---
Just when I thought things couldn't get worse, the doors swung open — and in walked my aunt.
She wore a friendly smile, but I knew what really hid behind her thoughts.
"Oh darling, I'm glad you're back. The house felt so lonely when you left," she said sweetly.
"Where is my uncle?" I asked, trying to contain my anger.
"He left. You know how busy he is, and how he pushed aside important work just to find you. You really are trouble," she said, absentmindedly playing with her nails.
I stood up, wanting nothing more than to leave this place.
"Where do you think you're going?"
"I'm going far from you. I'm sure you don't want me here, so I'll spare you the trouble and leave first," I said, pulling the door knob.
But before I could open it, an electric blast threw me across the room.
"That's new," I thought, stunned. "Oh no, this can't be happening!"
"Hahaha! Looks like staying away from home taught you a lot of bad habits. Don't worry, it's not too late to correct them. Besides, you still have pending punishment for running away," she said, walking towards me.
Each step felt like a ticking clock, making me painfully aware of the danger I was in.
"I miss Eve already!" I thought desperately.
My aunt brought out a black choker and hooked it around my neck.
It was so tight I could hardly breathe.
When I lifted my arms to remove it, a sharp, searing pain shot through my entire body — like I was being electrocuted from the inside, my organs burning alive.
It was hard enough to breathe, let alone talk.
I could only look up at my aunt — and in her eyes, I saw the vicious resentment she had kept hidden for so long.
"Am I really doomed?" I asked myself.
She snapped her fingers. The doors creaked open.
Outside was nothing but the waiting darkness.
Without mercy, she pushed me out.
The doors slammed shut behind me.
---
Hedron — Azreal's P.O.V
"Master, you called?"
Thomas's voice brought me out of my thoughts.
In the dimly lit room, I looked up and saw his figure standing not far from where I sat slumped.
"Go bring Erica back," I ordered.
"Yes, Master." He bowed and left, leaving me once again in silence.
I had a dream — no, a nightmare.
They tormented her, and I could do nothing to stop it.
Every cut she suffered pierced my heart.
I hadn't slept again since seeing that.
I couldn't lose her. Not again.
"Argh... not again," I groaned, clutching my head with both hands.
My body burned as the toxins inside me surged violently.
I struggled to lift myself off the ground and staggered to the door to lock it.
Each step was agony.
I was losing myself.
I could feel my sanity slipping away.
And just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, the pain intensified.
I collapsed to the ground, groaning as I felt my body start to shift — changing in ways I couldn't control.
"No!" I screamed as darkness swallowed me.
---
In a dimly lit room, a man sat behind a large desk, staring off into the distance.
His sharp gaze cut through the shadows, though his face was hard to make out.
The door pushed open and a heavily dressed man walked through, his face hidden except for his eagle-like eyes, giving him an air of mystery.
"It's good you're here. I thought you wouldn't come," the man behind the desk said.
"I'm here, ain't I?"
"What about the girl?" the man asked sharply.
"She's at the arranged place. Don't worry — she won't be able to struggle much. I made sure her aunt keeps her... busy," the masked man replied.
"Good. My friend, you've made our mission much easier. Tell me — what should we do to repay our gratitude?"
"No need. As long as she doesn't come back, that'll be enough gratitude for me."
"I see... you want to get rid of us so easily?"
There was a mischievous glimmer in the man's eyes.
"What do you think?"
"Hmmm... it's not so easy. But if you successfully hand over the girl to us, we won't bother you again."
"Deal."
"Deal! Hahaha!"
Their laughter echoed through the shadows.
---
That Morning — Azreal's Kingdom
Eve's P.O.V
I was on my way out.
I hadn't slept well at all last night.
I missed my friend deeply... but walking around Zoar freely would not be easy anymore.
I intended to find Lucca for help.
"My lady! My lady!"
A guard called out to me urgently.
I stopped, noticing the troubled look on his face.
"My lady, the Master lost control last night," he said.
The moment I heard that, I felt a wave of dread.
Azreal never lost control easily.
This was serious.
I hurriedly followed them to Azreal's room.
The moment I stepped inside, I was met with chaos — broken shards of glass littered the floor, the curtains and sheets were ripped apart.
And there he lay — naked in the center of the destruction, unconscious.
I rushed over and grabbed a quilt to cover him.
With the help of the guards, we gently lifted him onto the bed.
After dismissing them, I checked him carefully.
His body was burning hot — unnaturally so.
I checked his eyes, still burning an intense, dangerous red.
He needs time to calm down, I thought, stepping quietly out of the room.
---
Zoar — Christopher's P.O.V
I stood by the window, admiring the beauty of the sunrise.
Lost in my thoughts, I almost missed the knock at the door.
"Come in," I said, not turning from the window.
A man entered, panting heavily.
"Superior, the old mansion was attacked last night — and Miss Erica is nowhere to be found."
"What?!"
I spun around, unable to stay calm.
This couldn't be happening.
Not now.
This was very, very bad.
---