Third POV The study was quiet except for the rhythmic clinking of ice against glass as Cassiel swirled his drink. The golden liquid barely sloshed as he leaned back in his leather chair, one elbow resting on the armrest, fingers tapping against the crystal tumbler. Across from him, Enzo stood near the fireplace, arms crossed. His expression was grim, the faint glow of the dying embers casting sharp shadows across his face. Cassiel exhaled slowly. “What’s the update?” Enzo’s fingers twitched. “The maid wasn’t home.” Cassiel’s brows lifted slightly, but he said nothing, waiting for Enzo to elaborate. “I got to the house just after sunset,” Enzo continued, voice low. “It’s a small place on the outskirts, tucked away. Perfect for someone who doesn’t want to be found. I knocked.” He exhaled. “And I kept knocking.” Cassiel’s fingers stopped tapping. “For how long?” “Twenty minutes.” A muscle in Cassiel’s jaw ticked. Enzo continued, his tone sharper now. “Her neighbors were watchin
Third POVCassiel sat back to his chair, relaxing his beating heart. He dropped the cigar in his hand, crushing it in the ashtray.“Is there something more you need?” Enzo asked slowly, setting down his gun to the table.“You know man's worst enemy is his shadows?” Cassiel asked, his voice devoid of any emotions. The dark room added more to his dangerous aura as his shadow loomed over the rays of light that pried stubbornly into the room.Enzo raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Cassiel's words. He set down the wine glass in his hand gently to the table, his gaze fixed on Cassiel as he gulped down the strong liquor down his throat.“What do you mean by that?” He asked, his voice low and cautious.Cassiel leaned forward, his eyes glinting in the dimly lighted room. He tapped on his wine glass, gently drumming a lazy rhythm.“I mean that our greatest battles are often fought within ourselves.” he said, his voice dripping with intensity. “The shadows within us can be our most formidable fo
Third POVJulian's anger boiled over, and he took a step closer, closing the gap between them. “Yes, I'm filled with energy, all right,” he said, his voice laced with venom. “Don't you think it should be directed elsewhere?” Cassiel asked, puffing out the smoke to Julian's face who looked so furious.He looked like he could strangle Cassiel but he was just as helpless as the poop coming out of his ass and he could only rant out his anger.“I am doing a good job, directing that energy to the channel that truly deserves it, which is you. I am sick and tired of all this.” Julian said angrily, spewing the words out of his mouth all at once.“You think so?” Cassiel asked, smirking, using one hand to pull Julian to sit on his lap. “Let me go,” Julian growled, his voice laced with anger and desperation as he attempted to struggle free from Cassiel who held him down on his thighs, burying his face in his neck and sucking gently on his soft skin.“Why should I?” Cassiel purred, his voice low
Third person povCassiel's eyes were fixed on the road ahead, his heart racing with worry. He could see Julian's pale face in the rearview mirror, his eyes closed and his body limp. He was fighting to stay awake, but it was clear that he was struggling."Stay with me, boy," Cassiel repeated, his voice shaking with emotion. He couldn't bear the thought of losing Julian, not now, not when he had finally found someone whom he cares so much and would fight for.He pushed the accelerator pedal to the floor, the car surging forward as he sped down the tarred road. The hospital was just a few miles away, and he prayed that he would make it in time.As he drove, Cassiel couldn't help but think about what had happened. One minute they were kissing, and the next Julian was clutching his chest in pain.It had come out of nowhere, and Cassiel was still trying to process what was happening. Cassiel mind wandered away to poisioning but wasn't he informed that he will be back to his feet with the pr
Third POV “I am close by but not where I can be found,” He explained. Cassiel nodded, even though the other party couldn't see him. "Keep me updated," he said. "I want to know as soon as you find out anything." He ended the call and stood there for a moment, his mind racing with thoughts. Who could have done such a thing? And why?. He sighed and rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. This was the last thing he needed, on top of Julian's condition. But he knew he had to focus. He had to find out who had done this and make sure they paid for it. The revenge was his to take and not them to make. Cassiel took a deep breath and turned to head back into the room where Julian was being treated. He couldn't let his personal feelings get in the way of his work. As he entered the room, he saw Julian's face, pale and drawn. Cassiel's heart ached, and he felt a surge of anger towards the person who had killed the maid. He sat down beside Julian's bed and took his hand, trying t
Third POV Cassiel went back to their room, picking up the pills. The room was silent, only the haggard breathing of Cassiel was heard. Cassiel's eyes scanned the room, his mind wandered back to Julian's pale face. He walked over to the bedside table, his hand reaching out to pick up the pills. The container was still half full, but Cassiel's mind was racing with questions. Who had switched the pills? And why? He turned the container over in his hand, studying the label. The prescription was from the hospital, but Cassiel's instincts told him that something was off. He walked over to the window, his eyes gazing out at the city below. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the buildings. But Cassiel's mind was not on the view. He stood there for a moment, his breathing slow and deliberate. The only sound in the room was his racing heartbeats. He turned away from the window, his eyes scanning the room once more. The silence was oppressive, and Cassiel's senses were on high
