Stealing time may win a moment, but it costs you a lifetime.
Her Plan
Shortly after, I was at the door to our suite. I slammed it behind me with a thud, shutting out the echoing footsteps.
Inside, Violan sat comfortably on the couch, dressed in an absurdly extravagant pink meringue dress, casually nibbling on a cookie. Across the room, Onyx emerged from the kitchen, balancing a tray in hand, wearing a dainty apron and matching gloves. For a brief second, the scene's absurdity hit me like a punch.
"Shay," Violan began, holding out the tray of cookies toward me, "want some?"
But the moment her gaze dropped to the bloodstains on my shirt, the carefree smile vanished from her face. Her eyes narrowed dangerously, and I could see golden magic flicker in their depths. "Who did that to you? Who dared to touch you?"
I shook my head. "No time. We need to go."
Without hesitation, Violan dumped the cookies into a tiny, stylish purple handbag. Then, with a quick wave of her hand, she gestured for Onyx to follow suit. I wasn't even surprised when the entire tray fit neatly into the minuscule bag.
"What did you do this time?" Violan asked, rising gracefully. She smoothed her dress and motioned for Onyx to pack up.
"Not really something you want to know," I replied.
Violan sighed at the loud footsteps now dangerously close. "Help Onyx. I'll hold them off."
She didn't wait for a response, rushing out the door with purposeful strides. Inside, Onyx had already grabbed a bright pink suitcase and was tossing anything he could find into it. I quickly joined him, sweeping clothes, books, and anything else that caught my eye into the bag. We didn't have much time, and just as I finished, the door exploded inward.
Splinters of wood sprayed into the room like bullets, and the only safe spot was behind Violan. I yanked Onyx out of the line of fire just in time, shielding him from the barrage of debris. Violan stood in front of us, her face split with a feral grin as she waved a brush through the air like an eccentric conductor. Despite the constant bombardment of magic, she deftly deflected each attack. A slight scorch marked her skirt, but the master of pink-robed mages remained unharmed.
"Balcony. Run," Violan commanded, a handful of golden dust shimmering in her palm.
Onyx didn't hesitate, turning the suitcase into a smaller pocket-sized version, then leaping onto the stone balcony railing. A soft incantation escaped his lips, and within moments, his body lifted into the air. He reached out to me, but I shook my head, vaulting over the railing in one swift motion.
I heard Onyx's anxious voice calling my name, and I admit, I may have misjudged the height. The moment I hit the ground, pain surged through my legs—both ankles shattered on impact. I exhaled a quiet sigh as the familiar sensation of rapid healing began.
Onyx landed softly beside me, concern etched on his face. "Are you okay?"
I nodded.
"This much can't hurt me."
His worry eased at my words, but he still glanced back toward the balcony in disbelief.
A massive explosion rocked the building as the west wing began to collapse. Violan appeared on the balcony railing, balancing precariously. Another gust of golden dust was blown from her hand before she leaped from the height, arms outstretched.
"Onyx," she ordered.
I heard Onyx mutter a spell before even Vio jumped, and Violan's descent slowed as if time itself had shifted. Her hair, golden-blonde, caught the fiery glow of the crumbling building, turning reddish in the flames. For a fleeting moment, Violan looked like an angel of destruction, her soft laughter echoing through the chaos.
Onyx's spell gently lowered Violan to the ground, and he embraced her in a show of exaggerated relief.
"Did you hurt your leg?" I asked, eyeing Violan's form.
Violan held up her left foot, showcasing a broken pink high heel with the heel entirely missing. I chose not to comment.
"Can you use port magic yet?" I asked instead, glancing around at the destruction.
Violan shook her head. "Not here. We need to get farther away."
We had no time for more discussion. The building doors burst open, and a flood of mages stormed toward us.
"Onyx," Violan commanded, her voice sharp.
Onyx unleashed his magic, and I felt my pulse quicken. A sweet, intoxicating scent filled the air, more alluring than anything I had ever encountered—more potent than vampire blood. For a brief moment, I found myself unable to look away from Onyx. His face seemed more handsome than ever before, though I couldn't fathom why I hadn't noticed it sooner. I shook my head, forcing myself to focus on the approaching mages.
