Saphira furrows her brow, frustration flickering in her voice. “One thing I don’t get maybe it’s just because I am who I am-but why can’t you use your powers to get out? Even for a while?”
It doesn’t make sense. If everyone here is supernatural, why haven’t they found a way to break free, to fight back?
Niks exhales, his gaze darkening. “The ce isced with ancient magic. The building was designed to disable all physical magic and transformations.” His voice is low, almost bitter. “It isn’t a well-known fact.”
Saphira’s stomach sinks. Ancient magic. That changes things.
“Can it not be reversed?” she asks, her tone cautious but hopeful.
Niks doesn’t answer right away.
And that silence is enough to tell her the answer may not be what she wants to hear.
Niks exhales, his expression grim. “Not by magic alone. The structure needs to be severely damaged-only then can someone with ancient magic undo the spell.” His jaw tightens slightly. “No one has that kind of power anymore.”
Saphira processes his words, the weight of them settling heavily in her mind.
She supposes that when this ce was built, the intention might have been noble-containment, control, security-but how could they have been so blind to the risks?
Her gaze flickers toward him. “Not easily then,” she murmurs.
And somehow, that reality makes their escape feel even more impossible.
Dinner had been nice, and the evening had slipped by faster than she expected.
Saphira had packed everything she could for now, leaving only a few bits to add in the morning. The anticipation of leaving was growing, but as her gaze drifted toward the sofa, where Niks was already seated, a quiet smile found its way to her lips.
She loved their routine-the quietfort of knowing he would be there each night. It was the one thing she would miss.
Settling beside him, she nudged his arm yfully. “Only one more night cramped on a sofa.”
Niks smirked, leaning back. “Meh, I don’t mind the sofa-especially if it helps with the nightmares.”
His words held an easy certainty, something reassuring in their simplicity.
Saphira curled up, letting herself rx.
Tomorrow, everything would change. But for tonight, this-just this-was enough.
Saphira exhales softly, closing her eyes. “Thank you,” she murmurs.
She wills herself to sleep, but it doesn’te. Time stretches on, and the longer she lies there, the more restless she feels. Normally, she would get up- clean, pace, do something to distract herself-but with Niks beside her, she doesn’t want to break the quiet.
Instead, she lets her gaze drift to his face, taking in every detail.
He really is the most handsome man she has ever seen.
There’s always something striking about his eyes-the intensity, the way they hold so much unspoken weight-but now, in sleep, he looks different. Softer,
calmer.
Peaceful.
And somehow, watching him like this settles something deep in her.
Niks’s voice cuts through the silence, calm but amused. “I can feel you staring.”
Saphira startles, quickly looking anywhere but at him, shifting awkwardly. She hadn’t realized he was awake-how embarrassing.
“I, uh… sorry.”
Niks finally opens his eyes, studying her. “Is everything okay?”
She hesitates before admitting, “I can’t sleep.”
He exhales, leaning back slightly. “Same.”
With that, he shifts upright, and she follows, turning to fully face him.
“What’s going through your mind?” she asks, knowing if she’s wrestling with a million thoughts, he must be too.
He sighs, shaking his head. “It just seems too good to be true-leaving here.”
Saphira scoots forward slightly, reaching out to touch his forearm. A quiet reassurance-something unspoken but necessary.
For all his confidence, she can see the doubt lingering beneath the surface.
And in this moment, she hopes-just a little-that her presence is enough to ease it.
Saphira exhales, her voice soft but certain. “I know-it all feels too good. But it’s real. You’re going home tomorrow.”
Niks nces at her, his expression unreadable for a moment before he replies, “So are you.”
Something about those words makes her smile, despite the emotions swirling inside her. She’s going to her new home-one that might finally bring her peace. A fresh start, a chance at happiness. And it’s all because of him-the most powerful and dangerous being in their world.
The weight of tomorrow looms, but Niks shifts back, settling into his previous position. “Come on, we need to sleep. I doubt tomorrow will be easy.”
Saphira mirrors him, lying down beside him. She instinctively leans in as he rests his arm over the back of the sofa, the warmth of his presence a quiet
reassurance.
As sleep finally begins to pull at her, the tension eases.
Last night had been the worst yet. Saphira had barely slept-each time she drifted off, it was fleeting, leaving her feeling drained and raw.
The moment morning arrived, she wasted no time. She packed everything, sorting through thest of her things while Niks did the same. Now, they sat waiting, anticipation thick in the air, the reality of their departure settling in.
The tension snapped when a loud bang echoed from the door.
It swung open without hesitation, revealing a man in a white coat.
And just like that, everything was set into motion.
“Congrattions onpleting the Matchmaker. Please follow me,” the gentleman announces, his tone neutral and practiced.
Saphira exchanges a nce with Niks, uncertainty flickering in her chest.
He merely shrugs, grabbing both of their bags without hesitation before falling into step behind the man.
Saphira quickly follows, her heartbeat steady but alert as they exit the room.
They move in the opposite direction from where she had arrived, the long, narrow corridor stretching before them in eerie silence.
Then, just as they reach the steps, the man halts abruptly, positioning himself at the top, blocking their path.
The weight of the moment settles in, making her pulse quicken.
Something about this doesn’t feel as simple as it should.
The man’s instructions are brief. “Follow the steps down, through the door.”
Then, without another word, he turns and walks away, leaving them alone.
Niks exhales, gripping their bags a little tighter. “Let’s get out of here,” he mutters before descending the stairs first.
Saphira follows closely behind, every step bringing them closer to freedom.
They reach the door, and Niks wastes no time-he pushes it open and strides through.
Stepping out behind him, Saphira takes in the space ahead.
A vast white room stretches before them, eerily simr to the one she first entered upon arrival. But this time, the difference is clear on the far side, huge double doors stand tall, guarded by men in white.
Her pulse quickens.
That