Chapter 0412

‘To work?’ Nyx scoffs.

My gaze snaps to his. “You’re playing your little game again, aren’t you?”

He drapes his arm over my shoulder, pulling me close. He doesn’t answer.

In his office, Seraphina sits slumped in a chair. Her eyes stay fixed on her knees. Her hands are clasped tightly in her lap.

Silence hangs heavy. Minutes pass. Seraphina grows restless. Her entire body trembles. Her leg bounces nervously.

Caleb knocks on the open door. “You called for me, Athena? Is this about Liam? I know we haven’t…” His eyes land on his stepdaughter. A deep scowl forms. “What has she done now?”

“It’s complicated,” Alexander states.

“I assume you thought telling me was better than telling her mother? How long does she have?”

“That depends on you, Caleb,” Alexander replies.

“Me? You want me to decide how she dies?”

I see Seraphina’s eyes go wide. Nyx laughs. ‘She’s practically shitting herself. But why is Alexander lying to Caleb?’

‘You know he has his own methods for testing people.’

“Seraphina is no longer safe in the dungeons. You are her stepfather. I am requesting you take her in. Keep a very close eye on her,” Alexander instructs. I still hated the idea. But I didn’t want her near the house either. Keep your friends close, your enemies closer. Theodore taught me that.

“Take her in? You want me to bring her into our home?” Caleb acts as if we’ve asked him to walk into fire.

“Take her in. Feed her. Watch her. Do not let her out of your sight. She will work under guard supervision. When work ends, she returns directly to you. She does not leave the house unless I or Athena request it,” Alexander orders.

“She is your stepdaughter, Caleb. She is your responsibility. If you refuse, I understand. She will not live to see another day. If you agree, your family’s lives depend on her obedience. If she fails or steps out of line, she will not be the only one to face death. Is that clear?” Alexander asks.

“I have a baby,” he protests, frowning deeply.

‘What if he says no?’ Nyx wonders.

‘We’ll cross that bridge if we come to it.’

“If I do everything you ask… I get to live?” Seraphina whispers.

No one answers. After a tense moment, she nods. “You’re going to kill me anyway.”

“I’ll do it,” Caleb announces.

All eyes shift to him. I expected consent, but also a refusal.

“You will?” I ask. Seraphina stares at me, eyes wide with shock. She’s as surprised as I am.

“I will kill her myself if she disobeys.”

Seraphina looks at me, tears welling in her eyes. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me.” I leave the office before anyone else. My heart races. My head pounds.

‘I don’t like this either,’ Nyx grumbles. ‘She was determined to destroy us.’

I wait at the top of the stairs. It takes time for the others to emerge. Caleb has his hands on Seraphina’s shoulders. Her eyes remain downcast as he guides her through the front door. Zachary follows, presumably to ensure no trouble. Sebastian disappears.

Alexander looks up at me from the office doorway, his crimson eyes meeting mine. “I know you’re unhappy. This is only temporary.”