"Check this out, you filthy scoundrels!" Violan shouted, waving her needle-tipped brush as though she'd just painted their doom.
The mages froze in their tracks, mesmerized by Onyx as if they couldn't comprehend such beauty in the world. Even I felt a strange pull toward him, though I fought it off.
"I'm going on a date with whoever's the strongest," Onyx announced quietly, and for a bizarre moment, I almost wanted to fight for his favor. I shook my head again. What kind of king would I be if I could be so easily swayed?
But the opposing mages had no such restraint. Within seconds, they were at each other's throats, battling for Onyx's attention.
Onyx glanced at me, his worry visible. I met his gaze, making it clear that I wasn't affected by whatever strange magic he was radiating. He seemed relieved, but also a bit puzzled.
"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked softly.
"Of course," I replied with a nod.
He gave me another searching look before finally relaxing. "Thank goodness," he sighed. "I was afraid my magic might affect you. Master Violan is usually the only one who's immune."
I shrugged. "I'm a king. I can handle something like this."
Barely, though. But he doesn't need to know that.
Onyx gave an approving nod, a small, soft smile playing on his lips. I found it oddly difficult to look away from that smile. The sound of a battle raged behind us as I turned to face the horde of mages still scrambling over each other.
"Simon," I said quietly and immediately felt a firm hand on my shoulder. "Stay close, buddy."
Violan cast me a sharp glance, her magic scanning the area in confusion. "Is he here?" she asked uncertainly.
I nodded slightly, and despite her efforts, Violan couldn't detect anything.
Before he could have interrogated me further, a sudden, deafening BOOM echoed from the other side of Belizár's mansion. The ground trembled, and I felt a wave of intense heat wash over my skin, even from this distance. My eyes narrowed, and slowly, a smile crept across my face.
The flames were so tall they licked the sky, roaring with a terrifying, unnatural intensity. They seemed to have a form—a living presence—and their high-pitched laughter echoed through the air, as though the fire itself was amused by the destruction it was causing.
Violan's eyes widened, his cookie hovering mid-bite. "Oho, she invoked her elemental. She isn't joking."
My smile grew wider as I turned to leave. "Let's go."
Vio blinked in surprise. "Shouldn't we help her?"
Another great explosion followed, the heat intensifying. The wind whipped through my hair, and I closed my eyes for a brief moment, savoring it. The monster inside me was purring, eager, almost gleeful at the chaos unfolding. I could feel its excitement vibrating through my veins.
"She can handle this much on her own," I said, my voice steady, my smile unwavering.
Onyx turned his back on the fighting mages and began walking, the Grandmaster of The Lust Mages cradled in his arms. I walked alongside him, suddenly hyper-aware of his presence—of the warmth radiating from his body, the intoxicating scent that clung to him, and the steady, soft rhythm of his heartbeat. In that moment, I thought to myself that I quite liked the melody of his heart, and it wouldn't be so bad to hear it more often.
This is why people tend to avoid being too curious about the magic of lust mages. More often than not, their influence reveals something about yourself that you were never eager to confront.
(...)
Violan's apprentices emerged from the depths of the mansion, swiftly surrounding him. One of them produced slippers, prompting Onyx to finally set her down on the floor.
"At least we could've stolen a few relics in the confusion," the Grandmaster of The Lust Mages mused, a thoughtful frown creasing her brow before she shrugged it off.
"Will you stay for dinner?" she asked, turning her gaze toward me.
I shook my head. "We still have a lot of research to do."
Violan sighed, a hint of regret flickering in her eyes. Then, his expression sharpened. For a moment, she scowled at me, as if already plotting how I could serve her interests. "You owe me, Shay."
"Yes, yes," I nodded. "I won't forget."
A satisfied chuckle escaped Violan's lips.
"Well, goodbye," she said, her tone dismissive as she turned to leave. The Grandmaster of The Lust Mages strode off, her apprentices hurrying behind her, chattering sweetly as if enchanted by Violan's very presence.
Onyx, however, paid me more respect than that; he waved to me with a warm smile. "I hope to see you again soon."
I nodded, watching as Onyx joined the small group of animated mages.
Turning to Mazen, I offered him a smile, but he sighed deeply in response. He extended his hand to me, and I placed my palm in his.
