Chapter 231: The Devil Within

Gatrina's POV...

The moment Abigail stepped back into the lab, I watched her.

She walked through the entrance as though nothing had happened, her expression calm, almost too calm. I remained where I was, waiting for the right moment to speak.

Morgan stuck her head out from the kitchen.

"Abigail, do you want anything to eat?"

"I'm fine!" Abigail called back.

She didn't even stop. She headed straight toward her room. That was when I stepped forward.

"Abigail."

She stopped. I walked after her.

"What were you doing behind the lab?"

She turned around. "Nothing."

"I saw you sitting back there."

"So?"

"And where else have you been going?"

Her expression changed. I knew I had touched something. "Sometimes I go outside."

"Where?"

"I don't know."

"Abigail."

She sighed and continued toward her room. "I hate being trapped in here. Sometimes I just go outside. What's wrong with that?"

I followed her inside.

"What's wrong with it is that someone could see you."

She turned. "Gati—"

"No. Listen to me. We don't know who's looking for you. If someone reports your location to the Emperor, they'll come here. They'll take you."

"I can protect myself."

"That's not the point."

"Then what is?"

I stared at her. "What happens if they capture you? Do you understand what they want to do with you?"

Her face hardened. "They want to use me."

"Yes."

"To make their army."

"Yes."

She looked directly into my eyes. "That's what you're afraid of."

I frowned. "What?"

"You're not really worried about me."

"Abigail, that's not true."

"You're worried about what they can do with me. You're worried I'll become their weapon."

"Abigail, I care about you."

"You care about what happens to everyone else."

My chest tightened. "You're my niece."

"And I'm a weapon."

"No!"

She stepped backward. "I know what everyone thinks about me."

"That's not what I think."

"You don't even know what you think. You're afraid of me ninety percent of the time."

I tried to move closer. She shook her head. "Just leave me alone."

"Abigail—"

"LEAVE!"

The room suddenly went silent. I froze. Her eyes had changed. Completely black. Not dark. Not simply dilated. Black.

I stared at her, unable to move. For a few seconds, neither of us spoke. Then her eyes returned to normal. But I had already seen enough. I backed away.

"Okay."

I stepped outside. The door slammed shut behind me. I stood there staring at it. My heart was racing. That wasn't the Abigail I knew.

And I didn't know what scared me more. The fact that she had changed...

Or the fact that I was beginning to wonder if something wrong had been inside her all along.

.

.

.

Gary's POV...

New Lagos was alive with activity even though the night had fallen. I stayed in the shadows. The palace stood ahead of me, massive and heavily guarded. I wasn't here to get caught. Last time, I had been an intruder. This time, I'd be considered an enemy.

If the guards discovered me, they wouldn't bother trying to arrest me. They'd kill me.

I reached the old tunnel entrance. I checked around. Nobody. The tunnel was still there. Still operational. Good.

I slipped inside. The tight passage immediately made breathing difficult. I hated this place.

I crawled forward, forcing myself not to think about how much stone surrounded me. Eventually, I reached the upper section. I pushed against the concealed panel. It opened. I climbed out and landed inside a storage room. I waited, and then I moved. Slowly. Carefully.

Every corridor was a potential death trap. I kept to the shadows and avoided the guards whenever I could. It took longer than I expected, but eventually, I reached Jarox's bedroom. I opened the door. Jarox turned around. His face immediately lit up. "You made it."

"Told you I would."

He started moving toward his equipment. "We need to leave now."

"Agreed."

He grabbed a few things. Then—"Woof!"

Fizz suddenly ran toward us. The little creature barked again. Jarox froze.

"What?"

Fizz stared toward the door. Another bark. Jarox's expression changed.

"Someone's coming."

I heard footsteps. Fast. Heavy. Getting closer.

"Who?"

Jarox looked at the door. "My father."

"Wonderful."

He grabbed my arm. "Closet."

"What?"

"Now."

He shoved me toward the closet. I climbed inside just as the footsteps stopped outside. Jarox barely had time to close the door. The bedroom door opened. I held my breath.

Through the narrow gap in the closet, I saw Emperor Feran walk inside. He closed the door behind him.

"Jarox."

The Prince stood beside his bed. "Father."

Feran looked at him. "I need to speak with you."

My hand tightened around my weapon. Jarox glanced briefly toward the closet. Feran noticed. His eyes narrowed. And I realized there was nowhere to run.