56

They came upon a clearing, a place surrounded by frozen trees and glistering ice. The storm had subsided and the cold wasn't as fierce as before. But the ground was slippery and Regan was having it hard enough to walk. She didn't want to humiliate herself by falling, because judging already, Sirius was having enough amusement seeing her like this.

"You could've held on me," he said, his voice dripping with amusement. "You don't have to be so stubborn for your own safety."

"Mind your own business," Regan retorted, stopping and holding on a tree. But the ice made her hand freeze. They had been walking for long enough and she had no idea when he'd stop.

She watched him as he swirled his hand and then a mass of air followed its movement, summoning a blue portal in the air. 

"Go first, little kitten," he said, gesturing at the portal.

Regan scowled in annoyance at being called 'little kitten', "Why?" she snapped, "Are you afraid I'll escape if you go first?"

"Oh, no," he nonchalantly replied, "I'm just saying, if beasts are lurking on the other side, you'd be the one to die first, at least."

"You're the real beast here," Regan hissed, her eyes narrowing.

"Oh, Ylor. You wound my heart with your sharp words," Sirius dramatically sighed, his eyes innocent. "Besides, you're not willing to hold my hand, are you? If you don't want to go alone?"

"I'd rather die than hold your hand."

"Dramatic," he remarked.

With a sigh, Regan walked slowly to the portal, finding it still unbelievable how it would teleport her somewhere else. She entered the portal, feeling sick from the sensation.

As she teleported to the city, surrounded by night, aliens and skyscrapers, a sense of dread washed over her. What if Sirius left her here alone? 

But then he teleported as well, and she didn't know whether to feel relief that she wasn't all alone, or dread that she was with her abductor.

"Let's go," he said, starting to walk, leaving no place for her to refuse. She saw he had a black mask on his face, probably because he didn't want to be recognized. She followed him.

The city was more than brighter and brilliant. However, she couldn't help but feel hopeless. It wasn't even day. The sky was dark and surprisingly there weren't any planets or stars visible.

She didn't have any plans. She had only one, yes. That was to find Iris, and then....then she didn't know. She was completely lost in Sirius's grasp.

As lost in thought, she felt a tug at her cloak, drawing her to the other side. Startled, she whirled around to see Sirius looking down at her. "You seem lost, little kitten," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "Are you having trouble finding your way?"

Her cheeks flushed with anger and embarrassment, but she forced herself to stay disinterested. She ignored him, walking forward.

"Oh, grumpy?" Sirius teased, walking beside her, wrapping his arm around her shoulder, "Who hurt my little kitten?" He chuckled, and she gritted her teeth, pulling away.

"I'm not your little kitten," Regan retorted, trying to control her anger. It was becoming infuriatingly difficult.

"You need to stay close to me," he said, now his voice stern and stoic. "It won't be good if you look as if you're lost."

"I'm hungry," she suddenly said. In fact, she was. She hadn't eaten anything since the night she witnessed Agnar's affair. Thinking of that creep made her blood boil and she remembered Artemis, her foolish sister. What was she doing now?

"Fine. I'll get you something around here," he replied.

"Well...uh... there's...a place to buy," Regan said awkwardly. She wanted to go to the bar where Iris hanged out. She wanted to find her there.

"And?"

"And I wanted to go there."

"What's so special about that place?" Sirius asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's just...a place I know." Regan lied. She wouldn't tell him about Iris. "Can we go there?" she asked, her voice hopeful.

"What makes you think I'll agree to that? We're each other's enemy, remember? Why would I help you?" Sirius sneered, his voice laced with disbelief.

"Fine! Don't," she snapped back, irritated.

He genuinely smiled under his mask, "Alright, alright," and purposely shoving her hood down her face, making her groan in annoyance. 

"What's your problem?" Regan snapped annoyed.

Sirius didn't answer. Instead, he scanned the place, his eyes narrowing. Then, he looked down at her, but she couldn't even read his face, save the eyes.

"So, kitten... what's the place's name?"