"Come on," I said, trying to lighten the mood. "I'm fine; don't be grumpy."
He sighed again, but I felt his magic envelop me gently, pulling me through the fabric of space and time.
We materialized in the middle of my new living room, the scent of fresh paint still hanging faintly in the air. I took a slow breath, scanning my surroundings. The house was unexpectedly spacious, with tall ceilings and wide windows that let in streams of light, though it was still a bit bare, as if it hadn't quite become a home yet. I walked over to the fireplace, running a hand across the mantle as Mazen watched silently.
"What did you find out?" Mazen asked, breaking the stillness.
"Let's eat first," I suggested, my eyes briefly flicking toward the empty dining room. I knew that if Simon's revelations came out before dinner, the evening would turn from a casual meal to an interrogation session. Besides, I wanted time to process everything before involving the others.
Just then, I heard footsteps on the stairs. Alex descended, grinning as if he had been waiting for me. His energy was hard not to miss.
"Shay!" he called, his smile wide as he approached.
"Hello," I replied with a raised brow. "What's for dinner?"
Alex's grin only grew larger. Without a word, he clapped me on the shoulder in a friendly gesture before darting toward the kitchen.
I fished my phone from my pocket and quickly texted Lil:
[Fancy coming over for dinner?]
[I've got news.]
As I waited for her response, I wandered through the house, inspecting each room. The bedrooms upstairs were modest but cozy, and the study had a large window overlooking the garden. The kitchen was modern, clean, and ready to host the meals that Alex undoubtedly planned to cook.
A part of me felt relieved. It wasn't a mansion, but it was more than enough space.
Stepping back into the living room, Mazen hadn't moved from his spot. He watched me, a mixture of curiosity and something else in his eyes.
"You like it?" he asked, his tone lighter than before.
I nodded. "It'll do."
As Alex bustled around the kitchen, gathering silverware and pots, the savory aromas of dinner began to fill the air. He hummed to himself, occasionally glancing back at me with an eager smile as if he couldn't wait to share his culinary masterpiece.
Just then, Rolo appeared at the top of the stairs, his phone held up with a mix of excitement and urgency. He descended the steps, his eyes sparkling with intrigue.
"Shay!" he called, waving the device in the air. "You made headlines again."
He stepped closer, and I caught a glimpse of the Kaleidoscope app on his screen. With each flicker, a new article materialized, showcasing exclusive pictures of the chaos unleashed at Belizár's auction. The images were sensational—flashes of shocked faces, scattered relics, and the unmistakable energy of a magical disturbance.
"Well, not me this time," I grinned. Rolo looked both surprised and bewildered for a moment.
Mazen let out a heavy sigh, clearly annoyed, but I noticed him sneak a peek at Rolo's phone, curiosity getting the better of him.
I stood by the door, glancing at the clock as the time for dinner approached. Just as I was about to check if everything was set, a knock echoed through the hallway. I opened the door, and there she was—Lilinette.
Her expression was immediately clear; she wore a frown that could rival a thundercloud.
"Hey," I greeted, trying to inject some cheer into the atmosphere. "You made it!"
She crossed her arms tightly over her chest, the gesture amplifying her sour mood. "Yeah, I'm here," she said, her voice flat.
I couldn't help but notice how the usual sparkle in her eyes was replaced by a stormy glint. "Everything okay?" I ventured, peering into her gaze.
"Just peachy," she replied with a tight smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Let's get this over with."
I stepped aside to let her in, taking note of her tense posture. "Dinner's almost ready. I hope you're hungry."
"Starved," she muttered, glancing around as if looking for something—or someone—she'd rather not face.
The moment her foot crossed the threshold, I could feel the weight of her irritation lingering in the air.
"You're looking especially fiery today, Lil. Should I be worried, or is this just your charm?"
Her brow arched slightly, and for a brief moment, the corner of her mouth twitched as if she might crack a smile. "Very funny, Shay."
Well, dinner was… tense, to say the least. Mazen poked at his food, barely eating, his awkwardness radiating from across the table. Lil sat with a slight scowl, frustrated but mostly silent, her eyes flitting to the food on her plate without any real appetite. The tension was palpable, hanging in the air like the aftermath of a storm.
