The windows shattered as a torrent of wind assaulted the room, the pressure sliced Hezekiah’s cheek.

  Kura’s hood blew open, dispelling her illusion effect. Her eyes locked onto his, like an eagle finding its target.

  Hezekiah rubbed his cheek after the wind subsided; the scent of iron licked his nose. Despite his calm appearance, his chest throbbed non-stop. Death flashed his mind for a moment, but nevertheless, he confirmed what he needed.

  Without question, they saw the rules sheet outside the cave, and of course, his alias was signed there. When Viraka discoveres Kiann’s account, this would all lend credibility to his lie.

  Kura rose from her seat. For the first time, she was seen clearly. Her prominent hazel eyes were enchanting, enhanced by her deep black hair.

  “Kura, I can tolerate only so much. How do you expect to reimburse my losses?” Viraka lifted a torn pillow, its foam scattered across the floor.

  “You will tell me everything that you know,” Kura demanded after she approached him. “And a single detail better not be forgotten.”

  Hezekiah peeked at Viraka, who showed no interest in intervening. Ignorant or not, it pissed him off.

  The urge to shout his hatred for the psychotic kraken cycled through his mind. Being the arbiter of morality doesn’t suit him, but why seek revenge for such utter garbage? Despite knowing what he did.

  “You both make me sick.” He rose, tempted to spit on her. “Asking for my help and you cut me in return? Would it kill you to apologize for a single damn second?”

  “And what are you going to do if I don’t?”

  Hezekiah didn’t say a word and walked past her.

  He deserved it, is what he wanted to say, but he knew better.

  His hand reached the handle of the door. The suffocating pressure was non-existent, yet his veins scorched.

  Forget what he’s capable of—why answer for something that was justified?

  “I can imagine your son took after you. Maybe that’s why he was kill—” A phantasmal purple blade swung at his neck, the X-lens barely kept up.

  Viraka appeared between them, the blade caught by bright cords of light with a boom that swallowed the chamber. The floor splintered.

  Kura grit her teeth. “Out of the way! What right does he have to speak like that!”

  “And what about you? Do you not realize what you almost did?” The aura blade cracked. The cords shattered it to pieces. Viraka laughed. “Did all our years together make you think I would let you do that?”

  Hezekiah inwardly breathed. She was a moment away from being burned alive. The only reason he’d been cautious lately was because Falina brought him here, and he trusted she wouldn’t take him anywhere dangerous.

  Keep it up, I’ll be glad to send you off with your tentacle freak bastard. Makes it easier anyway.

  But Viraka bothering to protect him was not on his bingo card. Was he wary of her for nothing, or was it just obligation? Either way, he had to be grateful.

  Viraka glanced back at him before facing Kura again. “I would hate to part over something like this, but if he dies, it won’t be just him.”

  Her lips twitched, but shoulders relaxed afterwards. “He spoke out of line, but…I can admit that I crossed it first. The guilt is mine, Hezekiah.” She apologized, tilting her head.

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Instead of acknowledging it, he opened the door. “Don’t bother catering. I have nothing left to share anyway.”

  He shut it behind him, leaving the two behind.

  ***

  “See what happens if you try to do things by force?”

  “Hypocrite. Weren’t you the one who intimidated him into staying with your aura?”

  Viraka giggled in response, the shadows melting within the veil. “He’s my bro. Get your own to screw around with.” Falina pulled back her veil, fixing her hair.

  Kura thought for a minute, a little undecided on how to proceed after seeing Hezekiah’s blood on the sofa. “You know I wouldn’t have killed him…”

  Falina’s hands stopped. “And that makes what you did all fine and dandy?” She sat down on the fountain; her grip cracked the stone. “Both you and your son are wanted criminals. It’s not his fault that my brother spoke chewed you out.”

  Kura’s chest sank, like a needle pierced through. “But Hyonda isn’t—” She caught sight of the news articles, pulling in her lips.

  “His dream is a death sentence according to the Unity Council. Abnas and those who belong to the Mirror-Dimension must never intermingle with the Old-Dimension,” Falina stated firmly.

  Kura crossed her brows. “Yet you Council Rulers can break those rules whenever you want, can’t you?”

