Adaline returned to the living room with a tray of tea and cookies that had just been removed from the oven. The tea and cookies were even still steaming warm. But, as soon as she passed the curtain of shells, the tray of tea and cookies fell to the floor. Adaline, who originally had a smiling face, suddenly pursed her lips tightly. She got furious. The living room of the house is empty. Jace and Rain had left without saying a word. "You won't be able to get away with it!" Adaline growled furiously. Suddenly, black runes were all over her skin, turning her body into a terrifying monster. Rain and Jace had already made their way back to town. They went to the address where Mr Orwell's apartment was located. They were standing in front of a small brown row house. Mr Orwell's apartment was near the other row houses lining St. Marie Ann. A sharp breeze blew against their faces and shook the sign on the post box near the steps. Jace read the print aloud, "The Orwells' Home." Jace
"Get away from me, you bastard!" shouted the assailant as he struggled to free himself from Jace's grip. Rain recognized the voice even though it was in the dark. "Benjamin? Is that you?" Jace looked very disappointed and let go of his grip while pushing a little bit roughly. "You bastard! Though I hope to catch someone. So that you know, today I am distraught and need an outlet." "Stop it, you two! It's enough." Rain stood in the middle of the two men, her hands raised and her face as serious as possible. "Ben, what are you doing here? Why are you at my father's house? I don't even have the key. How did you come here and get out of the house?" Benjamin received Rain's very gloomy and piercing gaze. The girl really couldn't believe that Ben was there. Jace leaned against the balcony railing, pretending to ignore them. He looked away from Rain and Benjamin. Jace tried hard to cover his face with a hoodie. Just a moment ago, when he used the power to flap his wings, the runes all
When Rain turned to Ben and tried to clarify whether the figure she met in the forest was Ben or was it just Rain's dream and imagination? However, at that moment, someone rattled the latch on the gate until it made a loud sound. Ben immediately went to the second-floor window directly opposite the gate. Ben could see who was making a fuss ahead through the window. "Guys!" Ben ran back to where Rain and Jace were. "Someone's coming." Rain and Jace were shocked. "Is that my dad?" Ben glanced out the window and looked at the fence someone was trying to open. He shook his head. "Not Mr. Orwell. However, there was a woman and two men there. Rain, do you know them? Or do they live on the ground floor?" "Woman and man?" The curious Jace finally ran across the room and peeked through the window. Jace hissed. "Those two men are warlocks!" "Warlocks? What do you mean?" Ben was confused. "Is that a cool term for someone?" No one answered Ben's curiosity. "Why would a warlock come to my
"Two weeks ago, I've come here and checked the whole place. I didn't find it anywhere. Now you insist on asking me to bring you here. You can look it up yourself if you don't believe me." Clarissa's voice sounded very nervous and desperate. "Don't play dumb," said one of the warlocks in a snarling voice. "We know that bastard has a daughter. My men found her pictures in the hospital bed where he was being treated." At that moment, Rain's pair of eyes opened wide. "Jace, they're talking about my dad! Those who brought my dad? That woman betrayed my dad?" Rain is very emotional. She would almost disappear if Jace didn't hold herself back and cover Rain's mouth. "Please, don't make a sound!" whispered Jace. Rain could only shed tears silently. She was eager to know where her father was now and how he was doing. The two warlocks turned towards the bookshelf where Rain and the two men were hiding. They were suspicious because they thought they heard voices from there. Clarissa quick
The three were in the carriage heading to the Darkwood Kingdom via Westlake Station. Jace looked still angry at Rain. He sat away from the girl. "Thanks for bringing me along," said Ben. "I thought you would choose to go with him and ignore me." "Don't get excited just yet, Ben. I don't fully trust you, either. Sorry. I brought you along because I wanted to prove Jace's words wrong." Ben looks both disappointed and grateful. "At least you still have a little bit of faith in me. I'm so scared now. Where have you been all this time? What kind of work are you doing? Eventually, I'll find out." Rain looked around the train that was taking them to Westlake Station. There were no passengers in the carriage other than the three of them. Rain glanced at the window. Outside it began to be shrouded in thick fog. Even though no other passengers were in the carriage, they were riding in. Rain was sure that the dark forces were around. Only they didn't show up because of Benjamin's presence.