Third POVThe maids looked at each other anxiously, but none of them raised their voices. Cassiel's gaze hovered over each of them, looking for any hint of dishonesty or guilt.One of the maids abruptly stepped forward, her eyes sad. Stuttering, "I-I was in charge of the room, sir," she said. "I was tasked with cleaning your room, but I did not see anything out of the ordinary."Cassiel's eyes pierced the maid as he snapped to attention. With a firm tone, he asked, "What did you see?"The maid paused, her gaze flitting about the space. Reiterating, "I did not see anything, sir. Just the way it usually is . However, when I passed by after cleaning, I did see that the door was open. But I was positive that I had closed it after I was done cleaning.”Cassiel's mind was buzzing with guesses as his eyes narrowed. He was not persuaded, even though the maid's story made sense.His gaze remained fixed on the maid's face as he took another drag from his cigarette. He said, "I want to know ever
Third POV“Let her go, she's telling the truth” I instructed Enzo before he inflicted pains on the fragile girl.Enzo's eyes narrowed, his gaze lingering on the maid's terrified face before shifting to Cassiel's resolute expression. A hint of surprise flickered across his features, but he nodded curtly and stepped back, allowing the maid to scramble to her feet.The maid's eyes darted between Cassiel and Enzo, her face still etched with fear, but a glimmer of relief flickered in her gaze as she backed away slowly, her hands trembling.Cassiel's gaze followed her departure, his expression thoughtful. He turned to Enzo, his voice low and even. "I want you to investigate Isabella's alibi before and after the time the pills were switched. I have a feeling she's involved, and I want to know how deep." He ordered with a stern voice.Enzo's expression turned serious, his eyes locking onto Cassiel's face. "I'll get right on it," he said, his voice firm. "But what about the maid? Do you reall
Third POV“Then you should’ve trusted me,” Julian said. “I would’ve played along. I would’ve helped.”“I couldn’t risk it. You wear your heart too open.”Julian scoffed. “That’s rich coming from the man who kills with a smile.”Cassiel turned sharply. “Don’t push it.”Julian folded his arms. “Then tell me where Bash is. I want to see him.”“No.”“What?”“It’s not safe.”Julian’s brows knitted. “Not safe? From who?”“We’re being watched. Closely. There are spies inside this estate. Possibly even staff. If anyone finds out Bash is alive—”“I won’t tell anyone!”Cassiel stepped forward, lowering his voice. “It’s not about you telling. It’s about someone seeing. One slip, one wrong door opened, one misplaced word—and he dies for real this time.”Julian’s lips quivered. “So what am I supposed to do? Pretend like none of this happened? Smile? Sleep beside you like nothing’s wrong?”“Yes,” Cassiel said without flinching. “Exactly
Third POVBack at the estate, Cassiel was in his study again, shirt half-unbuttoned, eyes on the monitors. He didn’t even look up when Enzo returned.“Gregor took it,” Enzo said.“Of course he did.”“Think Marco will fall for it?”Cassiel chuckled. “He’s already falling. This just gives him permission.”Enzo leaned on the edge of the desk. “And if he doesn’t bite?”Cassiel turned his gaze to the screen showing Bash’s hidden chamber. The figure on the screen sat still, unmoving.“Then we kill him anyway.”The next day, Marco was pacing in one of the surveillance offices, the flash drive burning in his palm. He’d stolen it from Gregor’s coat when the fool left it unattended. Or so Marco believed.He plugged it into the secure laptop, scanned through the contents, and his eyes widened.Manifest. Flight route. Photos of what looked like Bash, sedated and cuffed, being prepared for movement.“This can’t be real…” he muttered.But i
Third POVSmoke curled into the air, dancing lazily toward the ceiling of the dimly lit study. Cassiel leaned back in his leather armchair, legs crossed, a half-burnt cigar resting between his fingers. Enzo stood across from him, hands clasped behind his back, eyes fixed on the large monitor on the wall.“I still don’t understand why we’re not moving Bash out of the state,” Enzo said, breaking the silence. “We’ve already created an airtight trail. Documents, IDs, handlers. It’s all ready.”Cassiel took a long drag from the cigar and exhaled. “He’s staying here.”Enzo blinked. “Why?”“Because I want him close. I trust no one. Not even you,” Cassiel replied without looking up.“You think I’d mess with Bash’s transport?” Enzo raised a brow.“I think you’d do what’s necessary if the time ever came.” Cassiel set the cigar down and reached for the iPad resting beside him. “That’s why you’re valuable. That’s also why you’re dangerous.”Enzo gave a small
Third POVFour cloaked men sat around the round stone table, the flicker of candlelight casting distorted shadows on the walls of the underground chamber. The air was thick with dampness and secrecy. None of them spoke for a while, only the rustling of their cloaks and the occasional creak of an old chair filled the silence.The man seated at the far end leaned forward. “He’s gone too far this time.”A second man turned his head. “You mean Cassiel?”He nodded. “Burning the boy alive in front of his own brother? That was reckless. Emotional. Not like him.”“He dug his own grave,” the third one murmured. “Cassiel’s slipping. He’s letting sentiment drive him now. That’s dangerous.”The fourth one chuckled slowly. “Sentiment? He was proving a point. That’s what he does best.”“No,” the first man cut in sharply. “That wasn’t Bash. It was Arnold.”A stunned silence settled like a bomb had just gone off.“You’re sure?” the second man asked slowly.