Regan frowned, angry at the thing he kept calling her, "Why do you call me 'kitten'?" she demanded, her anger palpable.

"Because it annoys you?" he grinned, stepping closer, "Maybe because you're fierce when you're annoyed? Or maybe because I like fierceness?"

Regan cursed under her breath, her anger boiling. She didn't want to be anywhere near him. She didn't want him to call her kitten. Her fists clenched tightly, her nails digging her skin.

"What's the name of the place?" he repeated his question, his voice stern.

"Diamonds and Fangs," she retorted sharply.

"Fine. Follow me."

Regan followed him and she hoped she'd find Iris there. After all, it was her who told about this place. She only wanted to get as far away from Sirius and everyone else she hated. Suddenly, he grabbed her arm and pulled her against him, "I told you that it's not good if you seem as lost," he growled in a low voice.

"I'm not lost," she hissed back, trying to keep her anger in check and shoved him away. The last thing she wanted was to draw attention to herself. They arrived at the 'Diamonds and Fangs' a modern bar washed with vibrant neon lights. The walls were mostly made of glass. 

Regan's mind was elsewhere. She couldn't help but wonder why Sirius stayed so close to her.

The bar was normally lit, with locals hanging and sitting around. Sirius's eyebrows furrowed, sensing something wrong, "And where do you buy food from here?"

"Inside," Regan retorted, "I-I have to go to the toilet," she lied.

Sirius's eyes narrowed suspiciously, but he nodded. "Fine. Don't take too long. And don't dare make something stupid. If you ever try to escape or do some other ridiculousness, I'd know," he warned. As she entered the bar, he entered as well.

Regan's eyes scanned around the bar, while he looked at her suspiciously, knowing there was something off.

"Are you looking for someone here?"

"No," Regan said too quickly.

"So? You said you were going to the toilet."

Regan frowned. All she wanted was to find Iris. But there was no Iris. She didn't see any brunette girls around. She sighed in frustration, her irritation hanging on a thin line.

"Yes, I changed my mind. Let's just leave."

"Leave? You said you were hungry."

"I'm not."

"You lied to me?" His eyebrows furrowed.

Regan didn't answer but stormed out outside. The city was glimmering with itls lights and although it was night, the luminous aura made it shine.

She was angry for getting abducted again, while all conscious. It was like she was doing it by her own free will.

Sirius caught up with her pretty easily and pulled her back by her arm, "Where do you think you're going?"

"To hell. Will you come?" Regan shot back.

"No, now you're going back inside here and you'll eat with me," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

"I won't!"

"And where would you go?" Sirius hissed, his tone sharp. "Don't you realize you have nowhere to go? That fool you call sister isn't going to help you. The world doesn't care about you. You just as alone as I am. You want to get caught? You think that Artemis is going to swoop in and save you? Think again."

His words cut deep, and for a moment, Regan felt a pang of truth in his harsh tone. He was right.

"So what? You're the one who left me go with Artemis in the first place. Now leave me alone." Regan jerked her arm free from his grip and turned away, trying to hide the hurt his words had caused. She hated admitting even to herself that he was right about her isolation. She knew she was alone and no one cared about her.

Sirius's expression softened, his eyes losing the cold harshness they held. "I made a mistake, Regan. I won't make the same mistake again. You're coming with me," he said, his voice almost gentle.

Regan glared at him, her emotions tumultuous. "I'm not going anywhere with you. You can't force me."

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, "Life isn't all about freedom or independence. There are greater things at stake and you're a foolish kitten if you don't realize that."

"Don't call me that'!" Regan's voice cracked with a mix of frustration and vulnerability. She hated how Sirius could effortlessly get under her skin, manipulate her like a puppeteer pulling strings.

Sirius regarded her with an unreadable expression for a moment before a smirk tugged at the corners of his lips. "Fine, I won't call you kitten if it bothers you so much," he conceded, his tone teasing but with a hint of something else beneath the surface.

