Fractures of Eternity

Rolling his eyes at the ravenous vampire, Jin clicked his tongue before gazing down the hall they had come from. “Oliver, come take this beast out. He’s ruining my fun.”

I thought I only had vampires and crazy witchcraft users to worry about, but I was left in shock the moment I saw a Lycan walk into the room. He had brown hair and deep blue eyes, which alerted me that he wasn’t a normal wolf, since all lycans not born under the red moon had amber irises. There were some dark markings on his eyes, too, and they weren’t from lack of sleep. They reminded me of Alijah, who was left by the goddess known as Midnight.

Eh? Why does an unknown wolf have the markings of a god on him?

The one named Oliver yawned before tilting his head. “Ah… I was having a nice nap, you know.”

“Well, I wouldn’t call you if I didn’t need you, brother.” Jin sighed, turning to the lazy mutt.

Brothers?! Huh?!

It seemed we had vampires and wolves down here, along with the witchcraft users, but worse yet, a pit in my stomach formed as I couldn’t tell if that truly was god’s mark or something else.

Papa said no one has come through the rift, so it can’t be… or… can it?

“Hm… Did your thrall lose it again?” The wolf asked, walking over to the out-of-control vampire.

“Yes, the beast has no self-control. Take him away. I would do it, but I don’t want to waste energy before the time comes.” Jin waved his hand dismissively.

“Okay, little brother,” The Lycan huffed, grabbing onto the vampire.

“No! I need to feed!” The vampire huffed, struggling in his grip.

For a moment, the Lycan rolled his eyes before gazing inside the cell, smirking the moment he spotted me.

“Oh, wow, you have a pretty little thing in there.” He breathed, his eyes the same as any other man’s, yet their color made me feel off.

I met his gaze with a scowl.

There is no time to break!

“Oli, she’s mine, but you can have the other girl if you want,” Jin smirked, prompting me to grit my teeth.

“You fucking psychopaths! I’ll bite your heads off if you even try it!” she snapped, holding Luna closer to her.

Oliver sighed, shrugging. “Eh, I think I’ll pass. I don’t like damaged goods.”

A second later, the ravenous vampire was knocked out cold; whatever he had done was faster than my eyes could follow.

“Fuck you!” Thea growled.

“Well, is the spike ready for our feisty wolf?” Jin asked Oliver as he walked away.

“Yep, it is.” The Lycan replied, leaving soon after.

A spike? Like one of those things people used in the old days to display bodies?!

“What?” The female wolf mumbled.

A wicked smile came upon Jin’s face when he heard her confusion.

“Oh, I’m going to display your body on a it. Well, it’ll go through you. Don’t worry, though. I’ll make sure it is painful, and I really hope you’re a virgin, so your mother can see it deflower you while it kills you too. We’ll have so much fun!” The warlock gushed, triggering my eyes to twitch.

In an instant, I flared up, pushing Gerta aside. I clasped my hands around the bars, staring at Jin straight on.

This man is trash!

“Just take me. Leave them out of it.” I offered myself in the hopes he would take the bait.

He didn’t appear to be past the age of thirty when he grabbed onto my chin, hovering over my lips. If he kissed me, I could have tried to bite his tongue off, but with his remaining companions still around. It would’ve turned into a mess, especially if the wolf came back.

I need to get rid of them in one swoop, not an unending battle.

“Oh, sweetie. Don’t play the hero. You and I are going to do a live vid for your prince. One to show how much you desire me instead of him. I’ll make you a thrall that desires only me.” Jin smirked, licking his bottom lip.

Papa had informed me of the second nature of his shadow magic, which was the ability to taint people’s will to do their bidding. Shadow magic had different branches, and it appeared Jin had gone down the most forbidden one, soul manipulation, which differed from Rem’s and her mother’s magic. The hybrid’s power was connected to rebirthing the souls of the lost. She could also temporarily halt the hostiles’ souls. While Lilith, Rem’s mother, and other witchcraft users could control the souls of the dead, the type of power Jin delved into was one that Papa never dared to use.

The ability to control and bend people to a whim was very intriguing for my father, but my mother told him that type of magic came at a cost, and the price was one’s soul and sanity. It would explain why Jin was so obsessed with Rem’s downfall, even turning to these perversions to get back at her.

Perhaps there isn’t a god involved in this. I can only hope, but for a madman, you are through and smart, I’ll give you that.

“Doubt anything you’ll do, will make me feel good or desire you,” I smirked.

It was nothing like how Loki left me feeling.

Ah… This worm is making me want to puke. When you asked me to kiss you before the ball, I should’ve done it then and there. I should have rejoiced in your touch for longer.

Before I knew it, he grabbed the back of my head, and a second later, I felt his lips on mine. Clenching my teeth together, I wouldn’t allow this man to go in as I did with my beloved vampire.

“Let her go!” Gerta tried to step in between us, yet I stopped her by grabbing onto her blouse before she could shield me.

If she became his target, she surely wouldn’t survive. She was an extra who was unneeded and useless in his cause to destroy Rem.

You… have to live so you can tell your grandkids how much you love them. This… isn’t where you die. I won’t allow it!

Using every ounce of my strength, I pushed her to the side as Jin drew away from me, leaving me glowering at him.

“So docile… I thought you would’ve tried to bite my tongue.” The warlock chuckled, wiping his lips.

“If I do anything, you might take it out on the ladies next to me. That’s the only reason you’re still speaking.” I huffed, trying to shake the revolting feeling his lips had left on me.

It was harder than I thought, though.

“Oh, a hostage with a brain… How lovely.” Jin grabbed onto the cloth the other man held in his arms before throwing it at me.

There were three dresses, and one was for the little girl, turning my heart into a raging storm.

“When she’s finished changing, take the human girl and the Luma to the fun room.” Jin declared.

In an instant, my hopes to end this quietly were washed away.

“Wait, what do you want with the child!?” I demanded, prompting him to gaze at me, leaving all the warmth in my body.

You… plan to do a vid with her too? Sick… pig! I… I…

“There is no fucking way you’re taking her.” Thea snarled at Jin.

The warlock grinned, kneeling close to where she was.

“Mutt, it isn’t like you can do anything about it. Unless you want to fall unconscious again, which I doubt you do. After all, I think you’ll want to know when the spike impales you.” He snickered, “Your turn will come.” Turning towards me, he smirked. “To answer your question, little love. I’m sacrificing her during the vid, after having a little bit of fun just for the hell of it. After that, I’ll take the firstborn and spike her too. Hopefully, she’ll be awake for everyone to hear the screams, though.”

The confidence in his voice was excruciating, making me want to drown him in his blood. The pain radiating from my hand was keeping me in check, though.

There’s only one way out of here.

In his gloating, he had slipped, allowing me something to grab hold of.