n

n

nLukas leaned in closer to my face and exhaled.

n

"Tell me, how did you know that I can't feel cold?

"

nI bit my lip and refused to answer.

nHe continued advancing, almost planting me on the ground with his glare and overwhelming stance. While I continued to shrink, wanting to look smaller and avoid him however impossible that sounds.

n

"How did you know any of it? From me being part of the silver wings, and now. Who told you all of them?

" He repeated.

nHe won't give up either, we're both stubborn after all. Times like this will surely make you cry because you can't blame anyone but yourself. You and your mindless rambling And by you, I meant me.

n

"You won't tell? Shall I make you open your mouth?

" He then released his coercion. It enveloped me just as quickly. Heavy and daunting, bringing chills up my spine.

nWhen he's this close, I could feel the heat from his body. It's higher than your average person due to his disposition. Naturally, it allowed me to notice things closely. I saw his impressive tattoo which seemed to come out of his skin, emitting dark slivers of what the hell is that?-- Aura? Goodness… It's alive!

nTerrified by both visual impact and his threat, my mouth opened on its own, wanting to reason out.

n

"I… I… I was– I was only–

"

n

"Guessing?

" Lukas cut me off and sneered,

"Heh. Can't you think of an even better lie?

"

n

"...

"

nGuess that's not working for me, huh.

n

"Who are you?

" He all but growled in my face and I stood there, terrified and shaking to my knees.

nThe way his eyes spit fire as if he wants to swallow me whole made my already freaking out self panic. I couldn't think of anything to make me look less suspicious because right now, my mind was just screaming for me to run away. Lukas… He is okay when he's just messing around with me. I can still handle him. I honestly prefer him that way.

nBut an angry Lukas looming over me like death incarnate? Que horror!

nThe longer his fiery eyes stay on me, the more I feel what it is to approach death. I have no choice but to do this.

n

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

"

nLukas grimaced from my shrill scream, catching him off-guard. Well, I gave my everything from that scream alone and made sure the whole house would hear it. I took that half a second distraction as a chance to move away from him and ran to the door. He recovered right away and now he's glaring at me.

nJust as he was about to come close, we both heard the hurried footsteps in the hallway and the mixed voices of people. It was the sound of my salvation. Knowing the situation, Lukas gave me one pointed look before disappearing right in front of me as if he was never there. Like a gust of smoke vanishing with the wind.

nThe door to my room was pried open and there came both my father and brother. They rushed in and immediately saw me at the side, quivering like a leaf. Both of them huddled towards me, throwing questions one after another in worry.

n

"Nadia?! What happened? Are you okay? Why did you scream?

"

nNathaniel quickly scanned my whole body before his eyes darted around the room, searching the perimeter like the soldier he is. He was even holding his sword while he's in his pajamas and bed hair.

nHe spotted the opened balcony and got vigilant, swiftly made a beeline towards the wide-opened door, and inspected.

nMy father, however, grasped both of my shoulders and looked at me all over just the same, looking very worried. His warm hands penetrated my slightly shaking shoulders and soothed me a bit.

n

"Nadia? What happened?

" He asked.

nI blinked my heavy eyes and sighed in relief as if a big boulder was suddenly lifted off my shoulders.

n

"I had a nightmare,

" I breathed heavily and dazedly stared at the grayish sky outside, having no idea when it had stopped snowing.

"An extremely scary nightmare.

"

nYep. It sure was.

n

"A nightmare?

" My dad repeated.

nI nodded feebly.

"Yes. It was a demon coming after me…

"

nMy dad, stupefied, stared at me for a second and laughed, patting my head affectionately.

n

"It was just a dream. You don't need to be scared.

"

nI truly hope it was, father. But it was real. The demon was really out for my blood. I believed he almost wanted to snatch my soul before you two came.

nNathaniel had finished securing the surroundings and went to us.

n

"Why is the balcony open?

" Was his immediate question, looking stern.

n

"I… I forgot to close it before I went to bed,

" I replied in a heartbeat, masking my lie.

nHis face contorted in displeasure.

n

"That's dangerous. Next time, you have to make sure that you lock all doors and windows.

"

n

"Yes, brother…

"

nThough I think locks won't hinder a certain someone from coming again. I'm pretty sure he would definitely return for our unfinished business. Just thinking about it is already giving me chills.

nThe Arcane Tower

nJanus stared at the moon while humming a tune. He was sporting a smile but it never made his eyes softer. On the contrary, he's pissed off. It was a good thing that he saw it happen right before the beam of light hit the surface and immediately cast a barrier all over Terra or they will be facing a great disaster right now.

nIt was a close call.

nHis eyes narrowed disapprovingly and gazed at the distance where a certain someone could be seen currently panicking in their bedroom.

nWhat's wrong with that woman, seriously? Testing something without precautions… Can't she practice discreetly? Why would she even try that spell in the first place just after learning it?

nThough he's fully aware of that woman's potential, he was still unhappy that she was being rash.

nZ, who was also staring at the moon in curiosity glanced at the unamused Janus.

n

"Can master restore the moon?

" His blindfold was on his head at that moment, uncovering his peculiar eyes. With black sclera and red slitted pupils, he was obviously a demon through and through.

n

"How am I supposed to do that?

" Janus grumbled.

nIt's not that he can't do it, he just doesn't know. Restoring is easy as long as you know its properties and how it was composed. Heck, he can restore blown-up limbs perfectly, or a building that got turned to dust. You just rewind the time on that specific object or place.

nThe moon though? He had never tried before. That large of an area? And such a distance at that? That's impossible. Even for him. Unless he flew to space and cloned himself, probably. Anyway, that's just a guess. He never tried it and it's such a pain to do either. This world is not his domain, so why bother?

n'But then the mistress…'

nJust as he was contemplating so hard for the sake of his master, the moon was back in its original form and state when he wasn't looking. Like brand new.

n

"Oh, it's fixed!

" Z grinned happily.

n

"... Mmm…

"

nJanus looked up again and smiled, his mood soaring.. There's only one who can do that so easily and effortlessly.

n