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He stepped past the icy fence and started walking through the garden of icy glaciers and frozen trees. They met with a portal, the same portal she had encountered with Artemis."Go first, little kitten," Sirius said.Regan frowned in annoyance of 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, Regan. You wounded 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," Regan snapped."Dramatic," he remarked.With a sigh, Regan turned to the arched portal, whose corners were made of ice, and its green-blue vertex was swirling beautifully. She entered the portal, feeling as if she was floating into the nowhere, as if she was going to faint. She teleported to the same place she had teleported with Artemis before. Her head spun and her eyesight went blurry. The storm had subsided and the cold wasn't as fierce as before.Seconds later, he teleported as well, appearing right next to her."Let's go," he said, starting to walk, leaving no place for her to refuse. She followed him, her heart racing in her chest. They walked through the city outskirts, the sky darkened into a chilling dark grey. The city from far was more than brighter and brilliant. However, she couldn't help but feel hopeless. How was she going to find that 'Diamonds and Fangs' bar? The bar where Iris would hang out?As lost in thought, she felt a tug at her cloak, drawing her to the other side. Startled, she whirled around to see Sirius grinning 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 Agnar made her blood boil and she remembered Artemis. What happened there?"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 smirked, "Alright, alright," he scoffed as he purposely shoved her hood down on her face, making her groan in annoyance."What is your problem?" she snapped annoyed.Sirius didn't answer. Instead he put a black mask on his face, his head covered from his cloak's hood."So, kitten... what's the place's name?" he asked, smirking.Regan frowned, angry at the thing he was calling her, "Why do you call me 'kitten'?" she asked, 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?"She didn't answer, her blood boiled in her veins. 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, her voice sharp.Sirius smiled, "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. 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. All she wanted was to meet the southern girl again.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?" he asked."No," she sharply retorted."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 it's lights and although it was night, the luminous aura made it shine.She was angry but didn't know if she was angry for not helping herself, or angry because she was getting abducted again, while all conscious.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 harshly retorted."No, now you're going back inside here and you'll eat with me," the sorcerer said, his voice low and dangerous.He led her back to the bar in a secluded spot and sat her down on a table. 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 spoke 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? Were you thinking of escaping, darling?" The sorcerer's 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. "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 wasn't trying to escape. 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 by other monsters as well.""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.She 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, Regan. 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."Do you ever tell me what you think? No. And so, I won't tell you anything." Regan retorted, her voice low and angry. 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 have had enemies my whole life. You'll end just like them." His eyes darted away and his expression was blank, as if he was trying to convince his own mind.Regan clenched her fists, slamming one on the table, her eyes lighting with flame, "Are you out of your mind? Me? Your friend? You ruined my life and you want me to be your friend? You're insane! I hate you!"Her words seemed to pierce through his indifferent expression, causing him to narrow his eyes."The outbursts of hate aren't very efficient," he said, his voice cold, but his eyes not. "I've seen it where they said this 'I hate you' phrase and then 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 played 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," he scoffed.Regan frowned, a wave of fury spreading over her. She didn't want to unleash her anger here but she knew she was ready to do something violent."Where's Artemis? What about Agnar?" she abruptly questioned, trying to swallow up her anger.When hearing about Agnar, Sirius's expression darkened and he ran a hand through his dark hair, "Don't you even dare mention the name of that fucking prince. Don't you ever dare." He warned through his low voice. However, Regan couldn't help but think that he had done something."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 Agnar's 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, Agnar. 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 this," Regan said. She didn't know what he had done to Agnar. 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 sneered, "Who cares about that?""What about his father? He is the king of this place. They'll find you and they'll kill you.""Oh, and are you worried about me, Princess? Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere," he said, his eyes filled with a mixture of amusement and something else."Don't call me that," Regan spat, glaring at him, "I wouldn't care less. I'm more than happy about it. You'd be finished quicker.""And here I thought you were the one who wanted to end me. What happened? Are you afraid? Or you can't bring yourself to harm me?" Sirius continued his tease, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips.Regan frowned, and her gaze fell at her empty plate. His words stung. She knew she wanted to get her revenge alone. But maybe she was just embarrassing herself further by talking about it.