Asher and Jeremy lay motionless on the floor, their breathing uneven. Jeremy gazed up at the darkening sky, his mind clouded with grief, while Asher's head rested against Jeremy's chest. The rhythmic, yet unsteady beat of Jeremy's heart echoed in his ears, making Asher frown. His stomach twisted with an unfamiliar sensation, and he knew he had let his guard down too much. His vulnerability was exposed, and he hated it.
Suddenly, Asher sat up abruptly, brushing the last remnants of tears from his face. He scoffed, as if berating himself for showing weakness in front of Jeremy.
"Ehnn, Jeremy, thanks for that, but can you leave this moment? I want to be left alone," Asher stated, his voice void of emotion. He refused to meet Jeremy's gaze, afraid of what he might see there.
Jeremy ruffled his already messy hair, frustration evident in his posture. Was Asher still angry at him?
"Asher, this is not the right time to let your emotions take over you. I know I caused you pain, but let me be here for you. I lost Luna—our best friend. I can't afford to lose you too, love. Please, I can't bear the pain of watching you fade away from life," Jeremy pleaded, his voice cracking slightly as he reached out to Asher.
Asher's heart clenched. He turned his head, his emerald eyes darkening. Why was Jeremy making this so difficult? He never wanted their friendship to turn into something more complicated than it already was. But fate had always been a cruel mistress, twisting their lives in knots.
"Jeremy dear, you're such a cute darling for wanting to take care of me, but unfortunately for you, I can take care of myself. The only thing I request from you now is to get the fuck out," Asher snapped, his voice laced with venom. His hands slammed against the nearby table, shaking it violently.
Jeremy flinched but remained steadfast.
"Are you happy now? Seeing me like this? Seeing me broken into pieces? Isn't that what you cherish? And now you want to act like a man by comforting me?" Asher sneered. "Sorry to burst your high-inflated bubbles, Jimmy, but my days of letting myself be manipulated by you are over. From now on, I am on my own. Even if I end up alone forever, I don't give a fuck anymore."
His words were like daggers, piercing deep into Jeremy's heart. Silence filled the room like an oppressive weight. Asher turned on his heel and stormed toward his dresser, throwing on a sleek black shirt, a short jacket, and long designer trousers. He pulled on his high black boots, making sure he looked impeccable, and without a second glance at Jeremy, he swung the door open.
But he halted, his eyes narrowing at the sight before him. Ezekiel was slumped on the floor, looking battered and unkempt.
Asher sneered before sending Jeremy a sharp glare, silently demanding he leave. Jeremy hesitated but ultimately obeyed, stepping out of the room. Asher, however, locked the door behind him and walked past Ezekiel without a second glance.
"So, Jimmy, can we have this talk later on? Nah, we can't. Never. We are never having this discussion, okay? And anytime you disturb my rest again, you will see the dangerous side of me," Asher declared, turning his head slightly for dramatic effect before walking away with an air of finality.
His mind was a storm, but something tugged at his consciousness. He needed to talk to Slyvia. He didn't know why, but he felt drawn to that damn tree. Yet a sinking feeling filled his gut, and three thoughts plagued his mind:
Where was Abigail? She had trapped them in the death spell, but now she was missing. Emily was nowhere to be found. And Lamia… the fall. Could it have caused more damage than they had initially thought?
His thoughts were interrupted when Ezekiel suddenly stood, taking a step toward him. Before Ezekiel could speak, Asher's hand flew across his face, landing four consecutive slaps on his cheek.
"Don't you dare come close to me, you filthy pig. You disgust me. My respect for you has vanished. And for trying to force yourself on me, oh, Zeke, you're a dead man walking," Asher hissed, his emerald eyes burning with fury. With that, he turned on his heel and walked away, his silver hair catching in the wind as his boots clicked against the marble floor.
Jeremy, who had been standing nearby, felt a shiver run down his spine. Asher's words echoed in his mind.
"For trying to force yourself on me, you're a dead meat."
Realization dawned on Jeremy, and his blood ran cold. Ezekiel had… tried to assault Asher? That's what made him cry? That's what shattered him so badly? Jeremy's fists clenched. The back of his shirt began glowing, a bright, eerie light illuminating the hallway.
Ezekiel, still on the ground, turned his gaze to Jeremy. His eyes, now blood-red, were filled with torment. Jeremy, however, felt no sympathy.
