"You're really letting her go just like that?" Jaxon asked, standing beside Alexander as they watched Katharina step into the back seat of Cain's sleek black car.
Alexander's gaze was fixed on the closing door, his expression unreadable. "What else can I do?"
He let out a quiet breath. "Once she's made up her mind, nothing I say or do will change it. But at least… she promised to return within a week."
Jaxon frowned. "And if she doesn't?"
That was what truly concerned him.
Those two—Katharina and Cain—clearly shared a past unknown to them. What if she felt more at ease in Cain's home and decided not to come back? What would happen to the prophecy then?
And what would happen to Alexander?
She was his fated mate after all.
But Alexander only replied calmly, "She gave me her word. She's not the type to break a promise."
Jaxon sighed, feeling increasingly uneasy and worried.
He already had a bad feeling when Alexander said that if, after returning, she wanted to stay in the city again, he would take her himself and let her stay for as long as she liked.
That in itself was out of character.
Unless he couldn't help it, Alexander avoided going anywhere near the city.
Even with his businesses, outside of major meetings and unavoidable inspections, he handled everything else remotely. In fact, one crucial reason he chose to live deep in the mountains, apart from guarding the crypt, was that he couldn't bear staying amidst humans for prolonged periods.
And yet now, for her…
Jaxon almost asked if Alexander was truly doing all this just because of the prophecy—but what was the point? He knew the man too well.
Alexander would deny it.
Until he no longer could.
Jaxon exhaled heavily. Things were only getting more complicated.
- - -
Inside Cain's car, the ride was quiet.
Katharina was engrossed in the cityscape that zoomed past the windows. Despite all the short videos and movies she'd watched in the last few days, nothing compared to seeing the modern world with her own eyes.
The endless stream of humans. The imposingly tall buildings. The vibrant energy.
It was... fascinating.
But also deafening.
Her brows furrowed as the overwhelming noise from horns, sirens and chatter drilled into her ears. Even with her hearing dialed down to the bare minimum, the clamor was uncomfortable.
She now understood why Alexander lived far away from all this. The noise alone could nearly drive a supernatural mad.
A pity, she thought. Seems like I won't be spending much time here.
In the driver's seat, Cain remained silent—not only out of respect for her dislike of small talk, but also because he was still quietly brooding over the closeness he'd witnessed between her and Alexander.
The memory seemed to be permanently branded in his mind.
An hour later, the car pulled into the garage of a modern private villa—at a location just beyond the overwhelming noise, yet close enough to the heart of the city.
As she stepped into the living room, Katharina immediately noticed how different it felt from Moonstone Manor.
While Alexander's home was traditional and classic, Cain's residence was luxurious and contemporary.
Electronic devices she'd seen in short videos and movies filled the space around her—a smart TV, a surround sound system, and others she couldn't name. But there were even more that were completely unfamiliar.
Like the one currently walking toward her—a humanoid, blocky machine.
"Welcome home, Queen," it chirped in a sweet, feminine voice, bowing at a precise 45-degree angle.
Katharina blinked in surprise.
It… talked?
Cain's gaze had always been on her so he managed to notice her expression, and explained.
"It's called a robot. There are many types these days, each designed with specific functions. This one is multipurpose. If you need help around the villa or have any questions, it can assist you."
She nodded slowly, intrigued despite herself.
How curious.
Cain stood quietly beside her, watching as she observed her surroundings with a composed, yet inquisitive gaze. He thoughtfully didn't interrupt her, only speaking once she was done taking it all in.
"If you'd like, I can show you to your room now," he offered, his tone calm and courteous.
Katharina paused momentarily and turned to look at him.
Her gaze remained on his face for while, then just as he began to feel anxious, he heard her hum in agreement.
"Okay."
Only then did Cain let out the breath he had no idea he was holding. Even so, he didn't dare to do it obviously.
Without another word, he turned and walked ahead, heading up the staircase to the second floor, while Katharina followed behind.
They stopped in front of a door at the end of the brightly lit hallway.
The moment Cain opened the door and she stepped inside, Katharina felt as though she'd traveled back in time.
Inside was gothic-themed room, with black and red accents. It was the exact replica of her bedroom in Castle Haven.
Katharina's steps paused.
It was a world difference from her room at Moonstone Manor.
Over there, her room was decorated in soft pastels—blue, pink, and white. It was bright and elegant.
She didn't really think much about it before, but now, standing here, she found that she preferred that room much more.
As for this one, it evoked memories she didn't like to remember.
But she didn't say anything. Especially not when Cain looked at her with anticipation in his eyes from the side.
"Do you like it, Queen?"
Katharina hid all her emotions and softly hummed in agreement, then continued walking inward.
Just as she sat on the single sofa opposite the bed, Cain spoke again.
"Would you like me to arrange for something to eat?"
She refused curtly. "No, I'm fine.'
She'd lost all appetite.
Anyway, eating was just to satisfy her cravings, it didn't really matter whether she did or not.
"Then…" Cain's gaze shifted to the phone and black box she had placed on the small table in front of her. "do you want to help charge your phone? It must be running out of power already."
He took a similar looking phone out of his pocket, "While I charge it, you can use mine for the time being."
Of course, how long the 'time being' will last remained to be determined.
Katharina didn't mind, so she picked up the phone to hand it over, but then remembered something.
Alexander had said he'd give her a call to show her how to use the contact lens box.
"No need for now. Maybe later."
The smile on Cain's face abruptly stiffened, but in a flash, he'd returned to normal.
"Okay."
The room fell into silence. Each of them with their own thoughts, or maybe they were expecting the other person to say something.
At last, it was Cain who broke the silence.
"When the sunsets, I'll take you into the city, until then, I'll allow you to rest."
With that, he bowed slightly and stepped out.
The minute the door closed, the expression on his face turned stormy.
Alexander Moonstone.
I underestimated you.
In just a week's time, he already managed to have a place in her heart. Something that had took him several decades to accomplish.
How was that fair? How?
As his emotions threatened to go out of control and his aura began to churn and became chaotic, Cain was afraid that Katharina would notice something wrong and quickly walked into a room three doors away from hers.
With a twisted expression, he opened a trap door on the floor of the room and descended into it staggeringly.
See, I told you. She doesn't care about you.
She sees you as nothing more than her blood slave.
She never really saw you, Cain. Not then. Not now.
You've endured the past two millennia all for her awakening, but what did you get? Nothing!
That little kid only had to spend such little time with her to own a place in her heart.
As long as you do as I say, you can have her and everything else you want at your fingertips.
The familiar bewitching voice sounded in his ears, whispering softly, tempting him.
It was like the sweetest honey, but coated in venom.
As long as he…
"Shut up!" He roared, not at all worried that Katharina would hear him.
This was a specially soundproofed space he'd prepared for situations like this.
The voice laughed.
It seemed to be mocking him for denying and resisting what he truly wanted deep in his heart.
But at least, it disappeared.
For now.
All of a sudden, Cain felt a burning sensation on his skin. He went to stand in front of the ornate full length mirror placed at a corner of the room, and took off his shirt.
Unexpectedly, a shocking sight laid underneath.
Dark red runes that twisted and turned, seemingly alive, were tattooed across his upper body.
Cain was obviously used to it as his face remained unchanged.
A second later, a gloomy look appeared in his eyes upon noticing the hints of black in the runes.
They're fading already…
Seems like he had to make a trip down there—it was time for a renewal.
Afterward, he put his shirt back on. By the time he walked out of the secret room moments later, his expression showed nothing out of place.