Lucien's POV
"Alright, I'll go—but not now."
Asriel's brow arched. "Why not?"
"It's too soon." I folded my arms, holding his stare. "Jason just died, and Lila only escaped recently. Even if you have people inside, the place will be crawling with guards. We should wait a few days. Tell your spies to make a foolproof passage for me to get into the castle."
He tapped his chin, thoughtful, before a crooked smile broke across his face. A low laugh slipped out. "Fine. That might be wiser."
"So, what's the next phase of the plan after that?" I asked, though the question came sharper than I intended.
"No need to rush, Lucien." His voice carried a silky patience that always grated on me. "Step by step. First, Lila needs treatment, and you need to rest. You were in that cave, caged, for too long. And Lila—she just escaped prison and torture. You both need time. Understood?"
My jaw tightened, but I gave a slight nod.
Asriel turned, his cloak whispering against the floor. "Gordon. Take Lila for treatment. Show Lucien to his quarters."
"Yes, Master Asriel." Gordon bowed.
I followed him up the staircase, boots echoing against the stone until we reached a tall wooden door carved with serpentine patterns. Gordon pushed it open, and I froze.
The chamber glowed in amber firelight. Heavy velvet drapes framed windows etched with faintly glowing runes. A canopy bed of obsidian wood dominated the center, its silver inlays gleaming faintly in the strange blue fire burning in the hearth. Shadows danced across tapestries of demons locked in eternal battle.
A genuine smile touched my lips. "Thank you, Gordon."
He inclined his head and withdrew, leaving me alone. I dropped onto the bed, sinking into its soft weight. For the first time in weeks, I was lying in comfort. Yes, this partnership was proving beneficial after all.
But just as I began to settle, a soft knock rattled the door.
I pushed myself up and crossed the room. Who could it be? I opened the door.
The door creaked open and there he stood — Malvrik. His swollen eyes glared at me, his face bloodied beyond recognition. For a moment, I froze. Asriel had beaten him within an inch of his life, yet here he was, staggering in, hatred burning hotter than his wounds.
He slammed the door shut, shoving me back onto the bed. His body pressed into mine, his arm tightening across my throat until spots danced in my vision.
"Stupid bastard," he growled, voice thick with rage.
I choked out a laugh, even as his weight threatened to crush the air from me. "What's the matter? Was Asriel's first beating not enough?"
For a flicker of a moment, fear cracked his eyes. His grip loosened. That was all I needed. I slammed my knee into his stomach. He groaned, doubling over in pain, and collapsed on his side.
I crouched beside him, watching as he writhed. "Oh, Malvrik… look at you. Bruised, battered. I don't even need magic to kill you right now." I smirked, leaning closer. "Pathetic."
He groaned, then laughed — a rasping, broken sound. His gaze locked on mine, feverish. "You bastard. You ruined me. Took everything. I swear I'll make you pay."
My laughter rang sharper, crueler. "Really? Even healed, you couldn't touch me. And if you dare try, Asriel won't let you live."
For a heartbeat, he faltered. His face paled, but then… a smirk. "He won't do anything to me," he said, voice low, deliberate.
Confusion rippled through me. "Why not?"
"Because I'll prove I'm worth more to him than you. He'll see I'm the one he needs. Not you. Not that bitch you dragged along."
The venom in his voice should have shaken me, but instead, I laughed again. "Oh, Malvrik… you're delusional. Asriel sought me out because he needs me. You? You're disposable."
He rose unsteadily, eyes gleaming with mad conviction. "I'll make you eat those words, Lucien. I'll prove who he truly needs. And when I do… you'll be gone. Or better still dead."
He shoved the door open and stumbled out.
For a moment, I stood in silence, unease gnawing at my gut. "Crazy psycho," I muttered. But as the door clicked shut, a weight settled in my chest. A whisper of dread.
What if he really does something reckless enough to ruin everything?
Clara's POV
I kept my eyes closed for hours, trying to bury the storm of emotions clawing at me. But Ciel's broken face haunted me, his grief gnawing through my resolve. I knew I shouldn't feel anything for him. I knew better. Yet the ache in my chest refused to fade.
He needed someone by his side. And against my better judgment, I rose and rushed down the hall toward his study.
I knocked. No answer. I hesitated — until the faint sound of rustling carried from within. Relief flickered in me, but when I pushed the door open, the sight that met me froze me in place.
A stranger stood in the room.
His long red hair caught the dim light, a scar cutting jagged across one eye. Bruised, battered, dangerous. He rifled through Ciel's papers like a thief, then stilled when he found what he sought.
A smile tugged at his bloodied mouth. "This… this will finally make Asriel recognize me."
My heart dropped. He wasn't supposed to be here. Everything about him screamed danger. "Who are you?" I whispered.
He turned sharply, golden eyes burning into me with surprise — then amusement. "Ah. If it isn't our salvation." His steps echoed as he stalked closer.
Fear tightened my throat. I backed away. Run, my mind screamed.
A sudden wail shattered the air. "Intruder! Intruder in the castle!" Guards shouted, the thunder of boots pounding through the halls.
His face twisted with fury. He shoved me aside and tried to bolt, but guards had already blocked both ends of the corridor. Trapped.
Then his gaze snapped back to me. In an instant, his hand clamped around my arm. I struggled, kicked, bit down hard until blood filled my mouth. He only hissed.
"Don't come any closer or I'll kill her!" he roared at the guards, dragging me against him.
"Let her go!" they demanded.
He didn't. Instead, he barreled through, clutching me like a shield until we reached the stairwell. Surrounded. Nowhere left to run.
"Let me go!" I screamed.
"Shut up, damn it," he snarled. His breath burned against my cheek. "I need a distraction." Then his mouth twisted into a cruel smile.
Before I could even scream, he shoved me.
His hand slammed into me, and suddenly the floor vanished.
The world spun violently as my body pitched forward into the stairwell, weightless for one horrifying instant before gravity seized me like a predator.
My back struck stone, sharp pain exploding through me. Then another blow, and another — ribs screaming, limbs snapping against the edges as I tumbled. Gasps and shouts rang out above, blurred into a cacophony of terror that couldn't reach me.
The air was knocked from my lungs, the taste of iron flooding my mouth. Every thud stole a piece of me, every impact tore another ragged cry from my throat until I couldn't breathe, couldn't think.
The world narrowed to agony and motion.
And then, mercifully, there was nothing at all. Darkness rose up like a tide and swallowed me whole.