CHAPTER 6

Adrian's POV:

“Monster?” I repeated, reaching to grab her frail hands that kept hitting at my chest. Immediately I touched her, I subconsciously realized how soft her skin was. Almost silk-like. “I'm no monster, Princess.” My voice sounded hollow, even to my own ears.

She yanked her hands away, her blue eyes wobbling as she stared at me, tears streaming down her face like a river of grief. "You killed my family!" she yelled, her voice cracking with anguish, the sound echoing off the walls like a curse. "You murdered them all!"

Her hands went to her throat as she turned to face the horror behind her. The dead bodies lay on the bloodied floor, their faces frozen in death, their eyes seeming to accuse me too. I watched, feeling a pang in my chest, as she shivered and her hair moved slightly in the silence, like a dark cloud hovering over her shoulders.

She took a step back, her eyes never leaving mine, and then she collapsed to the ground, her body wracked with sobs. She wailed like a bereaved animal, her cries piercing the air, tearing at my soul. I felt a stinging sensation in my eyes as I watched, unable to move or speak, frozen in guilt and regret.

She beat the floor with her fists, her body shaking with anguish, her face contorted in a mask of pain. "Why?" she screamed, her voice hoarse from crying. "Why did you do this?" The words echoed throughout the bloodied room .

I stood there, unmoving, as she cried and wailed, her grief so evident, I felt…I felt…

“I'm all alone now..” her frail voice said as she sobbed, hiccupping as she stood up, not wanting to look around.

Hearing that, a part of me clenched at her words, and I turned my eyes away from her. I can't be feeling this way, I have to kill her. That's what I came here for. But her sobs echoed in my mind, haunting me. “You won't be an orphan for long, believe me.” The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them.

She turned around, facing me, her eyes blazing with anger and sorrow. “You're going to kill me?” She asked, walking closer, her voice barely above a whisper. Ugh, I didn't need any begging for my life scene here, I didn't need to see anymore crying from this girl. But her tears kept falling, and I felt my resolve wavering.

“This isn't even about you—” I started, trying to sound convincing.

“If you're going to, then just do it.” She interrupted me, her voice firm, but her eyes betraying her fear.

I frowned, grabbing her cheeks, my fingers feeling the warmth of her skin. “Don't call me that again.” I warned, my voice low and even.

Iridessa’s POV:

I shook as I faced him, anger and fear making me tremble, causing more tears to fall. “Be the monster you are and do it.” I added, my voice cracking. Almost immediately, his demeanor changed, and his strong fingers grabbed my cheeks. I gasped, terrified, as his grip tightened. His eyes seemed to bore into my soul, and I felt like he could see the depths of my sorrow.

“Don't call me that again.” He warned, his cold eyes roaming through my face. “The only monster here is dead.” His gaze shifted to the floor, and mine followed, my heart aching as I saw my father's lifeless body.

“My father is not a monster! He didn't do anything—” I tried to argue, but my voice was barely audible.

“He destroyed my life.” He thundered, his voice cold and low, his grip on my face tightening. “He destroyed so many people's lives, and you know why? Because he is a monster.” His words cut deep, and I felt my heart shattering into a million pieces.

The tears went down my cheek as I tried to argue, but his gaze bore into me, making me almost swallow my words in fear. I felt like I was drowning in my sorrow, suffocating under the weight of my grief.

“You said I should kill you right?” He asked, his voice low and even.

I stared, my eyes fixed on his, my heart racing with fear.

He walked towards me, his right hand shifting, his fingers growing sharp claws. I gasped, my eyes fixed on his hand, my mind screaming with terror. This was the end. This monster was going to end my life.

I closed my eyes, expecting the worst, but instead of pain, I felt his hand on the side of my neck. I opened my eyes to see him lingering over me, his eyes gleaming with a sinister light.

“Killing you just like that would be no fun,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Torturing before the main deal will be more fun, no?”

I shook my head, my eyes wide with fear. “No, please...”

But he didn't listen. He stood up straight, his gaze moving to his men. “Take her.”

I struggled, trying to break free, but the guards were too strong. “What? Where are you taking me?” I asked, my voice shaking with fear.

He turned to me, his eyes hardening into a frown. “Stop.”

The guards halted immediately, and he walked towards me. I wondered what he was going to do next. He removed his jacket and gave it to me, his eyes gleaming with a mocking light.

“You're a princess, not a show girl,” he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

I realized I had just been walking around in my nightwear and besides the muddling emotions I felt as I stood in the middle of my family's bodies, my face flushed with embarrassment. I wore the jacket, the heavy leather and fur outfit covering my entire body. The guards pulled me again, and I stumbled, my heart racing with fear.

“Where the hell are you taking me?” I asked, my voice shaking with fear.

“To Overcrest, to begin your torture. Fun, right?” He asked, his voice cold and devoid of emotion. The guards took me away, bounding my hands.

I felt a surge of anger and hatred towards him. Overcrest? What was that supposed to mean? Was I going to be tortured? Killed? I didn't know, but I knew I had to escape.

I was not going to let this evil man win.