XXXXV. take back what's mine

The night air was thick with damp earth and distant smoke. We crouched behind the abandoned shed, just outside the reach of the house's lights. The place that was once a home—once safe—now belonged to her. To Amy.

I clenched my fists, the anger burning through me like wildfire. "We should've stopped her before it got this far."

Antonio, kneeling beside me, shot me a sharp look. "Doesn't matter what we should've done. We're here now." He adjusted his position, his movements quick, tense. "What matters is getting in, getting them out, and putting an end to her control."

Uncle Luis, who had been silent for a while, finally spoke. His voice was low, steady. "She'll have guards." His eyes flickered toward me. "She'll be expecting us."

I swallowed hard. Amy knew me. She knew how I thought, how I moved. She would be prepared. But that didn't mean she would win.

"There's an old servant's passage by the western wall," I said, my mind racing through every memory of the house before it became hers. "It leads through the kitchen and into the lower halls. If we get in that way, we'll have cover."

Antonio smirked. "And if she has it blocked?"

"Then we make our own way in."

Uncle Luis exhaled, nodding slowly. "Fine. But once we're inside, we split up. I'll find your father and Mirasol. You two keep Amy distracted."

Antonio grinned. "Gladly."

I looked toward the towering house, its windows glowing like the eyes of a beast watching us from the dark. Amy was in there. Probably waiting. Probably smiling, knowing we'd come.

But she had no idea what was coming for her.

I tightened my grip on my knife. "We end this tonight."

And with that, we moved.

Uncle Luis went in first, and just as I was about to follow, Antonio suddenly pulled me close.

"What are you doing?" I asked, irritated.

"Just… be careful, please."

"I know. You too," I replied, my tone still laced with annoyance.

I turned to leave, but before I could take another step, he wrapped his arms around me.

For a moment, it was as if the world stopped. I didn't know what to feel—I should be nervous, scared, anxious. But the moment he held me, everything vanished. The chaos in my mind, the fear in my heart—it all faded into a strange, unfamiliar calm.

I almost returned the embrace, but just as I was about to, he pulled away. He cupped my face, his warm hands on my cheeks, and leaned in so close I instinctively closed my eyes.

Is this it? I wondered. Am I really about to get the best kiss of my life?

But instead of a kiss, he whispered, "If you ever need me, just scream my name. I'll come."

My eyes flew open.

Oh my god. That was embarrassing. Did I seriously expect a kiss? What was I even thinking?

I cleared my throat, nodded quickly, and rushed inside before I made a bigger fool of myself—or worse, before I got lost in those eyes of his. Besides, Uncle Luis might already be in danger.

As soon as I stepped inside, my breath caught in my throat. Bodies lay scattered across the floor, motionless, covered in blood.

How did I not hear the gunshots?

I hurried toward the kitchen, hoping to find Mirasol, but she wasn't there. My heart pounded as I made my way upstairs, heading straight for the room where Amy had once locked me up.

But when I pushed the door open, it wasn't Mirasol I found inside.

A man stood there, tall and broad-shouldered, his body built like a warrior's. He wasn't exactly handsome, but there was something terrifyingly sharp about his presence.

I turned to run, knowing I couldn't fight him, but he was faster. He slammed the door shut before I could even reach it.

I stumbled backward, my body trembling as panic surged through me. My throat felt dry, and I swallowed hard, trying to control my rapid breathing. My eyes darted around, searching for a way out.

Nothing. No escape. No windows.

I opened my mouth to scream, but he was faster again. He clamped a strong hand over my mouth, silencing me. His grip was so tight it hurt, and I whimpered against his palm.

Why is he so fast?

He leaned in close, inhaling deeply against my neck before pressing a rough kiss there.

I froze.

Tears welled in my eyes as I trembled beneath his touch. I prayed—Antonio, Uncle Luis, someone, please find me.

Then, suddenly, he sank his teeth into my skin, sucking at my flesh like some kind of vampire.

My mind reeled, but then I remembered—the knife.

The one Antonio gave me.

Desperately, I reached for it, my fingers stretching, shaking. But before I could grasp it, he ripped my shirt, his lips trailing further.

I couldn't move.

I couldn't fight back—not with the gun he pressed against my temple.

I was losing.

No. I refused to lose.

With one final effort, my fingers wrapped around the knife's handle. And with all the strength I had left, I drove it into his side.

He let out a strangled groan of pain, his body jerking away from me.

Gasping, I bolted for the door, my heart hammering in my chest. I fumbled with the doorknob, but before I could pull it open, he recovered faster than I thought possible.

The gun was back on me.

"Please," I choked out, my voice hoarse, my legs weak. "Don't."

A twisted grin spread across his lips. "You disappeared on me once. That bastard Canim took you, faked your death so he could have you all to himself. And now, even after everything, you still won't choose me?"

I froze.

His words.

It all made sense now.

"This is all because of Via," I whispered.

His expression darkened.

I clenched my jaw, wiping my tears away as I straightened. "So that's it, huh? You're doing all of this for a dead woman."

His face twisted in anger, but I wasn't done.

"You're pathetic. No wonder Via didn't choose you." I scoffed. "Canim may be a monster, but at least he did what he did out of love. You? You're just a demon."

His grip on the gun tightened. His breath came faster, harsher.

"What are you saying?" he growled, pressing the barrel harder against me.

I tilted my head, meeting his furious gaze. "Are you stupid? I'm not Via. My name is Kaesu. Burn that into your brain."

He blinked, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, rage consumed him.

His breathing turned erratic, his hands shaking.

"FUCKING AMY!!!" he roared, firing the gun wildly in every direction.

I screamed, covering my ears as I dropped to the floor, my whole body trembling.