He then grabbed her arm and led her once back inside the bar, his grip firm but not harsh. He sat her down on a cornered spot, where they wouldn't be in the middle of the aliens. A robotic machine approached them, its green iron body connected with metallic wires. On top of its body, there was a small bright display in pink color. "Hi. May I take your order?" It asked in a digital feminine voice. Regan flinched as soon as it spoke. She had never seen a robot, not even on earth.

Sirius shrugged, "I don't know. Just bring something that's good for her." 

The robot nodded and walked away. He took the seat across from her, his eyes narrowed as he studied her features.

"So, who did you want to find here, darling?" His voice brought her back to the present. She glared at him, not wanting to admit anything. The word 'darling' rolled off of his tongue as if it was made of silk. 

"No one."

"Don't lie to me, Regan. I can tell you were looking for someone. Now, who is it?" 

"I wasn't looking for anyone. I don't have where to go," Regan said. She hated herself for admitting she had nowhere to go, but she thought that if she could play along and make him think she was obeying, maybe he would stop watching her so closely.

Sirius studied her face for a moment longer before leaning back on his chair. "You know, you're not very good at lying. You should work on that."

The robot turned back quickly with two plates of unknown food and drinks. The sounds and synthwave music around the bar were loud enough, making her grateful that it wasn't a chilling silence at least.

Sirius dismissed the robot rudely and looked at his plate. He wasn't hungry and didn't know why he bought one for himself. Maybe because he wanted her to eat both. He carelessly pushed the plate aside and his gaze lingered on her. 

"I'm not going to force you to tell me. But if you keep making plans to escape, you'll get in trouble. Not only by me, but other monsters as well." He paused, his expression unreadable, but there was a hint of frustration in his voice. "Now, eat. I don't want you to start looking sick in my hands," he said coldly, taking a sip of his drink.

Regan took a deep breath, feeling slightly uncomfortable under his gaze. She was hungry, but she didn't want to eat anything she didn't recognize. Or she didn't want to eat in front of him. Or she just hated herself for thinking he cared.

The bar was crowded but she felt as if she was alone with him. He knew she was uncomfortable but he didn't have what to do. He knew that whatever he'd do, she'd either be uncomfortable or furious. Although, he preferred the last one. It was more cute for him to see her act like that.

Regan sighed and decided she could eat something. Maybe it wouldn't kill her. She took a small bite of the food, tasting it cautiously. It wasn't bad. Actually, it was quite delicious. 

She avoided looking at the sorcerer, hoping that this would end as fast as possible. She didn't know what she wanted or where she'd go. Her expression turned thoughtful for a moment. Even if she managed to escape, where would she go? She had no idea.

"What are you thinking about?" Sirius asked suddenly, interrupting her thoughts. She glanced up at him, feeling a flash of annoyance and anger.

"Nothing important," she replied curtly, taking another bite of the food. He narrowed his eyes at her and leaned forward, elbows on the table.

"Don't lie to me, Ylor. You're always thinking something. And I want to know what's going on inside that pretty little head of yours." His voice was low and threatening, and she scowled.

"I won't tell you anything," Regan retorted, her voice low and angry, "just like you never tell." Her eyes were sparkling with defiance and annoyance.

"Oh, I don't share my thoughts with anyone," Sirius smirked.

"What are your thoughts?" Regan accused. "Why are you abducting me again? Why don't you leave me alone?" Her voice was tight with anger and fear, but she refused to show any weakness. She forced herself to meet his gaze, daring him to respond.

Sirius considered her questions for a moment, his expression unreadable. "I wouldn't call it abduction. I don't leave you alone because..." He trailed off, his gaze shifting away from her. "Because I don't want to."

"And why don't you want to?" Regan insisted.

Sirius chuckled darkly. "Maybe because I'm someone who won't tell you this. Maybe because I like it when others think of me as cruel and tyrant, when they haven't even seen the worst of me. Or maybe because I don't care enough to tell you."

He leaned back in his chair, studying her face for any sign of fear or anything else. He only saw the anger in her eyes, the defiance in her posture. He was lost in her eyes, although he knew who she was.

