Chapter Nine: Surprise

Valerie stared at the man behind the steering wheel. He looked so calm and focused that anybody who didn't know him would think he was a celestial being.

But she knew better!

After giving him directions, they finally arrived at her neighbourhood. She didn't want him to drive her directly into her front porch.

This Ice King could very well begin stalking her once he knows where she lives.

Aiden could read meaning into why she didn't give him directions directly to her house, so he didn't disturb her.

She didn't even wait for him to say anything or open the door. She muttered a "thank you" before opening the car door and running away. Aiden chuckled to himself as he saw her retreating figure and after a while, he turned the car and headed back home.

Valerie heaved a sigh of relief when she saw his car disappear down the road. She was really wary of this chameleon that kept changing his colors and acted weird but she didn't dwell too much on that thought as she walked back home.

She groaned in frustration when she saw that the road she was supposed to take was under construction, which left her with only one option.

The dark and creepy pathway.

That was shorter than her normal route but it was scary and really dangerous to walk there alone, especially at night, but she had no choice. She had to get home.

And so, clutching her handbag, she headed for the pathway. She walked slowly, her eyes darting around the place, trying to spot something unusual so she could bolt at the first sign.

It was eerily quiet. Too quiet and Valerie heard red bells ringing in her ears. She kept her guard up as she continued going down and down the path.

Suddenly, she felt all the hair on her body rise up and a black figure rushed past her. She turned around in panic as her heart rate rose up rapidly. She turned and tuned frantically trying to see the figure but all she saw was the darkness.

In a frenzy, she increased her pace and began running. She had not run more than a few steps when she was suddenly met with a strong punch to her stomach and she flew back and crashed into the wall.

She gasped silently as she spluttered blood, she felt that she had broken a rib or two. She shuddered when she heard footsteps getting closer to her and she tried to raise her head.

"Stella?!"

She coughed as her eyes widened in horror. It was Stella, Aiden's ex-assistant, and she looked, terrifying

"Hello Valerie" she greeted with a smirk as she crouched to Valerie's level "Missed me?"

Valerie coughed "what's going on? What are you doing?"

Stella snickered "I seriously don't know what Lord Donovan sees in you, so pathetic and weak"

"What do you-"

"Shut up!"

Valerie was cut short as her cheek received a hot slap and she howled in pain. Stella's hand was surprisingly painful despite her frail figure.

Stella's aura raged wildly as she held Valerie's jaw forcefully "What made you think, that a weak and puny human like you, would ever stand with Lord Donovan? You are nothing! Nothing! I have been with him right from day one, serving by his side. Even when he decided to move, I went with him, as loyal as ever. I'm the one who should be by his side! Me! Not some fragile human who doesn't even know her place!"

Valerie whimpered as she breathed heavily "Please Stella, stop this, I don't know what you're talking about"

Stella chuckled "Don't worry Valerie, you don't need to understand anything. You'll be dead anyways but don't worry, I'll make it short and less painful"

Valerie watched in shock as Stella's eyes turned red and her canines grew longer. She had changed from a frail woman, to a menacing monster. She gasped and closed her eyes, expecting something terrible to happen when she felt a gust of wind pass her.

She opened her eyes slowly and the scene she saw made her eyeballs almost pop out

"Mr. Donovan!"...