Instinctively, Venera paused her frantic attempts to escape. In that moment of stillness, the hands that had clamped over her mouth and enveloped her tiny frame finally relinquished their hold, allowing her a breath of freedom.
"Brother?" the little girl asked tentatively, her voice barely above a whisper, as she turned slowly. The light from outside illuminated a striking pair of obsidian eyes that seemed to pierce through the shadows— Caius.
A wave of relief washed over her as she flung herself into his welcoming embrace, the remnants of her fear dissipating like mist in the early morning sun. He caught her and wrapped his arms around her tightly in return, securing her in a cocoon of safety.
"Brother, why are you here?" she asked, her curiosity sparkling in her wide, innocent eyes.
"Did Vera suffer?" Caius asked. "Sorry, brother came too late."
Caius's tone was filled with distress.
