Heart Of Stone - Episode 17&18

 

HEART OF STONE

Heart Of Stone - Episode 17&18

 (..Sold•To•The•Pit•Of•Hell..)

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No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or reposted in any form, or by any means without a written permission from the author.

Copyright © 2025.

By: Naomi Cindy B.

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Shayla's breaths went cold, everything came to a standstill. Her upper lips refused to embrace the lower one.

She quickly covered her br+àsts with her palms, but the girls didn't stop their harassment.

"Stop it!!!!" She cried out, her skin stinging with the various cruel hands on her body.

"The hell is going on!" Her kitchen teacher came out, beyond shocked.

"Get away from her! Are you girls deaf? Get the hell away!" She shouted, pushing most of them off.

She removed her jacket and covered Shayla's open chest with it, then she took another jacket from one of the other teachers. She covered Shayla's open tummy with that one.

She shoved Shayla behind herself, facing the bullies.

"What do y'all think you're doing? She was brought here by Lord Ryker himself, and you're doing this? You guys are tired of living?"

"It doesn't matter. She's a slave and nothing will change that fact. Not some expensive shoes or the pretty face. She's a slave! So what if Lord Ryker brought her here? I'm sure the purpose was for us to teach her a lesson which we did. He'll be proud of us." Their ringleader said.

"I have nothing more to say to y'all. Nothing at all." The teacher said, rushing down to where they threw Shayla's shoes.

She got the pair and came back to take Shayla's hand, pulling her into her own office where she sat her down.

"I think I have a spare dress in my car, I'll get you that. They ruined your dress completely." She said gently, but Shayla is still hiccuping, she couldn't reply.

She left and came back shortly with the dress for Shayla.

She gave her privacy, and Shayla changed into the bright pink dress. Its got thin sleeves, the tail spread from her waist to her knees.

Luckily it has inbuilt bra like the torn dress, so her b👀bs are well covered.

Shayla wore the shoe back too, then she sniffled and faced the door.

"I'm done."

The teacher came back in with a smile. "Whoa, you look good in it"

"Thank you." Shayla said, still trying to stop her sniffles.

"I'm sorry for coming late to get you. Those girls are ruthless, I should have known this would happen. Tell me what you'd like to eat. I have some cake in my freezer and some juice, would you have them?" The teacher offered.

Shayla almost said yes, but she controlled herself.

She might love food, but there's a limit to her craves.

"No. I'm fine." She said, and she saw the teacher's disappointed look immediately.

"Can you not tell Lord Ryker what happened here?" She asked.

Shayla looked up.

"Please I'm begging you earnestly. He wouldn't move with just anyone, and the fact that he brought you here himself means I'm in trouble if this gets out. I'm talking about big trouble. If he freezes this school, then I'm done for. My career would be over and I can't afford that. So please...can you do that for me?" The teacher continued, holding her hands.

Shayla blinked slowly, eyes still red from the tears she shed.

The teacher quickly got wet tissues, pressing them on her eyes to quell the redness.

"Please don't tell." She begged again.

"It's ok..." Shayla took the tissues from her, resuming the quelling herself. "I won't tell."

"Seriously?" The teacher smiled in relief.

Shayla nodded simply.

"Thank you! And are you sure you're not interested in the cake? I promise it's not bribe." The teacher touched her hair.

"I'm seriously fine." Shayla nodded.

They left the office at 12, returning to their kitchen where they met the other girls chatting and laughing beside their cookers.

They stopped chatting when Shayla entered, and her eyes stayed up, never going down as she stared back at them.

Twelve girls bullied her, and she knows their faces, so she was returning their looks till she got to her cooker at the back of the class, but even the cooker has been messed with.

The wires got cut already, obviously the work of the mean girls.

The teacher didn't talk about it. She replaced it with another cooker, and it was Shayla herself who put fire on it from the lighter.

The second half of the class started, and everyone cooked their delicacies with the remaining hours of the night.

By 6am, they were done. 

Shayla cooked all ten dishes she was taught in the manual, and they were all ready for tasting at 6pm too.

She set her meals on the table like the other girls, and the teacher called in tasters from other kitchens.

The tasting started.

Shayla stayed anxious till they got to her side, tasting her dishes one after the other.

"How many hours did you prepare these ten dishes for?" One of them asked her with mouthful of meat.

"6 hours." Shayla replied, her anxiousness growing.

"You're not only excellent, but time-efficient and know how to effortlessly merge the taste of food with the aromas. Just by smelling the scent, I know what to expect, and your beef and chicken? They're tender and I feel like I'm eating jelly. It melts." The taster said.

