Opening my eyes was not as easy as I thought it was. Not after all Mina and I heard while having our eyes closed.

Unending screams. And what I could only have guessed was a tiger’s roar. Then, the sound of splashing blood, most likely staining the area around us. I hoped none of that got on Mina. With Mina being the best and possibly only partner I could ever have, I wouldn’t want any of whatever was going on to stain her soul.

Finally opening my eyes, the first thing I did was look at Mina. Her eyes were tightly shut. Her hands were clenched into fists in front of her. And her face was still pale from the shock of the situation. They were actual monsters. That man was taunting us. Taunting Mina.

Anger only boiled inside my veins. I couldn’t protect her. I couldn’t do anything but back up and watch her boss’s anger as he walked towards us. Watch his smirk grow, as he slowly stomped towards us.

I hadn’t noticed tears were running down my face until I felt a hand on my cheek. The black-suited man held my stare while using his thumb to wipe away my tears. He hadn’t said a word since his command to us to close-– Shit.

I must’ve exposed too much of my shocked expression because a feline smile tugged at his smooth lips “I had not yet told you to open your eyes, madame.” he spoke with such gentleness. My face reddened oh so slightly. Mainly because he was right. He didn’t tell us to open our eyes.

A soft chuckle hummed in his closed lips, that feline smile growing. “Oh, do not blush on my account, my dear. I do not think your partner would appreciate you falling for another. Much less, for a man.”

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I slapped him across the face, standing tall with my chin up so I could look him straight in the eyes. “I would watch my wording if I were you,” I finally replied, trying to match his way of speaking. “It is rude to assume someone’s feelings based on just the expression on their face. Much more to assume someone’s relationship with someone else.”.

The crimson-eyed man’s smile finally faded. Only to turn into a face full of boredom. His eyes now seemed heavy as they continued to stare at me with an intensity that I could not read. “Interesting.” His lips twitched into a sly smile with his eyes remaining as they were “You are right,” he bowed his head “Apologies for making assumptions. And for offending you in any way. I truly did not mean to do so, madame.”

I didn’t want to reply. Not when the man in front of me spoke like an old man from the times in Amberlyt when men were more cruel. So I didn’t. Instead, I tilted my head to look past him. To two bodies lying on the arcade floor behind him. The bodies were those of Darik and his son. I didn’t dare move from my spot.

I rested my hands on Mina’s shoulders and silently made sure her eyes were still closed. I could feel her body shivering while listening to our conversation. Was she scared? Embarrassed? Angry? I couldn’t tell at the moment. She didn’t try to say anything yet. Not even after hearing my clear conversation with the crimson-eyed man.

As a matter of fact.

“Who are you, anyway?” I said as I turned back to look at our possible savior. “Possible” meaning he might’ve been a monster too. It could only explain the swift disappearance of everyone in the arcade. And the bodies. No sign of bruises or injuries. Odd. They seemed dead from where I stood. But there was no sign that they were killed in any violent way, at least. They couldn’t have been poisoned. There was no paleness in their skin.

My father had taught me to be observant of these kinds of things since I was little. As a monster hunter, he also trained me to use the dagger in case I got attacked by the Meistec, knowing very well I wouldn’t stand a chance against them.

“Bowey,” he replied “Roland Bowey, madame”. He bowed to his waist with an arm over his stomach.

It took me until he straightened to realize exactly who he was. But before I could say anything, Mina finally opened her eyes to say “You’re Roland Bowey. Son of Billionaire Gormond Bowey,” his nose wrinkled slightly at his father’s name “CEO of Bowey Enterprises.” Her voice was shaky and far too weak for my liking. I pulled her just a bit closer to me for safety reasons.

Roland’s smile was slightly grim as he said, “The very one…”