Rogue agents 1: The prima ballerina

The chateu

*Ryan*

As the car rolls to a halt in front of the rustic French chateau I have guided us to, the sun has begun to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in warm hues of orange and pink. The sprawling vineyards stretch out like a patchwork quilt. This place, with its weathered stone façade and ivy-clad walls, feels like a sanctuary, mostly because there are no other houses for miles.

I glance over at Karolina, who has finally succumbed to a deeper sleep. Her lashes flutter against her cheeks, and for a moment, I’m struck by how young and weirdly peaceful she looks. An unfamiliar instinct to protect her swells within me, but I shove it down. She’s not my responsibility; I remind myself. She is the daughter of a man who would stop at nothing to secure his power and we can’t fully trust her.

“Let’s move,” I say, my voice low to avoid waking her as we slip out of the car. The last thing I want is for her to stir and start making trouble.

Sebastian nods, his eyes scanning the surroundings as he steps out of the car. “Do you have a key? I am assuming the place is locked.”

“Under the flower pot by the door,” I reply with a nod of my head. I lean back in the car door, sliding my arms under Karolina and lifting her out, cradling her to my chest.

As I start to walk, I feel the weight of Karolina’s body shift slightly, and I instinctively pull her closer. I know I shouldn’t feel this way… she’s a pawn in a game that is larger than any of us. But still, I can’t help but feel a connection to her, a thread of something that runs deeper than just our circumstances.

Sebastian finds the key and approaches the door. With a click, it swings open, revealing the dimly lit interior, filled with the scent of aged wood and a hint of something sweet from the wine cellar below.

“What’s this place, Ryan?” Holly asks, her voice laced with skepticism as she takes in the surroundings. “Are you sure it is safe?”

“Just a small place I bought for when I need to disappear,” I say, trying to keep my tone light, but the weight of the truth behind it hangs in the air. I never expected to bring anyone else here. This place is a retreat from the chaos, a hidden corner of the world I thought I would keep to myself.

“Great, just what we need,” Sebastian mutters, glancing back at me with a raised brow. “A trip down memory lane.”

Ignoring him, I take a deep breath, focusing on Karolina. The way she fits against me, the way her warmth seeps into my skin, is both a comfort and a dilemma. I can’t let my guard down, not now.

Once inside, I look at the others, “Make yourself at home, I will find a bed for her.”

I carry Karolina up the creaking wooden staircase, each step echoing in the quiet of the chateau. I find solace in the familiarity of this place. I gently lay her down on the bed, her delicate features softened by the dim light filtering through the shutters.

As I move to open the shutters, wanting to ensure there’s nothing she could use to escape if she wakes, I glance out over the sprawling fields. The vineyards stretch out like an endless sea of green, and I can’t help but feel a sense of peace wash over me. This is a refuge, a place where I can breathe and think. But as the thoughts of the chaotic world outside begin to fade, my mind drifts back to Karolina.

I remember how she felt cradled in my arms, the warmth of her body against mine. The kiss we shared in the theater lingers in my thoughts like a ghost, an unwelcome reminder of the spark I feel when near her… a spark I know I shouldn’t entertain. But it would be nice to escape the madness, just for a moment, to be here with her in the quiet of the chateau.

Suddenly, a sound breaks through my reverie. It’s a soft rustle, barely perceptible, but it sets my instincts on high alert. I turn just bursts as a screech tips through the air, and before I can react, Karolina comes flying, slamming into my chest.

The force of her body colliding with mine sends us me tumbling backward, through the open window. The world tilts, and I feel the rush of air around me.

*Karolina*

My heart races as I watch Ryan tumble out the window, the shock of what I just did coursing through me. I can’t believe I actually pushed him. The moment felt like instinct, driven by a primal need to escape.

What have I done?

I shake my head, trying to clear the fog of confusion, I can’t believe I fell asleep. He was right there, in the bedroom with me, and I felt trapped… like a bird in a cage. I had feared what he planned to do. He might be charming, but he’s dangerous. I need to remind myself of that.

I take a breath, the reality of the situation crashing down on me. I have to get out of here before anyone realizes. I can’t trust any of them, not after everything.

I quickly scan the room, my eyes darting to the door. I need to move. With every second I linger, the risk increases. I dash toward the door, my pulse thundering in my ears. As I swing it open, I look out, there is no one in the hallway.

I rush down the staircase, each step echoing in the silence of the chateau. I can’t think about where I’m going; I just know I need to be away from here, away from these people and whatever plans they have for me.

The front door looms ahead, and I can almost taste freedom. But just as I reach for the handle, I hear Sebastian’s voice from behind me.

“Karolina!”

I freeze for a moment, panic rising in my chest. I don’t trust him either, not any longer. I push the door open and step out into the cool night, my feet moving before my mind can catch up. I need to find a way out of this nightmare.

But as I run around the corner strong arms close around me, and I am pulled against a hard, wide chest, “No so fast.”