Chapter 56: Still missing.

Lucas's POV 

I woke up with a start, my head pounding like I’d been hit with a hammer. For a second, everything felt out of place—too quiet, too still. The bed was empty beside me. My heart jumped.

“Amaarae?” I called, my voice cracking in the silence. No answer.

I sat up, rubbing my temples. The last thing I remembered was her—her eyes glowing faintly, the strange energy around her as she whispered something I couldn’t understand. And then… nothing.

I stumbled to my feet, calling her name again. “Amaarae? This isn’t funny. Where are you?”

I knew she was angry with me but I didn't know the cause and I didn't find it funny either because I didn't understand why she was going this far.

I screamed her name, it echoed through the mansion, “ Amaarae.” 

The house was empty. Every room I checked, every corner I searched, all empty. My chest tightened as panic set in. She wouldn’t just leave. Not like this. My hold on her was strong—too strong for her to break free. She would’ve found her way back by now. She had to.

But as the hours turned into days, my confidence started to crack. A week went by, and there was still no sign of her. My frustration grew with each passing moment.

“She’ll come back,” I muttered to myself over and over, gripping the edge of the kitchen counter. “She always comes back.”

By the seventh day, I couldn’t take it anymore. I hadn’t stepped foot into her room since she vanished, but something drew me there now. Maybe I’d find a clue, something I missed.

The door creaked as I pushed it open. The smell hit me first—something burnt, like charred wood and ash. My stomach twisted as I stepped inside.

The room was destroyed. Almost everything was either broken or burnt. The dresser was shattered, its pieces scattered across the floor. The curtains were singed, hanging in tatters. The middle of the room had black scorch marks, as if a fire had raged there, but the bed—oddly enough—was untouched, sitting pristine in the chaos.

“What the hell happened here?” I whispered, running a hand through my hair.

My chest tightened as I scanned the room. It wasn’t just anger; it was something deeper. Fear. Confusion. I slammed my fist against the wall, the sound echoing through the empty house.

“This doesn’t make sense!” I shouted. “Where are you, Amaarae?”

I spent days investigating, talking to anyone who might’ve seen or heard something. I combed through every corner of the city, visited places she might’ve gone, asked questions that led nowhere.

Nothing. Not a single lead.

One month. A whole damn month, and she was still gone.

By now, I’d thrown myself into work. It was the only thing that kept me sane—or close to it. Each day was the same: wake up, go to work, bury myself in endless tasks, come home, and collapse. Sleep barely came anymore.

I didn't forget to fuck some new pussies because I knew how fucking possessive she tends to be. It brought a smile to my lips when I thought about it.. maybe she would crawl out of one corner. 

But she didn't.

I sucked blood.. I fed on innocent people but she didn't scream at my face and call me a monster.

I was afraid to accept it but.. it was more like she was dead. Or she disappeared or vanished off the face of earth with no trace.

Even so, I never stopped looking. Every spare moment, I turned the city upside down, searching for any sign of her. Posters, phone calls, even bribes—it didn’t matter. I needed to find her. I had to.

I brought down my ego and I met the filthy dogs but there was still no trace of my woman.

_____

It was late when it happened. The city streets were empty, dimly lit by flickering streetlights. I was walking back from another failed search, my mind heavy with exhaustion. That’s when I saw him.

A figure stepped out of the shadows, tall and imposing. His eyes glowed faintly under the streetlight, a wicked grin curling his lips.

“Lucas,” he said, his voice smooth but laced with malice. “You’ve been busy.”

I froze, my fists clenching at my sides. “Who are you?”

“Daemon,” he said simply, his grin widening. “And I think you know why I’m here.”

My heart raced. The name was familiar, whispered in dark corners, tied to things people were too scared to talk about.

“Where is she?” I growled, taking a step forward.

“Ah,” Daemon said, tilting his head. “You mean Amaarae? Interesting girl, isn’t she?”

I didn’t wait for an answer. I lunged at him, my fist swinging toward his jaw, but he was fast—too fast. He sidestepped easily, laughing as I stumbled forward.

“So impatient,” he said. “But I suppose I’d be desperate too if I lost something so… precious.”

“What did you do to her?” I shouted, my voice echoing through the empty street.

Daemon’s eyes narrowed, his grin fading. “Do to her?” he repeated, his tone mocking. “Oh, Lucas. You think I took her? No, no. She left on her own.”

“You’re lying!” I lunged again, this time aiming lower, but he caught my wrist mid-swing, his grip like iron.

“Why would I lie?” he said, leaning closer. “Think, Lucas. You couldn’t control her forever. Power like hers doesn’t stay bound. It finds a way out. It always does.”

His words sent a chill down my spine, but I didn’t let it show. I yanked my arm free and stepped back, my chest heaving.

“I’ll ask you one more time,” I said through gritted teeth. “Where. Is. She?”

Daemon chuckled, shaking his head. “Even if I knew, do you really think I’d tell you? But here’s some advice, free of charge: stop looking. She’s not coming back.”

“Shut up!” I snapped, rushing at him again. This time, I managed to land a punch, the impact sending him stumbling back a step.

His grin turned into a snarl. “Big mistake.”

Before I could react, he moved—faster than I could follow. One moment he was in front of me, the next he was behind, his hand gripping the back of my neck.

“You’re playing a dangerous game, Lucas,” he whispered, his breath cold against my ear. “And you’re out of your depth.”

With a shove, he sent me sprawling to the ground. By the time I scrambled to my feet, he was gone, melted back into the shadows like he was never there.

I stood there for a long moment, my chest heaving, my mind racing.

Was he telling the truth? Had Amaarae really left on her own?

No. I couldn’t believe it. Wouldn’t believe it. She was mine. And no matter what it took, I would bring her back.

I sat back down, like a failure. 

I was lost in my own thoughts, I just packed up my things and I walked back home until I saw it consumed by a blue light.

Something sparked in me and I ran in with all my might, I ran to her room and pushed the door open. 

She was there.