KALANK, ANGOMA Manor
Built at the heart of a forest and flanked by the current of a river, the ANGOMA manor stood proudly across several hectares. Its architecture, both imperial and gothic, lent it a dark and majestic quality, much like the family who resided within its walls: powerful, dangerous, and present for over a century, ruling with an iron hand over the great Northern continent.
Josh and Céline made their entrance into the family manor, welcomed by Nora, the head housekeeper. The residence constantly exuded that cold, unsettling atmosphere, much like the people who lived there. After taking their jackets, Nora offered to guide them to the main sitting room, when a sharp voice rang out through the entrance hall.
Straight-backed and proud, Adriana ANGOMA descended the staircase, dressed in an elegant silver satin gown.
"What a joy to have you here! I've been so looking forward to seeing you again after so long away from you," she said, pulling her son into her arms. "You seem to have lost muscle. You must not be eating much at home. Never mind, your mother is here."
"Stop being such a hypocrite, Mother. Kindness doesn't suit your complexion. It's exhausting."
He freed himself from her embrace, fixing her with an icy stare.
"You wound me, Josh. You seem so changed since you left the family home," she said, her voice laced with implication.
Her olive-green eyes held no warmth, and her thin lips were stretched into a mocking smile. Her fair hair was locked in a severe chignon, and her ivory complexion caught the light of day. A woman of strong character, cunning, and never above a low blow to get what she wanted.
"Good morning, Adriana. How are you ?"
Céline, who had been watching the scene without the slightest reaction, decided to break her mother-in-law's sordid little performance. The woman, who had been deliberately ignoring her presence, finally acknowledged her.
"You're here, Céline ? I hadn't noticed you at all. How terribly inconvenient."
Her smile, as false as the woman herself, no longer surprised the young woman. It simply irritated her, and filled her with contempt.
"Indeed, very inconvenient, but I can't hold it against you. Age has a way of making one lose track of many things."
Josh's grip on her hand tightened in warning. Standing at nearly six feet tall, Adriana shot her a withering look while Céline wore a deeply satisfied smile.
"That's enough, both of you. Where are the others ?"
His mother resumed her falsely jovial smile and fell into step beside him, leading them toward the main sitting room. When they entered the room, draped in shades of off-white and deep purple, every gaze turned toward them. A subtle tension settled in, and Céline already knew the hostilities had begun.
The entire ANGOMA family was present, a first in years, especially since Leonora's death. Hassan and Georgia, twins and the eldest of the family, were high-ranking nomads who only showed their faces in cases of emergency or death. Josh, the enigmatic one whom no one could ever quite read, except for his wife, who was cut from the same cloth. Boris, the reckless one with two faces, living only for his own gain. Sonia, the youngest, always too curious and perpetually one step ahead of everyone, and finally, Adriana, their mother, whose thoughts remained as elusive as ever.
"What is your maid of a wife doing here, Josh? I thought she'd stay home quietly, picking through the leftovers of the servants," Georgia spat with biting sarcasm.
"Maybe she prefers the ones from our manor. Seeing as there are more of them here, her little stomach would be better satisfied," Boris added in the same tone.
Georgia hurled the tray of petit fours to the floor, her mismatched eyes shifting to a deep vermillion.
"Eat."
Céline raised her gaze to Georgia, who wore a triumphant expression, and to Boris, whose smile was nothing short of vicious.
"And why would I take orders from something as worthless as you ? Even skunks smell better. Save your commands for the sewer rats who actually consider you useful. Your power has no effect on me, so I suggest you spare your vocal cords before I rip them out. As for you, you hairless palm tree playing at being a man, watch your neck. Accidents happen so fast."
"Nobody gave you the right to speak, you backwater idiot," Boris thundered, rising from the sofa with fury in his eyes.
"Enough with your bickering !" Sonia snapped, visibly fed up with her brother and sister's behavior.
"Shut it, four-eyes !"
"Boris, watch your mouth !" Adriana thundered, rising to her feet.
"Her presence is always a disaster, no matter where she goes. Get out of here, you filth. Go back to your swamps with the rest of your kind."
Céline rose to her feet, ready to fight, but a dark aura settled over the room. Every eye turned to Josh, who downed his glass of bourbon in one sharp motion. He stood and walked toward his younger brother, his irises bleeding to a deep blood-red.
"Boris. Georgia. Apologize to my wife," he said, his voice calm and absolute.
It was with fury clenched in their fists that they apologized and returned to their seats.
"If either of you dares to insult or humiliate my wife again, you know what to expect. You know what rank you're dealing with, and I will show no mercy," he said in a low, threatening tone, his lethal gaze leaving no room for doubt.
A servant came to clean up Georgia's mess as a piercing silence rang through the room. The doorbell sounded through the manor like a gong in an atomic stillness. Josh returned to his seat on the velvet bench, and Céline immediately nestled against him.
Inspectors Moreno and Fine entered the sitting room, greeting each member of the family. They belonged to the criminal unit of the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, the OSA, and were in charge of investigations involving the great families of the different clans. Among the five great clans that existed in this world, the ANGOMA family was the most feared and respected, which made the case all the more delicate to handle.
They took their seats as Nora brought in cups of tea before quietly leaving the room.
"Dear inspectors, we hope your visit is truly worth having us all gathered here," Hassan said.
Much like his brother Josh, Hassan was a man of imposing build, much admired by women. He rarely spoke, but beneath his air of charismatic composure lay a darkness without equal. Like his twin, his azure-and-emerald eyes unnerved more than a few. The dark curls framing his face only deepened the intensity of his gaze.
Sonia settled beside her mother after making sure no one would overhear the conversation to come. She always wore a warm smile on her soft lips and carried love in her olive gaze, inherited from Adriana. But like every member of her family, a shadow of darkness lurked behind her beautiful, angelic face.
"So, Inspector Moreno, who do you believe killed our sister ?" Georgia asked.