AUTHOR’S POV.

Meanwhile, in the city of Ravienne, a dominating presence sat concealed in shadows within arge historical-looking study of a mansion. A badly beaten man knelt a few feet away from him, shaking as blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.

“I’m so sorry, boss.” The wounded man pleaded, voice quivering.

“You had one job.” The shadowed man snarled, his voice filtered through a mechanical modtor that distorted it, giving it a chilling, inhuman edge.

“You were given a task, grab her and bring her here, but what did you do?” He thundered, mming his hand down on the armrest of his throne-like seat. “You tried to rape her! In public, at that, wasting time, missing your chance!”

“I-I made a mistake, boss! Please, just give me another chance. It won’t happen again!” the man begged, trying to lift his head but failing.

“Do you know how long I had nned this for?” The man in the shadows growled, his body trembling with barely contained rage. “And because you can’t keep your dick in your fucking pants, you ruined it! You ruined my best shot!”

“I’m sorry,please.” The man whimpered, his voice shuddering into sobs. !--

/* ![CDATA[ */

fpm_start( "true" );

/* ]] */

--

“Cut off his tongue and take him back to ris City. Let ckwood find him.” The shadowed man gave the order with cold finality, his words cut through the room like a de.

Two men stepped forward, grabbing the pleading figure by his arms.

“What?! Boss, please! Lucian ckwood is the devil! He’s going to kill me!” The man screamed, struggling against their grip. “I’d rather you kill me, boss! Please!”

“Well…” The man in the shadows said coldly, inching forward ever so slightly, “…you shouldn’t have attempted to rape

woman.”

his

His voice dropped lower, each word he spoke colder than thest.

“There isn’t anyone in the entire country of Velmora who doesn’t know that Lucian would do anything for her. That was my best shot. And you ruined it. Now… you’ll pay.”

“Boss…please! Give me another chance! I’ll make it right-”

“Do not forget to cut his tongue,” The shadowed man spat, eyes gleaming in the dark. “I don’t want him singing like a canary in front of Lucian. Because knowing Lucian… he will make him talk.”

With a final wave of dismissal, the man turned his head away.

The beaten man was forcefully removed from the room, his screams of terror reverberating down the hall as he begged for mercy that was never going toe.

As soon as the other man was dragged out, another stepped into the room, his pose rigid with intent.

“No mistakes this time. The shadowed figure spoke coldly, his mechanized voice humming through the dim lighted space. “Alina is the key to getting whatever I want. I don’t care what method you use-bring her to me.”

“Yes, boss.” The neer response was firm as he nodded.

“And in one piece.” The man added sharply, his tone menacing,yered with warning.

The new guy nodded again, this time with deeper understanding, then turned and left the room without another word.

A long, heavy silence covered the space once he was gone.

“Soon…” The shadowed figure muttered darkly, a cruel smile curling on his lips. “Soon I will have my revenge. It won’t be long now.”