Shayla smiled widely.

"Thank you, and it's all thanks to my teacher."

"Leave teacher out of this, young girl. When did you start cooking?" The taster asked again, eating from the salad.

"This is my first cooking" Shayla replied.

"That can't be true..." The taster said with disbelief.

"It's her first, she's a fast learner." The teacher intervened.

By now, the other girls are glaring at Shayla, wishing they had torn her apart earlier. How dare she take all the praises here?

"Then would you like to work in my kitchen? I operate the second largest kitchen in this city, and I serve exclusively." The taster offered.

"Huh?" Shayla said unbelievably.

The girls at the back gasped, jealousy mixing with their hatred.

"I'm afraid she can't." The teacher said.

"Why can't she? She's good, and you know I pay my workers well." The taster insisted.

"I'm...a slave" Shayla muttered, and that was enough to kill any interest the taster had in her skills.

"Oh...I... didn't know. Your pink dress didn't give you away." He said awkwardly.

"Lord Ryker brought her here by himself, and she was trained to cook for the Granny only." The teacher explained.

The kitchen emptied out as the tasters took their leave, and the teacher handed a packaged buffet to Shayla, containing the several dishes she made.

With a thankful smile, Shayla took it and left the kitchen, going back to the front of the school to wait for Ryker.

It's 7am, so the day already broke. She could feel her own hunger, rumbling through her empty stomach.

She had cooked all night, perceiving different aromas without tasting, so it's normal to feel the pangs.

She set the food package down and squatted beside it before opening it, picking from the sliced cake.

She covered the package and took a large bite from the cake while still squatting there.

She moved some of her greasy hair away from her face as the strands are trying to enter her mouth.

She had another bite, and just as she was about to start chewing that, Ryker's voice sliced through the morning air.

"Is it that delicious?"

She spranged up, her cheeks still swollen with the cake.

Ryker stood there, in his robe, right arm slightly raised and the left one staying fluidly beside him, covered almost completely by the large robe sleeve.

"My Lord" she smiled her usual cheerful one.

He faced her, and she quickly swallowed the cake in her mouth, wiping her lips to get rid of the crumbs.

"Why are you in pink?"

"Oh..." She said slowly, looking at her new dress then back at him...

"I spilled stew on my dress during the cooking, so the teacher gave me this to change into." She lied.

His eyes gave her a gaze she doesn't quite understand, and she started wondering if he caught on.

Did he somehow figure out that it's a lie?

"And the class?" He asked. 

That somehow lifted her worries, and her smile returned to her face.

"It was enjoyable. The tasters commended me, and I really cooked the best dishes. They gave me a full buffet package." She said, lifting the package from the ground.

His expression turned so sour as if the sight of the food package irritates him.

"Do you not eat?" She asked.

"I don't have to eat to live, I never get hungry." He replied, spreading his palm for her.

"There are many beneficial peaks for being a demigod." She said, placing her palm on his own.

They teleported back to the palace—granny's chamber.

"Finally back?" Jojo stood from her bed, smiling as she welcomed Shayla in her arms.

"How was it?" She asked.

"Nice" Shayla nodded, showing her the food package.

"You really can't do without food, can you?" Granny laughed.

Ryker's nose picked up the smell of urine, and he went inside, tracing it to Shayla's room.

Soren's pee got cleaned by the maids, but it's still smelling a lot.

"The twins...they barged in and did this." Jojo came in, and Shayla followed behind her.

Ryker scanned the room silently without allowing an hint in his eyes—as if what Jojo just said meant nothing.

Shayla couldn't even talk. What would she say? She has no choice, maybe she's gonna return to the slaves hall.

"But it's all good. There are more rooms, and she can stay in the one at the back. I built a barrier around it with my blood, so the twins won't be able to enter." Jojo said again.

"Good." Ryker faced Shayla.

"You know the timetable."

"Yes. I'll clean the chamber first, then cook breakfast." She replied.

Ryker left the room, and she stared at his back view till he was outta the door.

"Come with me, I'll show you to your new room." Jojo said, leaving the room too.

Shayla went to the pee-soaked bed and lifted the pillow.

Luckily, the handkerchief is still there...dry.

It's unaffected by the pee.

She took it, tucked it inside her gown pocket before following Jojo.

Her new room isn't far from the ruined one, and this one is more spacious. The bed is larger too.

By the window, there's a wind chime with a fire-shaped suspension.

