The sound of a tongue clicking echoed in the distance.
Eiran flinched, lifting his head, his eyes searching for the source. However, he couldn’t spot any figure around him.
"Searching for me?" an amused tone laced with the question, echoing in the distance.
Unable to find the person who spoke, appearing no less than a ghost, Eiran’s breath caught in his throat. His heart raced but he clenched his fists, trying his best to keep his composure.
A laugh answered him.
Then, another voice replied.
"We don’t want anything from you, kid. What do you even have to offer us?"
"I-I have a few hundred shirings t-that I saved from the money Dad gave me monthly," the child stammered, fear binding his throat.
"Ha ha ha ha. You truly are an adorable one, aren’t you?"
"Show yourself if you aren’t scared of a kid like me," the words pressed against his lips, fueled with rage although he was scared.
The two men laughed like he said a farce.
"You really do have guts," the first man said.
"I wish we could get rid of him," added the other man.
Tears threatened to fall from his eyes but Eiran held them back, refusing to show them his weak side.
"No. We are not killing this child or else.... You know what he might do to us."
Eiran’s eyes widened. Who were they talking about? Was there someone else involved in this? Now, his body trembled in horror, feeling drowsy.
"What are you going to do with me and why did you bring me here?!" Mustering the little energy he had left, he shouted.
How long had it been since he was here? Did anyone notice he disappeared?
Clenching his fists, he couldn’t help but wonder.
What if no one came to save him?
Instantly, he shook his head. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by novel_fіre.net
There was no way. At least Zayden and Ren would do anything to find him. If not Zayden, then at least Ren. He was his son after all!
The voices didn’t answer him. The footsteps faded in the distance—they left the room. Grinding his teeth, he tried to find the ground, tapping the edge of his bare feet on the floor. If he could find a shard of metal, he could try to break the handcuffs.
For once, he was grateful he listened to Celine’s nonstop lessons, although it bored him. During one of his lessons, she stated that spell-blockers could be opened with a key—or other sharp metals. That was its only weakness and the reason why the magic temple had been trying to find an alternative to it.
Although he was conscious of how ridiculous it might be to search for a piece of metal in this place, it wouldn’t be impossible. Right? It was a hope he could only cling to.
He didn’t know how much time had passed but he didn’t find anything to set himself free. Only his legs hurt from straining them too much.
He leaned his back against the chair, exhaling from exhaustion. All he could do now was wait for someone to come and save him. He tried to be strong, but he wasn’t. He closed his eyes but his eyelashes trembled. From fear.
What will they do to him? He felt nauseous, his stomach aching from hunger pangs.
"Maybe it’s been a whole day since I’m here?" He mumbled, shutting his eyes tighter, hoping the pain would disappear soon.
The cold steel grazing against his hand awoke Eiran. His eyelashes trembled before opening, only to be met with darkness. He was lying on the ground now. The ropes were gone. Only the handcuffs remained, biting into his wrists.
Although struggling, he managed to sit, his back leaning against what seemed to be a wall. He hit the sturdy wall with his elbow, only to hiss in pain. It was far too strong compared to his strength.
"Finally awake, Young Master?" The familiar voice cut through the silent space. The same cold tone, devoid of any emotion.
Eiran’s heart dropped. Fear that had disappeared momentarily during his slumber slammed back into him.
"L-Let me go," his voice cracked. "Dad will kill you all!" Tears burned as they slid down his cheeks. Before blacking out, he had wished that when he opened his eyes, he’d be home. In his bed. Safe. Protected.
But that had been nothing more than a dream. The truth crashed down on him like a heavy rock. He had been abducted.
His gaze caught the glint of metal beside him. A bowl containing a dry, cracked piece of bread.
"Eat. You’ll need it," one of the men stepped forward at last, revealing himself. Another shadow followed behind.
It was the very men who had been in his room! Did that mean... There were only two?
"No!" His head shook violently, panic rising as he tried to analyze their movements. "I don’t want this—I want to go home!" He glared at them, his green eyes darkening.
The man standing only a few steps away clicked his tongue.
"Tch. Fine. If you won’t eat..." He rolled his eyes, nonchalantly.
"Let him be," the other sneered, stepping toward them. His long dark hair was tied loosely, resting on his left shoulder.
They still hadn’t revealed their faces, but Eiran had begun to recognize their voices.
The first man chuckled, tilting his head, his gaze glimmering with amusement.
"Don’t tell me... No way!"
"We can’t kill him. But who said we can’t have a little bit of fun?"
Eiran narrowed his eyes, unable to understand what they were talking about. Something in him warned him to run. But he couldn’t move a muscle.
Something moved in his hand. Rather, under his sleeve.
And just then, before he could think further—
A white snake hit the floor with a dull thud, slithering toward Eiran, scales gleaming in the dark like the moon at night.
The boy froze, his body trembling as the hiss drew closer. He had never imagined himself running for his life from a snake in his wildest dreams!