191. Amanda ran as quickly as her legs could carry her through the woods, with all the forest branches scratching her skin and thorns that seemed to pop out of nowhere tearing through her jeans. Her heart wouldn't stop pounding. Her body ached, and her knees were bleeding. It felt like at any moment she was just going to drop dead. But she couldn't stop, because that was true. If Viktor just caught sight of her, she could drop dead at any moment, and that was one thing she couldn't let happen. She had just watched Luther die right in front of her. Viktor stabbed him, laughed about it, and for all she knew he probably even drank his blood. The image of Luther being murdered had been burned deep into her mind, and it played again and again like a CD stuck on repeat. She reached the edge of the trees and that was when she realised that she had seen this path before! She continued to run with all her might. If she was right she would get to Devin's abode! As she ran, she saw the ga

The sky above the mansion was starting to get much darker, and the cloud-like whirlpool in the sky seemed to just keep folding in on itself until the shadows came down into the yard looking like a part of the place was just night. The dogs were still barking like mad, and Amanda felt goosebumps right above her skin. She felt like she could die. All of a sudden, out of that darkness that came to the floor, a figure came forward. It was Viktor. His boots hit the ground and the force of him destroyed the large gates, throwing it backwards. He walked in like he owned the place, his coat was ripped in a lot of places, and he still had the blood stains from the fight in the woods, but his face carried that same smirk that he always had. “Devin.” He drawled. “Long time since our last fight.” Devin didn’t move. “You’re on my property, Viktor. That’s a bad move, you of all people should know better.” Viktor’s eyes slid past him, and that was when he and Amanda locked eyes inst

The darkness inside the room felt alive. Amanda could have sworn that it was breathing. The wind had stopped spinning and flinging papers and books around and they stood there, shaking. Petra’s knife was already out, her blade catching what little moonlight was squeezing through the cracked window. “Amanda…” “He’s supposed to be out by this time, he’s never usually in this late…” Amanda whispered. That was when they heard someone laughing evilly. Petra went forward, raising her knife. “Show yourself, you coward. I dare you.” Amanda nearly facepalmed herself. Who says something like that to someone capable of causing a natural disaster? From the darkness, a figure got out of it like it had been part of the wall all along, emanating a dull light. He snapped his fingers and the darkness started to dissolve before it became one huge creature in front of them, standing next to him. “Viktor…” His smile widened. “Ah… my sweet little traitor. You brought a friend too.

The house suddenly went dark, but the blackout didn’t last for more than three seconds. “D-Devin!” Petra screamed. When the lights snapped back on, Devin froze. Viktor was standing right there in the middle of the room, smiling like the crazed murderer he was. Petra instantly drew her knife, the anger filling her blood at the thought of Amanda being murdered by this thing. “You son of a—” “Petra.” Devin said without looking at her. “Get out.” She didn’t move. “Like hell I’m leaving you alone with him—” “Get. Out.” His tone made it clear there was no discussion. Then his voice softened. “Please.” Viktor’s eyes never left the table where the map lay. “You’ve been busy, Devin.” He smiled. “Putting my little treasure back together. I’ll take it now.” Devin stood straight, hands loose at his sides. “You’re not getting shit.” Viktor chuckled low, like a predator humouring prey. “Do you even know what you’re holding? You think you’re ready for what that m

199. Gloria was just trying to enjoy her evening when a knock came from the front door. She hadn’t been expecting anyone. Her evenings were usually quiet, especially during the colder seasons where she’d be tucked into the couch drinking tea with a blanket draped over her, and sometimes the TV acting as background noise. She pulled her robe closer around her and went to the door. “Who is it?” She called out. There was no answer, then another knock came, sounding a bit angry. Gloria frowned and opened the door halfway. She couldn’t believe her eyes. Standing there, looking like an angry ghost, was a woman she had known. She had the same long, wavy hair, cheekbones, and even the same eyes. Gloria’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh… oh my goodness.” The woman looked down at her her. “What’s the matter, Aunt Gloria? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Gloria’s knees felt weak. “Kia?” She whispered. “Is that you?” The woman narrowed her eyes. “No. My name’s Eva.”