CROWN OF SCARS

BLOOD DEAL

The moment the blade touched her brother's skin, Annabelle realized something terrifying, Desmond wasn't asking for loyalty anymore. He was demanding her soul.

The room felt suffocatingly silent.

Desmond slightly tightened his grip around Anna's waist, pulling her closer until she could feel the heat radiating from his body.

."Now.." he whispered darkly against her ear, his eyes roaming over her trembling figure. "It's finally just the two of us."

His fingers slid up her thigh possessively as he leaned in, his lips inches away from hers.

Her breath hitched. Quickly, she covered her mouth with shaky hands. Panic flashing across her face.

"It's...my first time," she whispered softly. He paused.

For a brief second, surprise crossed his face before a dangerous smirk curved on his lips.

"You're still a virgin?" He asked, with amusement dancing in his eyes. Embarrassed Annabelle lowered her head silently.

Desmond brushed his fingers through her hair slowly almost tenderly but the darkness in his eyes remained.

"As I said, when I finally decide to have you baby girl... His voice dropped lower, rougher, "you won't be able to stop me."

Fear crawled down her spine.

Before she could speak, the door suddenly burst open.

One of the guards entered the room, dragging Ethan behind him.

"Ethan!"

Annabelle immediately shoved Desmond away and rushed, toward her brother. She dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms tightly around him.

"Are you okay? Did they hurt you?" She asked desperately inspecting his face and body with trembling hands.

Tears filled her eyes as she hugged him again.

Ethan sniffed weakly. "I miss mom and dad.... his voice cracked. "Are we ever going to see them again?"

Pain pierced through Annabelle's chest.

She forced herself to smile despite the tears rolling down her cheeks.

"They're still with us," she whispered gently wiping his tears away. "And I promise you.... we'll survive this?

"Enough"

Desmond's cold voice sliced through the emotional moment.

The guard immediately separated the siblings.

Annabelle struggled against them. "Let him go!"

Desmond ignored her cries and slowly circled around her like a predator studying his prey.

"I need you to do something for me tomorrow" he said calmly.

Annabelle glared at him silently.

"When the police interrogate you, you'll tell them I'm innocent. " He stopped in front of her. "You'll tell them you escaped the attack and came to my house because I'm your father's trusted friend."

"No" her voice trembled with anger. "My parents deserve justice and you'll rot in jail."

Desmond expression became terrifyingly cold.

Without warning, one of the guards grabbed Ethan and pressed a sharp knife against his neck.

Ethan cried out in fear.

Annabelle froze.

"If you refuse to corporate... He said softly, almost casually. "Your brother dies."

The blade sliced Ethan skin. A thin line of blood tricked down his neck.

"Anna! Ethan sobbed painfully.

"No" Annabelle screamed.

Her knees gave out as tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.

"Please... Stop. I'll do it. I'll say whatever you want. Don't get my brother involve I beg you." The guards finally released him.

She rushed toward him immediately, holding him protectively against her chest while shaking violently.

Desmond calmly sat down on the couch, watching them like he was enjoying a performance.

"Smart choice" he said lazily. "Because even if you tell the police the truth, my influence will get me out eventually."

"But your brother?" He smirked. "He won't survive long enough to see it happen."

Annabelle clenched her fist. "I hate you," she whispered brokenly.

He tilted his head slightly. "I know."

Something inside her snapped. Annabelle suddenly charged at him, pounding her fist against his chest repeatedly.

"You murdered my family!" She screamed hysterically. "Why are you doing this to us?!"

One of the guards quickly grabbed and threw her violently on the floor.

Desmond remained seated completely unbothered. "Call a doctor for the boy," he ordered coldly.

The guards obeyed and left the room.

Now it was only the two of them again.

She stayed curled on the floor, crying helplessly.

Slowly, he walked toward her. He crouched beside her and gently lifted her chin. Their eyes met.

For a split second, she saw something strange in his expression.

Possession. Obsession. Maybe even guilt.

"I don't like seeing you cry, baby girl," he murmured softly while stroking her hair. "Don't make this harder than it has to be."

Annabelle's eyes burned with hatred. Without warning, she spat directly on his face.

"I would rather die than belong to you."

The room fell silent.

Desmond slowly wiped his face before standing upright. His expression became unreadable again.

"Time will tell,". he said calmly.

He walked toward the door before stopping briefly. "Take a bath and rest. Tomorrow will decide your future."

The door slammed shut behind him.

The second he left, Annabelle completely broke down.

As she hugged herself tightly on the cold floor, one terrifying thought echoed endlessly in her mind.

"MAYBE, JULIET FATE WOULD BE BETTER THAN HERS."

Outside the room, Desmond entered the sitting room where one

of the most trusted guard waited.

"Sir" the man spoke carefully, "do you think she'll obey you."

"I don't know tomorrow will decide."