Jon Krohn heard the voice and froze. It felt eerily familiar. After a moment of thought, realization struck him. His narrowed eyes snapped open, and he suddenly burst into laughter.
“Lucy! So, it’s you! I never thought-you’re still alive after all these years! Five years ago, I was certain you were dead!” he exclaimed.
“Lucy?” Mags turned to Jon Krohn, her eyes sharpening. “You mean she’s Lucy?”
Jon Krohn nodded, smirking. “Yes, it’s her. That sweet, unforgettable voice-I could never forget it. Hehehe.”
As his mocking laughter echoed, it sent a chill through Lucy. Standing at a distance, she fixed her fiery gaze on him, her eyes practically glowing with rage.
There was no doubt-Jon Krohn had done something unforgivable to Lucy.
Lucy took a step forward, her voice venomous. “Not only am I alive, but I’m here to watch each and every one of you die. The suffering I went through here years ago-I’ll make sure you all pay for it, one by one.”
Jon Krohn responded with another burst of laughter. “Lucy! How dare you speak to your master like this? I raised you! I taught you everything you know! How can you talk to me, your master, this way? And now, after betraying The Nightshade, you dare to come back? You’ll pay for this betrayal.”
Jon Krohn was one of the eight Enforcers of The Nightshade-a position that granted him the authority to take in disciples and establish his own branch. While the Enforcers were not on the same level as the Grand Lords, they still held immense influence within The Nightshade.
Kayden had instructed Lucy to wait in the helicopter, but she refused. She insisted on coming along, determined to witness The Nightshade’s destruction. Lucy’s hatred for The Nightshade ran deep, though Kayden didn’t yet understand why. It was becoming clear that Jon Krohn had something to do with it.
Lucy’s voice trembled with fury as she spat, “Punishment? Jon Krohn, stop pretending to be the righteous one. Others might not know who you really are, but I do. You’re a monster-a shameless beast who should’ve been sent to hell long ago.”
Her eyes were red with rage, and her voice shook with conviction. “The Enforcer you all respect-Jon Krohn-is nothing but a vile creature. Five years ago, I risked my life to escape The Nightshade, not because of Mags, but to get away from this despicable excuse of a master. He raised me, only to do things that no man should ever do. He’s nothing but a beast.”
Her words landed like thunder on the crowd. The disciples in the square erupted in shock.
“What?! Enforcer Jon did something like that to his own disciple?”
“Unbelievable! He’s always been strict, but I never thought he was capable of this.”
“People can be deceiving. Living with such a beautiful woman every day-who could resist temptation?”
The murmurs grew louder, but Lucy’s focus never wavered. Her gaze was locked on Jon Krohn, burning with hatred. Memories of the horrors she endured surfaced unbidden, tormenting her. What happened five years ago wasn’t just a scar-it was a nightmare that haunted her every waking moment.
Kayden glanced at Lucy. Her anger was palpable, her eyes blazing with fury. Only now did Kayden begin to understand the depth of her hatred for The Nightshade. He had always assumed she left for other reasons, but now it all made sense-her insistence on joining him, her desire to see The Nightshade destroyed.
Indeed, these monsters deserved to die.
Firestone, one of the Nightshade’s leaders, turned to Jon Krohn and asked coldly, “Enforcer Jon, what’s going on here?”
Jon Krohn quickly defended himself. “Master Firestone, don’t believe her lies. You know my character well. How could I do something so disgraceful? She’s twisting the truth, trying to sow discord among us. Her goal is to divide us, to make us fight among ourselves. We can’t let her succeed, especially with the enemy at our gates.”
Firestone considered his words and found them logical. He raised his voice, addressing the disciples. “Enforcer Jon is not that kind of person. Don’t let this traitor’s slander distract you!”
Firestone’s commanding presence quickly restored order. The crowd quieted, their doubts quelled.
Lucy, however, was seething. She pointed at Jon Krohn, ready to argue further, but Kayden stopped her.
“Enough, Lucy,” he said. “I’ll leave Jon Krohn to you. When the time comes, you can kill him yourself.”
He turned to address the crowd, his voice booming. “Now, I’ll give you one chance. Release Wood Faulkner, and I’ll spare The Nightshade. Refuse, and I’ll slaughter every last one of you. I’ll turn this place into a living hell.”
His words carried an undeniable authority, striking fear into all who heard them. Lucy, standing behind him, felt her heart race. She couldn’t help but admire him. His domineering presence, his unyielding strength-it was no wonder the daughters of the John family were infatuated with him. Any woman who came close to Kayden would inevitably be drawn to him.
Even Lucy, who knew she wasn’t worthy of such a man, found her thoughts slipping into chaos as she watched him.
Kayden’s ultimatum had reached the ears of the Grand Lords. The leader of the four, his expression dark, asked, “What’s going on? Did you capture one of his men?”
Having been in seclusion for years, the Grand Lords were unaware of recent events. They had only emerged to defend The Nightshade from the intruders.
Firestone stepped forward to explain. “Yes, Grand Lord. It was done at Hellblazer’s request.”
At the mention of Hellblazer, the Grand Lord’s demeanor shifted. He nodded thoughtfully. “I see. Then you made the right choice. Hellblazer is the nation’s protector. Follow their orders to the letter.”
Firestone nodded in agreement. “This man is Hellblazer’s most wanted enemy-the one they’re desperate to eliminate.”
The Grand Lord chuckled. “Firestone, you’re still too young. This man isn’t worthy of being Hellblazer’s enemy. To them, he’s nothing more than a toy.”
Firestone bowed slightly. “You’re right, Grand Lord. I misspoke.”
“Make sure Hellblazer doesn’t hear you say that,” the Grand Lord warned.
Kayden, watching The Nightshade’s lack of response, took another step forward. His gaze swept across the crowd as he issued one final warning. “So, you’ve decided not to release Wood Faulkner, is that it?”
His tone made it clear-this wasn’t a question. It wasn’t a negotiation. It was a declaration of their fate.
Kayden stood alone, ready to face them all.