CHAPTER FIFTY SEVEN

As I was being brought through Lord Lothaire's mansion in Seattle, I couldn't help but stare in wonder at the garish wealth that surrounded me.

I was escorted into several rooms decorated with gold embellishments, paintings, and sculptures depicting people who appeared to be being tortured or enslaved and were either hanging or standing.

Nobody spoke, including any of the other humans I came across, even the slave I was following. Every one of them had obvious evidence of maltreatment and had just been subjected to cruel feedings.

When I saw them, I couldn't help but marvel at how Aric could have grown up in such an environment and still managed to become a nice and compassionate adult compared to them.

When he was himself, though, he was the kindest, most compassionate guy I'd ever met. It's true that when he lost control, he turned into a complete monster who killed without remorse or guilt, but when he wasn't himself, he was an utter monster.

After entering an elevator, a slave hit