Chapter 89
Chapter 89
Adrian Valehart
I had to get out of that place.
I went up the stairs, took a shower, put on some clothes Edgar had in the room, and when I looked out the window, morning was already breaking.
The sun was rising.
What a damn curse.
Are we really not going to get anything? Not a single fucking name?
I walked down the steps determined — either I got something, or that bastard was going to die, end of story.
But when I arrived, Edgar was still working, circling that guy collapsed on the floor, who looked more dead than alive.
I stopped, watching.
Then Edgar grabbed the guy by the collar and threw him onto the chair, moving behind him, pulling out a knife hidden under his jacket.
It was small, but thin… and the way he twirled it between his fingers showed he had experience with that kind of thing.
The man didn’t react — he hadn’t seen it yet. It was only when Edgar yanked his hair, pulling his head back like an animal about to be slaughtered, that he thrashed.
''You’re going to talk,'' Edgar said, pressing the cold metal against his ear. ''Because if you don’t… I’m going to cut off this ear, then the other, and then I’ll keep going, slicing you piece by piece until there’s nothing left.''
Edgar spoke calmly while holding the man, who kept struggling. And he continued:
''And when I’m done… I’ll go after the ones who matter to you. Isn’t that how you people work? Hurting innocent people to get to others?''
It was automatic.
The man panicked.
''No! No! My family has nothing to do with this! My wife… my son… please… please!''
So even vermin have weak spots.
Edgar turned to one of his men standing at the door, made a gesture with his hand, and the man ran over with some papers.
He began reading aloud, still gripping the man by the hair.
''Lucian Smith. Arrested two years ago… trafficking, smuggling… ah… look at this… really…'' He turned the page toward me, smiling. ''He really does have a son, Adrian… a half-breed, with a human female.''
Lucian didn’t seem to like those details at all — he thrashed again, but this time with far more desperation than before.
''DON’T TOUCH THEM! For the love of God!'' He begged, the chair shaking. ''If they find out… if the others find out about my son… I’m dead! That’s why I took this job! I had no choice!''
What irony… right?
I walked up to him and leaned forward, not feeling a shred of pity.
''You have a half-breed son… and you’re hunting a half-breed with her name on the Council’s list?'' I growled, almost leaping for his throat. ''You are the worst kind of animal that exists.''
He swallowed hard.
Sweat dripping. Blood dripping.
His breathing stuttering.
''I just want to protect him, that’s all…'' he whispered, losing strength.
''Then spit it out… who sent you to the apartment? Who’s the bastard who took Letícia? Talk, damn it! Who’s after Sofia?!''
I was out of patience — at my limit. At that moment, not his life nor whoever his son was mattered.
Because that’s how it worked, right? That was how the Council’s game was played.
Killing innocents, hurting children, torturing the weak.
A sick game for sick people.
And I… I was already starting to stain my hands with that rot.
''He…'' Lucian tried to speak, his voice failing.
''The name,'' I demanded. ''Say it. Now.''
His mouth opened…
But before the answer came—
My phone rang.
My head snapped up instantly.
Because the number on the screen was from my house.
And Sofia was still there.
I answered, already worried, her image flooding my mind.
''Adrian!'' it was Ana, the human maid, desperate, her voice trembling. ''Please, come. Now! The girl you left here… Sofia… she’s out of control! Something happened… she said something about her father and then…''
My body forgot what it was about to do — it simply froze when I heard those words.
''WHAT?'' my voice came out harsh, explosive. ''WHAT HAPPENED?''
''She keeps repeating that something happened to her father! Adrian… she… she’s different. I’ve never seen anything like it…''
What the hell now?
What happened to her father this time?
I had left him at the clinic. He was protected, safe… what was it this time?
Did the Hines go after him again?
Why didn’t anyone warn me?
Why didn’t the clinic notify me?
I made it damn clear that I wanted him safe!
''Don’t let her leave, do you hear me?'' I tried speaking to Ana, but she was no longer on the line.
''Edgar! We’re leaving. Now!'' I barked, already climbing the stairs.
He came right behind me, wiping the knife on his sleeve, already sensing how grave the situation was.
''Seems we took too long,'' Edgar muttered, serious.'' Tie him up… I’m not done yet.'' He told one of his men as we passed, looking at Lucian, who groaned in pain.
''And?'' Edgar asked as he ran up the stairs with me.
''It happened, Edgar… Sofia… woke up.''