"Is that a cross tattoo on your back?" Ezekiel suddenly asked, his voice weak.
Jeremy's brows furrowed. Confused, he ran a hand across his back and felt something foreign. It was large, dark, and eerie.
Before he could react, a whisper curled into his ear.
"Fight for the divine being, because you're about to lose him to the sirens."
Jeremy's heart slammed against his ribs. His eyes widened in horror. "The sirens! They're going to attack Asher! He's alone!"
Without another word, Jeremy bolted, his fear fueling his speed. Ezekiel, strangely agile, followed closely behind. They sprinted down the hallway, out toward the garden.
Students were retiring to their dorms, unaware of the impending danger. Jeremy scanned the area but saw no sign of Asher. Panic crept up his throat.
Then two familiar figures approached—Slyvia and Rose.
"Zeke, you're back!" Slyvia exclaimed, her face a mixture of relief and worry. "I'm so sorry about what Harlan did to you. That was brutal. Are you okay?"
Ezekiel barely acknowledged her, his face blank.
Rose, ever the embodiment of elegance, flicked her blonde hair back, her emerald eyes sharp. Dressed in a white short skirt, a long-sleeved top, and impossibly high heels, she snapped her fingers to get their attention.
"Sorry for the boring reunion, but we have a problem. Ava saw a dead body. You know who it was? Simon Donovan."
Jeremy stiffened.
"There were claw marks all over him," Rose continued. "A siren killed him. But they don't usually operate this close."
Slyvia stepped forward, her voice grim. "We have a bigger problem. Ava and I have kind of… started a supernatural war. The sirens and vampires are at each other's throats."
Jeremy's stomach twisted. "Wait… Ava is a siren?"
Slyvia nodded. "And the worst part? Every supernatural creature is after the divine being."
Jeremy's blood ran cold. "Where the hell is Asher?!"
Ezekiel's voice was eerily calm. "Being hunted. If we don't hurry, he's dead."
Slyvia's face darkened. "We have to rescue him. And after that, we're going to visit the Red Oak Tree. Ava is coming with us—I was instructed to bring all of you there. It appears there's a message waiting for us."
She paused, her voice dropping to an eerie tone. "And trust me when I say this—the human world we know is about to end."
Her chilling words sent a shiver down Jeremy's spine. Oh no...
**********
Asher sat on a swing in the garden, taking slow bites of a ripe fruit, a soft smile playing on his lips. The air was filled with the scent of blooming lilies and white lotus, their fragrance mingling with the gentle breeze. For a moment, everything felt peaceful.
But danger lurked in the shadows.
From the dense foliage surrounding the garden, creatures emerged—inhuman beings with slit-like eyes, greenish skin, and long, spiked tails where legs should have been. Their movements were slow but deliberate, their eyes locked onto Asher like a predator stalking its prey. Then, without warning, they attacked.
Before they could reach him, a vicious snarl echoed through the air, halting them in their tracks. From the darkness, a monstrous figure stepped forward, his presence sending a shiver through the group.
A terrible creature lunged at Asher.
Asher let out a desperate scream, his breath hitching in pure terror. He looked around frantically, realizing he was surrounded. Panic surged through his veins, but it was the predator before him that made his blood run cold. Something about those dark, piercing eyes—he knew them.
Rowan.
The creature flicked his fangs, growling lowly, his stance possessive and unyielding.
"No one touches him," Rowan declared, his voice sharp and commanding. "He is mine."
The sirens surrounding them let out guttural growls in protest, but Rowan didn't waver. He took a step forward, his aura suffocating, filled with danger.
"Are you all questioning me now?" His voice was deadly, a silent warning that needed no explanation.
A tense silence followed. The creatures hesitated, their instincts screaming at them not to challenge him. Slowly, they slithered back, retreating into the shadows, leaving Asher barely standing—his body weak, his skin paling.
Rowan's gaze dropped to the gruesome wound on Asher's neck, the torn flesh raw and bleeding heavily. He had done this. The realization twisted something deep inside him.
Asher's vision blurred. Dizzy from blood loss, his knees buckled, and he collapsed. But before he could hit the ground, Rowan caught him, cradling him in his arms.
And in that moment—holding Asher's fragile, trembling body—Rowan felt something he had never experienced before.
A strong, undeniable surge of love and compassion.