Chapter Thirteen : The Appointed Guardian
315 Words
The news came over breakfast, like it was nothing.
Mr. Delacroix folded his newspaper with a crisp snap and took a sip of coffee. “Juliet, your mother and I will be away for a few days—possibly a week. There’s an emergency diplomatic summit in Geneva.”
Juliet paused mid-bite, her hand trembling slightly.
“We’ll leave tonight,” her mother added, dabbing her lips with a linen napkin. “I’ve arranged everything. Claude will be staying here to look after you.”
The world tilted.
Juliet’s fork slipped from her fingers, clattering softly against the porcelain plate.
“Uncle Claude?” she asked, trying to sound casual, but her voice betrayed her.
“Yes,” her father nodded, not noticing the fear in her eyes. “He’s the only one I trust enough with you in this house.”
Her mother added, “Besides, he adores you. You’ll be perfectly fine.”
Juliet looked down at her plate, heart pounding so loud she could hardly hear anything else. The smell of eggs made her stomach churn.
Later that evening, she stood at the top of the stairs, watching as her parents kissed her forehead, loaded their designer luggage into the black cars, and disappeared into the night—completely unaware they were handing her over to the wolf in their own bloodline.
An hour passed before she heard it: the familiar knock on her door. Two slow taps. The same rhythm as before.
She didn’t answer.
It didn’t matter.
Uncle Claude pushed the door open, a sly smile on his face, holding two glasses of wine like they were gifts.
“Just us now,” he said smoothly, stepping inside like he owned the air. “No rules. No distractions.”
Juliet’s heart sank.
Her voice vanished.
She knew—without any doubt—that the suffering was about to begin again.
- Writer