Third POVJulian’s head throbbed. His vision blurred, not from any injury, but from how tightly the panic coiled his chest. His arms were shaking, lips trembling, and no amount of wiping could stop the tears. They just kept falling—fast, hot, and helpless.He barely registered the harsh tug on his arm until he stumbled, dragged by Enzo toward the sleek black car waiting just outside the warehouse. His legs moved, but his mind didn’t. He was just… floating in a nightmare.Cassiel sat in the back seat. Hands clasped, expression cold, jaw locked. Not even a blink as Julian was shoved into the seat beside him like a broken toy.The door shut.Julian didn’t look at him. Couldn’t. He stared ahead. Still seeing Bash. Still hearing him scream. Still smelling burnt flesh.Cassiel leaned forward slightly. “Drive.”Enzo didn’t say a word. He obeyed immediately, tires screeching as they pulled onto the road.The silence in the car was brutal. Suffocating. Ju
Third POVWhat could Cassiel be up to? Why hadn’t he said anything? Was there something more going on — something Julian wasn’t being told?The questions circled in his mind, and he found himself at the base of the grand staircase without remembering how he’d gotten there. He paused, staring up at the darkened hallways above, wondering what he might find if he went looking.He’d always been good at reading people, at picking up on the smallest details. But Cassiel… Cassiel had always been an enigma, a puzzle he couldn’t quite figure out. And that frustration, the constant tug of curiosity, made it difficult to let go. To accept that some things weren’t meant to be understood.He closed his eyes for a brief moment, willing the thoughts to quiet down. But they didn’t. They only grew louder, more insistent.Something was happening. And Julian wasn’t sure if he was ready to find out what.As the morning stretched on, Julian found him
Third POVThe bed beside him was empty.He had known it would be. He'd woken up earlier than usual, his internal clock already attuned to the routine that had settled between them. It was a routine that kept the silence from becoming too uncomfortable, the distance from becoming too obvious. Cassiel had always been an early riser, his movements graceful yet purposeful as he left the bed. Julian, on the other hand, had become accustomed to lying still until the weight of reality pulled him fully awake.Rolling over onto his side, Julian stared at the empty space where Cassiel had been moments ago. The absence was familiar, like the echo of a song long forgotten. It wasn’t that Julian expected anything different, but some mornings, the emptiness felt more pronounced. He ran a hand over his face, rubbing the sleep from his eyes before swinging his legs over the side of the bed.He stretched his arms above his head, the muscles in his back a
Third POVJulian lay on his side, watching the shadows dance across the ceiling. Cassiel’s breathing beside him was slow, steady, the rise and fall of his chest almost hypnotic. He looked peaceful in sleep — something that seemed ironic considering the kind of man he truly was.Julian exhaled quietly and glanced at the clock.3:17 AM.He waited a few more minutes, letting time stretch as he lay perfectly still. Then, slowly, he turned to Cassiel. He reached a hand over his sleeping form and waved it softly in front of his face. No reaction. Cassiel’s breathing didn’t hitch. His eyes didn’t flutter.Julian allowed himself a tiny sigh of relief. Slipping the duvet aside, he planted one foot silently on the floor, then the other. His bare feet padded soundlessly on the cold hardwood. He tiptoed toward the door, his hand closing around the brass handle —"Going off to sniff through my computer again?" came the low, unmistakable voice
Third POVCassiel turned, meeting his gaze. "You tell me."Julian stepped forward, voice low. "I went into your study because I needed to see if what I suspected was true.""And?""You tell too many lies with too calm a face."Cassiel slipped his shirt on. "Then stop trusting me."Julian flinched. "Maybe I already have."The silence that followed was sharper than any argument. Cassiel finished dressing, adjusted his collar, and walked toward the door."Where are you going now?" Julian asked.Cassiel paused, looking over his shoulder. "To finish what you just made harder."And then he was gone.Julian sank onto the bed, the quiet roaring in his ears.He had poked the sleeping typhoon.And now the storm was coming.It was well past midnight when the screech of iron gates raked through the silence of the estate. Julian, stretched out on the leather couch in the sitting room, didn’t move. He’d been there for hours, unmoving, e