After the battle, everyone was exhausted.
Bella approached Caden, hoping for a moment together—but he noticed Aletha grimacing as she tried to bandage a deep cut on her arm.
"Wait, Aletha, I'll help you," he said, immediately going to her.
Bella froze.
No one noticed when she quietly walked away—except Frost, who followed in silence.
Behind a large rock, Bella collapsed. Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
Frost appeared beside her.
"Bella…"
She turned, eyes filled with tears, her voice breaking:
"He doesn't love me, does he?! It was obvious from the beginning, but I refused to believe it! I held on to his words, his 'I love you'… but now it's clear… Why? Why doesn't he love me? Why?!"
The air around them began to swirl violently. Bella's emerald-green eyes slowly darkened into an abyssal black.
Frost immediately understood the danger. He stepped forward and pulled her into a firm embrace. In a soft, melodic voice, he began humming an ancient lullaby, gently running his hand through her hair.
Strangely, the song felt familiar to Bella.
A wave of images flooded her mind: she saw herself as a little girl—around five years old—sitting on the lap of a gentle woman stroking her hair. Beside her, an older boy—around eight, his face blurred—was nestled against the same woman. She rocked them both while singing that exact same melody.
Bella instinctively relaxed in Frost's arms, feeling protected like never before.
But the darkness resisted.
A harsh, venomous voice echoed in her mind:
"Don't listen to him… He's lying. They're all lying. Caden used you. He's rejecting you for her. Let me in completely… I'll give you the power to take revenge."
Bella whimpered, trembling. Frost tightened his hold and spoke calmly but urgently:
"Bella, I know you're hurting. But this isn't your fault—nor his. Don't let this darkness corrupt you. Fight it! You're stronger than this!"
The voice screamed louder:
"He's lying! Look how he went to her immediately! Kill them all!"
Bella cried out as the air around them became chaotic. Black tendrils emerged from her chest, forming a hateful spectral shape trying to cling to her.
Frost kept speaking, repeating soothing words, reminding her of their bond, their mission, her worth.
After an intense, agonizing struggle, Bella let out a liberating scream. The dark spirit was expelled from her body with a shrill wail before dissipating.
Bella staggered. Frost caught her and helped her stand gently.
"How… how was I possessed?" she whispered weakly. "And how did you know?"
Frost gave a sad smile.
"I told you about my family's innate abilities—telepathy, telekinesis…"
Bella frowned.
"But that also lets you detect demons and possession?"
"If they're close… yes."
"I still don't understand how I got possessed. The only time I had close contact with Aletha was after she was freed… I mean, bathing together to save water—that's normal between girls."
Frost narrowed his eyes.
"You never touched before that?"
Bella let out a bitter, ironic laugh.
"Oh, we did… When Aletha was still possessed, at the beginning we were friendly. Before the darkness really changed her… But if that's it, then everyone should be possessed! We were all close back then."
"You have a point. However, Aletha isn't possessed anymore. Nor is Zetch. For possession, the contact needs to be… more intimate."
Bella paled.
"What?!"
"Relax—it's not what you think. But… how was Aletha freed?"
Bella thought for a moment.
"I don't know. When the darkness fully took over her, she attacked us—especially Caden, I don't know why. The fight caused a landslide that separated them from us. When we reached them… she had regained her senses… in Caden's arms."
Frost fell into deep thought. Bella noticed.
"Frost… what are you thinking?"
"I might have an idea of what happened…"
Far away, in his lair, Nox watched the scene through his magical mirror. When the darkness left Bella, he slammed his fist into the glass so hard that a crack appeared.
"Cursed! Curse them all! Especially you, Frost!" he snarled, veins bulging.