Dante smirked, one eyebrow lifting in amused surprise.
"What is the little tiger doing so far away from her home?"
The nickname struck her harder than anything else could have.
"H-how did you… What are you doing here?" Elena asked, struggling to steady her voice.
Her legs wobbled beneath her. Her heart pounded furiously against her chest as though trying to break free.
So many emotions surged through her at once that she couldn't even begin to separate them.
Happiness?
Sadness?
Relief?
Anger?
The questions in her mind collided in rapid succession, leaving her dizzy.
"The real question," Dante replied lazily, taking a slow step forward, "is what are you doing here? Is your aunty aware you're out here? Or did you finally decide to rebel?"
He paused mid-sentence, his expression shifting into exaggerated realization.
"Wait…" His lips curved. "Did you run away from her?"
Elena felt a violent urge to slap the grin off his face.
In her state of shock, she had almost forgotten how incredibly annoying he could be.
Before she could fire back, the teasing vanished from his face.
His grin faded. His posture straightened.
His eyes moved past her.
Elena's breath caught.
She turned slowly, following his line of sight.
Lena stood a few steps behind her.
"Who is this?" Dante asked icily.
The air shifted.
Lena instinctively took a step back.
She could feel it — the immense pressure rolling off him in invisible waves.
Magic.
Heavy. Controlled. Suppressed.
He was good at hiding it. Too good. Anyone else would have missed it.
But she was not just anyone.
She was a master at reading power. At sensing what lay beneath calm surfaces.
And beneath Dante's relaxed exterior was something enormous.
"You didn't tell me you had a twin, Elena…" he murmured slowly, moving closer, his gaze sharp as he studied Lena.
Lena didn't look pleased to be examined like prey by a man who was both terrifying and annoyingly good-looking.
"Relax, Dante," Elena cut in quickly, forcing a smile. "This is my twin sister."
Her eyes flickered toward him in silent warning.
Don't.
She could not afford a scene.
If the villagers sensed something unnatural, something they didn't understand, they would panic. They would ask questions. And if they asked questions, she wouldn't know how to answer them.
Lena was still a mystery — even to her.
But she couldn't deny one thing.
She wouldn't have made it this far without her.
"Um… sorry for interrupting your little reunion," a voice called from behind them. "But Ray is waiting for you."
"Right…!" Elena straightened immediately.
"Elena, wait!" Lena stepped forward. "I'd like to come with you."
Elena frowned slightly.
Why was Lena suddenly so timid?
She had been fierce and confident just moments ago.
"No way! I'm not allowing your freakish sister come anywhere near my brother!" the man snapped sharply, glaring at Lena before Elena could respond.
Elena rolled her eyes.
She turned back to Lena and softened her voice.
"Don't worry. I'll be back soon. Stay with Dante. You're safe with him."
Lena swallowed hard.
She glanced at Dante, but he was no longer paying attention to her.
He had moved toward the wall, leaning against it casually. Half of his face was swallowed by shadow, his expression unreadable.
"A-alright then…"
Elena gave her a reassuring nod before leaving the sitting room.
The door creaked softly as she stepped into the next room.
It was dimly lit.
The air was thick with the scent of herbs and medicine, sharp enough to sting her nose. She instinctively scrunched it.
And then she saw him.
Her eyes widened slightly.
He was younger than she had imagined.
"Good evening," she greeted softly.
No response.
Ray sat on the edge of the bed, his head hanging low.
Even without seeing his face clearly, she could sense it.
Loss.
Heavy. Deep. Raw.
She pulled a wooden chair closer and sat carefully, avoiding unnecessary noise.
Outside the window, the crescent moon hung peacefully in the sky.
Serene.
Beautiful.
A cruel contrast to the heaviness inside the room.
"What do you want?" he asked hoarsely without lifting his head.
"I was wondering if you could help me with some information…" Elena replied quietly.
Ray let out a dry chuckle.
"You are just a little girl. What sort of information could you possibly need from me?"
Elena frowned.
She hated being called that.
"The young man who just left here also came seeking information," he continued. "Now you're here too."
Her eyes sharpened slightly.
Dante had been here.
"I don't know what he came for," she said carefully, "but I just want information about the people who attacked your village."
That got his attention.
His head lifted slowly.
"What could a girl like you possibly want with such information?" His voice had changed — stronger now. Harder.
Even she felt a flicker of intimidation.
Though he was still recovering, there was no mistaking it.
He was dangerous.
From the way his muscles tensed to the way his eyes assessed her, she knew one thing with certainty.
If he believed she posed a threat to the village, he would not hesitate.
Lena had been right.
He was the strongest person in this village.
And he looked like a man who refused to make the same mistake twice.
If she told him the truth… would he still help her?
After everything Amber had done?
Any sane person would want her dead.
She inhaled slowly, steadying herself.
Then she smiled.
It was soft.
Unexpected.
Beautiful enough to momentarily unsettle him.
"W-what…?" Ray blinked.
"Do you have a friend?" she asked gently. "Someone you value with your whole life? It doesn't even have to be a friend. Maybe family… maybe a child…"
"Where are you getting at, kid?" Ray interrupted sharply.
He didn't like this direction.
"Amber is my friend," Elena said quietly. "And I am trying to find her."
Silence.
Then—
"Amber?" Ray exploded. "Are you referring to that cursed witch with wind magic?"
"Yes."
"Are you out of your mind?" he snapped. His eyes flared with anger. "You're going to get yourself killed!"
"I don't care!" Elena shot back, her composure cracking for the first time.
Her eyes glistened, not with fear — but fierce determination.
"I am not going to give up on Amber unless I'm dead!"
Ray stared at her in disbelief.
"Look around this village," he growled. "The havoc she has caused—"
"I know." Her voice softened but did not waver.
"The Amber I know would never have done such a thing. You hate her right now, and I understand that. But it was the curse. Not her."
Ray's jaw tightened.
"What is your real aim coming here?" he demanded bluntly.
She didn't hesitate this time.
"I need you to help me find her."
Her eyes burned with conviction.
"I believe there might be a way to free her from the Mark."
The room fell silent.
Outside, the crescent moon watched.
And somewhere in the house, unaware of the storm that was slowly beginning to form,
Dante waited.
---
A/N
Hey guys! I sincerely apologize for my inconsistencies in updating. I've been swamped with work. But I'm back now..
Happy reading!