Puny Little Thief!

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Stepping into the warmth of his master's bed chamber, Deus ventured deeper with a tray—containing a teapot and two porcelain cups in his hand. His blue eyes stayed focused on the path in front of him, and when he reached the small circular table settled in the center of the room, he carefully set the silver tray on the surface, then sat on the carpeted floor.

His lazy eyes glinted as he observed the barely lit room, taking in the rows of candles that bathed the room in a soft purple glow. Unlike his master's aloof nature, his chamber was contrastingly cozy and spacious.

"I'm here to see you, again." Deus began in a low voice, despite barely catching the physical appearance of his master. His voice echoed softly within the quiet chamber, and he continued, "I passed the assessment test with Sayge today, I used the technique you demonstrated last time, and I can control my shadow vision."

"Sayge is hard on everyone, but we see why you made her leader." Deus gaze settled on his palm on his thigh.

He kept talking on and on about how today's activity went for him, even when his master was nowhere to be seen. This wasn't his first time doing this, but each time he came here to speak with the man who accepted him and made him the strong fox he was today, he never showed up.

That didn't mean he was absent—he could sense his master's dominating presence within the vicinity. He was probably standing in the shadows somewhere, watching him, listening, but would never reveal himself, regardless of how many times he comes here—in other words, 'intruded.'

"Uhmm… the human lady seemed nice." He added, subconsciously drumming his fingers on the table. "She didn't look at us with hatred or anything of that sort. Maybe she was scared? I guess she should be scared, there was a hint of mindfulness in her eyes, but everyone is wondering why you chose to let her go."

Deus's fox ears hung low as he continued to let his master in on his thoughts, but the end result was always silence. Even when he knew his master would not show up or say a word to him, the fact he could come here and know his master was listening from a corner gave him some contentment.

When he was done speaking, he rose to his feet and carried the tray from the table. He took one last glance at the room before bowing his head in respect and taking his leave.

Closing the door, Deus's eyes subtly widened when he saw Sayge heading in his direction, and her prying gaze shifted to the tray he held. She looked at him with a genuine smile, understanding the situation without having him say it, and she inquired with positive expectation.

"How did it go?"

"I was hoping to have some afternoon tea, but I guess he's not into tea." Deus shrugged, staring disappointedly at the tray he held.

"I'll try something else tomorrow. Maybe make a stop along the way tonight and get him some good wine."

"Deus," Sayge placed an arm on his shoulder, giving him a light comforting pat, "how long do you intend to keep trying? I've seen you go in there almost everyday but… listen, you know the type of master you serve, he won't answer to anyone."

"That's not true. He answers to you, doesn't he?" Deus corrected, trying to keep up with where this conversation was heading. "as much as I regard your advice, I don't think I'll need any assistance on this one." He retorted quietly, "I won't stop trying to reach him because you tell me to, and I know a day will come, when he'll receive the rest of us, same way he received you."

"But Deus—"

"I'm heading to the training ground," he interjected before glancing around the hallway.

"Little sprouts?"

"You called for me?" The cute animated creature on its stick materialized in front of Deus, its black eyes glistening in an inquiring manner, and he says.

"There's a mission tonight, I'll be heading to bed after training, wake me up once it's time to leave." Deus instructed, "think you can do that for me?"

"You got it!" The little sprout nodded before vanishing into thin air, leaving speckles of fairy dust.

Sayge had her gaze on Deus who was already walking away, and she pursed her lips after thinking about what he just said. She hadn't realized the privilege she had, but watching everyone else struggle to interact with Eryx made her know how much she was trusted by him—to be the one he never shy away from, but now, she wasn't the only one blessed with that privilege, because she had seen it for herself.

That human! They were greedy as they come! Just recollecting how she tried to lay her mortal hands on Eryx made her blood boil in its wake. Her master hates being touched, so even if she tried, he would definitely slice off her arm in a matter of seconds.

"Stop thinking about it." Sayge hissed in annoyance. Why was she so upset about someone else touching him? She's probably just over-protective of her master, right? That has to be the case!

Shaking off the heavy feeling weighing her chest, she knocked on the door three times before stepping inside her master's bed chamber. There, she found Eryx lounging at a corner and immediately dropped her gaze to the floor.

"Master." Sayge lowered her head in a polite bow. "All duties have been thoroughly taking care of. Everyone's assessment went fine, Prudence has improved in her shadow skills, and I believe by tonight, we'll be able to head out for the next mission once Slyce returns."

She dropped, letting him in on today's details, but when the silence prolonged, Sayge couldn't stop herself from stealing a glance at the fox demon. He was resting on the chaise lounge close to the curtain-covered windows, all draped in his white robe. His hair, sensually long and messy, framed that angular chiseled face that was staring into space.

His sizable dark tail swayed gently, its silver tip flickering irritably.

Despite being under his service for many years, her reaction always changed each time she noticed the rare beauty her master effortlessly flaunted. It was almost unfair, the amount of beauty he possessed. However, there was something off this time around.

An ominous dark purple mist seeped from him, swirling around his figure like a malevolent serpent, ready to strike. It moved as if it had a mind of its own, cocooning her master in its dark inescapable embrace—and how could she have forgotten the curse.

Sayge instinctively lowered her gaze and cleared her throat, "I was wondering.." she began, her voice steady, "the human said you granted her freedom. If I'm not mistaken, you said she was the key to freeing you from this curse, isn't that the reason we went through the trouble of bringing—"

"I'm bored, Sayge," Eryx lazily murmured, his voice sounding effortlessly pleasant in her ears, "I'm merely seeking entertainment from all of this. She will be back eventually, so tell everyone to prepare to have a human in their midst."

"Yes, master." Sayge politely lowered her head in acknowledgement, a slight frown contorting her face.

"Privacy."

"Of course." Sayge turned around to take her leave, her teeths gritting in dismay.

When the door closed shut, Eryx laid back on the chaise lounge with his hands behind his head, staring emptily at the ceiling, and he closed his eyes.

"Valda." His lips parted slightly as he whispered her name wistfully.

While Eryx had escaped to his dreamland, Valda was trying her best to escape from Chucks who was presently chasing her through the neighborhood.

'is someone thinking about me? ' Valda thought after sneezing on the way, but she had no time to ponder on that, not when her cousin's lover was hot on her heels.

"HEY!! BRING BACK WHAT YOU'VE TAKEN FROM THE GRIGGS MANSION!"

Chucks continued to yell, but to Valda's biggest relief, the people within her neighborhood won't be available till late afternoon. He chased her through the alleyway until she came across a dead end—a wall obstructing her from moving forward in this pursuit.

Valda swiftly turned around to face the smiling Chucks, but thanks to the cloak she wore, he couldn't see her face, since it was perfectly hidden in the shadows of her hoodie.

She stepped back when Chucks approached, his mighty figure blocking her svelte form. "Hand over whatever it is you've stolen from the Griggs home. You won't like the outcome of my actions if you decide to misbehave, you little thief!"

Little thief???

Valda couldn't help but think that someone has purposely declared today as 'mess with Valda's day.' He obviously didn't state it as a compliment, and she certainly wasn't going to let him get away with everything he has done! He defiled her cousin—even if she gave her consent, but it was enough of an excuse to beat him to a pulp!

Chucks, who was forced to chase the strange lady in a cloak, thought he had the upper hand since he was dealing with nothing but an unarmed puny little thief, but to his surprise, the lady took a defensive stance, her small fist raised and poised, as if preparing herself for a fight.

"What… what is that?"

To his disbelief, the lady beckoned him over, challenging him, and through the hoodie that hid her face, he watched her lips curl into a condescending smile.