Chapter 91
★*********★
★11:30PM✓✓
The cool night air carried a tense silence as Stephanie and Chiara crouched behind a cluster of crates, their breaths filled with anticipation.
The faint glow of torchlight illuminated the long corridor ahead, where guards patrolled with unwavering vigilance.
Stephanie tightened her grip on the hilt of her dagger, her jaw set with determination.
Chiara, her expression calm yet intense, turned to Stephanie and placed a reassuring hand on her.
"This is the best chance we have to reach Monica," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
"Don’t let the guards scare you. With our ability to become invisible, we’ll make it through without a hitch. All you need to do is hold onto your chain. As long as you don’t let go, they won’t see you."
Stephanie nodded, her eyes reflecting both trust and resolve.
"Let’s do this."
Chiara took a deep breath, and within seconds, her form shimmered and faded, disappearing entirely.
Stephanie felt the chain placed into her hand, its texture cold and metallic.
"Remember," Chiara's voice echoed faintly, "no matter what happens, keep holding on."
With stealthy precision, the two of them began their journey through the dimly lit passage.
Guards stood at every corner, their eyes scanning for any sign of movement, but as Chiara had promised, they remained unseen.
Stephanie marveled at how close they could pass by the guards without a single glance in their direction.
They moved swiftly, their footsteps silent against the stone floor.
Stephanie could feel her heartbeat quicken as they approached Monica’s cell.
Victory was within reach.
But fate had other plans.
As they navigated a particularly narrow section of the hallway, Stephanie's boot accidentally struck a loose stone.
The loud clink echoed through the corridor, freezing both women in their tracks.
Stephanie gasped as the impact caused her to stagger, her hand reflexively letting go of the chain for balance.
She caught herself quickly, but it was too late.
Her body became visible, standing in stark contrast to the dim surroundings.
The nearest guard turned, his eyes widening in alarm.
"Intruder!" he bellowed, drawing his weapon.
Panic surged through Stephanie as the sound of approaching footsteps thundered down the corridor.
She looked desperately for the chain but couldn’t see it.
Chiara’s voice hissed in her ear
"Hold your chain"Chiara screamed
Stephanie touched her neck, looking for the chain but it was no where to be found.
But then the guards were closing in, their torches illuminating Stephanie's figure.
The guards stormed into the dimly lit corridor, their heavy boots echoing ominously against the cold stone floor.
Without hesitation, they seized Stephanie, hoisting her roughly by the arms as she struggled against their iron grip.
"You're coming with us," one of them growled, his voice devoid of empathy.
"Wait—no! Let me go!" Stephanie protested, but her cries were met with indifference.
They began marching toward the foreboding iron door at the end of the hallway, the one that led to the torture chamber.
It loomed like a nightmare, a place from which no one emerged unscathed.
"Kalus doesn’t forgive disobedience," another guard muttered, almost with a twisted satisfaction. "You’ll learn that soon enough."
From the shadows, Chiara watched helplessly, her fists clenched tightly.
She cursed under her breath, unable to tear her eyes away from Stephanie’s terrified face as she was dragged further away.
"Damn it," Chiara hissed, a mix of anger and guilt twisting her gut.
Stephanie shouldn’t have left the cell—but Chiara had been the one who convinced her it would be safe.
Now, she could do nothing but stare as the guards disappeared with Stephanie into the dreaded room, the door slamming shut behind them with a chilling finality.
"If only she had held onto the chain"Chiara said, roughing her hair angrily.
★**************★
Alessandro, sat on the cold stone bench, he held the baby tightly, his eyes never leaving the baby.
His dark eyes were fixed on the child, but his mind was far away, lost in thoughts of Stephanie.
"Alessandro," Hellcat said softly, her voice unusually gentle.
She reached out, placing a firm yet reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Let me take the baby now. You need to rest."
Reluctantly, Alessandro handed over the infant, his movements slow and hesitant, as if surrendering the child meant losing another piece of himself.
Once the baby was safely in Hellcat's arms, she studied his defeated posture—his shoulders slumped, his eyes refusing to meet hers as he stared at the floor.
"Don't be sad," she murmured, her tone more soothing than he expected.
"One day, Stephanie will come back to you. I know it feels hopeless now, but she’s strong, Alessandro. Stronger than you think."
His lips pressed into a thin line, and he remained silent, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on the ground.
Hellcat sighed, adjusting the baby in her arms.
"You need to sleep," she insisted, her voice firm now.
"The wounds you secure needs time to heal. You're not good to Stephanie or the child like this."
For a moment, Alessandro didn’t respond.
Then, he nodded faintly, though his expression remained distant.
Hellcat gave him one last look before turning toward the doorway, the baby nestled against her chest.
As she disappeared into the shadows, Alessandro finally exhaled, closing his eyes and leaning back against the wall.
The ache in his chest was unbearable, but he clung to the faint hope Hellcat had offered, letting exhaustion overtake him at last.
★**********★
★1AM✓✓TORTURE ROOM★
The room was cold and dimly lit, the flickering torches casting eerie shadows on the stone walls.
Stephanie's body hung limply against the pole, her arms bound tightly above her head.
Her breathing was shallow, and her once vibrant skin was marred with blood and bruises from the merciless punishment inflicted by the guards.
Despite the pain, her eyes held a flicker of defiance.
The heavy iron door groaned open, and Kalus strode in, his dark figure framed by the firelight.
His sharp features were etched with disdain as his eyes raked over Stephanie's battered form.
His presence commanded silence, and even the guards stationed nearby stiffened at his arrival.
"You must be truly foolish, Stephanie," Kalus began, his voice cold and sharp like a blade.
"To think you could simply leave your cell without facing the consequences."
Stephanie raised her head weakly, her breath hitching as she tried to steady herself.
Her voice was hoarse but resolute.
"I had to," she whispered. "I needed to see my mother."
Kalus paused mid-step, his eyes narrowing.
"Your mother?" he repeated mockingly, as if the very idea amused him.
"Do you think I care about your petty desires? You are a prisoner, and you will learn to obey."
As he spoke, he moved closer, his piercing gaze never leaving her.
But then something caught his eye—a small mark on her exposed shoulder, partially obscured by her torn clothing.
He stopped abruptly, his expression shifting from anger to something unreadable.
"That mark..." Kalus murmured, his voice low and almost incredulous.
He stepped closer, his gloved hand reaching out but stopping just short of touching her skin.
His eyes widened as he studied the birthmark—a unique, intricate design etched naturally into her flesh.
"How..." His voice trailed off, confusion flickering across his face.
His cold mask of authority cracked, revealing a trace of vulnerability beneath.
Stephanie blinked, too weak to fully process the shift in his demeanor.
"What... what about it?" she asked faintly.
Kalus straightened, his gaze darkening as if a storm had risen within him.
His lips pressed into a tight line before he spoke again, his voice trembling with a mix of shock and anger.
"How come you have a birthmark on your shoulder," he said slowly, his words deliberate
"The same mark as mine?"