"You know, kitten....you could have been my only companion. But you don't want to. You want to fight me and....it's alright. I've always had enemies. You'll end just like them." His eyes darted away and his expression was thoughtful, as if he was trying to convince his own mind.

Regan's narrowed in anger at the audacity he had to suggest she could've been his companion. He had ruined her life. She hated him. "You're delusional if you think I'd ever be your friend," she snapped, her voice sharp with anger, "that wouldn't happen even in a parallel universe. I hate you! You ruined my life."

Her words seemed to pierce through his thoughtful expression, causing him to narrow his eyes.

"The outbursts of hate aren't very efficient," he said, his voice cold, but not eyes. "I've seen it where they said....I hate you.... and they ended up..." He trailed off, stopping as if he had gone too far, "Whatever.... it's up to you. You can side with me or you can fight. If you choose the last, I'll do everything it takes to finish you off as I did with your family."

"And why haven't you done it already? You're a hypocrite, Sirius. You don't even know what you're saying," Regan snorted, her voice filled with hatred, "I'll fight you, I'll make you pay. I don't care if I die doing it. And I'll find my parents as well."

A smirk tugged on his lips, "How?" He leaned forward on his elbows, "How will you fight me, Regan? You're in my grasp. You have no allies, no army to support you. I can kill you whenever I want. But I've been feeling generous lately. And I'm not planning to let you go.

A wave of fury made Regan frown. She didn't want to unleash her anger here but she knew she was ready to do something violent.

"Where's Artemis? What about Viggo?" she abruptly questioned, trying to swallow up her anger.

When hearing about Viggo, Sirius's expression darkened immediately and he ran a hand through his dark hair, "Don't you even dare mention the name of that fucking scum. Don't you ever dare," he warned through his low gruff voice. But Regan couldn't help it.

"What happened to him?" she pressed on, her curiosity getting the better of her. She still was unclear and confused. How was she even freed from Viggo dungeon when Artemis had told her she was going to be executed?

Sirius's expression darkened further, "Shut up and don't mention that piece of filth again."

Knowing that she was getting on his nerves, Regan continued to probe, "Or what? You'll kill me? I have to know. How was I freed?"

"You're clueless, Regan. You truly are." Sirius muttered under his breath, but he answered her question nonetheless. "I freed you. I wouldn't let anyone lay hands on you. And yes, I got rid of that bastard, Viggo. I should have done it long ago."

Regan's expression turned into a confused one. He had freed her? But she quickly shoved the thought away. She was being taken again, just that now it was from him.

"He was a prince. You're in great trouble. They'll hunt you down for that," Regan said. She didn't know what he had done to Viggo. She was silently grateful, very grateful. But she was too prideful to show it. She just couldn't understand why Sirius had done that.

"Prince?" Sirius raised an eyebrow, his expression twisting into a sneer, "No prince or other noble dares defy Sirius." His voice was filled with arrogance. "They'll think twice before coming after me. Besides, I didn't do it for you, Ylor. I did it because.... because I had something personal against him."

Regan looked at him with a mix of confusion and anger. He was bipolar, she was sure of it. And what did if mean by 'something personal'? "You think you're so untouchable and powerful," she retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Do you also expect the king to bow down to you?"

Sirius chuckled darkly, "Oh, Ylor. You have no idea. Power is not about expectations; it's about reality. And in reality, those who underestimate me regret it."

"Well, newsflash, Sirius: I've underestimated you plenty of times and I don't regret anything. And you're not untouchable. You can't expect the royalty to thank you for your deeds. They'll hunt you down."

"Let them come," Sirius said, his smirk growing wider. "Why are you so worried about me, kitten? You think I'll ever leave you alone? Relax, I'm not going anywhere."

"I'm not worried about you," Regan shot back, her voice tinged with frustration. "I'll never be."

Sirius watched her with a mixture of amusement and something else flickering in his eyes. "We'll see about that," he said cryptically, trailing off as if leaving a question hanging in the air.