Chapter 79

**Arielle's POV**

I slowly opened my eyes, grogginess clinging tightly to me like some fitted dress. I stretched my right hand, tapping the other side of the bed, but it was empty, which is rather unusual.

Where was I? Memories suddenly began flooding my mind; the party, Duncan's question and my escape to sleep, Lucian's ordeal...

"Knight." I called softly, my voice barely above a whisper.

But the room was dead silent.

"Where has he gone to this early? Without even letting me know?" 

I sat upright, rubbing my temples. My head spun, and my mouth felt dry. My gaze darted to the wall clock and a sharp gasp escaped my lips. 

"It's 10:00 am already. Just how long did I sleep?"

I threw the covers off my body, and with slight hesitation I stepped down from the bed, grabbed a light robe, and threw it over the short nightdress I had on, before walking out of the room.

I need to see Luciana.. She should either be in the visitor's room, or with Keira and Luci.

As I walked through the empty hallways, headed for the guest room, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was wrong somewhere.

Was the uneasy feeling clouding my thoughts because I overslept and failed to carry out my routine?

Even though it shouldn't be as bad as this, right?

I stood before the room I guessed Luciana would be in, and planted a soft knock on it.

When there was no response, I pushed the door open, and walked in, finding Luciana on the couch, staring out the window.  She was in the room all by herself. Keira and Luci were nowhere in sight.

"Luciana" I called softly, going to sit beside her on the couch.

She turned, and a faint smile found its way to her face. "Hey ma'am" she greeted. "You're awake."

I nodded and let out a chuckle. Did I sleep that long?

"How are you feeling?" I asked, staring at her, for any strange sign or something, but I found nothing unusual.

"Much better, thanks." She smiled shortly. "Duncan checked on me earlier."

My heart skipped a beat as I stared at her, shocked. "He did?"

She nodded, with a smile. But there was something about that smile...it lacked warmth and excitement.

Does she not know that I see right through her facade every single time?

"What really happened?" I asked softly, and I could see her hands trembling against the couch, as beads of sweat found dwelling on her forehead, even under the Air Conditioner!!

"You can talk to me" I coed, patting her hair in a comforting manner. "Trust me."

"I…I…I" she stuttered, her eyes growing misty. "I...I don't remember a thing, but it hurts, so much that..."

Her voice trailed off, and she buried her face in her palm sobbing.

"It's okay Luciana, you're safe now." I whispered, wrapping my arms around her.

While I comforted her, my mind wandered to her words which still echoed through my mind: "I don't remember a thing, but it hurts."

How could something she doesn't recall or have any memory of, cause so much pain?

I gently pulled back, wiping away her tears. "Luciana, you're going to be alright...just keep being the strong you, now isn't the time to break down." I said the meaning of every word I uttered. "There isn't even ever a time to break down."

Her gaze lingered on mine, as though searching for some form of reassurance, or just a promise that all would be well, but could I give her that assurance when my own demons are also haunting me as the past keeps knocking vehemently.

Just as the tension and vulnerable energy in the room dissipated, Keira and Luci burst into the room, and from their countenances and gestures, I could tell how shocked they were to see me.

"Arielle! You're up!" Keira exclaimed, excitement in her voice.

"We were so worried about you," Luci chimed in.

I chuckled, and hugged them both. "Awn, …" I grinned sheepishly. "I'm fine, I was just really stressed yesterday. You know the party and stuff."

As we chatted, I observed Luciana loosened up, as she chuckled at intervals, and a heavy sigh escaped my lips.

I just hope everything concerning her will finally be alright. If only the universe would just take pity on her, she's been through a lot already.

Just then, Luciana stood up, a faint smile lingering on her face. "I think I'll freshen up," she said, her voice softer. "So we'll prepare for work."

"Okay, dear," I replied with concern etched on my face. "Do you need any help?"

"No" she shook her head, giggling softly. "I'm fine thank you."

As Luciana walked into the bathroom, Keira turned to me. "How is she? I could tell all those smiles were fake. Something seems to be weighing her down."

I sighed, running my hand through my already messy hair. "She's trying to cope."

Luci's brow furrowed as she stared at the bathroom door. "What do you think the problem is?"

"Honestly, I don't know," I murmured.

Although Keira cast a suspicious glance at me, I didn't budge. What was I going to tell them was really the problem?

Keira is still too young to understand, and Luci is human.

Keira sighed and got off the couch. "I'll go get Luciana's clothes to change into." She was sad and walked out of the room without any more words.

As Keira walked out, Luci leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "Aunt Arielle, what's really going on? It's obvious you're hiding something." 

I forced a reassuring smile. "Nothing Luci, I'm just quite worried about Luciana.

"You keep saying you're worried about her, but you wouldn't say why. Is there something going on that we are not aware of?" She asked, frustration clear in her gaze.

She's quite an inquisitive one, for a sixteen-year-old, and unless we get distracted, she might just force answers out of my mouth.

As though the universe was on my side, a blood-curdling scream pierced the air from the bathroom.

"Luciana!" I shouted, rushing towards the door. 

Luci followed closely behind, her face contorting a mixture of fear and worry.

I flung the bathroom door open, and my heart sank at the sight before me:

Luciana lay on the floor, unconscious, and she still had her dress on.

Apparently, she wasn't taking her bath yet. So why did she leave?

"Luciana, no!" I cried, dropping to my knees beside her.

"What happened?" Luci asked with her palm over her mouth.

"I don't know." I shook my head, wondering what happened.

Suddenly Luciana's eyes flickered open, her eyes, filled with terror, locked onto mine.

"Arielle…" She stuttered, weakly. "T...hey They're coming, we need to run…"

And with that, her eyes rolled back, and she passed out again...