Seraphina
Magnus had locked me back in the hospital room, treating me like a prisoner.
I stared at the heavy iron door for what felt like an eternity, frustration bubbling in my chest. The door was so thick-once it shut, I couldn’t see or hear anything outside. There weren’t even any windows in the room, and the lack of air, light, and freedom gnawed at me.
“He’s coming for you.”
The voice startled me.
“Lyra?” I asked, surprised. “You’re awake?”
“Yes,” she replied, her voice weak. “But I’m still not at full strength. Magnus’s drugs and spells are affecting you, which indirectly weakens me as well.”
That made sense.
“But you feel stronger than last time,” I noted.
“Maybe a little,” Lyra admitted with a soft laugh. “You haven’t been taking those drugs recently.”
“You said someone’s coming for me. Who?”
“Kael,” she answered.
Hearing his name sent a strange jolt through me-a mix of excitement and anticipation, like I was about to reunite with someone I’d waited for my entire life.
“Is he really… my lover?” I asked cautiously.
“Of course, Seraphina. You two share a deep bond,” Lyra said.
But something didn’t sit right. “No, I don’t think we’ve ever been in a relationship.”
As we spoke, fragments of memories pieced themselves together. Kael and I were close, but not in the way Lyra suggested. If I remembered correctly, Kael had once wanted to pursue me, but I had turned him down.
Lyra laughed softly. “That’s true, I suppose.”
“Is he on his way here now?” I asked, my heart inexplicably racing.
“Yes,” Lyra confirmed. But then her tone shifted, sharp and panicked. “No! They’re in danger!”
“They?” I asked, my pulse quickening. “Who’s with Kael? What’s happening?”
Before Lyra could respond, the iron door creaked open.
Magnus stepped in, his familiar smile soft and warm, just as it always was. Yet, for some reason, his presence made my heart lurch with unease. The faint metallic scent of blood accompanied him, growing stronger as he moved closer.
“Seraphina, I’m sorry for bringing you back so abruptly,” Magnus said, his voice gentle. “You’re not still upset with me, are you?”
“Of course I’m upset!” I snapped. “You dragged me back here when I wasn’t done exploring!”
While I spoke, I reached out to Lyra in my mind. “Where is Kael? You said he was coming for me!”
“I… I can’t sense him anymore,” Lyra whispered, her voice trembling with sorrow. “I don’t know what happened. Something’s wrong.”
Her despair hit me like a wave. Just moments ago, she’d been so hopeful, but now she sounded utterly broken.
“What’s going on? Did something happen to them?” I demanded, panic rising in my chest.
Before Lyra could answer, Magnus stepped closer and pulled me into his arms.
He pressed me down onto the bed, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that was far from gentle. It was searing, possessive-domineering in a way that made my skin crawl. His hands roamed over my body, sliding from my chest to my stomach, then parting my legs as they moved over the thin hospital gown.
My body trembled, every nerve screaming in protest. I could feel the heat radiating from Magnus, the intensity of his desire suffocating me.
“Stop!” I yelled, shoving him away with all my strength.
Magnus stepped back, frowning. “Why? You didn’t mind when we kissed in the forest.”
I couldn’t explain it. What had once felt tolerable now filled me with revulsion.
“You smell like blood,” I said, grasping for an excuse. “It’s disgusting. Besides, you locked me in here, and I’m furious with you. Don’t touch me.”
My words felt hollow, but they worked. Magnus frowned but released me.
“I apologize,” he said, brushing himself off. “I was dealing with some… unpleasant matters. I must’ve gotten dirty.” He paused, then smiled again. “How about this? I’ll take you out tomorrow. Tonight’s too late, but tomorrow, we’ll go somewhere nice. Does that sound good?”
I met his gaze, his eyes sharp and watchful. I knew refusing him would only lead to trouble.
“Fine,” I said reluctantly.
Magnus’s smile widened. He reached out, gently stroking my cheek.
“Good girl, Seraphina. As long as you listen to me, you’ll recover soon.” He hesitated, then added, “Do you remember Kael?”
My heart stopped for a moment.
“Who?” I asked, feigning confusion.
Magnus looked pleased with my response. “He’s your enemy. He hurt you many times in the past.” He leaned closer, his voice low and insistent. “The next time you see him, you must kill him. Do you understand?”
His words hit me like a hammer, reverberating through my mind. It was as if they were etched into my brain, impossible to erase.
Magnus kissed my forehead and left the room, his presence lingering like a shadow.
But his words remained, echoing endlessly: Kael is your enemy. When you see him, you must kill him.
“No!” Lyra’s voice snapped me out of the trance. “Seraphina, don’t listen to him! Magnus is lying to you!”
Her words felt like a lifeline, dragging me back from the edge of a dark abyss.
“Why… why is his voice in my head?” I asked, clutching at my temples.
“He’s hypnotizing you,” Lyra explained. “And it’s not just hypnosis-there’s magic involved. He’s trying to turn you into a puppet.”
“A puppet who kills Kael,” I whispered, the weight of her words crushing me.
Flashes of memory surged through me-Kael and I lying together on a bed, my nails digging into his chest, piercing his heart.
“Was I hypnotized the last time, too?” I asked, my voice trembling.
“Yes, Seraphina,” Lyra confirmed softly.
“Then… if I see him again, will I hurt him?”
As I spoke, an image struck me like lightning. Kael, chained to a wall, unable to move. I walked toward him, a dagger in hand, and plunged it into his chest.
“No!” I cried out, clutching my head as the vision overwhelmed me.
It was so vivid-the warmth of his blood on my face, the metallic scent filling the air.
“Seraphina, what did you see?” Lyra asked anxiously.
“I saw myself killing Kael,” I said, my voice shaking. “It was… here. In this very room. Kael… he’s here, in this hospital, isn’t he?”