"This... a five-fold potency, won''t it be dangerous for him?" Alexia asked, picking up the pill with a hint of trepidation.


    Though she despised Hans, she had to admit he was exceptionally skilled and a powerful asset. With Sir needing capable people, Hans was invaluable. So, she feltpelled to ask.


    "It won''t kill him, but it won''t be pleasant. It''s only temporary, though." A cold, cruel smile formed on Chad''s refined face as he spoke in azy tone. "Initially, his adrenaline will spike, his mind will be hyper-stimted, and every muscle in his body will contract. It''s a mix of pain and pleasure. Then, he''ll gradually calm down. After that, he''ll never be able to live without it."


    Alexia understood. Sir was going to use the drug to control Hanspletely.


    "Hans was never meant for this world of darkness. He was only willing to serve me because of a severe injury, amnesia, and the sedatives that temporarily suppressed his nervous system." Chad''s gaze was as dark as a starless night. "But a sleeping man is bound to wake up one day. His sudden attack on you tonight might be a sign of that awakening. To be safe, getting him hooked on a powerful drug is the most effective solution, isn''t it?"


    A chill washed over Alexia. She had been involved in Sir''s business from the beginning, even participating in the development of new drugs at RC. She knew all too well what this drug could do to a person.


    It turned them into monsters, ghouls, insects to be crushed underfoot.


    "Sir, what if Hans has a severe adverse reaction to the drug and can no longer be of use to you?"


    "Useless people are trash, and trash belongs where it should be," Chad said with a wave of his hand, dismissing her.


    At that moment, Alexia felt a deep cold seep into her bones.


    Unfortunately, she wouldn''t understand until it was toote-perhaps not until she was on her deathbed-what she was feeling.


    It was the chilling realization that if Hans fell, she wouldn''t be far behind.


    ...


    Jareth, ever the brute, tore down the police tape and had his men force their way into the building to search. He dered he would take full responsibility for any consequences.


    But they found nothing.


    As dawn broke, the search party moved to the hills behind the property.


    Evadne was utterly drained from days of exhaustion and stress, but she stubbornly walked ahead of Thaddeus and Jareth, secretly wiping away tears as she went.


    She walked and wept, thinking of Elvis. When she had told him Elsie was missing, he had hung up without another word. She knew that only extreme fear, anger, and anxiety could make him so abrupt de wa afraid that saying anything more would only frighten and hurt her.


    was


    After searching for what felt like an eternity, Gordon suddenly shouted, "Mr. Thaddeus! Ms. Evadne! Look, there''s blood!"


    Everyone rushed over. Sure enough, a trail of blood drops led further into the woods.


    "Use this spot as the center and spread out!" Thaddeusmanded. His men moved with the discipline of a police unit.


    Evadne started to follow, but Thaddeus grabbed her. "You''re exhausted. You need to rest."


    "I''m fine..." she insisted, trying to pull her wrist free.


    "Come here."


    This time, Thaddeus wouldn''t take no for an answer. He pulled her sharply into his arms, his hand wrapping around her waist, holding her securely against him.


    Jareth watched their bodies merge once more, a faint, pleased smile touching his eyes.


    He still cared for her. His mouth could be stubborn, but his body was always honest.


    Tucked into the man''s broad embrace, Evadne hung her head, her thin shoulders trembling with sobs. She looked just like a child who had made a terrible mistake.


    "Still crying? It never ends." Thaddeus heard her quiet weeping and frowned slightly, his voice low. "Evadne, I''ve always known you to be strong."


    "I never was... It was all an act..."


    ???


    Tears froze on hershes before falling like tiny icicles. "There was Ver a single moment... when I was truly strong."


    A wave of tightness washed over the man''s chest, and his throat went dry. He wanted tofort her but didn''t know where to begin, so he held the words back


    "I must be a huge disappointment to you, right?" Evadne sniffled, a bitter smile on


    her lips.