Not realizing that the distressing day had been too tiring for her, Viviana fell asleep in the back seat. When Kiera reached the mansion as per Magnus's order, he parked before the mansion doors and turned to look at the back seat, finding Lio snoring lightly.
"He's becoming more and more comfortable here," Kiera muttered under his breath and then patted his shoulder to wake him up.
"Huh? Who's there?" Viviana jolted up in the seat, her eyes wide open. She looked around and instantly came across Kiera's face, which was rather close to her. She almost screamed but then pulled away, hitting her head on the headrest. "I must have fallen asleep," she said nervously. Kiera, who seemed shocked as well, pulled away instantly and gave a weak nod. His expressions were stiff as always, but it seemed that he was a little more petrified now.
"Get out of the car! We've arrived," he said flustered, opening the door of the car and heading out. Viviana looked at him with a weird look before slowly stepping out of the car—this time not like a sack of garbage, but like a human on her own free feet and her eyes wide open without any restriction.
"What now?" she asked Kiera, because she was really curious.
"What do you mean?" Kiera replied.
"I mean, what will happen to me now? Will I be killed like the man said last time?" Viviana didn't even want to say Magnus's name, as Liora seemed allergic to anything related to him. It was difficult to utter it, especially with her mouth, and especially when Viviana knew that Magnus was a trash man who shot Liora dead after her usefulness to him had ended. The same could happen to her.
Kiera looked at her for a moment and then spoke. "Not yet."
"Huh?" She turned her head around, thinking she hadn't heard him correctly.
"I said he will not kill you yet. He has a job for you," Kiera replied.
"Hmm… so death is inevitable," Viviana answered, her tone unsurprised. 'Even if they are planning on killing me, I will find the reason for me living in this body. There is no way I was brought here for no reason or to die one more time.' Viviana had a growing feeling that there was something more to this situation, especially after the memory she had of herself as a child—but it was Liora's memory.
"Follow me. We don't have much time," said Kiera, stepping forward with urgency. Viviana, momentarily lost in her thoughts, snapped back to reality and followed him reluctantly towards the mansion. Every step she took was heavy with unease.
'Everything is fine,' she tried to reassure herself. 'If there was danger, I would have seen it already.' She patted her arm, attempting to bolster her courage.
Kiera seemed to be heading towards Magnus's room. When they reached the door, Kiera raised his hand to knock, but Viviana grabbed his arm, desperation in her eyes. "Do I have to go inside?" she asked, her voice trembling. She could already feel sweat forming on her forehead, uneasiness spreading across her face.
Kiera pulled his hand away from her grip and knocked on the door. Viviana shot him an ugly look before turning her attention back to the door.
"Come in," came Magnus's voice, smooth and sinister. Viviana's irritation flared upon hearing it. She lifted her hand and bit her nails, a nervous habit she couldn't shake.
Kiera opened the door and entered. Viviana, hoping to be spared, hesitated but knew she had no choice. She stepped inside slowly, hiding behind Kiera, hoping to be invisible. Magnus's gaze locked onto her, his frown deepening as he noticed his attempt to hide. To him the scene was too familiar, to the point that it irritated him.
He stood up from behind his desk and walked over, each step deliberate and menacing.
"I heard you ran away," he said, his voice a cold, serpentine hiss.
Viviana's heart pounded loudly in her chest. 'Go away! Don't come any closer,' she muttered inwardly, the body she inhabited reacting with visceral fear. She hadn't realized it, but her fists were tightly clenched, her eyes fixed on her shoes. 'Distract yourself! Think about the shoes. Yes, the shoes from the redhead's home,' she screamed in her mind, desperately trying to divert her thoughts from Magnus.
But no matter how much she tried, Magnus was unavoidable. He placed a finger under her chin, lifting it to meet her eyes. She averted her gaze instantly, clenching her hands around her shirt, nearly tearing it. "I asked you something," he said, his voice steady but growing more irritable.
"I–" she stammered, unable to form words.
"Look at me when I'm talking to you!" His tone was harsh, making Viviana's eyes move reluctantly to meet his. Sweat trickled down her forehead, soaking into her eyebrows.
Magnus's face was a mask of seriousness, his features sharp and cold, the epitome of a villainous figure. When Viviana's gaze met his, the terrifying look in his eyes seemed to falter for a moment, as if he was shaken. 'Huh?' she thought, noticing the change. 'Was I mistaken? Did he look scared?'
Magnus instantly pulled his hand away from her and stepped back, his reaction odd and unsettling.
For a moment, the room fell into an uneasy silence until Kiera spoke up. "Master, the invitations have arrived. We only have two days."
Magnus, who had been staring at Viviana, shifted his gaze back to Kiera and nodded. "And you," he said, pointing at Viviana.
"Yes?" she responded instantly, not wanting to anger him with a slow reply.
"I have a job for you. If you complete it, I will let you leave for good," he stated, his tone carrying a deceptive calmness.
Viviana's eyes widened. 'Really?' This time, her words came out without hesitation.
"Obviously. You have my word," Magnus said, a slight smirk playing on his lips as he pulled out a cigar and placed it between his lips.
'You have my word. He said the same thing to Liora before he shot her dead,' Viviana thought, recognizing the lie in his promise. 'This means he is planning on killing me no matter how I complete his job.'
Viviana's gaze met Magnus's once more, this time filled with a subtle hint of defiance and understanding. Magnus noticed but said nothing, and she lowered her head, staying silent.
'It's fine. I will find a permanent escape before the job is over. I will not die at the hands of men like him or Nico again. This time, I will take my revenge, for myself and for Liora,'