chapter 25 Unexplainable Truth

"Are you coming, or are you really that eager to visit the land of the dead?" Alexander asked sarcastically, walking ahead without sparing her another glance. Calista quickly ran to his side, her heart thumping.

"Two steps behind me," he commanded without turning around. The authority in his tone left no room for argument. She quickly adjusted her pace, falling two steps behind. His long strides forced her to jog intermittently just to keep up.

She wanted to ask what task he had in store for her but swallowed her words. Deep down, she knew it would be something sinister—a death sentence disguised as an order.

After what felt like an endless walk through the eerie corridors of the castle, they arrived at the kitchen. A flurry of activity greeted them, but the moment Alexander stepped in, the bustling demons dropped what they were doing, kneeling on one knee with a hand to their chest.

"My lord," they chorused, their voices trembling.

The head cook, a middle-aged demoness with striking features and a sharp gaze, stepped forward. "Rima, this is the new servant," Alexander said, his voice unusually soft. "Teach her everything she needs to know." Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out.

"Yes, my lord," Rima replied, bowing low. When she turned to Calista, her stern expression made Calista shiver. "Come with me," she instructed briskly.

Calista followed, confused. Why would the demon king, the epitome of cruelty, want her to work as a mere servant? While she was grateful for not being tortured outright, the situation puzzled her. Working as a servant wouldn't be difficult—after all, she had done plenty of chores back home—but she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this than met the eye.

"Stop dawdling," Rima barked, snapping her out of her thoughts. "I'll show you your room and explain the rules."

They walked through dimly lit hallways that twisted and turned like a labyrinth. Rima led her down a narrow pathway that spiraled underground, the air growing colder with each step. They eventually reached a corridor lined with plain wooden doors.

"This is the servants' quarters," Rima explained. She stopped in front of a door near the end of the hallway. "This will be your room. My advice? Stay away from the other servants. They aren't what they seem, and in this place, not everything is as it appears."

Calista opened her mouth to ask questions, but before she could utter a word, Rima raised a hand to silence her. "You're weak right now. Rest. And don't go outside at night," she warned, her tone uncharacteristically serious.

"Why shouldn't I go outside at night?" Calista asked, confusion etched on her face.

"I've said enough. Just follow my advice if you want to survive. Goodnight." Rima's expression was unreadable as she turned and shut the door behind her, leaving Calista alone.

Calista leaned against the door, letting out a deep sigh. Every fiber of her being wanted to leave this nightmarish place. "Why is everything so strange and ominous here?" she muttered to herself.

Her thoughts swirled as she paced the room. Despite Rima's warning, a strange pull gnawed at her—a compulsion to go outside. It was as if something, or someone, was calling her. She shook her head, trying to dismiss the feeling, but her curiosity refused to subside. Her mind wandered back to the portal incident. Why had it called to her? Why did it feel like she was meant to answer?

Meanwhile, Alexander retreated to his quarters. His room mirrored his personality—dark, cold, and unwelcoming. He sat on a leather chair, his sharp eyes distant as he replayed the events of the day.

"I thought you weren't coming back," a sultry voice interrupted his thoughts. Alexander didn't flinch, even as the figure stepped into view. Lyla, with her sleek black hair and dangerously alluring smile, approached him.

"Seeing how you rushed off to save that redhead… I'm surprised," she said, her hips swaying with practiced grace. Her fingers trailed along the sharp edge of his jaw. "We were having so much fun. Why did you leave?"

Alexander remained motionless, his cold indifference infuriating her. She masked her anger with a saccharine smile, leaning closer, her lips inches from his. "Don't tell me she's special to you," she whispered venomously.

Alexander's hand shot up, grabbing her wrist mid-air before her lips could reach his. "It's King Alexander to you, Lyla," he said icily, his grip tightening just enough to make her wince. "And I don't answer to you."

Lyla's smile faltered for a split second before she masked it again. "You'll regret this," she hissed, her voice dripping with venom.

"Leave," Alexander commanded, his tone sharp enough to cut through steel.

Lyla stormed out, her heels clicking angrily against the stone floor. Alexander watched the door close behind her, his expression unreadable. As much as he needed her influence and power for certain matters, he had no patience for her games tonight.

His thoughts drifted back to Calista. The portal to the Land of Hades had remained sealed for over a millennium, yet it had opened for her. Why? Even he, with his immense power and direct connection to the underworld, couldn't breach that barrier.

The implications were unsettling. If the creatures of Hades managed to spill into this realm, chaos would follow. Alexander had long sought to harness that chaos for his own purposes, to create an unstoppable army, but the portal had defied him at every turn.

Yet she had opened it—albeit briefly. A mere mortal. A weakling.

"Who are you really, Calista?" he muttered to himself, pinching the bridge of his nose.

He couldn't ignore the strange pull he felt toward her. Whenever she was in danger, an inexplicable ache twisted in his chest. It wasn't just curiosity driving him to keep her alive.

No, she was important. Dangerous, yes, but also valuable. He couldn't destroy her, not yet.

"I'll keep you alive," he murmured, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "For now."