Author's POV 

The gunshot rings into the cold air, echoing like a scream. The darkest red colour of blood splattered on the floor, staining the wall red.

Three men stood watching, almost enjoying themselves as the victim dropped to his knees, clutching his stomach. His breaths were broken, and insane fear was clear on his face. He could see death staring back at him.

Desperately, the man pressed his trembling hands together, pleading, his entire body shaking from pain and terror. 

“Please… don’t kill me. I have kids, my wife is waiting-....”

The sentence died in his throat as another gunshot tore through his skin, straight into his heart.

His body collapsed backward on the floor, a fresh pool of blood spreading beneath him.

“What the fuck did you just do, Ethan?” The growl ripped through the silence of the corridor.

Ethan let out a slow sigh, turning around. His hazel eyes show irritation. “I hate those family dreams, Alexander,” he muttered, rolling his eyes. 

“Motherfucker annoyed me.” With a sharp kick, he shoved the lifeless body aside.

Alexander rubbed his temple, exasperated. “And what are you going to tell father?”

Ethan’s lips curved into a smirk. “I’ll handle the old man.”

The bodyguards quickly came, lifting the lifeless body from the crimson floor. Within seconds, it disappeared into the corridor, leaving behind only the metallic scent of blood. While the cleaners moved in, scrubbing the blood from the floor and walls, as though death had never touched the place.

Ethan pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket, wiping the blood from his hands, muttering, “Fucking lowlife.”

Xavier stood nearby, expressionless. His body was present, but his mind was elsewhere. Showing no interest in what was happening. Alexander noticed it, his voice dropping to a low murmur.

“I don’t think we can keep doing this kind of work here.

Ethan turned, brows furrowed in confusion, but Alexander pressed on, his tone laced with mockery.

“Someone’s agreed to get married. To a teacher.”

The teasing words instantly shifted Ethan’s gaze to Xavier.

Xavier is now looking at them like his interested topic has revealed.

Twisting the blood-stained handkerchief, Ethan threw it on the floor. His voice was flat. “No, Alexander. He didn’t agree to marriage. He followed a command. A command from his chief.”

Alexander nodded, though his disbelief simmered. “True.” agreed on it. 

He continued “But why the fuck would the chief choose a girl like her? A teacher. Someone so far away from this world. If she sees even a glimpse of what happens here, she’ll collapse. Probably die from the shock.”

“I don’t think she’ll survive in this world,” Ethan agreed flatly.

Alexander glanced at Xavier again. “But I think Xavier likes her. Don’t you see? He’s been lost ever since he came back from her house.”

Finally, Xavier’s full attention was on them as his voice broke the tension. His words were cold, but his eyes betrayed something darker. 

“I don’t fucking like her. I just lust after her.” He paused, his eyes darkening. “She caught my attention, and I want her.” His voice cut through the air, like a dark promise.

Both men fell silent. They didn’t accept his answer, not fully. Xavier had never said anything like this about women before. 

Ethan’s voice cut through the silence, low but deadly. “But don’t get attached to her. In our world, nothing lasts.”

“I know how to protect my things,” Xavier shot back his voice like a loaded gun.

Their conversation was interrupted as a bodyguard came running in, he was trembling as he spoke, his voice low and shaking. “Sir, we got information that Iris, ma’am, has escaped from her house.”

Xavier’s jaw tightened and a slow, wicked smirk played on his lips, like he was thinking something evil. “Did the news come from Ashford?” he asked.

The bodyguard shook his head. “No, sir. One of our men, Liam, reported it.”

Xavier dismissed him with a wave of his hand. But his command froze him in mid-step. His lips moved. “Tell our man to get ready,” he ordered.

“Yes, sir.” The guard bowed quickly before hurrying out, leaving behind a thick silence.

Xavier pulled out his gun; his rough hand met the cold metal. His palm wrapped around it. He turned on his heel and strode out.

Alexander and Ethan exchanged a glance, no words needed. Alexander’s hand found Ethan’s shoulder, both of them watching the direction where Xavier had just vanished into.

“I don’t think she will return in one piece,” Ethan muttered.

Xavier stepped outside. All the men were already lined up like soldiers; they were criminals, and their faces couldn’t hide the evil beneath. After hearing they had to find a girl, a glint passed over their faces.

Xavier’s voice cut through them, sharp and dangerous.

“We’re going to find Mrs. Stone. Remember that no one touches a single strand of her hair. Don’t even look at her. If you do, I’ll make you regret being born.”

Xavier's threat sent visible ripples of fear through the men. The terror was clear. They all knew too well how inhuman he was.

All the man runs in their task. His lips curled into an evil smile and he murmured in a low voice,

“It will be fun to haunt you, little thing."