Rolo, on the other hand, couldn't care less. He shoveled food into his mouth with enthusiasm, entirely oblivious to the discomfort around him, or perhaps simply uninterested. His focus was solely on the meal like this was any other normal evening.
Alex tried to ease the tension. "So… quite the event today, huh?" he said with a bright smile that fell flat the moment it left his lips. No one responded, not even Rolo.
Lil remained quiet, her fingers lightly tapping against her plate, though the frustration in her eyes was obvious. I could tell she was holding back, whether from the events of the day or something deeper, but she wasn't in the mood to let it all out just yet.
Alex sighed, realizing his attempt to ease the atmosphere had failed miserably. He slumped back into his chair, muttering something about dessert.
After dinner, tired of waiting, Mazen held out his palm toward me.
"Hmm?"
"The necklace," he explained. "Give it back."
"Oh," I breathed, clutching it theatrically to my chest. "Well, I may have lost it in the chaos."
A vein in Mazen's forehead bulged spectacularly. "You mean to tell me you've abandoned my special magical artifact that I spent a decade crafting?"
"Well…" I began, "I suppose so."
Mazen's face froze ominously. The plate in front of him trembled under the weight of his simmering magic, and with a sharp crack, spiderweb-like cracks began to form. Suddenly, it exploded, sending sharp pieces of china tumbling through the air.
Before Mazen could blow up my entire kitchen, the fragments spun together as if time were reversing, pulled into a swirling vortex of magic. Lil's magic wrapped around Mazen's raging energy, a firm but soothing touch.
"Artifacts can be replaced," Lil said, though her dissatisfaction was evident. "Life cannot."
Mazen hissed in resentment, folding his arms over his chest. "You owe me too much already, Shaytan."
"Then add this one to the list as well," I said, winking cheekily at him.
Mazen's lips twisted in irritation, and I could see him questioning every life choice that had led him to sit across from me.
Alex was surprisingly calm, given that one of the darkest mages of our time was on the verge of tearing our new kitchen to shreds. He didn't speak, but his eyes remained glued to Mazen until Lil's magic took over. Then, with an air of routine, he took his plate away from Rolo, as if it were a near-daily occurrence to have mages' magic battling around him. I would have nodded in satisfaction, but instead, I handed him my dirty plate.
Alex set about putting away the dishes and washing up, while Lil and Mazen willingly followed me into the living room.
"Simon," I called to the ghost.
The ethereal figure appeared before us, extending his transparent hands toward the two mages. Mazen and Lil hesitated only for a brief moment before touching his fingers. Mazen's face hardened, while Lil stifled a wince at the otherworldly touch. This is what it feels like to be touched by death.
Simon closed his eyes, and Lil and Mazen followed suit moments later. In reality, it was just an instant as Simon shared his memories, but in the spirit world, they could observe for what felt like hours. Mazen remained expressionless, though the color drained from his face almost instantly. Lil frowned anxiously, her lips parting in shock. When they opened their eyes again, they glanced at each other, almost disbelieving, as if needing to confirm that they had witnessed the same thing.
"I'm going to see Livius," Lilinette declared.
Mazen nodded. "I'll deal with the others."
Lil nodded in agreement, and without wasting a moment, the two mages vanished from the living room like camphor in the wind.
Alex peeked out from the kitchen, confusion etched on his face. "What happened, Shay?"
He clearly had no idea what had frightened the two dreaded dark mages so much. As nosey as Rolo was, he was casually sitting in one of the armchairs in the living room, totally not eavesdropping.
I glanced at Simon, who had been quietly looking at me and made a subtle gesture toward Rolo. "Simon, show Rolo everything you remember about the documents. He needs to see it all."
Simon approached Rolo, who raised an eyebrow, half-wary of what was to come. Before Rolo could protest or even ask a question, Simon reached out, placing his cold hand on Rolo's forehead. Instantly, Rolo's body stiffened, his eyes glazing over as Simon plunged him into a trance, flooding his consciousness with every memory he had of the documents.
With Rolo now mentally absorbed, completely immersed in Simon's memories, I turned back to Alex. He stood there expectantly, still waiting for an explanation.
"The Time Mage wants to steal magic from the world."
Alex's eyes widened, disbelief etched across his features.