Shayla sat on the bed after dropping her package on the ground.

"You like it?" Jojo asked.

"Thank you for everything. This is the largest kindness I've ever received all my life. It almost feels unreal." Shayla said, looking emotional.

Jojo sat beside her in bed, stroking her shoulder for a second.

"I just like you, and though I dunno why. But I know my soul likes you too. And I hope we stay good forever. Don't disappoint."

"I won't. I promise." Shayla smiled.

"Yunno what? You don't have to clean. Just cook and go to sleep. You didn't sleep last night so you need it." Jojo said.

"No. I must clean. I really don't want anything to anger Lord Ryker." Shayla stood.

"Well then, as you wish." Jojo gestured, and Shayla left the room with a chuckle.

--

[Soul Hall]

Azura dropped her arms after about an hour of raising them above Lilith's body in bed.

She finished replacing her broken ruptured organs already, so she fused them with her powers to make them merge with her body.

It's now done, and all that's left is for Lilith to wake up.

She picked a cup of wine from the table behind her, drinking it all at a go. Zeke entered immediately she lowered the cup from her lips.

"How's it going?" He asked.

"You're always absent, and I'm tired of asking you where you went." Azura glared at him.

"This morning is the maidens check, and I had to select the guards who'd stay around the Groove to see how it goes. I wasn't slacking, so chill." Zeke replied at once, staring at Lilith.

"She's ready. The organs already merged with her body, she only has to wake up." Azura said.

"How many days do we have to wait for?" Zeke asked.

"She should be up in some hours." Azura sat in front of him.

"After she wakes, what next?" She asked.

"She becomes our unmatched messenger of death, what else?" Zeke replied, and Azura filled her glass.

--

[Heartless Tower]

Ryker stood between the two treasure shelves of artifacts and antiques in the middle of the tower.

His eyes are roaming around the shelves, from one to another. And his demeanor is madly calm.

He reached for the left shelf and picked a wrapped paper from it. He unwrapped it and threw something like candy in his mouth.

"That's the blood poison." Cheyenne said, entering the room.

"Are the maidens here?" Ryker asked, ignoring her first words.

"You just swallowed the blood poison." Cheyenne said again.

"Are the maidens here? You either answer this time, or I force you to swallow the blood poison too." Ryker replied, and though his calm demeanor is still intact, it's eerie.

"Yes. The two hundred maidens are here. Sage is currently leading them to the Groove." Cheyenne replied with reluctance.

"Go join him, I'll be there in ten." Ryker instructed.

With a bow, Cheyenne left the room, and Ryker left too.

He didn't go straight to the Groove. He went to the main castle, sliding into the FrostOrb Hall.

He gave himself a cut and wet the orb with his poisoned blood, very well.

He was about to exit the room when the twins came in, their eyes still heavy with sleep.

It's obvious they came here immediately they woke up.

But their sleep flew off immediately they saw Ryker, and their expressions bittered up.

"It's the infamous bastard, been awhile since I ran into you like this. What have you been up to? Have you been sleeping around with the slave? Or plotting treason with granny?" Sadie said, her arms going crossed across her chest.

"I go for the first one. I mean...she might be a slave, but I must admit she's a little fine. I understand if you're laying with her, but getting her involved with our granny? I won't take that! I will never!" Soren stepped forward, getting in Ryker's face like they're mates.

"Step back." Ryker ordered with absoluteness, and Soren frowned, his bravado falling flat at his feet.

"Stay back?" He repeated.

Sadie pulled Soren away from Ryker's path, and Ryker left the room.

"Why did you pull me that way?" Soren asked.

"I mean... he's a bastard who's held down here cos of his sister's lifeline, but still... going against him in this FrostOrb Hall would be senseless. He owns all the aura in here, and we only share by absorbing." Sadie replied.

"That's new, Sadie is actually scared of someone?" Soren scoffed.

"It's not fear. It's called giving what belongs to Cesar to Cesar." Sadie rolled eyes.

They entered the room fully, both shutting their eyes and embracing the aura of the orb. They absorbed the power they'd be needing today.

--

[Bamboo Groove]

Nothing is more enjoyable to Cheyenne right now than the bored look on Ryker's face.

He's already checking out the maidens, and as he checked them out nakedly, they file out of the Groove through the side exit.

Cheyenne is the one controlling the exit, and Sage is controlling the entrance.

Ryker's knuckles are rested on his temple as he watched them with disinterested eyes.

He has checked 50+ maidens already, but none bears that stupid fire mark.

