----


    And then—I saw him.


    In the far corner, he was still there. The elemental man, still bound.


    Drawn by an unexinable pull, I moved toward him. He was no


    longer hidden beneath the velvet cloth.


    His damp blue eyes locked onto mine, filled with fear. From his


    gagged mouth came nothing but muffled sobs.


    Goddess, give me a sign—help me. How can I save him here and


    now? If Lucrecia takes him.


    "Magnificent, isn’t he?"


    The sultry voice behind me made me flinch.


    Thad been so focused on him that I hadn’t noticed her approach.


    ‘The scent of menthol smoke drifted into my nose, apanied by


    the oppressive aura of a very powerful witch.


    "He certainly is. Would you sell him to me for double?" I turned,


    bluffing, lifting my chin and facing the abominable Lucrecia.


    She smirked mockingly, her full lips curling as she took a slow drag


    from a ck cigarette holder, her green-olive eyes gleaming with


    superiority.


    She strolled beside me in her high-heeled ck leather boots, her


    dress elegant—too morous for my taste.


    Everything about her was ck—even the heavy choker encrusted


    with gleaming stones, and the delicatece gloves covering her


    ----


    fine hands


    Her overpowering perfume nearly made me sneeze.


    "Next time, I won’t just invite Morgana—I’ll send you an


    invitation too, dear. I didn’t know you enjoyed such... carnal


    pleasures."


    Her tone was condescending, as if speaking to a child.


    "Mmm, don’t cry, my precious blondie—we’re going to have so


    much fun together.


    I watched her step toward him.


    With an almost affectionate touch, she gently wiped the tears from


    his cheeks, like a lover would.


    It only made him panic more—his sobs growing louder, his


    shoulders shaking, his entire body trembling.


    Lucrecia’s intoxicating beauty fooled no one—the malice in those


    exotic eyes seeped from her very core.


    "Oh, please—don’t tell me you’re one of those weak little


    crybabies. Mmm, how I miss my rebellious white-haired pet."


    I tensed at her words, hearing her sigh wistfully.


    I prayed she wasn’t talking about the white-haired man I was


    thinking of.


    "What should I do with you? You’re not being obedient. I told you


    to shut up!"


    ----


    Without warning, she pped him across the face—brutally.


    ‘The sudden shift in her demeanor left me stunned.


    She was an absolute psychopath.