065 GOT YOU
Through the devastation, Miss Gallum walked away unscathed.
A helicopter waited for her nearby. She climbed aboard as the rotors thundered to life.
Then, from behind the chopper, a boy with silver hair appeared as if out of thin air. He slid into the seat beside her, calm amid the storm.
"Were you successful, Sienna?" the boy asked.
"Yes, Argent," she replied, her tone smug. "More than successful. And guess what …. I've found our sister's son."
Argent turned to her, frowning. "Our sister's son? Violet had a son?"
Sienna smirked. "Yes. Say hi to him. He's watching us right now."
Damen froze. "Can she see me through my Live Feed? Is it broken or hacked?" he thought, his stomach dropping.
Argent looked straight into the camera. "Hi, Damen. We'll see you soon."
He raised a hand in a casual wave — then the Live View abruptly cut out.
No matter how many times Damen tried to reconnect, the feed refused to load. He finally lowered his phone, his heart pounding.
So, his Live View wasn't invincible after all.
It could be blocked — overridden by powerful psychics like her. Like his aunt, Sienna. And that boy... Argent. Who the hell may he be?
It was a strange kind of family reunion — unexpected and unwanted. Family, to Damen, always meant trouble.
He was just about to turn in for the night when his comms device started ringing.
"Damnit, who calls at this hour?" he groaned, tapping the screen. Dorin's face appeared.
"Come on, Dorin, the case is over. Let me rest," he said, dragging a hand through his hair.
"The case isn't over," Dorin shot back. "Not until we find Kurt. He's extremely dangerous now … and he has the Ring of Greed. It lets him absorb the meta powers of others. Who knows how strong he's become?"
Damen sighed. "Fine. What do you need from me this time?"
Lander's voice joined in. "Kurt doesn't have anywhere to go. Every motel and shelter has his face on alert now. That leaves two options — he either leaves town or hides somewhere familiar."
Damen frowned. "And where's that?"
Then it hit him. "Wait. Don't tell me he came back to school?"
"That's the most logical possibility," Lander said grimly.
Damen leaned back, thinking.
"He's gone completely desperate if he even killed Irine. He's not hiding quietly — he's hunting for the next victim," he said.
"Exactly," Lander agreed. "Who do you think he'll target next?"
"He won't go after the teachers. They're too powerful. He'll target students again — maybe those in single dorms or private apartments."
"Right," Dorin said. "Which means he could be in your block right now. Stay alert. Report anything unusual."
The screen blinked out, leaving Damen alone in the dark.
He closed his eyes.
Somewhere out there, a killer was prowling the halls, and Damen had no doubt that before the night ended, he'd cross paths with him again.
"Damnit, when can I have my beauty sleep?"
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Kurt crouched in the shadows, hidden beneath the veil of night. Most of the windows in the apartment block still glowed.
Students were studying late as usual.
"Damn it," he muttered. "When are these people going to sleep?"
He waited, his eyes darting across the rows of lights. Finally, one room dimmed.
The coast was clear.
With a burst of strength, he leapt from the alley to the first-floor balcony, then vaulted up to the next. His body moved like a cat—light, fast, and powerful. The Ring of Greed pulsed faintly on his finger, crimson veins of light crawling across his hand.
Ever since he'd taken Sazie's and Irine's powers, his strength had multiplied. He could feel it singing in his blood.
He landed on the balcony of his chosen target. The glass door was slightly ajar. Inside, a girl lay on the bed, blindfolded, her wrists bound.
Kurt froze.
The scent of perfume lingered in the air. The dim light painted everything in gold and shadow.
"Is this a trap or a gift?", he asked himself.
He stepped closer, drawn by greed and curiosity. The girl stirred and murmured something—soft, uncertain. His pulse quickened.
For a moment, the madness in him whispered:
"This is fate. This is your reward."
But before he could act, a voice thundered from behind.
"Who the hell are you?!"
Kurt spun around. Zairgid Aukuoma stood in the doorway, half-dressed, with eyes blazing furiously.
The girl tore off her blindfold and screamed when she saw Kurt.
"I knew it," Kurt hissed. "This is too good to be true."
"Why did you break into my room and attack my girlfriend?!" Zairgid shouted, grabbing for something under the drawer.
He came up with a dagger and lunged.
Kurt barely moved. With one sweep of his arm, he sent Zairgid flying into the wall.
"Damen—help me!" Zairgid gasped. In his moment of danger all he could think of was his friend.
Kurt's grin twisted. "Nobody will help you now."
He grabbed the girl by the neck, and the Ring of Greed on his finger flared blood-red. The air vibrated. Her body convulsed—and within seconds, her skin shriveled and turned to ash.
"The absorption becomes quicker with every new feast", Kurt murmured.
Zairgid screamed. "You monster! What the hell are you doing?"
Kurt turned, his eyes glowing like embers. "You're next."
The girl fell, her body writhing in pain. Her once vibrant body was transformed into a haggard old lady.
But she lives.
Kurt lunged forward, his hand closing around Zairgid's throat—but instead of crushing him, a shimmering barrier rippled across Zairgid's body.
"You think I wouldn't have something to protect myself?" Zairgid spat, his necklace glowing bright blue.
Kurt's smile widened. "A force shield? Fine. I'll take that too."
The Ring's light intensified as he began draining the energy from the forcefield. The barrier flickered, then started to collapse.
When the last sparks faded, Kurt grinned triumphantly. "You're finished."
But before he could strike again, another golden barrier erupted around Zairgid. The glow came from a bracelet on his wrist.
Kurt staggered back, shocked. "Another one?"
Zairgid smirked despite his fear. "You think I wear only one charm to bed?"
Kurt growled, his patience breaking. "How many damn charms do you have?"
It didn't take long before the force field from Zairgid's bracelet flickered and died.
"Now, what else have you got?" Kurt sneered, stepping closer.
Zairgid just smiled calmly. He shifted his feet slightly, and a bright light flared from a bangle around his ankle. Instantly, a new force field shimmered across his body.
"Are you really so afraid of death that you wear all these charms to bed?" Kurt barked, his fury rising.
"It's saved me more than once," Zairgid replied evenly. "No shame in overprotecting yourself."
Meanwhile, the girl on the bed crawled toward the door and opened it. Her voice hoarse as she tried to scream, "Help…"
"Damnit, people will be coming, I must finish this quick," Kurt muttered in frustration, glancing toward the hall.
But Zairgid's confidence never wavered — he still had a few charms left in reserve.
Kurt's patience snapped. "Get lost," he said before he let go of Zairgid and bolted for the doorway.
Suddenly, a vice-like grip clamped down on his neck.
It was Damen.
"Thank goodness you heard me," Zairgid gasped, relief flooding his face.
"Caught you, Kurt," Damen said, his voice low and steady.
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