"Shut up and come with me!" Rain suddenly felt her body stiffen. "Jace?" she thought. Jace removed his embrace from Rain's body and turned the girl to face him. "Did you forget where you belonged?" Jace Dauntess stood tall before Rain with his skin covered in black runes. Rain felt something was different. She thought the runes were showing more and more than usual. Even half of Jace's face, which was previously clean, was now covered in runes. "Is this just my feeling?" "Yes, the runes on my body are increasing—resulting in me leaving the Darkwood forest and using excessive force. I should have used makeup as you taught me, not covered it with charms. Just so you know, if this rune fills every inch of the surface of my body, then I will forever manifest as a beast." Rain gaped, and subconsciously she had her hand over her mouth. "Why do you do all that when you know the risks are so great?" "I hunt with time. My choices are only two points: time is running out, and I die, or t
"What happened to your room?" Rain looked around the room that had previously been Jace's private room. She couldn't believe that the room was now filled with lots of vines, twisted tree branches, fallen leaves, and even bits of wet soil that had been carried away. "Careful, watch the steps--" Before Jace finished speaking, Rain's head hit one of the tree branches wrapped around Jace's bedpost. Rain backed away in a panic, but instead, she tripped over a plant root. Jace grabbed Rain's waist quickly and held her back so she wouldn't fall over. Rain paled. She was confused and felt stupid. "Thank you. Can you explain what this is?" "These plants are angry because I left the palace for a few days. They swell and twist everywhere every time I use the power of the runes on my body. They are like a curse bound to my body. These plants represent the black energy that resides within my soul." "Does that mean the black energy in your body is getting bigger?" "They will get bigger with
Rain fell silent in surprise. Then she began to speak in a passionate voice. "So basically, you're saying that my dad was a warlock? And he got involved in the rebellion to eliminate humans and rule the world?" No answer from anyone. Ralph, the old tree, only moved his branches faintly and Jace remained hidden in the black rose thorns. "Then my dad ran away with something crucial for the peace of this world?" Rain laughed. "It was as if I had just heard a fairy tale about American superheroes. It is bizarre. I'm sure you're talking about someone else. That's not my father." Rain almost screamed to express her anxiety and anger. There was the sound of Ralph the tree sighing. Then Rain turned in the direction where Jace was shrouded in vines of thorny roses. She walked stiffly, stomping and avoiding the tangled roots and vines on the floor of Jace's bedroom. "Jace..." "Please don't come to any closer, Rain. I don't want you to see me in this state." "Then why did you bring me her
Rain walked out of Chiel Burley's private residence after single-handedly defeating the ripping demons. A few steps after crossing the street, Chiel's house exploded. Enormous flames soared into the night sky. Rain grinned while wiping the blood dripping down her forehead."The ripping demon must be buried with their maker. They must be ripped apart together and put into the deepest hell."Gazing up at the dark sky, the full moon shone brightly above her head. Black clouds rolled across the sky. Rain felt a very strong magical energy coming from somewhere.Erica had just arrived at the city of darkness, where she met West and briefly explained everything. Point in seconds, the entire army of darkness from the city of darkness rose and appeared at the border box together; they attacked the pack of wolves trying to protect the city. War is unavoidable.A large, dark creature with wide wings landed right before Rain. Rain had never seen this creature before, but she often heard its name
Rain had turned around and was about to leave Chiel Burley's house. However, the warlock suddenly sat up straight while clutching his sore neck."Who gave you permission to leave here?" muttered Chiel.Rain's steps stopped, and she turned back to Chiel. "No one needs your approval or permission. You don't even have the right to speak before me!"The peak of the full moon is only a few hours away. Rain must quickly find Jace and save him. Rain didn't know that the impact of the curse she had given would be this terrible. Rain had to stop it before something worse happened.Chiel grinned. He stood up with difficulty and challenged Rain. The face of the warlock in the body of a 10-year-old boy looks annoying.Rain really can remember everything. Her past, especially her childhood. Rain remembered always playing together with Chiel in the Darkwood forest. There was one question that always bothered Rain's mind at that time. Chiel's body never grows old or taller, while Rain continues to g
"You were born from a forbidden relationship between King Dauntess II and the palace witch—Alyssa Cruise," Chiel said to Rain."King Dauntess II? Jace Dauntess' father?" Rain almost screamed. "Not!"Rain's eyes flashed red. Something burst from within the girl."Markus Orwell is not your father! Your name should be Rain Cruise. Your mother—Alyssa Cruise, never married a king. You have no right to inherit the Dauntess name."Rain shook her head vigorously. A demonic figure that was uncontrollable and which Rain never realized was stored inside her is now present and wants to take the girl's consciousness.Rain choked Chiel's neck suddenly, very strong and fast. Rain pushed Chiel until he fell from his wheelchair. Rain forced the warlock against the wall as she continued to choke him.On the other hand, Haramon was lying unconscious with a pool of blood seeping from his head. Moments ago, Haramon tried to attack Rain, who threatened to kill Chiel. With just one swing of Rain's left hand
