Blazing Fire

Agatha was well aware of Liam's kindhearted nature. He had let them stay at his home and provided food at no cost. He had also saved Aiden several times and had been generous with gifts and outings around the lively land of Escrima. However, she had never, even once, considered the possibility that Liam would court her so unexpectedly.

"W-why?" Agatha asked, staggering in confusion. "Why so sudden?" She stared squarely at Liam.

Liam cleared his throat, causing his Adam's apple to bob. He quickly looked away, his face reddening slightly with embarrassment. He sighed. "I know it's only been a month since we met," he said softly. "But I wanted to tell you that I am courting you so you won't be confused by my actions." He paused. "I like you."

Agatha didn't know how to respond. Instead, she looked away, staring out the window at the industrial landscape.

As they neared Albus Hotspot, a towering establishment, Agatha glimpsed the slender figure of a woman being pulled by a giant Gargoyle. Fear gripped her. She asked the carriage to stop, descended quickly onto the dusty street, and followed the path toward the unfolding scene.

"Is there a problem?" Liam asked, following Agatha with intense curiosity and worry.

Agatha didn't acknowledge Liam's inquiries, entirely preoccupied with tracking the Gargoyle.

They found themselves in a dimly lit, narrow passageway when they heard a muffled whimper echoing in the shadows. Agatha braced herself and moved forward, looking for the source of the noise, until she rounded a corner.

The coldness rooted Agatha to the spot. The small frame of the woman was beneath the hulking figure of the Gargoyle. He was undressing her helplessly, clasping her mouth with his grimy four-fingered palm to stifle her screams. He shrieked with excitement.

In anger, Agatha, without hesitation, ran toward the Gargoyle and drove the sharp tip of her dagger into his exposed shoulder. The Gargoyle issued a deafening roar that reverberated around the narrow space. The force and depth of the strike were sufficient to make the Gargoyle stumble and fall heavily onto the wet ground.

As he fell backward, his grainy eyes filled with immense anger. His long, yellow teeth gritted, and he rose slowly to his knees, preparing to attack Agatha.

Agatha caught her breath, ready to run, aware of her own capabilities. But before the furious Gargoyle could reach her, Liam swiftly and silently decapitated him.

The Gargoyle's shocked head bounced twice before rolling to a stop at Agatha's feet. Thick, oily, green blood with a foul smell spread across the dirty ground. All Agatha could see was blood.

Agatha's knees weakened, and she sank to the ground. She stared wearily at the Gargoyle's body, which remained standing motionless, like a solid statue covered in its own blood.

Liam scoffed at the Gargoyle before gracefully reaching for Agatha. "Are you okay?" he asked gently, embracing her shivering frame with his warm and comforting arms.

When Agatha remembered the woman, she scanned the area with her eyes, but the woman was nowhere in sight. Had she run away in fear? Even the clothes the Gargoyle had undressed were gone.

Warm tears streamed down Agatha's face. She thought the woman must still be young, yet she had already experienced violence from monstrous creatures. Agatha shuddered to think what might have happened if they hadn't arrived in time.

The Gargoyle had been undressing her. If they had been a few seconds later, he might have committed unspeakable acts. She closed her eyes as tears fell, feeling helpless against the countless instances of such cruelty that must be occurring all around.

Liam tightened his embrace, breathing delicately. He noticed Agatha's silence and remained quiet, standing guard without moving an inch.

Agatha couldn't understand why some creatures committed such heinous acts against their fellows. She still didn't grasp why men forced themselves on women, especially when there were numerous brothels in Primotheus Capital with women willing to sell their services for a few Galleons. Why force someone when others were willing? And why target the young ones, of all creatures?

Memories she had tried to bury for years flooded back into Agatha's mind. She shook her head violently, hoping to push them back into the recesses of her past.

With trembling knees, Agatha, supported by the concerned Liam, returned to the awaiting carriage in silence. Neither dared to speak.

As the carriage moved, Agatha remained still, leaning against the now-curtained window. She couldn't explain the anger burning in her heart, but she knew she had to control her emotions before they manifested into something uncontrollable.

Agatha's heart leapt when Liam suddenly wrapped his arms around her again. A moment ago, he had been sitting a few feet away, sensing the tense atmosphere. Now, he was beside her, filled with anxiousness.

Agatha's body went rigid, ready to push Liam away. But when he began soothing her back with gentle caresses, she felt a sudden sense of relief. She never knew fire could pacify a raging heart.