He's aware that Grand Supreme's men are surrounding this Groove, but when if the partner would be among these maidens, the probability that they'd get her before him is zero. He's not that dense.

Grand Supreme's men would only see what he wants them to see, and that's why they can't even see the fact that he checked the slave for the mark.

When the 60th maiden entered for her check, Ryker closed his eyes, getting extra bored.

"I cooked pasta for breakfast. I hope you enjoy it, Granny." Shayla's voice entered his ears, and his eyes opened slowly.

"My Lord, you still have 140 maidens to check. Time is running." Sage urged.

The maidens resumed their entries, and Ryker resumed his check.

For the next one hour, he didn't stop, making sure he got over the boring check once and for all.

"Again, we got nothing. Where the hell is the partner hiding?" Sage groaned tiredly.

"Can't believe we gathered maidens all night only to end up with nothing."

"And the most painful part? They're all so hot. I was wishing one of them would be." Cheyenne said, both standing in front of Ryker.

"But My Lord, why did you swallow the blood poison earlier?" Cheyenne asked.

"He swallowed what?" Sage gasped.

"You know what it's for, stop with the annoying news fishing." Ryker snapped.

"You wet the orb with your poisoned blood so first two people to absorb energy from it today would get wounded internally? But why?" Sage said.

"Wait... first two people would be the twins. They're always the first so they'll be the victims. Is it because of what they did to the slave's room? Did you do it cos of the slave?" Cheyenne said, her eyes darkening with rage again.

"What slave?" Ryker glared up, and she batted her lids.

"The room they ruined is in Granny's chamber, they deserve more than internal wounds." Ryker continued.

Cheyenne and Sage went silent.

"Find me the whereabouts of twelve particular girls." Ryker suddenly said, and their eyes went back to him.

"Twelve girls?" They chorused.

"And their families." Ryker added.

--

[Granny's Chamber]

Jojo is done eating her breakfast of pasta, and she fell into a peaceful nap afterwards, so Shayla is currently cleaning the places she left out.

She's eating from the snacks in her buffet package as she wiped dust from Jojo's treasury with a napkin.

Xena sat on a stool not far from her. She's eating the snacks with her, and they're chatting at the same time.

"What's your age?" Shayla suddenly asked.

"353. Three years older than my brother." Xena replied, and Shayla sighed.

"You guys that are gifted with long life and everlasting youngness are the luckiest.

"Luckiest? You really dunno how many times I've wished for death just to get out of this hellhole, but I can't even die cos my lifeline is with that wicked Grand Supreme." Xena replied, munching her cake.

"Do you think it's right to keep things from Lord Ryker?" Shayla asked the question that has been bothering her.

"Don't try it. He dislikes lies. Just tell him what's up. By the way, what are you hiding?" Xena asked.

"Nothing. Just to be safe." Shayla smiled awkwardly, returning to her cleaning.

She dropped her cleaning napkin when she came across a treasure tv, and Xena stood too.

"Does that still work?" She asked, pressing the button in front of the TV.

Surprisingly, it came on. There's only one TV station in the whole of Luminaria, and it either shows news about fashion, beauty, ballet, richness, royalty or power..

That's how crazily vain they are.

And right now...a fashion show is ongoing, with the most fashionable diva in this city on the red carpet.

"That's Liza! Liza King! The fashion diva. I swear I've been hoping to meet her one day. Apart from ballerina, I'm hoping to really meet this woman. His son Kade is so hot too and I have a crush on him! I heard she's attending the Upcoming Feast so I can't wait... maybe I'll be able to see her!" Xena gushed like an obsessed fan girl.

Shayla sat there, watching the TV with folded emotions that are trying to ripple out.

Liza King is her mother.

And every Luminarian who gets pregnant for a human is supposed to get executed, but how Liza is still alive today is a story Shayla isn't ready to think about.

She turned off the tv, and Xena faced her.

"I was watching my idol!" 

"Can we practice ballet instead?" Shayla went to the middle of the room where she began making her moves, standing on her toes to do the dance just the way she saw the twins doing it.

"You're a witch, aren't you?" Xena gasped, coming closer.

"What?" Shayla laughed.

"I only made you watch the twins with me once, and you already know this much moves? Give me your brain!" Xena held her head, and Shayla laughed again.

They both eventually turned the treasury to a practice room, secretly doing their dance without grabbing attention.

--

[Lumi Fashion Show]

The show is majorly for showing off the most fashionable women in the city, and there are many wannabes but none can ever stand beside Liza.

