He didn't look at Rain but looked around the block, which was so empty that afternoon. Snow seems to be still piling up in some parts. Rain shivered even though she was wearing a thick coat. Jace suddenly reached out to check Rain's forehead. "What is it?" asked Rain. "Your fever's gone. The healing power of the army of darkness cannot be doubted." "Oh… And Jace, why do I feel like the winters here are much longer and colder? Even though we are only a few miles from the city where I live. We're not separated by the equator or anything like that." "Perhaps you forgot that this city has been shrouded in so many kinds of magic. Outsiders see Westlake the way we see it from the inside. Don't complain too much; we better hurry to get to the City of Darkness before it gets dark." "How did West get to the City of Darkness? Does he use a car? Or fly like you?" Jace smirked. His golden brown hair looked like bronze in the slightly dim midday sun. That day he covered his runes using make
The scenery changed to thick fog that shrouded the entire street, and she could only see the tops of towering buildings in the shrouding fog. "I'm fifteen," Jace said. "When the rebellion took place." "Wait, Jace, if there was such an important and very historical event of that magnitude a few years ago, I might have been around ten years old. How could the news never spread to the city where we live? Aren't Westlake and my town not too far away?" "You forgot the veil, Rain? I told you before that this city is filled with a veil of magic. Once upon a time, humans and shadow creatures lived alongside each other. We are separated by a veil so that there is no interplay between shadow beings and mortals until the rebellion breaks out. The number of humans in this city is increasing. At the same time, the shadow creatures are increasingly being driven into the forests and remote places." Jace sighed. "Unfortunately, I have always been in the palace since my birth. I never left it. My
It felt like his hands were enveloped in a black shadow, but it was cold. "Don't be afraid," said West's voice inside Rain's head. "Suppose you're walking into a room with no electricity." West let go of Rain's hand. The girl was nervous and immediately jumped across the marble threshold to run after Jace. The girl's heartbeat was behind her ribs as if ready to fall to her ankles. Bruck! Rain hit something that felt very hard. She nearly fell to the ground in shock before Jace grabbed the girl by the shoulders. "It's me. You hit my back," Jace said. "Sorry, I'm not used to being in the dark." Jace snapped his fingers, and suddenly the dark room was dimmed by the many lanterns lined the walls. Rain thought it was a large empty room. They were in a room that resembled a long tunnel in a cave. Lanterns were hung along the hallway walls. The color is purplish. Slowly, the light began to illuminate even though it was very dim. "Why didn't you tell me there was a lantern here?" Rain
Rain had a big fight with her father because Mark Orwell brought a woman into his apartment for the night. Grown-up Rain feels uncomfortable with her father's new lover. Tears started to well up Rain. She realized that her relationship with her father was never good during her stay in Haridra City. Apart from arguing, there was nothing more they could do together. Rain rarely visited the man when her father was hospitalized after the accident. However, she always sends money for her father's medical expenses. Rain's memories also returned when she woke up in the hospital just moments after having an accident with her father. Mark Orwell sat by the hospital bed with Rain, his head and hands bandaged. "You ran into a busy street just like that after we argued. Then, a garbage truck hits you. I ran after you. In the end, we got hit together." Mark Orwell laughed even though his face was bandaged with a very thick bandage. "What happened? I don't remember anything before today." Rain
They use the elevator to get to the restaurant. But, when they arrived on the 29th floor, the elevator stopped. Passengers were coming in. When the elevator opened, Rain and Jace looked up simultaneously. A group of men will take the elevator. Their gazes met, and Rain gaped. When the elevator doors opened, Jace immediately hugged Rain's shoulders with his muscular and possessive arms. Jace even pulled the hood of the girl's jacket to cover Rain's head so that half of her face could not be seen. Jace never let go of his arms until the three new passengers about to enter the elevator stood frozen in the doorway. From under the hood of her coat, Rain could see the three men dressed very fashionable with knee-length coats to complete their appearance. Surprisingly the three men suddenly bowed and gave Jace a royal salute. "Your Majesty, it is an honor to see you here. This is very surprising," said the man standing in the middle. "Come in. I don't mind sharing the elevator with you g
"The man wasn't watching. I agree with you," replied another colleague. The three of them surrounded Rain right in front of the restaurant entrance. The three young men almost the same age as Rein was standing in front of her. Rain didn't recognize them. However, their expressions were extremely threatening. "You?" Rain muttered when she realized the three of them looked familiar to her. One of them carried a large bow on his shoulder, and another man had a long sword at his waist. A third man flaunted a gun under his coat. The girl trembled for a moment. "Werewolves," thought Rain. "Those who were in the elevator before!" "The Darkwood King hid this girl. She knows us well. Joe, should we take her now?" said the man standing in the middle of his two companions. Rain started walking backward in fear. She didn't know where Jace was now. However, the restaurant was tranquil. When Rain stepped for the second time, suddenly, Rain's back hit something that felt hard and soft. She st
"Prickly black rose!" Jace said as he read the contents inside the envelope. "What does it mean?" Rain got increasingly annoyed and started to snatch the envelope from Jace's hand. She saw the contents firsthand with her own eyes. Her eyes were wide open. Rain showed the paper to everyone so they could read it. It was a letter paper made of a unique material that was very thin but not easily torn. The words were written in ink and with a goose feather pen. The letters look elegant. "This invitation to a gathering at the Westlake City Unity Building. I don't see anything special here other than the rose seal! And what is the purpose of this meeting? Why did the warlocks invite King Darkwood?" Rain did not understand the invitation and its meaning. "After the rebellion, all the shadow creatures split into two groups. The first group was affiliated with Mayor Flynn, and they agreed to cooperate with him. The second group is the excluded group. They are still loyal to the old king. Th
"We'll see, Miss Orwell. I'm sure you won't regret my efforts tonight to turn you into a wonderful queen." Samantha, who had no face, couldn't even see how she looked; this time, Rain was sure that the shadow woman was grinning at her. Before Samantha left Rain's room, the girl tried to hold and tug at the sleeves of Samantha's clothes. Sam turned and looked at Rain with a black face without any form or expression. "Ng... um..." Rain said nervously while wringing her own hands. "Do I need a weapon or not? You too?" Sam suddenly stood stiffly facing Rain without a word. Around Sam's body, a black smoke sprang up as if it had fallen from the surface of his skin. "Don't be afraid, Miss Orwell. I'm showing my gun. I have a lot." Rain could feel Sam smiling at her even though her face had turned pitch black, without a nose, eyes, and mouth. Sam moved her hands, and black tendrils of smoke appeared from all over her body. "This is an example. My body is my weapon. These black smokes
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