**Chapter 3: Shadows of Deception**

The darkness seemed to have a life of its own, twisting and turning like a living entity as it consumed the castle walls. Amalia stood tall, her heart racing with anticipation as she gazed out into the night. She had been expecting this, had been preparing for it in secret. Her father's words echoed in her mind, "Be prepared, Amalia. The attack will come, and you must be ready." Elias, Amalia's father, stood in the grand hall, his eyes fixed on the flames that engulfed the castle. He knew that Lucien's plan was to capture Amalia and use her as leverage against him. The thought sent a shiver down his spine, but he was determined to protect his daughter at all costs. As he watched, Amalia made her way through the hidden passages, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew that she had to be careful, that Lucien's men would stop at nothing to capture her. But she was not one to be intimidated. She had been trained in the art of combat, and she was determined to use her skills to take down her enemies. James watched from a distance, his eyes fixed on the castle walls as they erupted into flames. He knew that Amalia was inside, and he couldn't help but wonder if she was safe. The thought sent a pang of guilt through his chest, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand. Amalia moved swiftly, her movements silent as she hid knives in strategic places. She tucked one into her boot, another into her hair, and a third into her necklace. She was ready for whatever came next. Lucien, meanwhile, was watching from a distance, his eyes fixed on the castle walls as they burned. He was determined to capture Amalia, to use her as leverage against Elias. But as he watched, he felt a growing sense of unease. Something wasn't quite right. Amalia, sensing danger, moved swiftly through the corridors, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew that she had to be careful, that one wrong move could mean capture or worse. But she was not one to be intimidated. She had been trained in the art of combat, and she was determined to use her skills to take down her enemies. As the night wore on, Lucien's plan began to unfold. His men poured into the castle, setting fire to everything in their path. But Amalia was not one to be caught off guard. She had been expecting this, had been preparing for it in secret. Elias, meanwhile, was being held by two guards, his eyes fixed on Amalia as she fought to defend herself. He screamed and shouted, but his voice was drowned out by the sound of flames and screams. Amalia's eyes met his, and for a moment, Elias felt a sense of despair wash over him. Lucien's eyes narrowed as he watched Amalia, his heart filled with a growing sense of hatred. He had always hated Elias, but now he felt a growing sense of contempt for the man who had stood in his way for so long. As Amalia fought to defend herself, Lucien made his move. He strode through the corridors, his eyes fixed on the girl who had captured his attention. She was fierce, determined, and beautiful, but he was determined to use her as leverage against her father. The sound of screams and shouting filled the air as Amalia fought to defend herself. But Lucien was relentless, his men closing in on her from all sides. Elias watched in horror as Amalia was surrounded, her eyes flashing with defiance as she fought to defend herself. And then, in a moment that seemed to freeze time, Lucien kicked out, his foot connecting with Amalia's stomach. She crumpled to the ground, her eyes flashing with pain as she struggled to breathe. James moved forward, his eyes fixed on Amalia as he watched her being taken down. He felt a pang of guilt, but it was quickly overwhelmed by his desire to see Lucien's plan through to the end. As Amalia lay on the ground, Lucien turned to Elias, a sneer twisting his face. "You have two days to send me the codes," he spat, his eyes cold and hard. "After that, I'll force it out of her." Elias screamed, but his voice was drowned out by the sound of flames and screams. Amalia, meanwhile, was struggling to her feet, her eyes flashing with defiance as she watched Lucien's men close in. With a swift motion, Lucien reached out and sedated Amalia, her body going limp as James caught her in his arms. Elias watched in horror, powerless to stop the events that were unfolding before him. As Lucien turned to leave, he caught Elias's eye, and for a moment, they locked gazes. Elias knew that he had lost, that Amalia was now in Lucien's hands. And he knew that he would stop at nothing to use her as leverage against him. The darkness seemed to swallow everything in its path, and Elias knew that he was in for the fight of his life. But he was determined to protect his daughter, no matter what the cost.