LANCE didn't ask Irlan what he meant that day. He felt like the kid was just assuring them. There's no way that he will leave him behind. He has to bring that kid home.

They didn't bother packing their things. It will only cause them more suspicion. Penelope acted the way she usually did while Joaquin sat by himself. It was like he's meditating.


Lance was relieved to know that Joaquin can now see again. The man was right when he said it will make escaping more doable for the four of them.

'About Samael...' Lance knew that he couldn't tell the man about what will happen. It looks like Beatrix didn't know anything about Samael. In the end, he had no real connection with Joaquin and Pen.

He's just a bystander.


'That doesn't mean he won't be affected by the alpha's plan later on.'

Lance wouldn't want to harm the man any further.


The day went by peaceful and serene. Lance didn't try to fool himself. This is just the calm before the storm. Any moment later on and the whole Crystal lake pack members will hunt them with the task of severing their heads.

'Samael, are you going to be one of them?'

HORAN was called a few more times but he refused to listen. The pain in his body was once again ignited. He cursed Irlan from the pits of his heart. "Doofus, can't you really stay put for a minute?" he scolded him in his mind. "You're killing me."

'I should've keep my fangs to myself.' His mother's departing words to him was laced with hate and that hate won't dicipate any time sooner.

"The alpha is asking for you. There's a big catch tonight and we need you to do your job."

'Flipping pants, can't you see that I can't move?'

"Yeah, I'll be there."

"That's more like it. You have to answer every time you're being asked, Horan. That will make your life much more easier here."

'As if.' Horan tried to get up. His breath became hurried as he managed to walk two steps to the door. Before he can make it, he collapsed. "Damn fool!"

"I advice that you stop pushing yourself and just lay on the bed."

Horan's eyes widened. He whipped his head to the direction of the voice. The motion almost made him vomit. The dizziness was just a cherry on top of this mess. "You..."

'It doesn't make sense.' Horan can see him sweating bullets but his expression had no hint of pain or grief. He still looked fine.

"How did you climb up my window?" Horan hissed, "You are the one who should stop making things difficult for the both of us!"

Irlan stepped inside his room and walked with an unhurried pace. "So it's true. You're that crazy guy who almost drained me last time."

He tilted his head as if to observe him. "You... are a failure, for an aspiring hoodlum."

"It's not like I wanted it to happen, okay? If only I could turn back time, I should have left you to die!" Horan's stomach hurt with his every word but his pride would not allow Irlan to have the upper hand in this conversation. "You should be grateful to me! Because of my blood, your life didn't end that night!"

"You're a dumb one. Figures." Irlan shrugged. He smiled at Horan mockingly. "You could have done none of that and I would still be able to survive anyway."

Horan struggled to stand. He needs to know why this guy is visiting him right now. "What do you need?"

"Simple. Don't do anything tonight," he said, "I heard that something will happen. I want you to keep your hands out of it."

Horan laughed. He couldn't believe his demands!

"What do I get in turn?"

"I will make sure that I'm not going to hurt my body purposely. The moment you land a hand to my friends later, I won't hesitate stabbing myself."

Horan feels a nasty chill on his spine. He didn't like it. "Your death doesn't concern me. So what if you hurt yourself? I'll just endure it. It was my mistake that I marked you. Maybe this is the payment of my hasty actions."

He had an idea as to what is he going to say next. Horan prayed this moment that he's wrong. 'You can't be that crazy, Irlan.'

"You are in sync with me. What happens if I die? Are you sure it won't concern you? Your mate just died, does that mean you're going to die as well?" Irlan blinked. Horan hated the pure curiosity in his eyes. "It's time to test it, right?"

Horan lost it. He thought that he's above Irlan in any possible way. He was raised thinking that he can surpass anyone, including his father, if he tried hard enough.

Now that he's facing the disinterested expression on Irlan's face, he knew that he will never exceed him. Irlan was the type of person who would do anything in his hands to succeed a mission.

He will do anything to save his target's life.

"What am I going to do then?" he asked quietly. "I just have to lock myself in this room, right?"

Irlan advanced a few more steps. They came face to face with each other. The guy raised a hand to cover his eyes. Immediately, a cooling sensation penetrated into his skin. His chest felt light and the heaviness of his body evaporated. Horan sighed in relief. "I need to know what kind of spell is this."

"You can never do this to yourself." Irlan shifted his feet. "That's why it's special."

Horan opened his eyes when Irlan step back. He watched as Irlan make his way back to the window. Now that the pain in his body was swept away, his other senses works properly. That's why he noticed the red dot at the center of Irlan's blue shirt.

It was spreading fast. Yet before Horan can call him, he had already leaped through the window.

'What was that?' Horan couldn't feel anything at the moment. He had no idea what's the red on Irlan's shirt means. 'Is he hurt again? Was it the poison?'

He recalled what Irlan had told him awhile ago. His face paled.

'He didn't... heal himself.'