Chapter 189: Interrupted Chase

Marita gasped as strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind and yanked her back. She let out a loud scream mixed with laughter, kicking her legs playfully.

“Ahh! You cheat!” she cried, squirming in Lucius’s iron grip. “You no supposed to catch me so fast!”

Lucius’s deep voice rumbled against her ear, calm but laced with dark amusement. “You’re mine now, little bird. Stop struggling.”

“Noooooo!” Marita’s heart raced, but she wasn’t one to give up easily. She squirmed in his hold, laughing breathlessly. “You cheated! Mi was winning!”

In her wild struggling, she moved too fast and smacked the side of her head against the wall with a dull thud.

“Ow!” She gasped and slid down to the floor, landing on her backside with a small groan.

Lucius was beside her in an instant, crouching down. “Careful,” he said, voice softer than usual. His large hand gently touched the side of her head where she had hit. “Does it hurt?”

Marita looked up at him, cheeks flushed, hair messy, and suddenly feeling shy under his intense gaze. She tucked a curl behind her ear, smiling a little. “Mi fine… just small small pain. You strong o, Mr Lucius.”

Lucius helped her stand, his hands lingering on her waist a moment longer than necessary. In the dim moonlight filtering through a nearby window, they stood close, staring at each other.

Marita cleared her throat, trying to sound casual. “Um… we not introduced properly. Mi name Marita.”

Lucius tilted his head slightly, a rare, faint smile touching his lips. “Nice to meet you, Marita.”

Inside, Lucius was battling something unfamiliar. He had been forced into this absurd human game by Ravial’s order “Play properly. No holding back.” He found most human customs ridiculous, pointless. But with her… something was different. She was vibrant, bold, unfiltered. The third human who truly fascinated him after Avery. He wouldn’t admit it fully, but he was enjoying the chase. Enjoying the way she blushed and leaned into his touch. She liked him. It was obvious. And that made the game far more interesting than he expected.

Lucius banked her gently against the wall, one arm braced beside her head. His eyes dropped to her small, plump pink mouth. The urge to kiss her was strong, almost overwhelming.

“You’re trouble,” he murmured, voice low. “The kind I don’t mind.”

Marita’s breath hitched, her fierce spirit momentarily softened by the closeness. “And you… you are dangerous. But mi no mind either.”

Before anything could happen, Ravial’s voice tore through the villa like thunder.

“LEITANA! BREATHE!”

Both Marita and Lucius stiffened.

Marita’s eyes widened in fear. “Leitana?!”

They looked at each other for a split second, then bolted toward the sound, running down the dark hallway.

They reached the closed door of the room. Lucius stopped suddenly, eyes narrowing as he saw the dark, swirling power coming from inside.

Marita looked at him, confused. “What’s going on? Why you stop?”

She couldn’t see the energy, but she could feel the heaviness in the air.

Lucius didn’t answer. Instead, he turned to her quickly. “Close your eyes.”

“What? Why ..”

He didn’t wait. He covered her eyes with one large hand and, with brutal force, kicked the door open.

Immense wind rushed out, whipping their clothes and hair. The windows inside the room were wide open, curtains flying violently. Lucius pushed Marita behind him protectively as they stepped in.

Ravial was on the bed, hunched over Leitana, desperately breathing air into her mouth. Her body was going limp, chest barely moving.

Marita pushed Lucius’s hand away and screamed. “Leitana!”

She tried to rush forward, but Lucius moved with superhuman speed, stepping in front of her and blocking her view of Ravial’s face.

“Stay back!” he ordered sharply.

Marita screamed again, voice breaking. “What’s going on with Leitana?! Leitana!”

Ravial let out a roar of pure anguish, pulling Leitana’s limp body tight against his chest. “No… no… you will not take her!”

He pressed her closer, rocking her, whispering desperate words against her hair.

Then, suddenly….

Leitana gasped.

A raw, desperate intake of air filled her lungs. Her chest expanded sharply as she began breathing again, weak and ragged.

Ravial pulled her back just enough to look at her face, his hands trembling as he cupped her cheeks.

“Leitana…?” he whispered, voice hoarse.

She was breathing.