The chains rattled softly in the dim cell.
The boy, still bound against the cold stone wall, lifted his head, eyes burning through the shadows.
"You haven't fulfilled your end of the deal."
His voice was hoarse—but steady.
"You promised… you'd reunite me with my sister when you were done with me."
Silence followed.
She stopped.
Mid-step.
Then slowly—
She turned.
Her expression softened into something almost gentle… almost kind.
"You shouldn't worry about that."
Her voice was calm.
Smooth.
"You'll surely reunite with her."
A small pause.
Her smile deepened slightly.
"As long as you survive what's coming."
The words settled like poison.
The boy's eyes widened.
She tilted her head, as if considering something trivial.
"And if you do survive…"
Her gaze flickered, something darker surfacing beneath the smile.
"…you should pray she survives too."
Another pause.
Longer this time.
Because what came next—
Was worse.
"Otherwise…"
Her voice dropped.
"…you'll only reunite with whatever is left of her."
She turned away.
Just like that.
As if the conversation was over.
Behind her—
The boy snapped.
"What are you talking about?!"
The chains clanged violently as he struggled.
"That's not what you promised me!"
But she didn't answer.
Didn't even slow down.
Instead—
She smiled.
And looked toward the man beside her.
"Darling," she said lightly, voice almost playful again.
"Let's go—"
A sound cut through the room.
Sharp.
Wrong.
It echoed through the entire prison—
A deep, distorted resonance that didn't belong to metal or stone.
Something… mechanical.
Something final.
She froze.
Her eyes widened.
"…No."
The word slipped out before she could stop it.
"…No, it's already begun?"
Her voice rose slightly, disbelief creeping in.
"I'm still inside—why the hell would they start it now?!"
Panic.
Real panic.
Her composure cracked as her gaze darted toward the exit.
"I need to stop this—I need to report immediately—"
Her thoughts spiraled.
Fast.
Chaotic.
Then—
A voice cut through it all.
Cold.
Calm.
Unmoving.
"I'm guessing…"
Draven spoke.
"…you're no longer useful to me anymore."
Everything stopped.
Her body stiffened.
A chill ran down her spine.
Slowly—
She turned.
Her eyes wide.
Locked onto him.
Draven stood there—
Unmoving.
His gaze met hers.
Clear.
Dead cold.
No emotion.
No hesitation.
And in that moment—
She understood something she hadn't before.
The situation…
Had just changed.
Completely.
Draven's gaze didn't waver.
"If you're trapped here as well… then let's—"
He didn't finish.
He moved.
One step—
But it was enough.
She reacted instantly, trying to pull back, instincts screaming at her to create distance—
But she was too slow.
Draven snapped forward.
His hand shot out—
Grabbing her wrist.
Tight.
Unyielding.
He pulled.
Hard.
Her body lurched forward, balance broken, eyes widening in alarm—
Too fast.
Too sudden.
She couldn't react—
Couldn't form a thought—
Then—
He kissed her.
His lips pressed against hers.
Warm.
Firm.
Uninvited.
Her mind blanked.
Her face flushed instantly, heat rushing up her neck as her thoughts spiraled.
*What—*
*What is he doing—*
*Now?*
*At a time like this—*
*Is he—*
*Is he trying to—*
Her thoughts cut off.
Her eyes snapped wide.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.
Pain—
Sharp.
Violent.
Her body jerked.
Then—
She shoved him back.
Hard.
Blood sprayed.
Her hands flew to her mouth instinctively—
Clamping over it—
But it didn't stop.
Blood flowed freely through her fingers.
Warm.
Endless.
Her breathing broke.
Shallow.
Panicked.
Her eyes trembled as she stared at him—
Horror flooding in.
Draven stood there.
Calm.
Still.
A piece of flesh held between his teeth.
Blood stained his lips.
Dark.
Fresh.
He bit down once—
Then spat it to the side.
The sound of it hitting the ground echoed faintly in the silence.
Her lips.
He had bitten them off.
Deliberately.
Casually.
Draven licked the blood from his lips.
Slow.
Unbothered.
Then he spoke—
Voice calm.
Almost gentle.
"I thought you loved me."
His head tilted slightly.
Those same dead, empty eyes locked onto hers.
"So why are you pulling away now?"
A pause.
Then, softer—
Mocking.
"Don't tell me…"
A faint smile.
"…you don't love me anymore, darling."
Draven's expression didn't change.
Not even slightly.
"If you keep acting like this…"
His voice was soft.
Almost hurt.
"…you're going to hurt my feelings."
She stared at him.
Frozen.
Shock.
Pain.
Blood still slipping through her fingers as she clamped her hands over what remained of her mouth.
Behind her—
The boy in chains could only watch.
Eyes wide.
A mixture of horror and disbelief twisting across his face.
Draven tilted his head slightly.
"…Or did I do something wrong?"
He took another step forward.
Slow.
Measured.
"Isn't this how you showed your affection to me?"
His tone remained calm.
Gentle.
As if this were a normal conversation.
"I was just returning it."
Another step.
"Showing you how much I love you."
Her body trembled.
She tried to move back—
But her legs wouldn't respond fast enough.
"I love you so much…"
His eyes remained empty.
Cold.
"…that I don't want you confessing that love to anyone else."
A pause.
Then—
"…or anyone showing affection to you."
Her breathing broke.
Her thoughts spiraled.
*He's insane—*
Draven continued walking toward her.
Unstoppable.
"If you're wondering how I'll make that happen…"
A faint smile touched his lips.
"…it's simple."
He looked at her.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
"You're too beautiful."
A step closer.
"Even I couldn't resist you."
Another.
"And that's the problem."
Her back hit the cold stone floor as she stumbled, falling backward.
"Stay away—"
Her voice was broken, muffled by her hands.
"Don't come here—"
Draven didn't stop.
"So I'll fix that."
Calm.
Certain.
"I'll make it so only I can love you."
Her eyes widened in terror.
"I'll take away everything that makes others look at you."
He stepped closer.
Closer.
"Your eyes."
"Your hair."
"The skin on your face…"
His gaze lingered.
"…those lovely ears."
Her body shook violently now.
"I'll take it all."
"So no one else will ever—"
"STAY AWAY!"
She screamed, her voice raw, distorted.
Her hand shot out—
A surge of magic exploded toward him.
The attack slammed into the cell wall—
Draven had already moved.
Effortless.
Untouched.
He closed the distance instantly.
She scrambled back, slipping, collapsing onto the ground fully now.
"Stay away—!"
One hand still clamped to her bleeding mouth—
The other rose again.
Desperate.
Another attack fired—
Straight at his head.
Draven tilted slightly.
The blast missed him completely.
His movement was minimal.
Precise.
And now—
He was right in front of her.
Close enough—
That there was nowhere left to run.