Chapter 38 - A Surprise Guest

Anastasia's eyes fluttered open, her vision blurry. The room was… different this time. It wasn't the dark, dungeon-like cell she expected. Warm lighting cast a golden glow over the wooden floors, and the bed beneath her was soft, almost comfortable. But the heavy chains around her wrists anchored her firmly to reality.

"Oh, fantastic," she muttered, tugging at the chains. They rattled loudly, catching the attention of the guard leaning against the doorframe.

The man—or demon, by the way his yellow eyes glinted—watched her like a hawk. His lips curled into a sneer, his posture casual, but the tension in his muscles said he'd pounce if she so much as sneezed wrong.

"Enjoying the accommodations, sweetheart?" he drawled.

"Oh, absolutely," Anastasia shot back, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "It's like a five-star resort. What's next? Breakfast in bed? A little turndown service?"

The guard snorted, unimpressed.

Anastasia yanked at the chains again, her muscles straining, but they didn't budge. Whatever metal these were made of, it wasn't normal. She huffed, glaring at the guard.

"What's the matter?" she asked, narrowing her eyes. "Afraid I'll overpower you? Big, bad demon can't handle little ol' me?"

The guard's smirk widened. "Oh, trust me, girly. These chains aren't for me. They're for you. You'd probably rip this place apart without them."

"Smart boy," she muttered under her breath, leaning back against the headboard with a resigned sigh. "Guess I'll just wait here like a good prisoner then."

Hours dragged by, each tick of the clock grating on her nerves. The guard didn't move much, his eyes fixed on her like she was some kind of exotic animal in a cage. The tension in the room grew heavier with each passing second until, finally, the door creaked open.

Dylan—or rather, Zython—strode in, his usual smug grin plastered across his face. He wasn't alone. He dragged Rose in by her wrist, her face pale and tear-streaked.

"See, Rose?" Zython said, his voice smooth and mocking. "She's fine. All in one piece. I told you there was no need for the dramatics."

Anastasia sat up straighter, her eyes blazing. "Rose! Are you okay?"

Rose opened her mouth, but Zython cut her off, gripping her wrist tighter. "If she hadn't run after us, I would've let her go. But no, little Rose had to be the hero and try save you. Unfortunately for her, I realised that she could go home and tell others of you being missing so I couldn't risk your pesky family of hunters storming in here looking for her."

"Let her go, Dylan," Anastasia snapped.

He ignored her, turning his full attention to her instead. "Ah, Ana. Awake at last. Now that you know my real name, I would prefer you call me Zython. How's the room? I thought I'd upgrade your accommodations this time. You know, as a gesture of goodwill."

"Oh, so thoughtful of you," Anastasia shot back, her tone acidic. "The chains are a nice touch. Really completes the whole 'guest of honor' vibe."

Zython chuckled, his amusement genuine. "The chains are just a precaution. You have a nasty habit of running off, and I simply can't have that."

Anastasia's lips twisted into a sneer. "What do you want, Zython? This kidnapping thing is getting old. Seriously, you need a new hobby."

Zython leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his grin infuriatingly smug. "Kidnapping you was never the plan, love. You came looking for me, remember?"

Anastasia rolled her eyes. "Yeah, to find answers. Not to be your prisoner again."

Zython's gaze flicked to her stomach, and his grin widened. "Ah, but now you're carrying something very valuable. That baby of yours is going to change everything."

Anastasia's heart skipped a beat, but she didn't let her fear show. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Zython straightened, his expression darkening. "Do I have to repeat myself? Well fine, just for you Ana. That child will be the most powerful hybrid ever born. Human, angel, and demon blood coursing through its veins. A perfect weapon to crush the hunters and those meddlesome angels."

Her stomach churned, but she forced herself to laugh. "Wow, you're more delusional than I thought. That baby—my baby—isn't going to be your pawn."

Zython's grin faltered, just for a moment, before he recovered. "You really think you have a choice? You're out of your depth here, Ana. You've been out of your depth since the moment you were born."

"Funny," Anastasia said, tilting her head. "I can say the same thing about you, Zython. That you're nothing but a snake, slithering around, kidnapping innocent women and children and thinking you will get away with it."

Zython chuckled, shaking his head. "No one's innocent, Ana. You of all people should know that. But I'll admit, your new fire is… intriguing. Makes you even more attractive." He let his gaze linger, smirking. "Too bad you're with child. Ruins the fun, doesn't it?"

Anastasia's eyes narrowed. "How do you even know I was pregnant anyway?"

He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I'm Zython. I know everything, girly."

"You know everything, huh?" Anastasia shot back, her tone mocking. "Then you should know I'm going to burn your little plan to the ground."

Zython laughed, the sound low and chilling. "Oh, Ana. You have no idea what you're up against. But I'll enjoy watching you try."

Their verbal sparring was interrupted by a sudden shift in Zython's demeanor. He glanced over his shoulder, a smug smirk creeping across his face. "Well, well. Look who finally decided to join us."

Anastasia frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Zython motioned toward the door. "Don't look so surprised. He's been dying to see you."

The guard at the door stepped aside, and a figure emerged from the shadows.

Anastasia's breath caught in her throat as someone familiar stepped into the light. His smile was wide, predatory.

"Hello again, Ana," he drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. "Miss me?"