood up, brushing his hair back with a hand, a sinister smile spreading across his face. His eyes glowed into cold red, and a wicked expression twisted his features. "Aah, my dear Aurora… I'm coming for you," he murmured, his voice dripping with malevolence.

Back at the mansion, Elara continued her search alone. The hours slipped by, the moon casting a silvery glow over the room. She worked assiduously, her determination unwavering. She knew that the answers they sought were within reach, and she was willing to do whatever it took to uncover them.

While going through the same book, she found another clue related to Shadow saying that it was once a human.

“What? “Is that even possible?” Elara whispered in astonishment. “Did they person who wrote all of this knew them? Who is the author in the first place?” Elara continued questioning herself.

Just then, the doorbell rang, startling Elara. She hurried to the door and opened it to find Damien standing there with two of his bodyguards, carrying some suitcases.

"Damien? What are you doing here?" she asked, surprised.

"I've decided to stay here until we defeat the malevolent force," Damien replied, his voice calm. "Also, to ensure your safety."

Elara found it odd but didn't object. After all, it was his mansion, and she also felt it would be safer if they were together. "Uh..Alright, come in."

Damien entered, his bodyguards following with the luggage. A cold look crossed his face, and a faint, sinister smile played on his lips as he closed the mansion's door behind him.

♡♡♡

Enjoy girlies and fellas.!

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