NARRATORAs long as she remained his hostage, Zarek wouldn’t attack.After all, all these tricks to control the castle were the only thing he could actually do—he was still imprisoned in the most hidden and dangerous dungeon.Out of nowhere, Dante's sensitive ears picked up the whistle of air and the murderous magic heading straight for him.Every instinct screamed at him to drop to the ground, and he obeyed.He threw himself onto the cold iron floor of the bridge, holding Celine tightly in his arms as she trembled, her teeth chattering, her eyes shut tight and brimming with moisture.“If you keep pushing her like this, you'll turn her into an idiot before you can even use her to blackmail Zarek,” he said, standing up and leaving Celine leaning against a corner of the bridge, away from the dark shadows and close to him.“I’d rather fry her brain than let you be the one to benefit from her,” Merkall spat blood to the side, the scent of it thick in the air.A lot of his people had to sa

NARRATORClutching her chest, Laila forced her tired, wounded legs to keep moving. A trail of blood marked her path, but she didn’t stop—not even to heal herself.She’d rather face a Lycan and die quickly than stay here in this cursed place.The mist began to rise between the graves as if it had a life of its own, swirling around her legs like ghostly hands trying to grab hold of her.Laila ran, terrified—she had never felt such fear in her life. As she passed under the weeping willow, its branches suddenly thrashed in the strong wind."Ahhh! Let me go! Let me go!" she screamed frantically as the green vines coiled around her neck, arms, and legs, strangling and restraining her.She fought like a madwoman, yanking at the branches and clawing at the ones choking her neck, trying desperately to break free.Her feet stumbled backward, wet hair clinging to her eyes, and she swore she saw shadows and red eyes in her blurred vision.She pulled back with all her strength, thinking she had es

NARRATORAs Gabrielle’s feet crossed the threshold of the door, her entire body underwent a profound transformation.Her simple, mud-stained clothes morphed into an exquisite red gown, like the ones she used to wear when she was the sovereign and ruler of the throne.Her long black hair cascaded down her back, gleaming, and the bandage on her beautiful face disappeared, revealing her expressive, stern blue eyes fixed firmly ahead.She was the perfect image of her past self at its finest, and although Gabrielle knew it was all part of Zarek's illusion, she silently thanked him for the gesture.When Celine saw Gabrielle, her thoughts immediately went to her brother; no matter how confused she was, she would never forget Quinn.“He's fine, don't worry,” Gabrielle glanced at her for a brief second while passing by, managing to slip that message into her tormented mind.Zarek hadn’t allowed Quinn to advance beyond a certain point, and despite his frustration, he had no choice but to trust

NARRATOR"How do you sign a deal you can't even read, you idiot? Are you a Selenia, a descendant of my royal bloodline?"Zarek mocked him, tightening his grip around Merkall's throat, the blood already seeping down his strong arm and dripping onto the floor."What a shame you can't kill me and truly claim ownership of the castle and the army. Tsk, tsk... Should I have your daughter executed by the very man who was once your enemy?""I don’t think so..." Merkall suddenly laughed, while behind Zarek, two hands rose, clutching a sharp dagger ready to strike.Merkall was hurled forcefully into a corner of the balcony, and below, the excited commotion of the undead creatures grew louder once more.Zarek turned swiftly, and the dagger’s tip landed right against his heart, just above his shirt."Tell me, Celine, what choice will you make? Will you kill me, or will you finally accept me as your mate in your heart?" His voice was cold, harsher than ever before.Celine’s trembling hands gripped

FLASHBACK FROM ZAREK'S PASTZAREK:"Please, tell me you didn’t poop again," I look into her bright little eyes, and all that comes out of her tiny mouth are bubbles of saliva.I lift her into my arms and cautiously sniff her diaper."Phew, I thought it was my turn again. Hold it in until your dad gets here, okay? Your uncle only likes you when you smell like a clean little baby," I cradle her in my arms and start pacing with her.I can't help but smile; she's so adorable and reminds me so much of my sister when she was little."Dad has to deal with the poop, the sleepless nights, and in the future, fighting off suitors," Roger walks into the room, huffing, and I hand him his little daughter."Well, mom had to carry her for nine months and give birth to her. Isn't that enough?""Yeah, sure, always defending your sister. She’s not as saintly as you think, she...""AAAAHHH!"Suddenly, a scream cuts through our conversation, and I rush to the adjoining room; that scream was my sister’s."