Chapter 4 - Chapter 4. Shadows Within Blackwood Estate.

Ryker eyes gleamed intensely, "Your parents, Aubrey... they were investigating Alexander's family, and then they vanished." Ryker's sneer faltered for a second before he regained composure, eyes still fixed menacingly on Aubrey."Victor will crush you, Alexander. And claim the girl."Alexander's body tensed like a coiled spring, ready to strike."Over my dead body, Ryker."Grandmother Blackwood intervened, "Enough Ryker, leave Blackwood Estate, now."Ryker gaze lingered on Aubrey before shifting to Grandmother Blackwood."Victor's patience wears thin, I'll return."He turned to leave, but Aubrey sensed a lingering presence - as if Ryker had left something behind.When the door closed, Grandmother Blackwood exhaled slowly."We must discuss protection spell and Aubrey... unique situation."Alexander nodded, eyes still narrowed as if expecting Ryker to reappear."Aubrey, Lily - rest. We'll talk more in the morning."Aubrey hesitated, sensing unresolved tensions, but Lily yawned, exhausted.When they followed the maid to their room, Aubrey whispered to Alexander."What protection spells? And what exactly is my 'unique situation'?"Alexander's expression turned guarded."Tomorrow Aubrey, Grandmother will explain."Their room door closed behind them, and Aubrey locked it, feeling trapped.Lily slept instantly, but Aubey's mind raced - witch DNA, curses, protection spells...Suddenly, a faint scratching echoed from the wall adjacent to Ryker's departure point.Aubrey's heart skipped a beat - was Ryker still here?Aubrey's eyes locked onto the wall where faint scratching echoed - barely audible - yet little scaring.She slipped out of bed, approaching the wall slowly, heart racing with every gentle scrape.The scratchers seemed to spell something - her mind struggling to decipher - when suddenly, a letter materialized: "M-E-E-T-M-E"Aubrey's breath caught - who could be summoning her secretly? Ryker's menacing face flashed in her mind.She spun around, ensuring Lily still slept peacefully, before returning to the wall - her fingers tracing the disappearing letters.The scratches stopped. Silence.Then, a low whisper seemed to caress her ear: "Aubrey... outside your window."The whisper was too close, too intimate, making Aubrey's heart skip a beat.The curtains of the window were closed, but Aubrey sensed a presence outside - a presence that made the night air feel colder.With trembling fingers, Aubrey drew the curtains open, and the moonlight illuminated the face making her breath catch:Ryker.His eyes locked onto her intensity, making her feel trapped."Aubrey," he whispered again, his voice sending goosebumps, "We need to talk about Alexander."Aubrey felt pierced by his words. What did Ryker know about Alexander?"No." Aubrey tried to respond firmly, but her voice came out weak.Ryker smiled a smile that made Aubrey feel like she was facing imminent danger."Don't lie to me Aubrey, I know everything."Suddenly, Aubrey heard footsteps outside her room. Ryker heard them too and vanished into the shadow of the night."Aubrey?" a low Alexander voice called out.She turned to face the door, wondering if she should reveal Ryker's midnight visit...Aubrey's heart still raced when she opened the door to Alexander's."What happened?" Alexander asked, his curious eyes scanning Aubyre's face."I... I just had a nightmare," Aubrey replied trying to conceal the truth about Ryker's midnight visit.Alexander furrowed his brow, "A nightmare? You look terrified."Aubrey felt like Alexander could see right through her. 'I was just worried about Lily," she lied again.Alexander nodded, but Aubrey knew he didn't believe her, "I'll check the estate perimeter, ensuring everything is secure."When Alexander turned to leave, Aubrey felt an urge to stop him. "Alexander, wait..."She hesitated, unsure what to say. Ryker's words still echoed in her mind: "I know everything about Alexander.""What is it?" Alexander asked, turning back to her with a curious expression.Aubrey opened her mouth, but her words were on her throat. "Nothing, I'm just... worry."Alexander nodded, yet Aubrey saw doubt in his eyes, "I'll return soon, Aubrey. Don't worry."Alexander left, and Aubrey felt trapped in a labyrinth. She knew she had to choose between trusting Alexander or Ryker.Suddenly. Aubrey heard a soft voice behind the door. "Aubrey, I'm still here."Aubrey's heart nearly stopped. Ryker hadn't left.Should Aubrey open the door and confront Ryker, or leave him hidden in the shadow?Ryker's whisper seemed to seep through the wood, chilling her blood.'Aubrey, don't trust me him," Ryker's voice was low and menacing. "Alexander hides secrets... deadly ones."Her mind reeled with doubts planted by Ryker's words. Slowly, Aubrey turned around, her hand on the doorknob, hesitating.'What secrets?" Aubrey whispered back, her voice barely audible.The door creaked softly when Ryker's fingers appeared in the narrow gap between the door and frame, holding a small piece of paper."Meet me in the east garden at dawn. Come alone.Aubrey's locked onto the paper when Ryker's fingers withdrew, leaving the note dangling. She snatched it, her heart sinking like a stone.Suddenly, Lily stirred in bed, "Mommy, what's wrong?"Aubrey hastily crumpled the paper, shoving it into her pocket. "Just checking the door, sweetie. Go back to sleep."Lily snuggled deeper into blankets when Aubrey stood guard.Dawn crept closer, marked by an eerie silence outside.Would she sneak out to meet Ryker at dawn?Aubrey glanced over at Lily, still falling asleep.Her heart was filled with doubt.Suddenly, the sweet song of a bird outside the window shattered the silence.Aubrey knew it was morning. She had to make a decision.With a heavy heart, Aubrey decides to sneak out and meet Ryker. She moved quietly, not wanting to wake Lily, and headed towards the door."Mommy, what are you doing?" Lily's soft voice pierced the silence.Aubrey was startled, thinking she had managed to slip out unnoticed."J-just getting something from the kitchen, sweetie," Aubrey lied, trying to sound casual.Lily stirred and fell back asleep.Aubrey felt relieved but also guilty for lying to her daughter.She opened the door and stepped out into the still-dark corridor.Her feet led her to the east garden, where Ryker waited.When she entered the garden, Aubrey saw Ryker standing beneath a large tree, his shadow looming menacingly in the dawn light."Aubrey," Ryker called out in a low tone. "I know you're curious about Alexander. He's not what you think."Aubrey gripped the pistol tightly, ready to act if Ryker made a move."What do you mean?" Aubrey asked, her voice steady but her heart racing.Ryker smiled, revealing his sharp teeth.'Alexander is a killer, Aubrey. He's murdered many people, including... your family."Aubrey felt like she'd been struck by lightning.She couldn't breathe, couldn't think.Everything she thought she knew about Alexander was turned upside down in an instant."Don't trust him," Ryker continued, his voice filled with venom."But I can help you uncover the truth about your family... if you're willing to work with me."Aubrey felt like in a terrifying dilemma.What should Aubrey do?