Lahat ng Kabanata ng MAD END'S DECEPTION: Kabanata 81 - Kabanata 90

ARAHShe sat on the couch, restless, her eyes glued to the phone. Each image was a bitter reminder of how easily she’d destroyed Gildeon with a single tap. She hadn’t meant to, but in that blind whirlwind of rage and hurt, she’d sent the photos and video to Agent Durante without thinking.It had felt right in the moment, like she was taking control, making him pay. But now? Now it felt like a crushing mistake. She wanted to delete them, but what for? It wouldn’t change anything. The damage had already been done.With a frustrated sigh, she threw the phone onto the couch and stood, pacing the living room, her thoughts spinning as fast as her steps. Her hands wouldn’t stop shaking, rubbing absently at the sides of her robe as she tried to ground herself.Barky lay sprawled on the floor, his eyes lazily following her, tail tapping rhythmically against the hardwood. He seemed completely unaware of the turmoil inside her, oblivious to the tension that had her body trembling. At least he wa

ARAHThe growl softened into a deep grunt, and finally, Barky’s posture eased. He sniffed her hand tentatively, his eyes still wary but calmer. She let out a slow breath of relief as his body relaxed. His nose nudged her fingers, and then, in a quick, fluid motion, his tongue lapped at her hand. She smiled, her muscles unclenching as she scratched his head, his ears folding back in that familiar way.She slumped onto the floor and kissed the top of his head, scrunching her nose at the smell of earth and death lingering in his fur. “I thought you didn’t recognize me anymore, Barky. You scared me. Don't do that again, okay?”He huffed softly, almost in agreement, his tail wagging slightly. Her hand moved to scratch behind his ears—rough but gentle, just the way he liked. He leaned into her touch, pushing his head under her hand.“What do you say I clean you up now, huh?”Barky gave a small whine, and she chuckled softly. “Come on now.” She stood up and snapped her fingers, guiding him i

ARAHHer throat tightened. “But I betrayed him.” Its weight settled heavily in her chest as the memory surfaced. “I got him arrested.”“Your anger was justified,” Roselia said. “I nearly cursed My Lord when he took Filippo’s head.”Arah leaned forward, about to put her cup down on the table. “Who’s Filippo? Your pet?”“My lover.”Arah nearly dropped the cup, and her gaze narrowed. “He killed your lover?”“Yes,” Roselia said as if it were a matter of fact. “But Filippo wasn’t human to begin with.”Arah stared, her mind scrambling to catch up.“He was a vampire.”Her mouth fell open, her fingers gripping the armrest to keep herself grounded. “V-vampires are real?” she blurted out, blinking rapidly.Roselia stifled a laugh. “I think that’s enough for today. I don’t want to overwhelm you.”Arah’s mind swirled, but the question slipped out anyway. “Why did he kill your lover?” She wondered if Filippo was the one who had hurt Roselia in the past, but somehow, it didn’t feel like it.Roselia

ARAH“Arah?” A frown appeared on Gildeon's brow, his eyes briefly dropping to the space behind her feet before settling back on her. “Why are you here? They let you in?” He glanced quickly at the door as it clicked shut behind her.He started to stand, shuffling his feet toward her, but stopped short. Something seemed to hold him back, though nothing was physically restraining him. On the table beside him, an empty coffee cup lay knocked over.Arah noticed Gildeon looking down, his jaw clenching at something she had no idea about. She moved toward him instead.“Hey, are you okay?” she asked softly, worry lacing her voice as her eyes moved around him. A crazy thought crossed her mind that he might’ve been hurt, but thank goodness—aside from the weariness in his face and the dimness in his gold-and-black eyes, he seemed fine.“You’re not supposed to be here.” Gildeon lifted his hands as if he were about to touch her face, but just like with his feet earlier, his wrists seemed restrained

ARAHShe relayed to Roselia what needed to happen tonight. The witch sank heavily onto the couch.Roselia’s hands came up, fingers pressing together as she dragged them across her nose and mouth. “Did My Lord say anything more?” she asked. “What will you do if you find the other coven’s already here? Do I need to come with you?”“You don’t need to. Gildeon said...” Arah lowered her gaze, hesitating to continue. “He said he made a deal with your old coven.”Roselia went stiff, her hands freezing midair near her chin.Arah explained how they’d have to work with the old coven, at least for now, to eliminate the greater threat posed by the other one. Roselia didn’t speak, her face tight with deep, quiet anger. It was understandable.She sat beside Roselia. “I don’t have all the details, and honestly, I’m not completely on board with it either,” she said softly.Roselia stayed quiet, her gaze fixed on the white box still sitting on the coffee table.“They’ve killed innocent people,” Arah a