The Traps of Black Swan

The manager was still oblivious when Aaron shut the lid back. He was a doctor, he knows how the pool of blood smells when it starts to dry out.

His arms wrapped tighter around Aarvi feeling her stiffen, staring at the box. He was aware her senses are very sensitive and she knew why he shut the box.

Aarvi felt another strong presence behind her close-up, that woke her up from the images of her past. Major Louis also identified the smell of blood, since he was a step away it took a second for him to react.

The manager was confused and a hint of fear flickered in his eyes looking at the three who clenched their teeth. He felt the temperature around drop to icy cold, making his jaw freeze. 

They didn't open the gift box so he couldn't understand what offended him. When Aarvi lifted her gaze from the box to him, he was taken aback. It took a lot of effort to avoid falling on his knees. She looked so calm that she made it hard for him to breathe. His black orbs felt like an endless well that was pulling him to the dark hell.

Did Maise really dare to play Aarvi?

Each of her nerves burned, while she felt nauseous. Aarvi wanted to breathe but the stench of blood was still lingering in her senses.

Not just Aaron, Major Louis was also with Aarvi when they had found her in the warehouse. When he sensed her casualness turn darker, he turned to his son Gavriel. The latter was hearing his chatter when he met his father's brooding gaze.

Gavriel was quick to excuse his sister and went to them. Zain sensed the odd movements and noticed his sister's bone-chilling calmness, he apologized to Connor and went towards them. Ziva and Connor looked at each other and stayed calm despite noticing Zain's change in expression.

Aaron's eyes scanned the hall before halting at Roach, his bodyguard. The latter left the wine glass that he was holding to pretend he was one among the guests. He strode towards them as swiftly as possible avoiding the attention.

Everything was happening so quickly that it was hard not to notice it. Alex, who sensed the abnormality, alerted the Shadow team if in case Aarvi has some orders.

Gavriel held the gift box and walked towards the door without exchanging any words. Roach commanded in a low voice to the clueless manager. 

Aaron, Aarvi, and Major Louis followed them out while Zain caught up with them, understanding there was something wrong with the gift.

At the corner of the banquet, Leon stabbed the fork on the steak that was on his plate. He took a bite, chewing it slowly. Then he took a sip of red wine with an expression that said he was enjoying its taste.

Leon didn't like the alertness of the two men and he could guess Aarvi sniffed the blood as soon as she paled. He liked the strong woman Ava Kelly had become. If there was somebody else, they would have screamed and cried with the commotion erupting in the banquet hall.

Well, he couldn't disrupt the banquet hall, but he was sure he would leave fear in Aarvi. He felt his gift was worth it even if it didn't get the result he wanted.

Aarvi saw the Shadow team four members appear when they exited the banquet hall. Her voice held no emotion when she ordered, "Fifteen minutes, I want the information about the parcel."

Aarvi's team, who were having dinner while keeping their side mute, heard Aarvi. They were also alerted as soon they heard information and the parcel. Without asking what was going on, they quickly divided the work and started the check.

The Shadow team members bowed to her and left to find clues when Alex reached them.

Zain stayed silent without asking what was in the box. He was sure they wouldn't react so strongly just because it was an unknown box even if it doesn't have a sender.

Aarvi passed the paper slip to Zain without pausing in her steps. Maisie wasn't scheming, she would attack directly instead of doing these kinds of cheap moves. Maisie wasn't smart enough for these kinds of things so Aarvi was sure it wasn't from Maisie. 

Aarvi didn't doubt Shane either. Shane liked power, he would be smart enough to know that attacking her meant losing everything. Aarvi could easily bring them on the road hence they were never her opponents but tiny toys she could play with anytime.

So who could send her this to Kelly villa address?

'Him?' Aarvi's eyes sharpened remembering the man she had yet to attack. Before she could assume it, Zain uttered gravely, "Impossible. I have locked them in the maid's room." He revealed carelessly.

Aarvi paused hearing him. Zain half shrugged his shoulders when he met Aarvi's inarticulate gaze. "I always wanted to do that anyway." He went ahead with Major Louis while Aarvi breathed a low sigh.

Aaron glanced at her, cooling down slightly. "Leon." He didn't question. He was certain. Aarvi hummed as she slid her cold right fingers to warm palm, hooking her left hand around his right arm.

They walked away from the lobby to the balcony. Aarvi recalled her past interaction with Leon from the time she married Aaron, "I- I think I know what is in the box." 

A hint of uncertainty in her voice didn't miss Aaron's ears. He glanced at her when they stepped out to the balcony and heard her say, "A cat."

She hadn't even ended, Gavriel who had checked the box, uttered in ease, "A black cat!?" The orthodox people believed the black cat to be a symbol of bad luck but he couldn't understand the reason behind it for sending Aarvi as people don't really have that belief, nowadays.

Aarvi who turned down towards the pink box after saying 'A cat.' gasped, involuntarily taking a step away. Zain threw the lid on the box to close it, while Aaron held her close to let her stabilize her breathing and compose herself.

Leon had heard her Laze meows when she was getting ready the previous day. She had randomly guessed it as a cat sent by Leon. she couldn't believe Leon was such a sick bastard to hurt an innocent animal just to scare her. 

A cat was brutally slit around its neck and left in the box that had a plastic open box inside. The blood that seeped out made it look more horrible and heart-wrenching. 

Aarvi felt hard to tell her tears when Aaron's hand continued to gently caress her back to soothe her. 

Aaron clenched his teeth to hold his patience. How he wished to replace the cat with Leon. Sensing Aarvi finding it hard to breathe due to air around them had mixed with the smell of blood. He cued Alex to take the box away to let her breathe some fresh air. 

Gritting his teeth, Zain looked away to avoid asking why Aarvi was so adamant about her plans. If he wasn't bound to Aarvi's words, he would have ignored his job and identity and crushed Leon in the banquet hall. 

Aaron was no different, he was holding back only for her, respecting her opinion and choice. He hadn't expected his patience to be running out so quickly.

Tolerating a psychopath was harder than they had considered it to be.