Evander moved swiftly, his mind keenly focused on escape. Among the disarray, he spotted a large, oversized coat. He snatched it, flinging it around Artur's shoulders. Artur, however, was taken aback. His face crinkled in protest, a bitter tang of disapproval lacing his voice. "It's a crime to cover the sacred robe," he asserted, his hands instinctively reaching to remove the offensive garment.

Evander silenced him with a single look, a formidable gaze of icy resolve. I really don't need this right now. He draped the coat over Artur, ensuring it covered him entirely. He didn't want to depend on his mental abilities for every little problem. Wielding mental power like a crutch was tempting, but it was a slippery slope he wasn't willing to descend.

Navigating through the intricate web of narrow streets and shadowy alleyways, they wove their way back to the hotel. Evander’s eyes were alert, scanning their surroundings, gently pushing back any attention that strayed too close with a subtle nudge of his mental powers.

When they finally reached the modest hotel, Artur's expression soured. He looked at the cramped, grime-smeared room with unveiled distaste. The worn-out wallpaper was peeling at the edges, the carpet bore a multitude of stains, and the room smelled faintly of mold and cheap disinfectant. It was a stark contrast to the gilded cage he had been kept in.

Evander roamed the confines of the small, stuffy hotel room like a caged predator, each stride carrying an undercurrent of restless tension. His mind was a whirling tempest of thoughts, each one grappling with the others for supremacy. The girls... The thought of his friends in peril ignited a flame of worry that gnawed at his resolve. His gaze strayed to Artur, who stood aloof, refusing to perch on any of the dilapidated furnishings.

"Is there a place I can take you, a place where you'll be safe?" Evander finally broke the silence, his voice roughened with frustration. Artur paused before nodding, a resigned acceptance in his eyes. "I suppose returning to my ladies would be best," he responded, his tone as insipid as stale bread.

Evander's brows knitted in confusion at Artur's lack of enthusiasm. "You don't seem too thrilled about that?"

Artur sighed, his shoulders slumping. His voice, when it came, was laced with a bitter undercurrent of disappointment. "They were supposed to rescue me... not some man," he confessed, his words seeping into the silence. "I just feel... unwanted."

Evander rolled his eyes in response, the gesture heavy with annoyance. If only he knew... If Artur had been subjected to the horrifying ordeal the women had planned for him, he wouldn't be wallowing in self-pity. He'd be on his knees, thanking every star in the sky for his escape. But Artur didn't know, and Evander could only hope he'd never have to.

There was a distinct aura of lassitude surrounding Artur, a complacency that permeated his demeanor and rendered each question from Evander a chore to answer. It was as if he floated through life, entirely disinterested in the world around him. Yet, eventually, Evander managed to pry enough information to pinpoint the district where Artur's women resided. He consulted the worn-out map procured from the hotel's lobby, the symbols and lines forming a tangible guide to their destination.

Evander was resolute in his decision to get Artur back home before the world woke up to the morning light. As much as he could manipulate people's attention, he preferred the cover of darkness to the stark brightness of daylight.

Thus, they embarked on their journey, the city sprawled out before them like a maze under the night's shroud. Evander moved like a specter, his steps silent and calculated, blending into the darkness. Just need to stay low, and get this done. His thoughts thrummed in tune with the heartbeat of the city around him.

Artur, however, was another story entirely. He lumbered through the narrow alleyways like a parade elephant, carelessly conspicuous and blissfully ignorant of the need for discretion. He strutted with his chin up, his eyes surveying the cityscape as if he were a tourist and not a fugitive under the cloak of darkness. His disinterest in his immediate reality was almost palpable, and Evander found it increasingly challenging to temper the spectacle that Artur seemed determined to be.

The contrast between them was stark and irksome. It was like trying to silence thunder with a whisper, or hide a lighthouse in a fog. Evander had to employ a great deal of his energy to divert prying eyes from Artur's grand display. He kept darting ahead, checking their route, then back, trying to shush Artur, to quieten his stride. His frustration mounted with each passing minute, but he soldiered on, his resolve unyielding. No matter what, I need to get him home safe... His thoughts echoed with determination as he navigated the labyrinth of the sleeping city.

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At last, they stood before an imposing structure that was more a testament to opulence than a humble dwelling. A mansion it was, cradled within the arms of expansive gardens, and encased by robust stone walls that spoke of an inherent need for privacy and security. The mansion rose from the sprawling estate like a monolith, every detail an unabashed display of wealth and power.

