تسجيل الدخول"That's a smile," Thorne observed, jaw tense. "What does the smile mean?""It means they are keys.""To what?""To places.""What places?""Places that aren't in the databases."Reyes and Thorne exchanged glances."What exactly are these places?" insisted Reyes."One is a library. Another, a wine cellar. The third, a garden. The fourth... well, the fourth is a surprise.""A library of what?" asked Thorne."Books.""What kind of books?""Books you would like to read. But you can't. Because they are in places you can't open. It's a vicious cycle, isn't it?"Thorne slammed his hand on the table. The sound echoed through the room."Mr. Mortyss, this is an official interview. I demand answers.""And I demand a lawyer." I crossed my arms. "But since we're in the Supernatural Department, where lawyers don't exist, we're at this impasse. I suggest we move on to the next question. Or we can continue this cycle of mutual frustration. The choice is yours."Thorne took a deep breath. Reyes was wr
The next morning brought the second round of interviews.But this time, there was a crucial difference."You will be interviewed separately," announced the agent who escorted us down the corridor. He was a young man with glasses, wearing an expression that tried to be stern but couldn't hide his nervousness. "Counselor Z is busy with the paperwork on your case. Other agents will conduct the interviews.""Separately?" I repeated, feeling my jaw tense. "Why?""To compare the statements. Standard procedure.""That's not necessary. We were both together. We know exactly what happened.""These are orders from above." He pointed to two doors at the end of the corridor. "Mr. Mortyss, door A. Miss Evelyn, door B."Evelyn touched my arm."It's okay," she murmured. "They're just questions. I'll cooperate.""I don't like this.""I know." She kissed my cheek. "But we don't have a choice. Let's cooperate and get out of here. Jess is waiting. Nox is waiting. The family is waiting.""Our family," I
“Some weeks ago.” Mortyss replied. “During a training session. Evelyn threw me against a tree.”“Were you training her?”“Yes.”“And you noticed that her power was amplified by your presence?”“I noticed that she was stronger when I was nearby. And that I was stronger when she was nearby. It is symbiosis.”“Symbiosis.” Z repeated, taking notes. “Interesting. Second question: have you ever used this combined power in combat?”“Yes.” I replied. “Against the Council hunters. In Jess’s apartment.”“Result?”“Seven hunters neutralized. Six dead. One fled.”“Kaela.” Z murmured. “She is the only survivor. She will answer for her crimes before the Department.” He made more notes. “Third question: what is the extent of your emotional bond?”“What do you mean?” I asked.“The Lilim-Incubus bond is traditionally parasitic. One feeds on the other, usually in an unequal way. But your bond seems to be… balanced. Is this intentional?”“No.” Mortyss replied. “It happened naturally.”“Naturally.” Z rep
The headquarters of the Supernatural Department was in a pocket dimension hidden beneath the Flatiron Building, in the heart of Manhattan. I expected dungeons, chains, and stone walls, something medieval, consistent with the creatures that watched over the underworld.Instead, I found white corridors, illuminated by fluorescent lights, and interrogation rooms that looked more like corporate meeting rooms. Metal table, padded chairs, a mirror that was certainly fake.“Sit down.” Ordered the agent who escorted us, pointing to the chairs.I sat down. Mortyss sat down beside me, the silver handcuffs still burning on our wrists.“Will someone interrogate us?” I asked.“Counselor Z.”Mortyss reacted. His violet eyes flashed, and his jaw tightened.“Do you know him?” I asked.“I do.” His voice was controlled, but I felt the tension pulsing through the bond. “Z is… practical. Rigid. Follows the law to the letter. He cannot be bribed, cannot be intimidated, and has no sense of humor.”“Is that
The Shadow Market was in an uproar.The stalls opened for me like a sea parting for a storm. Vendors gathered their merchandise. Succubi averted their gaze. Even the Market guards, three-meter-tall ogres, took a step back when they saw me pass.My wings were still partially open, my horns gleaming, my violet eyes burning like torches. I was not there to negotiate. I was there to get answers.Kellar, the informant, was in his shop at the back of the Market. The bone bead curtain swayed when I entered, and he looked up from a dusty scroll. His expression went from boredom to terror in half a second.“Mortyss!” he squealed, his hands trembling. “What… what an unexpected honor! Again! So soon! How can I…”“Where is Evelyn?”“E-Evelyn? I don’t know who you’re…”My hand closed around his throat. I lifted him off the ground, his feet dangling in the air.“The Lilim. My Lilim. The hunters took her. You know everything that happens in the underworld, Kellar. Tell me where she is or I’ll rip ou
Jess’s apartment was destroyed.The furniture had been pushed into the corners, the television still on the Super Bowl — an absurd irony —, and shards of the door scattered across the floor. Jess was kneeling near the sofa, a cut on her face, her eyes red with anger and fear. Derek was beside her, a bruise on his jaw, fists clenched even while immobilized. And Nox…Nox was trapped in a silver net, his iridescent fur scorched, his crystal horns dull. He was moaning softly, a sound I had never heard the guardian make before. A sound of pain.“It’s a trap!” Jess raised her head when she saw me. “They…”One of the hunters covered her mouth.“Silence.” He ordered.The woman leading the group stepped forward. She was the same one I had seen in the bathroom at the horseback riding competition, or rather, her twin. The same posture, the same gray eyes. The same Council symbol shining on her collar.“Mortyss.” She said, her voice drawling. “We finally meet in person. I am Kaela, agent of the S
Morning arrived with the softness of a punch to the stomach. I woke in my office, where I had slept, or tried to sleep, after coming home the night before with Lara’s scent still imprinted on my skin. My phone vibrated incessantly on the desk, an irritating buzz that seemed to echo the tremor in my
The evening light filtered through the stained glass windows of the university library. I knew it was a mistake to be here after closing hours, alone with her. But my body no longer obeyed me — it responded to a deeper, more primal call.“Professor?” Lara’s voice echoed between the oak shelves, sof
The lecture ended with the muffled sound of chairs scraping, but I could barely hear anything beyond the blood pulsing in my ears. While the students crowded toward the auditorium exit, my eyes remained fixed on the back of Dorian’s neck as he erased a quote from Byron on the whiteboard. The tensio
I woke up gasping, the sheets tangled around my body like suffocating snakes. My heart hammered against my ribs as if trying to escape. The image was still burned behind my eyelids.Lara, but not the Lara I knew from my classes.In my dreams, she was… different. Bolder. Her eyes, usually downcast a