She felt a tingling current across her back where Liam was massaging her. She wondered if this was part of his power. Coldness filled her entire being as she realized the incident would haunt the woman for the rest of her life. Although the Gargoyle hadn't succeeded in his cruel intention, the woman was still emotionally and mentally scarred.

The incident would likely mark her mind, affecting her worldview just as Agatha had been changed by her own traumatic experiences. No one could find peace, not even in silence.

Agatha was about to push Liam away since he had been embracing her for a few minutes already, but when she felt his warm, ragged breath near her nape, her weary eyes widened in surprise. What the hell was he doing?

"L-Liam…" Agatha stammered, her lips trembling as she called his name.

Liam moaned softly, and Agatha could feel him sniffing her as if she were a newly-bloomed flower. For a second, she wondered if Liam was a Werebeast.

Her heart drummed, throbbing against her rib cage. She felt the soft caress of Liam's lips on her exposed neck. It was a light touch, almost like a breeze, but her stomach twisted with an inexplicable sensation she had never felt before.

Agatha tensed as Liam's lips slowly traversed from her neck up to her clenched jaw. His embrace around her tightened like vines. Her limbs squeezed against his chest, and she could feel Liam's violent heartbeat in her open palm. Finally, his lips reached hers.

The kiss was soft, like a wet newborn, tender like bundled cotton. There was hesitation in Liam's strokes, as if he were ashamed, embarrassed, even frightened. His movements were deliberate, slow, savoring each pleasure the contact brought.

Liam softly nibbled Agatha's lower lip, and she gasped as an electrifying sensation surged through her body. It was overwhelming, dizzying, fulfilling, and earthy.

Agatha closed her eyes and let her other senses feast on Liam's lips. But her eyes flickered open as memories flooded back, bringing a wave of dread. The powerful strikes, the immense pulls, the scratches, the excruciating pain, and helpless cries for help. Nysander's eyes filled with ravaging desire.

Struck by dread, Agatha absentmindedly pushed Liam away. He fell back onto the seat, gazing up at her with a mix of curiosity, confusion, fear, desire, and other subtle emotions. He seemed hurt, unaware of why Agatha had abruptly pushed him.

When the carriage halted, Agatha got out as quickly as the wind, not waiting for Liam to recover. She went straight into Albus Hotspot's massive entrance.

Agatha didn't care about what she was crossing in her rush to get away from Liam. She couldn't face him after what had happened.

She stumbled when she collided with someone in her haste.

"Agatha…" said the person she had collided with, laughing heartily.

A hand with tiger-like skin helped her to stand up. Agatha's lips parted when she realized it was none other than Albus himself. He rarely visited his own hotspot because of his many business branches, so it was surprising to see him there.

Like Camilla, Albus had a striking face. He was not one of those Metamorphs who turned grotesque or strange. His left hand resembled a tiger's paw, while the other resembled a bear's. His feet were like those of a cheetah.

"Aggie, what brings you here?" Albus asked gently, staring at her. Then he looked around. "Where's Aiden? Is he okay?"

Agatha nodded absentmindedly, still trying to clear her cluttered mind. She was not fully composed or recovered after the incident with Liam.

Because of her negative experiences, Agatha was not close to anyone, especially men. But since Camilla and Albus had helped her secure a job to support Aiden, she had grown close to them over time.

"I just…" Agatha cleared her throat and clasped her hands. "I just want to talk with Camilla," she said. "I'll just get my things, then I'll leave…"

Albus's face grew serious at her words. His usual smile vanished, and his forehead creased. "Has something happened?"

Although not fully aware, Camilla and Albus knew Agatha was hiding from someone. They just didn't know who.

"Do you need help?" Albus asked, concern and worry evident in his voice.

Agatha parted her lips to speak and was about to ask Albus to take her back as a healer when a hand gripped her arm from behind.

An elegant arm slid around Agatha's waist, his broad shoulder pressing against her back.

"No one needs your help," Liam said in an authoritative voice. "We have everything under control." His tone was firm and unyielding.

Albus did not waver. His thick eyebrows shot up, and he stared at Liam's domineering figure, smirking. In an instant, Albus was in front of Liam, his blade firmly placed near Liam's neck.

"Let her go," Albus commanded calmly.

