will come out a bit late. Sorry.

Midday.

The party needed several days to reach their destination, as they had to travel all the way to the the centre of the Empire from its very West.

At a forest half a mile away from the Imperial capital.

Three figures were standing at the outskirts of the woods.

The wagon had long since wheeled away. The old man was arranged by Eustace. The hunchbacked man had weak ears and a huge debt. He was ready to sell his own soul for money. Transporting criminals across the Empire was nothing in comparison.

Once Adrian confirmed that the man had heard or seen nothing, aside from a certain person’s horrid screams, he let him go.

Adrian’s back rested against a tree as his eyes were fixed Northwards, the direction where the city was at. Irene was standing just beside him, her eyes still fixed on the other woman.

Cassidy was now wearing a black mask. Only her dead and black eyes could be seen through the two holes on the plain mask. Her entire body was trembling as she relived that moment time and time again in her mind.

They had been waiting at the exact spot since the morning. The year was coming to an end. Another frigid year was approaching. The cold winds that danced through the leaves bore witness to this fact.

Adrian turned to Irene. “Is it cold?”

She shook her head. “This is nothing.”

“Come here.” He beckoned with his finger.

Irene nodded before ambling towards him. When she was close enough- Adrian pulled her, turned her over and swathed his arms around her. Her back was pressed against his chest as he tightened the hug even further.

His cheek touched hers. His breathes sounded relaxing, his heartbeats matched that of hers. Most importantly, the warmth was addictive.

They stayed like this for a few more hours. The Sun had moved further west.

“It’s about time.” He muttered as he let go of her.

She took a step forward and turned back to him.

He reached out his hand again.

She did not waste any time and snapped her fingers. A stalactite formed just above his palm before dropping down.

Cassidy took a step back. Her eyes betrayed immense panic as the intensity of her shivers hiked.

But Adrian did not step towards her. He stabbed his own forehead, and dragged it down over his left eyes to his left cheek.

His lips and eyes remained completely calm, now twitching a bit as he made the cut.

He made a few other gashes on the left side of his face, keeping the right completely clear. Blood dripped from his drenched face to the earth.

Irene snapped her fingers again. A layer of ice formed over the bloody half of his face. It remained for a few minutes before vaporising, taking the blood away with it.

His wounds had miraculously dried up in this short time. It looked as if they were scars he got a long time ago.

But this disfigurement did not diminish his handsomeness by much. If anything, it gave him an even more menacing and mysterious vibe.

Adrian wore his hood. “You have already sensed them. You know what to do, don’t you?”

She nodded before wearing her hood as well.

Soon, five figures appeared in the distance, approaching from the centre of the forest. All of them were covering their heads with masks, hoods, or clothes.

They halted right before the trio and took a cautious position.

The one in the centre stepped forward. He was wearing a red half mask. His chin revealed him to be a man in his late twenties. “Sierek Orsul Agatha.” His voice was sharp.

Irene who was at the centre of her party strode forth. “Mare Navok Arsel.” Her tone was as cold as always.

The cautiousness in everyone’s pose dropped, but not completely.

“I need to see your face. After all, we will be working together from now on.” The red masked man said.

“Likewise.” Irene removed her hood, revealing her icy blue hairs, purple eyes and a flawless face.

Two of the women in the other party gasped while the other two scanned the beauty from head to toe.

Only the leader remained calm. He stayed true to his words and took of his own mask. He was handsome to say the least. There was just a small scar on top of his right eyebrow. He turned to the others.

They nodded and took of their veils, mask and hood as well.

He turned to the the other hooded figure of the trio.

Adrian took off his head covering.

The women gasped again. The young man was too handsome. It was a pity that he had this awful scar. But paradoxically, those marks had a charm of their own.

They finally turned to the only remaining individual who had her face covered.

Cassidy gritted her teeth and removed the mask, barely holding back her tears. Her eyes were on the cold ground.

Everyone of the newcomers took a step back. The others looked away while the leader scowled. “I apologise. You can wear it back.” He put his own mask back.

Cassidy shoved the mask onto her face.

Everyone was baffled. It was one thing to have one scar faced attendant, but two?

“He was more competent of the two.” Irene said.

Her nonchalant face and the iciness of her voice along with the words sent chills down everyone’s spine.

They took a step back yet again. Their magical energy churned inside them.

“Relax. It was a joke.” She said.

None of them bought it. Who would? When the joker’s face remained as straight as hers.

Adrian chimed in. “It’s getting late. We should depart for the city.” His scar did not affect the charm of his voice in the slightest.

“Ye… yes.” The leader said. Adrian’s voice somewhat calmed him down.

The young man being this free beside the lady meant that she indeed was innocent.

They tuned back and began to walk towards the centre of the forest. Adrian and Irene followed. Cassidy reluctantly joined as well.

The feelings inside her were complex to say the least. Even though she was returning to her hometown, where she should be the safest at- she did not even feel the slightest bit of safety from the atmosphere. Maybe she would never be safe anymore. Even if she manages to get rescued somehow. What she did to her maids, and what he did to her would forever stay in her mind- haunting her till the end of her days.

After ten minutes of walk, they found themselves under a gigantic tree.

Adrian remembered the Edgarwood trees back home. A mocking smile appeared on his face. In front of the secrets they hid, the tree before him was nothing- no matter how tall it was.

The red masked man touched the rough skin of the tree, a green circle appeared on the bark. Soon, an opening was created on the wide trunk of the tree. It was akin to a door.

The leader turned to the trio.

“This leads to the grandest city in the entire continent.”