One

Eira, 24

I couldn’t help it.

I couldn’t stop the smile spreading across my face as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. My ivory gown clung perfectly, every detail exactly as I had imagined since I was a little girl dreaming of this day.

Felix and I, after four years of love, laughter, and challenges, were finally here. It was the happiest day of my life.

“Bora Bora, right?” Nyla burst into my room, her face lit with the same excitement I felt. Her deep brown eyes sparkled as she grinned. “You’ve been saving up forever for that honeymoon trip.”

“Of course, Bora Bora,” I replied, my voice light as air. “Just imagine being with the love of your life in such a perfect place. You can’t imagine it, Nyla.”

Her laugh was infectious, and soon we were both giggling. My sister had always been my anchor, my biggest cheerleader. Seeing her here, dressed in a soft lavender gown that complemented her radiant smile, almost brought tears to my eyes.

“You look like a princess,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion. “I knew the dress would be perfect on you.”

I turned, hugging her tightly, my chin on hers as I closed my eyes to savor her sweet smell. “And you’ve always been my fairy godmother.”

Before either of us could get too emotional, our mother entered the room, her presence as warm and comforting as always. “My beautiful daughters,” she said, pulling us both into a tight embrace. “Eira, it’s time.”

Glancing one more time at the mirror, I took a deep breath. This was it.

We walked out together, Nyla holding my bouquet and Mom leading the way. The house buzzed with chatter and laughter as guests milled around the garden. Dad had insisted we host the wedding here, and I had to admit, he had outdone himself. The sprawling lawn, adorned with white roses and soft golden lights, looked like something out of a dream.

As we reached the staircase, Mom stepped ahead to join Dad, saying he was nervous and needed her to calm his nerves.

A love like my parents’ was all I had ever dreamed of. They had loved each other unconditionally for 27 years. I wanted that.

Felix was everything to me, and I’d kill to spend my forever in his hands.

I adjusted my dress, preparing to descend with Nyla at my side. But before I could take my first step, someone bumped into me hard, nearly knocking me off balance.

A loud rip followed, and I looked down to see a portion of my gown shredded.

“Oh my geez!” Nyla exclaimed before I had the chance to react. Without glancing up to see who had bumped into me and ruined my wedding dress, she rushed back to our room, cursing excessively.

Before I could pick my gaze up from the torn part of the dress, a deep, intoxicating voice drawled, sending a shiver down my spine.

“Careful there, bird.”

Bird?

I looked up, my breath catching in my throat. Standing before me was a man who could have been carved from stone—sharp jawline, piercing blue eyes, and a smirk that felt like a cold knife against my skin. He tilted his head, watching me with a predatory intensity that made my blood run cold. He was everything but holy.

His smell pushed its way so harshly into my nostrils. I can bet I might never forget how he smelled for a long time, because just like him, everything on him would make you lose consciousness.

His looks were likened to the devil itself. So alluring yet so sinful, it hurt the eyes to keep staring.

“Did I ruin your dress, cara mia?” he asked, his tone firm yet eerily gentle. I couldn't help but notice the mockery in his voice, and for many reasons I couldn't place, I shivered at his words.

I tried to speak but only managed a weak nod. Italian. The way he spoke, the mix of British and Italian accents, made it hard to breathe. How could one have both accents at once?

For some strange reason, I couldn’t bring myself to speak. I suddenly felt mute.

His lips twitched, not into a smile but a smirk. He seemed to enjoy the fact that I had lost my voice in his presence, and I still couldn’t help myself from asking why.

He leaned closer, his breath warm against my cheek. I attempted moving backward, but his hand held my arm before I could, and my hair stood at his touch.

A sharp breath escaped my lips even before I could stop myself. His eyes shifted to my lips and then back to my face.

“I hope this is the only thing that gets ruined today, bird,” he whispered, his smirk widening.

He nodded, released his hold on my arm, and retreated. Just as quickly as he had appeared, he was gone, disappearing into the crowd.

I stood frozen, his influence lingering long after he left. I didn’t even notice when Nyla returned with a needle and thread.

“What was that about?” Nyla asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“I... I don’t know,” I stammered, my heart pounding as I forced myself to look away from where the man had been.

