Chapter 44 : Relief

Shirley's stomach twisted violently. She felt bile rise in her throat.

"Stay back," she whispered.

Jason ignored her.

Shirley turned to Lumian, her eyes wide with horror. "Why—why are you doing this?"

Lumian finally looked at her. His gaze was cold. Unfeeling.

"Quiet," he said simply.

Shirley's mouth trembled, but before she could say anything else—

CRACK!

A bolt of dark lightning struck the ground just beside her.

Shirley jumped, her entire body seizing as the electric charge coursed through the air. Her skin prickled, her bones screamed.

It felt like a warning. It was a warning 

A promise.

Lumian's watching eyes bored into her.

"If you resist," he said calmly, "I won't think twice to kill you both."

Shirley's breath came in ragged gasps.

She could feel it.

He wasn't bluffing.

Jason smirked, licking his cracked lips. "You heard him," he murmured, stepping closer.