Beneath the Shadow of Sin – Chapter 10: The Brother’s Burden – by Aarav Anthem

Beneath the Shadow of Sin – Chapter 10: The Brother’s Burden – by Aarav Anthem

Ethan sat on his bed, staring at the sketchbook in his lap, its pages blank. His hands shook too much to draw, his mind a tangle of Sarah’s betrayal, the warehouse’s cold brutality, and the curse’s relentless pull. The house was quiet, a rare reprieve with Marcus out on a job and Sarah still withdrawn, her presence a ghost since their confrontation. But the silence was shattered when the door burst open, and Liam stood there, his sixteen-year-old face flushed with anger and confusion.

“I saw you,” Liam said, his voice trembling. “Last night, in the living room. With Dad.” His blue eyes, so like Sarah’s, burned with accusation, but beneath it, Ethan saw something else—curiosity, maybe even envy. Liam was the golden child, the athlete Marcus bragged about, but he’d always been in Ethan’s shadow at home, the younger brother watching from the sidelines.

Ethan’s heart sank, his throat tight. “You weren’t supposed to see that,” he said, his voice barely a whisper. He stood, reaching for Liam, but his brother stepped back, his fists clenched.

“What the hell, Ethan?” Liam snapped. “You and Dad? That’s fucked up. And Mom just… stood there?” His voice cracked, the weight of their family’s fracture hitting him. “What’s going on? Tell me!”

Ethan’s mind raced, searching for a lie, but the truth was too heavy, the curse too real. “It’s… complicated,” he said, hating how weak he sounded. “It’s not what you think, Liam. It’s—”

“It’s exactly what I think,” Liam cut in, his face red. “I’m not stupid. I’ve seen how Dad looks at you, how he’s always touching you. And you let him.” His words were a knife, slicing through Ethan’s defenses. “You’re his favorite now, aren’t you? What about me?”

Before Ethan could respond, the front door slammed, and Marcus’s boots thudded through the house. He appeared in the doorway, his green eyes flicking between his sons, a slow smirk spreading across his face. “Well, shit,” he said, leaning against the frame. “Little man’s got questions.” He stepped into the room, his presence overwhelming, his T-shirt clinging to his broad chest. “You spying on us, Liam?”

Liam’s bravado faltered, his eyes dropping to the floor. “I… I just saw,” he mumbled. “I didn’t mean to.”

Marcus chuckled, clapping a hand on Liam’s shoulder, his grip firm. “No harm done, kid. You’re old enough to know what’s what.” He glanced at Ethan, his smirk sharpening. “Ethan’s been keeping secrets, but you’re family. You get to know, too.”

Ethan’s stomach twisted. “Dad, don’t,” he said, stepping forward. “Leave him out of this. He’s just a kid.”

Marcus’s eyes darkened, his hand tightening on Liam’s shoulder. “He’s sixteen. Same age I was when my dad brought me in. Pact’s for all of us, Ethan.” He pulled Liam closer, his voice low, coaxing. “You want in, don’t you, Liam? Wanna be part of something bigger?”

Liam’s eyes widened, a mix of fear and eagerness. “What’s the pact?” he asked, his voice shaky but curious. Ethan’s heart pounded—he knew that look, the same pull he’d felt, the curse’s seductive whisper.

“Dad, stop,” Ethan pleaded, grabbing Marcus’s arm, but Marcus shoved him back, hard enough to make him stumble. “Stay out of it, Ethan,” Marcus growled. “He’s my son, too.” He turned to Liam, his hand sliding to the back of his neck, a possessive gesture Ethan knew too well. “Come on, kid. Let’s show you.”

Marcus guided Liam to the bed, pushing him to sit beside Ethan. “Watch and learn,” he said, unbuckling his belt, the sound sharp in the quiet room. Ethan’s breath caught, his body frozen as Marcus shed his jeans, his cock already hardening. Liam’s eyes widened, his face pale but curious, and Ethan wanted to scream, to drag his brother away, but his body wouldn’t move, the curse’s weight pinning him in place.

“Ethan, show him,” Marcus said, his voice a command. He stepped close, his cock brushing Ethan’s lips, and Ethan’s mouth opened instinctively, taking him in. The taste was familiar, musky and warm, and Marcus groaned, his hand gripping Ethan’s hair. Liam watched, his breath ragged, his hands clenched in his lap.

“See, Liam?” Marcus said, his voice rough with lust. “This is what family does. We take care of each other.” He pulled out of Ethan’s mouth, turning to Liam, who flinched but didn’t move. Marcus’s hand cupped Liam’s chin, lifting his face. “Your turn, kid.”

Liam hesitated, his eyes darting to Ethan, but Marcus’s grip was firm, guiding him forward. “Just try it,” Marcus murmured, his cock brushing Liam’s lips. Ethan’s heart broke as Liam’s mouth opened, tentative at first, then deeper as Marcus groaned, his hand gentle but commanding. Ethan wanted to stop it, to protect Liam, but the curse’s pull was too strong, his own cock hardening in his jeans.

Marcus’s eyes met Ethan’s, a challenge in his gaze. “Join in, Ethan,” he said, his voice low. “Show your brother how it’s done.” Ethan’s body moved before his mind could resist, kneeling beside Liam, their shoulders brushing. He took Marcus’s cock, sharing it with Liam, their lips meeting around the thick shaft, the act intimate, twisted, a bond forged in the curse’s fire.

Marcus groaned, his hands guiding both sons, his thrusts slow and deliberate. “Fuck, that’s it,” he said, his voice thick. “My boys

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