The sound made Serene's heart stop for a moment. From the darkness of the western hallway emerged a tall figure. His hair was snow-white, his eyes a gleaming gold. An aura of power flowed from him, cold and heavy.

"Lord Vael," Caelan said softly. His tone was a mix of surprise and anger.

Dreven folded his arms across his chest. His eyes also did not leave the man. "I thought you had died two years ago."

Vael smiled thinly. "Death is just a tool, like fear. I see you two have run out of tools to control this woman." His gaze fell on Serene. "You are more dangerous than they think."

Serene stood tall even though her hair stood on end. "You don't know me?"

"I know enough. You don't want to be with either of them. You also know that rejecting both of them will sign your death warrant." Vael approached with calm steps. "I offer a third option."

Caelan flared up. "She will not choose you." His voice was flat but venomous.

Vael merely glanced at him. "She'll choose freedom. Something neither of you have ever offered."

Serene fell silent. The word "freedom" cut deeper than any threat. But she knew every offer came with a price.

Dreven took a step forward, his tone cold. "What's the price?"

Vael smiled coldly. "The head of one of you at my feet before dawn."

The room froze. Serene felt the air grow heavy. She knew this wasn't an empty threat. After saying that, Vael left. The tension shifted back into a burning fire. Caelan and Dreven decided to take Serene to the Central Tower to discuss the situation. But it was just a pretext to intimidate.

"Don't think I'll let you use Vael to get out of this," Caelan said sharply. He stood near the door like a gatekeeper of hell.

Serene sat in the chair, her hands clenching the armrest. "If the two of you are busy watching each other. I have enough time to disappear."

Dreven laughed briefly, his eyes full of danger. "You're too confident in your game, Serene. Have you forgotten who started all this?"

"What I remember," Serene replied quickly. "Is that you both treated me like a pawn. But you forgot that this pawn can kill the king if placed on the last row."

Caelan stepped forward. His hand slammed down on the table. "You're playing on the edge of a cliff."

Serene stared back at him without flinching. "Better on the edge of a cliff than in your cage!"

Those words caused an odd silence to envelop the room. Even Dreven didn't laugh this time. Their three gazes collided. Like three wild beasts ready to pounce.

The night grew later. Finally, Serene was allowed to walk in the courtyard under the watchful eyes of two guards clearly sent by Caelan and Dreven. The air that night was filled with the scent of wet earth and blood. Her steps halted when she saw something on the ground. A dark red stain was trickling toward the old warehouse. She looked up. The silhouette of someone hurriedly entering the warehouse.

She knew this could be a trap. But her instincts told her it was important. Serene turned quickly, dodging the guards with a smooth maneuver, and entered the warehouse. Inside, a dim oil lamp illuminated a figure lying on the floor. One of Vael's soldiers had his throat crazy. In another corner of the room was something else that made Serene shiver.

Vael stood there with one hand holding a human head. The blood dripping from the victim's hair did not scare him at all. "It seems that one of them is starting to qualify. I haven't decided who deserves to die yet."

Serene swallowed hard. "Why are you showing me this?"

Vael stepped closer. He lowered his voice to a whisper that pierced her ears. "Because from now on, you will choose, and your choice will destroy you."

Before Serene could respond, the warehouse door slammed open. Caelan and Dreven stood in the doorway, their eyes fixed on the head in Vael's hand.

Vael tossed the head at their feet and said, "Who's next? You decide, Serene."

The head fell between Caelan and Dreven. Fresh blood seeped into the wooden warehouse floor. The pungent smell of iron filled the air. Serene stood frozen, her heart racing uncontrollably. Vael merely smiled, his gaze shifting back and forth between the two imposing men.

"So, who's next?" Vael repeated his question to Serene.

"No one decides anything here except me," Caelan stepped forward to pull Serene behind his body. His large hand gripped Luna's arm so tightly that she winced.

Dreven laughed softly. "You think you're in control? She was never yours, Caelan."

