Aurora’s POV
"We’re not here to fight, Mrs. Aurora," the white-haired woman said, her tone calm but edged with arrogance. "I’m only here to collaborate with you. You’re the strongest witch alive, and trust me, it took us a lot of effort to find you. Now that we finally have you, please don’t be stubborn."
"Stubborn?" I snapped. "You kidnapped me, dragged me to this godforsaken place, and expect me to just collaborate? Who the hell does that? Listen to yourself!"
"Please, lower your voice—"
"Everybody let me go. Now."
She sighed, waving her hand lazily. "We can’t let you go. Be realistic."
"Goddamn you." I clenched my fists, my magic prickling beneath my skin.
"Oh, the tiger is about to roar," she said with a smirk.
"Versa," I hissed.
A small tornado spun to life in the center of the room. She laughed, waving her hand dismissively, sending it toward the window—
—but I smirked...Because it came back with a bigger force.
The winds slammed her into the wall and dragged her halfway out the window before tossing her across the room.
Good.
And all of that without even using dark magic.
I tightened my hold on Heather, covering her face with my cloak, and bolted.
I dashed down the corridor, heart racing, the echo of my footsteps bouncing off every wall. The halls all looked the same — endless portraits, endless doors, everything looping together like a trap.
I ran for what felt like thirty minutes before I stopped, breathless, sweat dripping down my temples. Somehow, Heather was still asleep, her tiny breaths soft against my chest.
But when I turned — the room I’d escaped from was right behind me.
"What?" I gasped.
I ran again. Harder this time. My legs burned, my lungs screaming. But when I stopped, I was still standing in the same damn hallway.
Of course. A illusion spell.
"Damn it," I muttered, slamming my palm against the wall.
If they wanted to trap me with dark magic, then I’d break it with the same thing.
Veins darkened beneath my skin as I focused. My heart pounded, the magic inside me twisting and roaring.
"Versa!"
The ground rumbled, and then the world shifted.
The walls shattered into mist, and suddenly I was standing among trees, the night air cold against my skin. Bushes rustled nearby
I turned sharply when I sensed movement.
A figure leaned casually against a tree, his body pale as moonlight, hair cascading white down his back. He was bare-chested, only a pair of dark trousers hanging loosely on his hips.
My blood ran cold. "Who are you?" I demanded, stepping back.
He turned slowly, and my breath caught.
Darius.
Leon was right. His hair — white, he looked even paler now, and his eyes gleamed like blue frost.
"Wow," he said, smiling faintly. "Really smart. I told them not to underestimate you, but they did anyway."
I stared at him, fury rising in my throat.
"You even cracked the code of our illusion spell," he said, almost amused. "Got out in minutes. It took Dahlia three weeks. You’re more powerful than her — you just need experience."
"Stay away from me," I hissed, clutching Heather tighter. "You devil."
He leaned closer, voice low. "You’ll only get hurt."
"Good," I said coldly. "Then I won’t have to hold back when I hit you."
He smirked, clearly amused.
"Fine," I said suddenly, my voice steady and sharp. "Then kill her."
His eyes widened slightly. "What?"
"Go ahead. Do it."
"What are you—"
"Versa!"
The air erupted. The tornado burst forward, slamming into him with violent force. He twisted his body, shielding Heather with his back. The impact tore through the ground, and when the winds faded, he was on one knee, blood dripping from the corner of his lips.
"What are you doing?" he shouted. "You’ll hurt her! Do you want to kill her?"
"If I kill her," I said fiercely, "you’re the one in trouble. You just said your demon lord wants her. So you won’t let her die. You’ll protect her. Which means I can attack you as much as I want."
I smirked. "Smart, isn’t it?"
He gave a low chuckle, wiping the blood from his mouth. "I said it already—you’re smart."
Then, before I could react, he vanished. A flash—blinding, white-hot.
My eyes burned. I shut them tightly, but when I opened them again, Heather was back in my arms.
I staggered backward, clutching her close.
"What the hell..." I whispered, staring at the empty space where he’d stood.
"How does he manage to do that?"

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