Evander cast a questioning glance at Artur, "Is this it?" He asked, his voice barely a whisper, a cautious ripple against the tranquility of the night. Artur, looking as if he'd just woken from a long sleep, surveyed the surroundings, his gaze slow and unhurried. Then he nodded, a lazy dip of his chin that confirmed Evander's query.

After a brief exploration, Evander discovered a complex contraption, a marvel of magical ingenuity nestled within the mansion's fortified walls - an intercom system. It wasn’t like the primitive ones he had encountered in his world. This one projected three-dimensional images, an advanced form of communication that teetered on the brink of reality and illusion.

He instructed Artur to stand before it as he activated the magical device, its soft hum slicing through the silence of the night. "Look into it," Evander instructed, his voice barely above a whisper. Artur complied, his face illuminated by the ethereal glow of the projected image.

The moment the connection was established, and Artur's face beamed into the mansion, a squeal of surprise and joy blasted through the intercom. It was a high-pitched sound, one that reverberated in the night air, a symphony of relief and jubilation.

Evander instinctively drew his hood over his face, shadows concealing his features from the intercom's glowing eye. "Don't mention I'm a man," he warned Artur, his voice a harsh whisper against the shrill exclamation of joy from the mansion.

Artur rolled his eyes, a smirk twitching at the corners of his mouth. "They wouldn't believe me anyway," he retorted, the bitterness from earlier replaced with a dry, biting humor.

Evander couldn't help but feel a flicker of irritation at Artur's nonchalance, but he let it go.

A flurry of activity soon erupted from the mansion as several women, presumably around the same age as Artur, came spilling out onto the meticulously groomed lawns. Their attires were hastily thrown on, an eclectic mix of robes and wraps that spoke of their hasty departure from the comfort of their mansion.

The entrance to the grounds, a formidable magical barrier that shimmered under the moonlight, dissolved to let them pass. Like a hive mind, they gravitated towards Artur, swarming around him with a motherly fervor. There was a cacophony of relieved exclamations, smothering kisses, and enveloping hugs as they lavished their affections upon him, their worry-soaked voices forming an overlapping soundtrack of joy and relief.

"Artur! Oh, you brave boy!"

"We were so worried, darling!"

Artur was at the epicenter of this flurry, basking in the adoration as though he was a hero returning from a perilous quest. He allowed himself to be swept up by the women, his chest puffing up slightly as he let the attention wash over him.

As this impromptu celebration was underway, two of the women peeled away from the group and turned their gazes towards Evander, who had remained a shadowy figure on the fringes. The moonlight reflected off their scrutinizing eyes as they sized him up, their expressions unreadable. "What does he want for his services?" One of them asked, her voice carrying an undertone of casual indifference, as though they were haggling over a routine transaction.

Evander tensed at the cold business-like tone, his muscles coiling in silent protest. I just risked my neck to rescue your friend and this is the thanks I get? He thought, his annoyance bubbling under his calm facade.

Suppressing his rising ire, Evander kept his voice steady as he ventured his request. His words cut through the charged silence like a blade through butter, pulling their attention towards him. "I am searching for some women who might have entered your city recently," he started, providing the names and descriptions of each missing woman, meticulously sculpting their images with his words. "Seraphina, Emma, Lily, Joy, Amara, Arckit," he narrated, each name punctuated with a brief pause, a silent plea hanging in the balance.

He noticed one of the women, her dark eyes appearing to flicker with recognition as he described Lily. Her heart-shaped face framed by soft, sandy brown hair that cascaded down to her mid-back, her large hazel eyes, often veiled by her thick, curled lashes.

For a few moments, there was a stretch of tense silence as the woman seemed to dig deep into her memory. Then, almost hesitantly, she shared a tale that set Evander's heart racing. "I think... I think I remember her," she began cautiously, her voice a mere whisper. "There was a commotion at the offices dealing with male affairs a few days back. A woman fitting your description stormed in, demanding action about a supposed kidnapping of a man named... Evander."

She paused, her gaze flicking over to the merrymaking crowd, where Artur was the center of attention. The realization was almost tangible as it hit her. "She was quite aggressive, causing quite a scene. The authorities detained her for disturbing the peace and being violent," she finished, her eyes widening slightly in surprise.

Evander's heart pounded in his chest like a war drum. Lily's, she's in trouble.