The party was still going strong, the guests laughing, drinking, and enjoying themselves. Raphael smiled as he clinked glasses with a group of businessmen, but inside, he felt uneasy. Something wasn’t right.
He hadn’t seen Damian all night, and even though he had reassured the guests, a nagging feeling told him to check on his brother.
Excusing himself from the group, Raphael made his way through the crowded hall. His sharp eyes scanned the room, making sure no one was paying too much attention as he slipped out into the quiet hallway.
“Damian,” he called softly, his voice echoing slightly against the tall ceilings.
The silence felt heavy, and Raphael’s steps quickened as he headed toward Damian’s room. His brother’s absence was unusual, and Raphael knew Damian wouldn’t just leave him in charge unless something was wrong.
“Damian!” Raphael called again, louder this time. His voice carried an edge of worry.
When he reached the door to Damian’s room, he hesitated for a moment. He knocked lightly, then pressed his ear to the door, listening for any sign of movement.
Nothing.
“Damian, are you in there?” Raphael asked, knocking harder. Still no answer.
Frowning, Raphael pushed the door open and stepped inside. The room was dimly lit, the bedside lamp casting a soft glow, but it didn’t take long for Raphael to spot Damian on the floor.
“Damian!” Raphael exclaimed, rushing to his brother’s side.
Damian was lying on his back, his shirt open and soaked with sweat. His face was pale, his body trembling as if he were freezing, even though the room wasn’t cold.
“Damian, what happened?” Raphael asked, his voice filled with alarm. He dropped to his knees, shaking Damian gently.
Damian’s eyes fluttered open, but they were unfocused. He tried to speak, but his words were slurred and barely audible. “Raphael…”
“Hey, hey, I’m here,” Raphael said quickly. “What’s wrong? What’s going on?”
Damian’s hand weakly grabbed at Raphael’s arm. “Something… not right,” he muttered.
Raphael frowned, his heart pounding in his chest. “What do you mean? Did you eat something bad? Drink too much?”
Damian shook his head slightly, his breathing heavy. “The wine…”
Raphael’s eyes widened as the realization hit him. “The wine?” he repeated. “You think someone-” He stopped himself, not wanting to say the words aloud.
“Who brought it to you?” Raphael demanded, his voice firm but laced with worry. “Damian, think! Who gave you the wine?”
Damian’s fingers dug into Raphael’s sleeve, his grip weak but urgent. “Maid,” he whispered.
“A maid?” Raphael’s jaw tightened. “Which one? What did she look like?”
Damian groaned, his head lolling to the side. “Lina…” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
Raphael’s blood ran cold. “Lina?” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “What did she do?”
Damian didn’t respond, his body trembling harder. Raphael shook him gently again, panic rising in his chest.
“Stay with me, Damian!” Raphael said urgently. “I’m going to figure this out, but you have to stay with me. Do you hear me?”
Damian’s lips moved, but no sound came out. His eyes slid closed, and Raphael felt his stomach drop.
“Damn it, Damian!” Raphael growled, his hands gripping his brother’s shoulders. “Don’t you dare pass out on me!”
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Raphael stood up and looked around the room. His mind raced as he tried to piece together what had happened.
“Someone poisoned him, what is this about??,” Raphael thought, his jaw tightening. “But why? And how did Lina fit into this?”
Raphael knelt beside him again, placing a hand on his forehead.
“You’re burning up,” Raphael murmured, his worry deepening. “I need to get you some help.”
But calling a doctor would raise too many questions. The last thing Raphael wanted was for the guests-or worse, the press-to find out that Damian Wolfe, one of the most powerful men in the city, had been poisoned at his own party.
“I’ll handle this,” Raphael muttered, determination flashing in his eyes.
He pulled Damian up, slinging one of his brother’s arms over his shoulder. “Come on,” Raphael said, his voice strained as he struggled to lift Damian’s weight. “I’m not leaving you here like this.”
Damian groaned softly, his head lolling against Raphael’s shoulder. “Raphael…”
“Save your energy,” Raphael said firmly. “You’re going to be fine. I promise.”
With great effort, Raphael managed to get Damian onto the bed. He propped him up against the pillows, making sure he was comfortable before stepping back to catch his breath.
“Okay,” Raphael said, more to himself than Damian. “Step one: keep you alive. Step two: find out who did this.”
Damian stirred slightly, his eyes half-opening. “Raphael…”
“I’m here,” Raphael said quickly, leaning closer.
“Don’t… trust her,” Damian whispered, his voice faint but filled with warning.
“Lina?” Raphael asked, his expression darkening. “What did she do, Damian? Tell me.”
But Damian’s eyes closed again, his head falling to the side as exhaustion overtook him.
Raphael stood there for a moment, his hands clenched into fists. “Lina,” he muttered, his voice low and furious. “If you had anything to do with this, I swear, you’ll pay for it.”
He turned back to Damian, his anger briefly replaced by concern. “I’m going to fix this, brother,” Raphael said quietly. “You just hang on.”
With one last glance at Damian, Raphael walked out of the room, his mind already working on his next move.