Bound by Fate

Bound by Fate Episode 11

BOUND BY FATE

Episode 11: The Guardian's Lie

The forest fell silent.

Only the crackling flames from the burning orphanage echoed in the distance.

Daniel Cross stood several meters away, his black coat swaying gently in the wind. The phoenix tattoo on his neck was impossible to miss.

Maya instinctively stepped behind Adrian.

"So..." Daniel said calmly, "you've finally seen the photograph."

Adrian's eyes burned with anger.

"You lied to me for twenty years."

Daniel sighed.

"I did."

"You watched me grow up. You worked beside my father. You attended his funeral. And all this time you knew the truth?"

Daniel lowered his head.

"I knew part of it."

"That's enough!" Adrian shouted. "Tell us who killed Maya's parents."

Daniel looked directly at Maya. His expression softened with regret.

"I wish I could answer that."

"What do you mean?" Maya demanded. "Victoria said you were there the night my parents died."

"I was."

"Then you saw everything!"

Daniel closed his eyes for a moment.

"I saw enough to know that your parents were trying to protect you."

Maya's voice trembled.

"Protect me from what?"

Daniel took a slow step forward.

"From something far bigger than the Black Circle."

Adrian frowned.

"Stop speaking in riddles."

"I'm trying to keep you alive."

"You've done a terrible job so far," Adrian replied coldly.

For the first time, Daniel smiled sadly.

"I deserve that."

He reached into his coat.

Adrian immediately pulled Maya behind him.

"Don't!"

Daniel slowly raised both hands.

"I'm not reaching for a weapon."

He removed a small velvet pouch and gently tossed it toward Maya.

She caught it with shaking hands.

Inside was an antique gold ring engraved with the same crest that appeared on her silver locket.

"My mother's..."

Daniel nodded.

"She gave me that ring the night she died."

Maya stared at him in disbelief.

"Why would she give it to you?"

"Because she trusted me."

"Then why didn't you save her?"

Daniel's face filled with pain.

"I tried."

Silence settled between them.

Finally, Daniel spoke again.

"Listen carefully. The map inside your mother's diary is real. Beneath Blackwood Manor is a hidden chamber. Everything began there."

Adrian looked confused.

"My family has lived there for generations. I've never heard of a hidden chamber."

"Because your father made sure you never would."

Adrian felt as if the ground had disappeared beneath him.

"My father knew?"

"Yes."

Before Adrian could ask another question, Daniel suddenly looked toward the trees.

His expression changed instantly.

"They're here."

A laser sight appeared on Daniel's chest.

Then another.

And another.

"Snipers!" Daniel shouted.

"Get down!"

A deafening gunshot echoed through the forest.

Daniel lunged forward, shoving Maya out of the bullet's path.

The shot struck him in the shoulder.

He collapsed to one knee.

More bullets ripped through the trees.

Adrian grabbed Maya's hand.

"We have to move!"

Daniel looked up at them, blood staining his shirt.

"Go to Blackwood Manor."

"But you—" Maya cried.

"I'll hold them off."

"I can't leave you!"

"You don't have a choice."

Daniel pulled a small remote from his pocket and pressed a button.

Hidden smoke canisters exploded throughout the forest, filling the area with thick gray smoke.

Visibility vanished.

"Run!" Daniel shouted.

Adrian and Maya sprinted through the trees as bullets whistled past them.

When they finally reached the car, Adrian looked back.

The smoke had swallowed the forest.

Daniel was nowhere to be seen.

As Adrian started the engine, Maya wiped the tears from her face.

"Do you think he's alive?"

Adrian stared at the burning forest in the rearview mirror.

"I don't know."

Miles away, inside the smoke-filled woods, a masked sniper approached Daniel's fallen body.

The sniper removed the mask.

Victoria Ashford looked down at him.

Daniel opened his eyes and smiled weakly.

"You were late."

Victoria shook her head.

"You disobeyed my orders."

Daniel coughed, then whispered,

"I chose the right side."

Victoria's expression hardened.

"We'll see."

She raised her gun.

**To Be Continued...**