It was dark, and yet Kaeri was still at the estate library, occupying her mind with as much literature as she could.
These days, the only way she could forget about everything around her was her endless studying.
Only when she was neck deep in a novel could she truly relax.
After completing the third book she had read today, Kaeri stretched her arms, hearing a low popping sound as she did.
She then rose to her feet and walked up to the window, taking in the scenery from the third floor.
It was beautiful… from here she could see the city in all its splendour, but the Estate was beautiful enough to keep her occupied.
Multiple beautiful flowers in bloom, artistically crafted statues made of marble, and a gentle serene feel.
It was beautiful.
Her beautiful cage.
Creak.
A middle-aged woman walked into the library and glanced at Kaeri. She was in formal maid attire and had her hair tied up in a tight bun.
From the way she looked at Kaeri, she could already tell what she was going to say.
"I'll be with him soon."
While the maid waited for him outside, Kaeri cleared the table, putting the book back in place before exiting the room.
The maid led her to the back of the estate, where there was a carriage waiting for her.
She opened the door and bowed slightly before she stepped inside and sat beside Lord Darell.
Kaeri felt her heart begin to race and she held her hands to stop them from shaking.
Apart from the rider, she was the only one in the carriage with Darell…
'He takes only me out whenever he has any of his shady dealings.'
What way was his agenda today?
The journey was long and tense, with Kaeri wondering what danger she was walking into throughout the time.
Although she now knew some parts of the city due to their many excursions, Kaeri had no idea where they were going.
They went past the populated parts of town and kept going until they left the city altogether, only stopping when they arrived at a thick forest.
Kaeri gulped and her heart felt cold from fear.
Darell stepped out of the carriage but Kaeri did not follow. She glanced at him, her eyes pleading, but Darell barely spared her a glance.
"Come."
An electric sting surged through her neck, her slave mark pulsing with energy.
Kaeri tried to resist it, but her body betrayed her. She stood up without any control over her actions and began walking beside him.
They arrived at a beautiful river shortly after, one that seemed to flow out of a cave opening.
Darell folded his trousers and stepped into the cold water. A second later, Kaeri entered as well.
The cave was dimly lit at the entrance, but the deeper they got, the brighter it became, up until she could see well enough.
They continued deeper, walking for about a minute before they took a turn—then both Darell and Kaeri froze.
"?!"
Kaeri felt her breath hitch and she took a step back, her heart pounding so loud that she could hear it.
Even Darell, who was always stoic around her, seemed shaken by what they saw….
Lying on the cave floor was a man surrounded by a pool of his own blood.
And standing above him was another man with a blood stained sack on his head and an ominous aura about him.
In his hands was a black dagger dripping blood.
The man turned to them and when his eyes landed on Darell, the room seemed to shift.
A bloodlust so thick that it felt choking enveloped the cave, swirling around Kaeri like a mist.
All the man did was stare and yet it seemed her world had ended.
All she wanted to do was run, but her feet felt numb, her eyes wide as she watched him.
Darell sprinted away not even a second later, but not before giving a command that caused her hand to sink.
"Defend me with your life!"
Unwillingly, and with shaky hands, Kaeri put her hand into her pocket and pulled out a wand.
Like a marionette, her lips parted and she began to mutter words she would rather not have said.
"Oh crimson embers, burst forth in all your majesty. Bring desolation upon all those who would oppose me, back let them in layers of unending fire."
"Advanced fire cast, Crimson Pillars!"
The air simmered with sweltering heat, Kaeri's hair billowing in the ensuing wind.
Vwhoosh!
Three gigantic pillars of fire burst into life and raced towards the man, violently swirling like a fiery tornado.
The strange man's muscles tensed and then he darted to the side, using the wall as footing to leap into the sky, right above the pillars of fire.
Kaeri jumped backwards, her lips already moving and her hands tracing patterns in the air.
"Scatter all those who you deem unworthy, obliterate them who march forward with folly."
Her voice was elevated as she screamed in desperation, her slave mark burning a bright red colour.
"Fire Brigade!"
Balls of fire emerged from her wand and lunged forward, brightening up the cave as it charged at the man.
The man bent backwards to dodge the first strike, then he slashed the second fire with his dagger, letting out a groan as the fire consumed his hand, yet he did not stop.
He did not falter…
He jumped over the last ball of fire and then lunged forward, his dagger gleaming in the bright glow of the room.
All Kaeri wanted to do was curl up underneath a warm blanket, her nose buried in her favourite book….
And yet, like a well seasoned warrior, she took a stance and began casting another spell, this one more calamitous than the last.
With the man a few seconds away from reaching her, Kaeri's lips raced like thunder, weaving the next spell into life.
But inwardly…
'I don't want to die!'