It had rained the night before and it was freezing.Lord Harrison stood in the corridor outside the study, the photograph grasped in his hand like an offering no hi.The woman in the image who held two infants in her arms, wore a bland expression, as if waiting for penance. Harrison stared at the fireplace across the room and his pulse quickened. He reached for the wine gallery and just as he lifted the St. Morris, a small panel slid open revealing an iron box behind it. Curiously, he set the photo aside and reached for the hidden box. Its surface was aged and soot-stained. He pressed a clip and the lid creaked open with a heavy click.Inside was a scorched black-and-white photo of his mother, Lady Wycliffe, holding one infant. The other half was missing, burnt away. There was also a blood-stained legal document labelled “Twin Custody Agreement: Harrison & Benjamin Dune."Harrison sank into the leather chair behind the desk, the box opened on his lap.He was startled by a gentle

When Baron had pulled the trigger and her blood had touched the same ground he’d once vowed would never fail her, something in him had shifted; He had vowed to avenge his wife's death. He pressed the scarf to his lips.“I swear to you, Celesta… I will burn down everything they built on your blood.” He stood slowly, face pale with purpose.“They will know what it means to take from a Dune.”Inside, he burned with purpose. Behind the boring apron and lowered gaze was Harrison Dune: A grieving husband, a secret billionaire, and the rightful heir of the estate now ruled by the corrupt Roland. And no one knew except Aunt Elora and Celesta who was now gone.Later that day, near Celesta’s old chambers, Aunt Elora crossed paths with him. The old woman had a way of watching people like she could see deep into their souls.She paused.“You behave strangely nowadays like a man who’s lived three deaths,” she muttered, folding towels into her arms.Kairo looked up, saying nothing.Elora narro

“Who placed those wine glasses? They look like they were arranged by a blind baboon,” Roland snapped at a nervous steward.“This isn’t a funeral, it’s a legacy!”Black luxury vehicles had been scheduled to arrive at the estate soon.Roland's investors, the top brass of Europe’s elite, were coming to see the twins, to witness the “new bloodline” that would legitimise his growing empire.Image was everything. Paperwork had already been forged and all that remained was the show.This was the fifth time Kairo was sweeping the grand hall, each procedure was noted as unsatisfactory by Lord Roland.Kairo kept sweeping, silent and invisible.“Kairo!” one of the maids hissed. “You’re wanted in the lounge. The cigar lounge. Roland wants the ashtrays spotless.”He exhaled deeply and for a moment, he forgot he was under a curse which was breaking his life.He dusted his hands, grabbed the ashtray and headed for the lounge; and when he got nearer, a whisper and a giggle behind the half-open study

That morning after April's kidnapping, everyone was devastated in the estate, even the maids moved with quiet steps, and Roland with his goons spoke in hushed tones, as if raising their voices was an abomination. He had ordered that “Nobody speaks to the press. Not a whisper. If I hear anyone open their mouth, they’ll leave this estate and never be found again.”Kairo saw Adira shift uncomfortably, arms crossed. Her eyes had flicked towards him for just a second.Roland nodded slowly. “Drones have been circling the upper lawn. We’ve shut down all outgoing communication, except mine and Roland’s.”Baron slammed his fist on the table. “Good. April’s disappearance cannot be traced back here. And whoever planted that trash in the media about Annabel …”Annabel snapped. “It’s slander! Lies! I should sue all of them!”Baron raised a hand, silencing her. “You’ve made enemies, Annabel. Perhaps too many.”Annabel narrowed her eyes at him, her pride taking a bruising blow. “Are you suggesting

“Late Lord Dune Wycliffe was cursed…”Adira’s voice reduced to whispers, now breathing almost nothingness from her lips, “Oh, no, Lord Dune has doomed us all,” she cursed under her breath moving her head from side to side, her jaws dropped, her eyes shot out, and her face lost all expression while blotting sweat converged on countless spots around her fur.Her eyes darted to behold the troop of terror marching from the opposite direction toward where she was narrating the tale.All eyes began bouncing on each other, to Adira and back, until they traced her eyes to behold what held her spellbound, an unpleasant surprise it was.Just when they also absorbed the reality coming from the direction of the estate’s garden, a loud gunshot pierced through the air. No, not through the air, rather, through Adira’s breathing pipe, escaping through her spine, onto the flesh on the back of her neck.“Run!!!!!!!!!!!!” Kairo let out a deafening cry as he swept himself across the floor, seeking cover