During her years working with Camilla and Albus, they had learned that Agatha avoided men, which was why she never accepted being one of the Ladies of the Night. Although they might not have known the exact reason, they respected her decision. Albus was intrigued and cautious of Liam's sudden arrival.

Instead of releasing Agatha, Liam tightened his grip.

Agatha was about to say everything was alright when Liam suddenly moved. His motion was so fast she couldn't follow it. One moment, Liam was holding her, and the next, he had Albus pinned to the floor.

Liam drew his weapon and was about to strike Albus's heart when Agatha screamed.

"No!" she cried.

Liam's calm hand stopped mid-air. He glanced back at Agatha, standing a few feet away, his eyes filled with confusion.

Albus seized the opportunity. In a swift motion, he had Liam on the floor, grunting. Agatha could hardly keep up with their movements. They both seemed masters of combat.

Camilla suddenly emerged from the kitchen, gasping in shock at the scene, her eyes wide. "What the…"

"Enough!" Agatha shouted, stepping between Albus and Liam to separate them.

Albus's right hand was wounded, while Liam had a bruise on his left jaw. But Agatha saw it was gradually healing due to Liam's Fae heritage.

Her eyes widened when Liam moved to attack again. She stepped in front of him, blocking his path, and faced him seriously.

"Enough, Liam," she shouted into his panting face. "What the hell is happening to you?"

Liam gazed darkly at Albus, who remained calm and composed.

Albus turned to Agatha. "Are you okay?"

Agatha bit her lip. Albus had saved her from men pestering her before, so she knew what he really meant. He wasn't just asking if she was alright. He was asking if she was alright with Liam.

Agatha nodded shyly, admitting to herself that she felt safe with Liam, which was significant. She became more embarrassed as Liam unblinkingly watched her every expression, seeming to understand the deeper meaning behind her nod.

Albus nodded back, half-heartedly. But before he could react, Liam punched him hard in the face, sending him into unconsciousness.

Agatha's eyes widened as she stared at Albus lying on the floor. He hadn't seen Liam's attack coming, still focused on her.

"What did you do?" Agatha asked, furious. She couldn't help but be mad at Liam. Yes, Albus had made the first violent gesture, but Liam had initiated the conflict and attacked again when Albus was unguarded.

"What's your problem, Liam?" Agatha's voice strained. "Why did you hurt him?" She felt tears of anger welling up.

Liam clenched his jaw and stared down at Agatha with equal fury. She could see the immense anger in his eyes.

"Let's go home," Liam said firmly, pulling her hand.

Agatha yanked her hand back. "Why did you suddenly punch Albus?" she demanded. She wanted to know his reason, feeling guilty for bringing him here.

"We're going home, Agatha!" Liam's voice rose as he reached for her hand again.

But Agatha stepped back, moving away. Liam tensed up, staring coldly at her and then at Albus, who lay unconscious nearby.

"You won't come with me?" Liam asked coldly, his question like a dagger to her heart. This wasn't the Liam she knew.

Agatha sensed danger emanating from him. She swallowed hard and stepped back more until she hit a table.

Liam bit his lower lip and closed his eyes tightly. He sighed deeply, trying to calm himself. "Let's go home, Aggie," he said in a calmer tone.

But Agatha shook her head. Albus's hand was bleeding, and she felt responsible. The least she could do was heal it. Albus, a Metamorph, wouldn't recover on his own. Additionally, Agatha still needed to speak with Camilla to ask for forgiveness. Camilla was now trying to wake Albus up.

They had done so much for her, and this was how she repaid them? She still needed to collect her belongings and discuss her job situation.

Agatha knew it was uncertain if she and Aiden could live peacefully due to their situation with Nysander. But if Liam and Leonel succeeded, they would leave soon. Nysander was their primary concern, and they would go away once all of this ended.

Although Liam said he was courting her, she knew he wouldn't stay. Liam had duties to his King. Even though it would be easy to live with Liam because he was wealthy, she couldn't return to Etherealis. Once Liam went home, she and Aiden would be alone again. They wouldn't have a home, and the free food would be gone. So, she needed to find work.

"You're choosing him?" Liam's voice was firm.

Agatha didn't understand what Liam meant by that question. She wasn't choosing anything.

There was a deafening silence. Then Liam said, "So be it." His voice was cold as he turned away without a farewell or final glance. Despite the coldness in his voice and words, the atmosphere felt unbearably hot.

Before Agatha could speak, Liam disappeared, leaving a blazing fire behind.