  Falina sighed. “We’re not doing this again. It’s called monitoring. No one’s throwing parties over there. Be happy you’re not on the chopping block; otherwise, Fyinn will be forced to lose his happy memories of his beloved wife.”

  Kura fell onto the sofa, her heart briefly paused at the mere thought. She knew she wasn’t being threatened, but she understood what was implied.

  “I hadn’t forgotten how much you’re risking for me. I…once again take fault.”

  Falina beamed a smile. “Aww, it’s alright. A mother’s grievances swings differently. But seriously, no one’s allowed to kill my brother but me.”

  Kura cracked a smile. “Fine, I’ve got it noted. Speaking of which, why are you hiding yourself from him? I’m sure he’s seeking to know if you’re still alive.”

  Falina took a seat beside her, frowning at the foam that spilled from the torn pillow. “That’s my secret saucy intel, sorry. But if you promise not to have a meltdown again, I don’t mind indulging a bit.”

  ***

  After being escorted by one of the servants waiting outside, he went straight to bed. The pent-up frustration kept him awake as he replayed the recent events.

  Irva was nowhere to be seen, and Elaine was the biggest thorn that needed to be eliminated. He was somewhat prepared to act if she had a big mouth, but that’s what the “white figure” was there for. And if he played his cards right, her attempt to expose him wouldn’t carry much weight.

  As his mind dulled to the stiff silence, a knock rattled the door. Jolted awake, he scrubbed the sleep from his eyes. “Are you serious!? It’s dark out—let me sleep!”

  “Hezekiah?” a voice called.

  He squinted, second-guessing if he was still half-asleep when he heard a familiar voice.

  The door clicked open, and a woman entered in a red gown. Scars cut through her eyes, but she looked healthy as ever.

  “Gnats! I was hoping you weren’t here.” Irva shook her head, sighing as she mumbled to herself.

  Hezekiah observed her doubtfully, slightly chuckling at what she meant. “I’m glad you still think for yourself. Too bad your body says otherwise.”

  She shut the door behind her, scowling at his remark. “Gross. Did you have to say it in a creepy way?”

  “Hm, what way? And how’d you find me anyway?”

  Her brows raised in disbelief, she pointed inside her mouth.

  Damn, now I’m forgetting. The pill gave her the ability to locate anyone we know.

  “Stop playing around and fill me in, dang it. I swore I woke up in the afterlife, but sadly I discovered that was false after sensing you.”

  “Good. Don't need you getting hopeful. You been awake long?” he asked, his tone reminiscent of when they were in the Custom Boundary.

  A trace of unease spiked when she met his eyes. Her bones turned cold, urging her to unconditionally obey his every word.

  “Just before the sun went to sleep. My back still aches from lying on those crappy boards.”

  They left her there? Does Viraka hate you from a past life or what?

  “And worst of all, a woman in a veil brought me in for a Q&A,” she added, her voice hoarse.

  Hezekiah rose to the edge of his bed, curious why she looked nervous. “Oh, her? I mean, you told her about how we met and what happened at HQ, right? Sunset Garden has all the information anyway, so what’s the big deal?”

  Irva perked her head up, picking up his intention. He’s being cautious of someone listening in on us and confirming that I told the most believable story.

  She wasn’t dumb enough to spill too much; it was clear Viraka was investigating them.

  You couldn’t wait until I implied it myself? she inwardly complained.

  “You’re right. Though to tell you the truth, Viraka seemed somewhat disappointed to learn that you lost to me after I awakened.”

  Hezekiah smiled. “Who cares? Your awakening gave you the courage to finally confront them. Too bad you weren’t the only Abna.”

  Ugh, don’t tell me the pill linked our minds too. She wished the thought would churn her stomach, but as expected, she felt nothing.

  Her desire to escape his control was hard to find. If anything, it was like a fleeting hope she couldn’t catch. Filling her thoughts with freedom led nowhere, but fueled a fantasy that was a pointless chase.

  Should I even care anymore?

  She shot the thought down immediately, at least hoping to maintain the bit of herself she had left.

  Would you have aired out your hatred for Hyonda if you were in Hezekiah's position?