His scent still lingered in the air around us, leaving me uneasy. There was something in the way he spoke—something primal I couldn’t shake.

As we reached Dad, I forced a smile and took his arm at the bottom of the stairs, the same spot the strange man had held. My hands trembled as I let him have it. He smiled down at me. “Ready, sweetheart?”

I nodded, stealing one last glance behind me. The man was gone. Maybe it had been nothing. But the sinking feeling in my stomach told me otherwise.

“I hope this is the only thing that gets ruined today, bird.”

His words echoed in my mind, but the sound of clapping pulled me back to reality.

The ceremony began, and all thoughts of the stranger faded as I saw Felix waiting for me at the altar. His smile was everything—soft, sweet, and full of love.

“You look breathtaking,” he whispered as I reached him.

“And you look like you’re about to cry,” I teased, earning a quiet laugh from him.

The vows passed in a blur, the words flowing like poetry between us. When the priest finally announced, “You may kiss the bride,” Felix pulled me into his arms, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that promised forever.

I closed my eyes, pushing the predatory man behind me. For a moment, the world disappeared. But as quickly as it had vanished, it shattered.

A deafening bang rang out, the sound echoing like thunder.

Felix’s body jerked against mine, and he suddenly went limp. I pulled back, my hands trembling as I looked at him.

He looked pale, and my eyes went down to him.

A gasp escaped my lips as blood stained his pristine white shirt, spreading like a dark, ominous flower.

“Felix?” I choked out, my voice barely audible. Whatever was happening felt incomprehensible.

His eyes met mine, filled with pain and fear. He clutched his abdomen, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as he fell to his knees.

“Oh my God!” I screamed, reaching for him, but chaos erupted around me.

The banging sound rang across me, but I was oblivious to it all as I watched the love of my life turn completely pale.

Just then, the priest collapsed beside us, a pool of blood forming beneath his lifeless body. Guests screamed and scattered, their panicked cries filling the air as more gunshots rang out.

“What’s going on?” I screamed, holding Felix as he slipped further away. “Felix, please... Please stay with me. Please!”

“Oh my God!” I screamed the moment he collapsed in my hand. “No… Felix!”

“Eira!” Nyla’s voice cut through the chaos. I turned toward her, only to see a man holding a knife to her throat.

Putting Felix down gently, I tried to dart toward her, but before I could, a hand grabbed me roughly, yanking me back.

A gun pressed to my head, the cold metal biting into my skin.

“Move, and she dies,” a voice growled in my ear.

I froze, my eyes darting around for help. Bodies littered the ground, faces twisted in fear and pain. My parents were bound and gagged, their expressions a mixture of terror and helplessness.

“Don't hurt them, please,” I begged, my voice breaking. “Please…”

“Please don't touch my family,” Dad's voice let out, trembling. “Whatever you want, I...”

“You will give me what I want? Interesting.”

That voice, the very one at the staircase earlier, rang out, cutting through my veins like before. This time, he sounded angry or irritated. His voice held so much hatred I couldn't understand.

I raised my head to meet his furious eyes.

He walked toward me with deliberate steps, his icy eyes locked on mine.

“Hello, little bride,” he said, his voice smooth yet laced with venom. That same cruel smirk played on his lips.

“Please.” I sobbed, my voice shaking. “Please don't hurt my family.”

He leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear. “I just need you to do one thing, Agent.”

Agent? What was he talking about?

“Your father said he would give anything,” he said, his tone edged with malice. “I want everything.”

Before I could process his words, he gave a sharp nod to one of his men.

“No! Please, no!” I screamed as gunshots rang out.

My parents’ bodies crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

And Nyla... My baby sister’s throat was slashed open.

A shrill siren seemed to blare in my head as I watched my family fall, and something inside me snapped. Rage and despair surged within me, propelling me forward. But before I could move any further, a sharp pain exploded at the back of my head.

I stumbled, my legs buckling beneath me as I collapsed to the ground. My gaze locked onto Nyla’s lifeless form, and all I could do was reach out to her in my mind. The siren’s wail echoed through my consciousness as darkness slowly consumed me. In the void, only the devil’s voice remained.

“Put her in the van.”