The Black Haus

Chapter 3: The Shadows' Bargain

Renault's blade was in his hand before he could think. The figure descending the stairs was human-shaped, but only barely. Its movements were jerky, its limbs too long, and its head tilted at an impossible angle. The coal-red eyes blazed brighter as it stepped fully into the light.

Mara felt the air grow colder. She knew this creature. She had seen others like it during her years in the Haus. Wardens, they were called—beings twisted by the house to serve as its enforcers. This one, however, seemed incomplete, as though it had been hastily assembled.

"It's testing us," she muttered.

Renault shot her a look. "Testing us for what?"

"To see if we're worth keeping," Edric said, his voice calm. He stepped forward, his coat swirling around his legs like smoke. "This one won't waste time."

The Warden lunged, its elongated arm sweeping through the air with bone-snapping force. Renault barely ducked in time, the wind from the blow whistling past his ear.

Mara moved without hesitation. She drew her dagger and darted behind the creature, her movements honed by years of survival. The blade sank into the Warden's back, but instead of blood, a thick black ichor oozed from the wound. The creature shrieked, a sound that rattled the very walls.

"That won't be enough," Edric called, his voice almost amused. "You'll need to aim for its core."

Renault rolled his eyes, sidestepping another swing from the Warden. "A little more detail would help!"

Edric pointed to the creature's chest, where a faint glow pulsed beneath its translucent skin. "The heart. Destroy that, and it'll fall."

Renault gritted his teeth. Easier said than done. The Warden was fast, its movements erratic and unpredictable. But it had a pattern, he realized—a slight pause after every attack. Timing his movement, Renault darted in, slashing at the creature's chest. His sword bit deep, and the glow flickered.

The Warden howled, reeling back, but its retaliation was swift. Its clawed hand caught Renault across the shoulder, sending him sprawling to the ground. Blood seeped through his tunic as pain lanced through his body.

Mara took the opening. With a cry, she drove her dagger into the exposed core. The Warden froze, its limbs convulsing as cracks of light spread across its body. Then, with a deafening explosion, it collapsed into ash.

---

The hall fell silent, save for Renault's ragged breathing. Mara sheathed her dagger and turned to Edric, her expression cold.

"Care to explain why the Haus is throwing Wardens at us already?"

Edric shrugged, unbothered. "It's been restless. You know how it is."

"No," Mara snapped. "I don't. I left this place, and I've spent every moment since trying to forget it."

Renault staggered to his feet, pressing a hand to his wounded shoulder. "What is this place?" he demanded, glaring at them both. "Why am I here? Why does it know me?"

Mara hesitated. She didn't know who he was, but the sigil on his arm told her the truth—he had been marked, just like her.

Edric smiled faintly. "You're here because the Haus called you. It always calls those it needs. You're one of its chosen now."

Renault's jaw tightened. "I didn't choose this."

"No one does," Mara said quietly.

The ground beneath their feet trembled, and the chandelier above flickered ominously.

Edric's smile faded. "It seems we've overstayed our welcome in this room. The Haus doesn't like it when guests linger."

Renault stared at him. "Where are we supposed to go?"

Edric gestured toward a set of doors that had appeared on the far wall, their frames etched with the same sigil that marked their skin. "Forward. Always forward."

Mara's stomach twisted. She had walked these halls before, following doors that appeared where there had been none. They always led deeper into the Haus—and closer to its heart.

Renault hesitated, glancing at Mara. "Do we trust him?"

"No," she said without hesitation. "But we don't have a choice."

Together, they stepped through the doors, the darkness beyond swallowing them whole.

And the Black Haus watched, pleased with its new players.