Liza doesn't have to try. She tops the fashion chain here, owning the major styling websites in the city where citizens pay millions to get her to style them. She's crazy about it.

The show ended as early as it started, and the fashion divas began leaving the red carpet, returning to their cars.

Liza was getting greeted by the others as she neared her car, but as usual, she didn't reply. She never replies.

She's beautiful too, and that gets into her head too much.

She competes yearly with Esme for the crown of beauty.

She entered her car where her son—Kade sat, eating apples.

"You weren't with apples when I was leaving this car." Liza said.

"Don't act like I'm a powerless fool like your daughter." Kade replied, and another apple appeared on his palm. He took a fresh bite from that one and grinned.

"Stop mentioning the daughter, you never listen." Liza sighed.

"I just can't help it. I mean... she's a slave and it's interesting to tell. I'm just glad you didn't birth us for the same father, I'd have hung myself." Kade sighed.

"Kade..." Liza warned again.

"I'm curious, what spell did you put on her to cover the fire mark? How powerful is the spell that even the insane demigod hasn't known who she is?" Kade leaned forward.

"Must you do this?" Liza faced him.

"Tell me...or I'll announce to everyone that she's your daughter." Kade said seriously.

"I'll tell you when we get home, now shut that smart mouth." Liza rolled eyes, purring the car engines to life.

Kade was smirking as she drove them home. The fact that Shayla is even still alive is bad.

Meaning he's not the only child of Liza? Bullshit.

May Shayla die in that place palace soon, and may her stupid powers remain buried.

--

[West Palace]

Faye looked mad as she came out of the castle. She just got in her car and rode out of the gate.

Same with Blaise. He came out and screeched off, nearly bursting his car tyres.

At the same time, Jude drove in, his car nearly colliding with Blaise's.

He halted at the small park and came out, scoffing as he watched the back view of Blaise's car.

"Is he always angry? That red hair must be driving him nuts." He shook his head, throwing a glance at the castle.

He was about to proceed inside when Winona came out, holding the gift package she had gotten for Shayla.

She handed it to Jude who took it with a sneer.

"Try to put some respect on the texts you always send. I risked my life to come here, my parents mustn't find out. You should thank me." 

"Thank you, and make sure it gets to my girl. She'd like what I prepared." Winona smiled.

"Sure... helping the helpless is fruitful." Jude smiled back, and Winona sent him middle fingers.

He returned raised his middle fingers too before getting back in his car, driving out of the castle.

Kasia joined Winona outside the castle, and she let out a heave beside her.

"You were right, Jude might be helpful too." 

"I told you, so when are you gonna start making your move? I seriously can't wait to get my girl." Winona faced her.

"Calm down, we can't do this in a hurry. Relax for me." Kasia said.

Meanwhile, Jude hasn't driven far from the castle when he tossed Winona's gift package out of his car window.

"Give it to her? If only you know how crazy I am about the slave too." He smirked, driving his way back to the East Palace.

--

[Black Swan Ballet School]

The weather became too cold, and the air turned even colder before Blaise and Faye got to school.

They both came out of their respective cars and pulled their pullovers over their heads.

Blaise covered his own head completely with the cap, and the coverage even spread to his face cos he doesn't want attention from the students.

Despite the fact that he escaped the thunder punishment, they're still gonna mock him.

He could feel Faye's steps faltering behind him as they walked into the building together, and he doesn't even care.

It's good that she's keeping her distance, or he might just tell her something to make her hang.

They curved the corridor that led to their practice hall, and they had to move out of the way cos things are happening.

The school is in chaos.

The twins are crying in pains. They're both holding their bellies, rolling on the hallway ground.

They're bleeding too, from their bellybuttons. And it's the strangest bleeding spots ever.

Mercury is crying as she knelt in-between the two of them.

"What's really happening? Someone call the palace! Sadie! Soren!!!"

Blaise left the corridor, going outside to see the cold weather is getting worse. Now the clouds are even turning black like it's gonna rain.

And just as he thought about that, the rain began falling as if it's monitoring his mind and thoughts.

--

[East Palace, Royal Office]

Azura and Zeke are reviewing the tax documents that Jude worked on, and they both look hella bus.

They're not even looking at each other.

They don't even care about the black atmosphere or the pouring rain.

A guard ran into the office without knocking, and Zeke was ready to strike him down, but the news he brought was more important.

"The twins, they're in danger in school." 

"My babies?" Azura stood, throwing away the pen she's using.

Another guard came inside, and that one looks terrified than the first one.