Rain stood up, panting. She held her stomach, which felt like it was being stabbed. God knows how long and far she ran from the Darkwood forest to Westlake City. All the way in Rain's mind, there was only one name. Currently, the distance between Rain and the owner of that name was only separated by a double black door.Without hesitation, Rain immediately pressed the button beside the door hard, fast, and repeatedly. The owner of the house did not appear to answer the door. Rain has no more time. She's racing against time.Rain clenched her fists and started pounding on the black door with all her might. She no longer cared about the throbbing pain in her knuckles. She kept banging on the door like a madman.On the umpteenth bang, the door finally swung open. It was still too dark when the house owner was forced awake to receive a disturbing visitor."Where is Chiel?"Haramon, Chiel Burley's personal assistant, answered the door. He stood confused. His pair of sleepy eyes could not b
The wolf's lips were drawn back so that its sharp teeth showed clearly. Rain saw his red tongue sticking out. There was hatred in his eyes when he saw Erica. It was hatred that was pure and uniquely human.Rain started to think. "The wolf is no stranger! But, where have I seen him before, huh? Was he the pack that attacked me in the Darkwood forest? Or is he part of Hardy's pack?"Rain's thoughts were broken when she heard Erica's voice."Are you coming for the girl or me?" With sweat pouring from her temples, Erica asked, but her hands were steady and tightly gripped by the whips in her hands.The wolf stepped towards Erica with a low growl."There's still time," Erica said. "Markus will definitely want to take you back. Just leave Mayor Flynn."With a growl, the wolf lunged. Erica shouted as she swung her whip in the air to chase the wolf into the wolf's side. The wolf backed away, and Rain saw the blood dripping between the dense fur. Blood flowed again as the wolf tried to attack
After slapping Erica in such a daring manner, Rain wished she could glean some explanation about her father's connection to everything that had happened. However, Erica remained silent like an unshakable rock.The door closed behind Erica, leaving Rain alone in Jace's room. There was only Rain's heavy breathing and the sound of her fingertips trying to tug at the door handle and banging, all to no avail."Damn it! Erica locked me in here. What does she really want? And my dad, why is he involved in all this? He was behaving very strangely. He's not like my dad, but someone else who is a complete stranger."After trying various ways to escape Jace's room and failing, Rain finally smashed herself against the door again and again until she was tired. Her side ached. Rain slumped to the floor and tried not to cry."Somewhere, my dad is taking Jace somewhere, and I don't know what he's going to do with that young man. I should be more worried about my dad. But now, I feel disgusted and ang
"I want your promise first," Erica said firmly one more time."First? You don't believe me, Erica?" Markus smiled humorlessly. "I will definitely do as you have asked. A promise is a promise. Although I was a bit surprised when I received your message. I didn't think you would mind living in a palace as grand as this. You never like being in silence?""You don't know how that feels," Erica hissed. "Every time I feel afraid if the child dies.""That's right. I don't know." Mark's voice sounded sad as if he pitied Erica. But there was dislike in Mark's eyes. There was also reproach in his tone. "If you haven't succeeded in resurrecting the witch, you shouldn't have called me here."Erica's face contorted. "It's not easy to restore her strength. People have to find a way, but nothing works. Including… us." Erica's voice trembled."You mean that fragile prince?" Markus turned to Jace, who was tangled in thorns on one wall. Mark chuckled. "Kids grow up fast, don't they? The last time I saw
Rain heard Jace screaming in his room in the east tower. When Rain ran and pushed open Jace's bedroom door, she saw the room filled with swirling black mist.Rain was confused by the situation that occurred. When she approached while calling out Jace's name in panic, pain spread across Rain's arms, cheeks, and even all over Rain's body. The girl screamed. Then instinctively, Rain covered her face with her hands.Rain felt something wrapped around her body. Feels like the barbed wire that is sharp and stabbing. Rain squirmed and struggled. However, the entanglement felt increasingly piercing the skin until it penetrated the flesh."Not! What's this? Jace, are you all right? What's going on here?"Rain couldn't see anything other than the dense fog clumping around her. She thought Jace was again possessed by the monster inside him. However, Rain heard the sound of footsteps."That's enough!" shouted Erica in a calm voice.Erica waved her hand in front of her face, and instantly, the bla
Rain turned to Erica and let go of the woman's grip. Then she turned to Ben. Now, Rain looked at Ben seriously and said something only they could hear."No one knows how to cure it," said Rain. "Jace has been injured by a powerful ripping demon. No mortal doctor knows how to treat a wound like that."Ben had already opened his mouth and was about to issue words to refute Rain's statement. Ben thought he had many different ways of treatment that may be Rain didn't know about. But, suddenly, Ben chose not to speak and fell silent. Ben realized it would all be in vain. Because Ben knows that when Rain has made a decision, the girl will not turn away from her commitment.Erica felt disappointed, and she thought Rain would instead join Benjamin. Erica did not blame the girl's decision. Because of the situation, if you look at it from anywhere, Jace looks really detrimental to Rain. Thus, Erica turned around and returned to her friends."She doesn't want to come with us?" asked Samantha dis