---
Immediately, the carriage stopped.
My uncle helped me out and pulled me to follow him. He took me to his office. With only the two of us inside, he shut the doors and gave me a serious look.
"What?" I asked, trying to understand why he brought me here and why he looked so worried.
"It's only the two of us here. You can tell me anything. Did Azreal do anything to you? Did he touch you or hurt you?" Christopher said, his gaze hurriedly roaming over my body in worry.
"Nothing happened, Uncle. I don't understand why you're so worked up. I'm totally fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Positive, Uncle. He saved my life. If not for him, I wouldn't be standing here."
Suddenly, I felt the temperature drop. The room became deadly silent. I looked up, only to be met with my uncle's furious gaze.
"What do you mean, Erica?"
"Well, there were some attempts made to kidnap me, but luckily Eve and Azreal kept me safe."
"What! This can't be happening."
"What do you mean, Uncle?"
"The prophecy, Erica. Two great enemies would work together to eliminate a bigger threat. One with the power to create and the other with the power to destroy. If they are found together, it would bring never-ending bloodshed."
"I don't understand, Uncle."
"We have a common enemy. He is responsible for the death of your parents. It took us years of war to trap him in bondage. Only we have the power to set him free. Erica, listen to me: stay away from Azreal."
"Why? He can't be the threat we are wary of."
"For your own good, Erica. We have enough problems already. I don't need any more. Please listen."
"Uncle, tell me what's going on, or I'll find another way to uncover the truth myself."
"You are always stubborn. Azreal can't be trusted. Be wary of him."
"Not what I wanted to hear, but... okay, I won't give you a headache."
"Good. You will be staying with your aunt."
"No, I won't."
"Erica, don't make things harder for me. Since the enemy knows where you are, he won't rest until he has you. That's the only place I know that could be safe."
"No, I can take care of myself. I won't go!"
"Then you leave me no choice."
Immediately after he said that, I felt a sharp pain on my neck. Suddenly, I felt dizzy, and my vision started to blur.
"I'm sorry, darling, but this is for your own good."
Everything went black.
---
Deep underground...
A lot of men were gathered in the center of a massive cave, their attention drawn to the figure standing in the middle.
"Brothers, we have good news. Everything is under our control," the figure announced.
"How is that possible? The girl is no longer in our realm."
"That's what makes it easy. Just wait — our time will come."
Shouts of celebration filled the cave.
---
Azreal's P.O.V
I woke up to the strong scent of blood. I sat up, recalling yesterday's events.
The last thing I remembered was that stupid woman undressing me.
So that was her plan, huh?
Her wish was granted — but I won't let her get away with it.
I looked around. My room was filled with torn sheets and bloodstains.
I guess my demon didn't take it easy last night.
"Heh, heh, heh. Thomas!"
I called.
Not long after, the doors opened and Thomas walked in.
I noticed how he scanned the room with a cold expression, but his eyes gave him away — filled with fear.
Good.
"Master, you called."
"Bring Rachel to me," I commanded.
"Yes, Master," he bowed and left.
Moments later, Miss Grump and some maids walked into the room. I noticed how the young ladies' faces turned pale at the sight of the scene.
Miss Grump, however, didn't react much — she had seen me like this before.
I stood up and walked into the dressing room to get a robe.
"Are you going to stand there like fools, or do what you are supposed to do?" I left them a little reminder before disappearing into the room.
When I came back out, the room was already cleaned. I took a bath and dressed slowly, taking my time — waiting for my prey.
Minutes passed. I grew impatient.
"Thomas!" I called.
The door pushed open and Thomas entered, head bowed low.
"Master..."
"Where is she?" I asked, quickly losing patience.
"Master, we... we can't find her."
"Hmm. So what you're telling me is that she's vanished into thin air."
"Master, we will find her. She must not have gone far—"
"No. Don't waste energy on her. If she's hiding, she'll come out eventually. If she's found, bring her to me directly. You may go."
Thomas left quickly.
As soon as he did, I heard a noise by the window. I opened it, and an arrow shot toward me. I caught it easily before it hit my face.
Attached to the arrow was a note that read: Time to talk!
"Hmm."
I walked out, using my powers to teleport to the outskirts of the kingdom — near the Dark Forest where Erica and I were attacked.
The night was cold, and the memories of that night hit me hard.
So it was her I saw in my dreams...
We had a connection all along.
"I'm glad you came," a familiar voice rang out.
"I know you must have heard — she has returned."
"I know. I saw my people come to take her. But why did you let her go so easily?"
I turned toward the direction of the voice.
There he stood, as usual, his hood hiding his face.
"Why ask me that? Isn't it what you wanted? You never felt at ease when she was with me. I want to know why you didn't want me to know her — to the point of wiping my memories of her."
I couldn't hold it anymore. Years of tormenting dreams... years of not understanding... and he knew.
"There was a reason for that," he said. "But that time has passed. You need to bring her back. Only when she is with you will she be truly safe."
"What do you mean?"
"They are gathering. They know where she is. It looks like someone close to her is helping them. They know her every move. That puts us all in danger."
He paused before continuing, "I made a mistake. I've learned from it. You need to forget the past and focus on building a new future."
"Does she remember?" I asked.
"I'm afraid not. Not for now. Maybe... after all this is over."
With that, he vanished into the night.
---
Zoar — Erica's P.O.V
I opened my eyes, finding myself once again in that same old cage.
I felt something heavy around my neck.
"Oh no..."
I looked down and saw it — that familiar necklace around my throat.
"So I'm really back," I whispered.
"It wasn't a dream. I'm really back."
--