image [https://img.wattpad.com/story_parts/1502526254/images/1810d20f46b01a57725794890752.jpg]
If you had your heels on, they'd be making the loudest, most aggressive clacks right about now as you stomp toward the elevator with Sylus. But you didn't, and your toes are beginning to hate the cold tile floor of this manor.
"Are you out of your mind? Oh wait, I already know the answer to that question." You scrutinize looking him up and down.
The elevator dings, and the ornate black doors slide open, beckoning you to step inside its gullet.
"Is that any way to speak to your dear fiancé ?" Sylus teases, motioning you to step through first [https://img.wattpad.com/7c5e9c05bcf0bf880c76570e53a0aa8a00279c4d/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f497363615f33734d313064755a513d3d2d313530323532363235342e313831306431656130376564653839333638343137343834353230322e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
"Is that any way to speak to your dear fiancé ?" Sylus teases, motioning you to step through first.
"Fake fiancée," you insert. You trudge inside the mirror-lined lift, pushing the day's aches and pains to the back of your mind. There are more pressing matters to deal with right now.
Sylus steps inside after you, pressing a button that leads back up to the surface of the manor. The elevator hums softly as it begins its slow ascent. Sylus reclines against the wall, pushing up the cuffs of his sleeves. The trail of veins venturing up the back of his hands to his arms doesn't go unnoticed by you.
"Well, I'm not playing along with this nonsense," you state. "Find someone else to be your pawn. Don't you have plenty of staff members to choose from?"
Sylus sighs. "It's not that simple," he shakes his head. "It needs to be believable. A man like me won't just choose anyone, you know. I don't know many other ladies who can take down a mech like you did."
You bite your lip, secretly appreciating his compliment. But he'll never know that.
"You'll also be my right hand when it comes to hosting a series of events I have planned. It is critical that you execute your role flawlessly if I am to draw my enemies out into the open—where I can corner them."
"Well, I am used to playing out different roles. I'm often assigned cases in the Hunter's Association that involve some degree of using disguises or fake identities."
Sylus focuses on his shiny cinnamon-colored Oxfords and chuckles, "Exactly, think of it as a mission you'd take on, without hesitation, from your precious Hunter's Association." His upper lip curls slightly as he mentions your employer. "Though, after witnessing your poor attempt at sneaking in my manor, I'm not sure about those acting skills."
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
You bristle, heat rising to your cheeks. "I was just getting warmed up. You know, getting into character takes a minute."
"Of course." Sylus's tone is mockingly indulgent. "Should I help you practice getting into character now, then?" He shifts towards you and extends his hand, reaching for yours. You blink as he takes your hand, lifting it to his grinning lips. His eyes sparkle with amusement.
His soft lips brush against your knuckles, sending a jolt through you, and a sudden flicker of yellow energy sparks at the contact. Sylus's hand begins to glow as the wisps of your Evol escape you. Sylus freezes, his eyes widening. A wave of panic passes over you, and you gasp and jerk your hand away. The light vanishes, and his eyes dart to yours, narrowing.
"You..." Sylus starts, his voice is tight, his expression unreadable.
"I-I'm sorry," you mutter, taking a step back. "My Evol must have sparked when you touched my hand. That's how my energy works..." You observe as Sylus's shoulders tense. His eyes are unblinking, and the color in his face drains.
He remains frozen, his gaze piercing through you. "My Evol, what did you do to it just now?" His tone is short and demanding.
You swallow hard before speaking. "It's my Resonance ability. It allows me to control the Evol of others when I touch them." You explain, stroking your fingers against the metal of your necklace.
Sylus's lips part as if to say something, but nothing comes out. His fingers twitch at his sides, his composed demeanor slipping away. Before you can react, he strides forward, closing the distance in one swift motion. His fingers lace around yours, and with startling strength, he presses your hand above your head, trapping you between him and the wall.
"Sylus—" you cry, but his cold glare silences you. His right eye glows a misty red, the color swirling like a storm. Give it to him. Let him have it, he deserves it. You shake your head, grunting. Whose thoughts are these? His expression is edged with a raw desperation you haven't seen before, starkly contrasting his usual control.
Fear coils in your chest as you struggle underneath him. His breaths are shallow, and his chest rises and falls rapidly as if straining to contain something. His firm grip keeps you pinned, but no wisps of energy surface again. Silver strands of his hair fall over his eyes, and for a moment, you don't recognize him.
"Let me go!" You yank your hand away, and he allows you to withdraw it, the glow in his eye fading. He lets out a long, trembling breath, dipping his head to rest on your shoulder. His skin is slick with sweat, and the heat of him radiates in front of you.
"Damn it," he mutters under his breath. He stays like this for a beat more before releasing you. He backs away, as if he has been turned away from something important. His hands are still trembling, and when he notices you watching, he quickly shoves them into his pockets. He straightens, though his appearance is unnaturally disheveled. His breathing slowly steadies.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" you demand, your heart still racing as you rub your hand.
No answer. He holds your gaze for a moment, cold and calculating once more, but his silence hints at something deeper.
The elevator dings and the doors slide open, signaling your escape from this mysterious man. Sylus turns his back towards you. "My staff will show you to your room," he says tersely, his voice sharp and clipped. Without waiting for your response, he strides out of the elevator and into the corridor beyond. You pad your way after him, determined to press him for more information. Looking down the hallway, he appears to have vanished, the only trace of him being the faint aroma of ash and smoky cedar.
Looking down the hallway, he appears to have vanished, the only trace of him being the faint aroma of ash and smoky cedar [https://img.wattpad.com/3c86786c85ee7661baa42410e2370eeb878e10ed/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f78526e42754531503572766a50513d3d2d313530323532363235342e313831306431653435373163343238393533303638303531383536362e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]