Serena felt the tension in the air like steel wires ready to snap. One wrong move would cause more bloodshed.

Vael raised one hand as if he had won. But that only added to the provocation. "How funny. You're fighting for something you don't even have yet."

Serene saw her chance. "Or maybe I've already chosen."

All heads turned toward her. Caelan's gaze sharpened, Dreven narrowed his eyes, and Vael smiled wider. Before explaining, Caelan slammed his fist on the table. The wood split into two pieces.

"Don't play with fire, Serene," Caelan said.

"Why not?" Serene replied quickly. "You all see me as a pawn. But a pawn can bring down a king."

Dreven stepped forward. The distance between them was only a few inches. "Be careful, Serene. On this board, pawns are usually burned before they can reach the end."

Vael laughed softly. Then he turned toward the door. "Very boring. I'll wait for her answer before sunrise." He vanished into the darkness, leaving three souls trapped in a room filled with blood and burning egos.

***

Caelan decided to drag Serene to the underground prison. His quick steps and grip that nearly broke her bones proved his actions were more like detention than protection.

"This is for your safety," he said as he walked through the underground prison corridor.

The dimly lit stone corridor was lit only by flickering torches, casting wild shadows that danced across the walls. Dreven was still following behind. He would not break his gaze until he had intimidated Caelan.

"Are you afraid Vael will take Serene, or that he will choose me?" he said.

Caelan stopped, turning with a murderous glare. "I'm afraid he's foolish enough to trust you."

Serene pulled her hand from Caelan's grip. "The two of you don't even realize that Vael is manipulating you."

"Oh, we're aware," Dreven said, leaning against the wall. "The question is, who does he think will win?"

Serene looked at both of them, then stepped closer to Caelan. "If you really want to win, let me go. Let me lure Vael out. He'll only show up if I'm free."

Caelan stared at the woman's face for a long moment, his jaw tightening. "And let you escape? No way."

Serene smiled thinly, then whispered cutting words. "If you keep locking me up. I'll choose Dreven now."

The corridor froze. Dreven raised an eyebrow. Clearly amused by the whisper that had clearly reached his ears. "Interesting."

Caelan held his breath, then grabbed Serene by the neck. He pushed her against the stone wall. "Do you think a threat like that will work on me?"

Serene began to stare straight into the man's eyes. "It's not a threat, but a promise."

The calm was broken when the sound of footsteps approached quickly from the end of the corridor. A soldier entered with a pale face.

"Sir, the north tower is on fire."

Chaos engulfed the border fort. The flames from the north tower were clearly visible from the highest balcony. The night wind carried the smell of smoke and the cries of soldiers from below. Serene stood at the edge of the balcony, her eyes fixed on the blaze. She knew this was no accident. Vael was at work.

Dreven emerged from behind, his steps silent. "Do you know who did this?"

"I know," Serene replied without turning her head.

Dreven approached, his hands gripping Serene's waist. This trapped her body between the balcony railing and his chest. "Tell me. Who will you choose?"

Serene turned her head slightly, her lips almost touching Dreven's ear. "Perhaps neither of you."

Dreven laughed softly, but his tone sounded dangerous. "Then you will be destroyed alone."

Before Serene could step back, the balcony door swung open. Caelan stood there, his face twisted with anger. "Let her go!"

Dreven tightened his embrace. He glared at Caelan defiantly. "If she's yours, take her from my hands."

The wind blew strongly. The flames from the Tower reflected a red glow in their eyes. Then, from the shadow of the pillar, Vael emerged silently.

"It seems my time is up," Vael said softly. He began to step forward. "I will decide for you."

All three turned to look at Vael. In a matter of seconds, Vael was already in front of Serene. He pulled the woman toward him with his strength and darted to the other side. Then his hand gripped Luna's chin, forcing her face to turn toward him. Before anyone could react, he had already leaned down toward Serene's neck. His lips were only inches away from hers.

"I will mark my own in front of you all," Vael said, his eyes locked on Caelan and Dreven.