When moonlight whispers secret to the heart

Rose's knees felt cold on the marble floor. As she cleaned the dried blood that had discolored the stone's fissures, her fingers hurt. She cleaned as hard as she could, but it persisted. Like the recollection. Yesterday, Luciana had slain the servant in front of her. One inappropriate term. It only required that. Rose was now forced to clean up the mess. There was a shadow on the floor. "Mutet, you missed a spot." He kicked the pail over before she could even turn her head, and Malachi's voice was like ice. The water soaked through her flimsy jeans and splashed all over her legs. Like a wound, the red-stained water spread. Rose remained silent. She continued to scrub. Malachi bent over. Her ear was struck by his hot breath. Do you believe that you are safe here? You are merely a mouth to feed. She remained silent while clenching her jaw. Down the corridor came the sound of footsteps. The brothers Sanchez. Everyone was afraid of them since they were Luciana's nephews. The eldest, Ares, had the appearance of a battle god, with storm-like dark eyes and a towering build. The middle one, Arthur, grinned as though he always knew a joke that nobody else did. The youngest, Artemis, was also very different from them. Ares didn't even look at her as they passed. Amused by her embarrassment, Arthur grinned. However, Artemis halted. Rose remained on her knees and held the soaked rag as she froze. They looked at each other. The hall fell silent for a minute. She gasped. His eyes were the most delicate shade of gray, resembling rain clouds that were yet undecided. His mouth opened as if he were going to speak, but Ares yelled, "Artemis." Let's leave. And he was gone in an instant. Rose gazed at the deserted corridor, her heart racing for unknown reasons. After cleaning the blood, she picked up the bucket once more. She rubbed her aching hands while sitting on her tiny bed that night. There was just one blanket in her chilly room, and the one lightbulb above her hummed every few seconds as if it were about to expire. She took a look in the closet. When she folded her clothing earlier, something had felt a little off. A crack that had not previously existed appeared in the wood, along with an odd line. She got up and pushed open the wardrobe door. It took her a few tries, but finally, she uncovered a small concealed panel in the rear. She pulled it out with trembling fingers. A book. dirty and ancient. When she saw the name scribbled on the inner cover in fading ink, her heart almost stopped. Delacour, Amara. Mom. Rose sat back on the bed and flipped through the first few pages. “They murdered us. And they’ll murder you, too, if they find out what you are.” What… I am? “We were meant to rule. not offer service. However, the bloodline was deceived. Rose felt lightheaded. She was unable to comprehend. Her mother died while she was a child. That’s all she’d ever been told. She flipped to another page. “The wolves will sense it first. They always do. The purebloods in particular. Wolves? Words began to blend together. Her heart was racing. She had to know more. She had to take— Steps. Someone was on their way. The door creaked open as Rose pushed the diary back into the secret slot and snapped it shut. "Elena?" she said in a whisper. With haste, the head maid entered and shut the door. Her terror was wild in her eyes. "They are aware," she stated. Rose blinked. "You know what?" "The diary. They are aware of it. You must conceal it. You must dispose of it—tonight. Rose's lips became parched. "How are they aware?" Everywhere in this house are ears. Do you believe that you are the only person who is interested? Elena took hold of her hand. "Pay attention to me. They will do worse than kill you if they find you in possession of the book. You'll regret not having. Rose shook as she looked at her. "But what does it mean—what's in it?" "I'm not sure. I don't want to know, either. Elena's fingers were squeezed. "Just tell me you'll be intelligent. Burn it. Or bury it. Do whatever you have to do quickly. She departed as swiftly as she had arrived, leaving Rose by herself with her mind racing. It got worse the following day. Luciana had visitors. The house needed to shine because of this. Rose and Malachi were confined to the kitchen once more, polishing cutlery that had likely not been used for decades. He kept a close eye on her the entire time. He gazed at her, and she detested it. He seemed to be waiting for her to make a mistake. As if he was looking for an excuse. His lip twisted when she dropped a spoon by accident. "Are you deaf or simply stupid?" he asked, approaching. Rose took a step back. "Perhaps I ought to tear that tongue out so you never speak again." "I remained silent—" She was thrown into the counter as he caught her by the wrist. "You're not unique," he growled. "You're filth." A rat who struck it lucky. He was too powerful for her to push away. "Release!" "No." He grabbed her by the neck. She went into a panic. A knife was the first object she touched as her hand shot to the counter. She also cut. On his arm, a red line appeared. Malachi staggered back, roaring in agony. Rose was breathing heavily as she stood there with the knife. He spilled his blood on the floor, onto her. Then everything came to a halt. The air rushed, there was a crack of movement. The door to the kitchen slammed. There stood the three Sanchez brothers. Their eyes had a golden light. Burned, no. Rose froze as she gazed at them. Ares took a step ahead. "What did you do?" "I got cut by her!" Malachi gripped his arm and yelled. "That tiny—" Ares, however, was avoiding eye contact. Not one of them was. They were observing her. at her hand. Rose gasped as she peered down. Her hand was blazing. Beneath her skin, a gentle silver light pulsed like a heartbeat. The light was moving up her fingers and spreading. Arthur's mouth fell open. Eyes wide, Artemis stepped forward. "What is that?" Rose muttered. "She is among us," Arthur remarked. "No," Artemis muttered. "She isn't." "We own her," Ares said. Now there was something uncanny layered over his deeper voice. "What am I experiencing?" Rose let out a cry. Her hand was scorched. Like fireflies in the dark, her skin was glowing. "You're not human," Artemis muttered for him. With a pallid face, Malachi gazed. "What on earth is she?" Ares remained silent. He took a step toward her. Rose took a step back. "Avoid touching me!" "You're not understanding," Ares remarked. "You have been concealing something, but it is no longer the case." Arthur smiled. "Luciana will adore this." Artemis moved in front of Rose as she turned to run, gently stopping her rather than obstructing her path. "You must accompany us," he replied. "Now." "What?" she exhaled. "Because they will kill you if you don't." Rose felt her heart hit her ribs hard. She was trembling all over. The silver radiance continued to expand. She thought she may blow up. "I'm not among you," she declared. "I am nothing more than a servant—" Artemis responded, "You were never nothing." Ares snarled at him from behind. You belong to a lineage that was intended to go extinct. However, it isn't. No more. Rose gave a headshake. "No. I have no knowledge— "You will," answered Arthur. "Very soon." Then, from the corridor, came Luciana's voice. "What's happening inside?" The three brothers turned in the direction of the door. Rose took off running. She didn't pause to reflect. She simply ran. Beyond the garden, across the chilly stone path, through the kitchen, and out the back door. Her lungs were burning. She had lead-like legs. However, she continued. She heard yelling voices behind her. She didn't turn around, though. She ran till she could no longer see the mansion. Until the wind was the only sound she could hear. With her chest heaving and the silver light still faintly shimmering on her skin, she fell to her knees beneath the huge trees. And she was afraid of what she might be for the first time in her life.