THE VAULTED PAST
Calla’s POV
The gates creaked open like the throat of a secret finally about to speak.
It was early evening in Avignon, but the air felt heavier than dusk—like the manor itself held its breath. The estate sat nestled in the vineyards like a memory left out to rot. Vines had claimed parts of the wall, ivy strangling the once-pristine exterior. This place wasn’t built for beauty anymore.
It was built to hide.
Cassian stepped beside me, jaw tight, one hand hovering near the small of my back like he was preparing to catch me from whatever this place tried to hurl.
“You sure about this?” he asked, voice low.
No. But I nodded anyway.
Because the truth wasn’t something I could run from anymore. Not now. Not when the lies had already carved too deep into my skin.
I tighte