"The bastard...he entered the city, and we followed him like you instructed. We thought he wanted to go in search of Xena's twin again, but then he started gathering girls. Twelve girls from the culinary school, but not only the girls, he also gathered their families—parents, cousins, nephews, nieces, friends and grandparents. He slaughtered them all at Mount Zhitomir. They're over 300." He reported.

"He what???" Zeke and Azura chorused, their eyes widening.

--

[Granny's Chamber]

Xena was panting as she ran inside, and she's very wet from the rain cos she held no umbrella here.

The weather is still dark, and the rain is still very heavy.

She met Granny at the outer chamber, and she's communicating with her mirror.

"Xena?" Jojo stood.

"Grandma, where's Shay?" She asked breathlessly, and Shayla came out of the inner chamber, her hair twisted and dress crumpled cos she was sleeping before Xena came.

"What happened at the culinary school yesterday? Be honest with me. You said something about lying to my brother." Xena rushed to her.

"Nothing happened" Shayla said, determined to uphold her promise to the teacher.

"Stop lying! If nothing happened, then why did he gather twelve girls from the school and their family generations to slaughter ?" Xena said.

"What!" Shayla's eyes widened.

"Slaughtered?" Jojo stood.

"I started suspecting the moment it started raining suddenly. But now it has been confirmed. The news is everywhere. He killed them all." Xena said breathlessly.

Shayla swallowed twice and thrice, trying to digest everything.

Twelve girls bullied her last night, and he killed twelve girls and their families today.

He knew? 

He f+ckin knew?

She must have been so silly to think he wouldn't find out.

He's the feared demigod, so what was she thinking?

She rushed out of the chamber, refusing to listen to the callings of Xena and Jojo.

She doesn't even know the location of Heartless Tower in this palace, but she heart it's in the middle, so she found her way to the middle after ten minutes of rallying round in the rain.

She was soaked by the time she arrived there, but she vet Cheyenne and Sage in front of the tower, and she just knows it'd be hard especially with Cheyenne.

"Is Lord Ryker back?" She asked.

"Now that you got a little room at the chamber, you're suddenly asking of him? Damn, I hate your guts." Cheyenne went forward, but Sage pulled her back.

"Let me go I should put this sl+t in her place!" Cheyenne pulled back.

"I'm not a sl+t, stop calling me that. Call me a slave instead." Shayla replied.

"Did she just talk back? Seriously? Sage I need to end her life, now!" Cheyenne spat, wanting to move again, but the rain suddenly stopped, though the dark weather still stayed.

"My Lord?" Sage blinked as Ryker appeared behind them.

Cheyenne relaxed too, inhaling deep.

With a soft turn, Shayla faced him too, and she wasn't surprised with his appearance.

Bloody face, again. More bloody than she has ever seen on him.

Even his robe is dripping with blood as if he bathed with it.

His hands are bloody, too. Down to his feet.

He signalled to his knights, and they both went inside. Cheyenne was glaring obviously at Shayla till she was out of sight.

Ryker stepped Shayla aside, walking past her on the paved ground without sparing her a glance.

"She begged me! The teacher begged me not to tell, so I had pity and didn't tell!" She quickly said.

With an unexpected twist, Ryker whipped around, facing her. There's no warmth in his eyes again. There has never been.

"Pity? I'll kill you if you mention that one more time in front of me. I took you there, and they did that, meaning they lost regards and fear. How dare anyone touch what I planted? And you thought it was natural to let it go and have pity on the teacher by not telling me? I badly want to kill you right now. So shut up, and don't make it come to pass." He said, easily as if death is his favorite chant.

The words shoved a jagged ice to Shayla's mind, and despite the induced fear, she looked him straight in the eye, her palms getting sweaty even with the rainwater on her skin.

Ryker resumed his walk, but just as he was about to get to the main door, she went after him again, boldly grabbing his bloody hand.

Ryker stopped, his face turning back and his eyes landing on the hand she's holding.

Her warmness wrapped around him again like a second skin, spreading from that arm to his chest, his back...

"I'm sorry, Moy Vladika. I won't lie to you anymore." She said softly, meaning every word.

Moy Vladika means My Lord in his family language.

He looked up, his eyes catching hers.

"Let go of that hand, now!!" Cheyenne bursted out, coming for them with her long red nails.

A wave of Ryker's free hand landed Cheyenne on the floor. She passed out like a lump.

Shayla held Ryker's hand with her second hand too, feeling his intense coldness deep under her skin.

TBC

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