Unwelcomed guests -1

"Without my help!"

His words hung in the air, drawing puzzled reactions from the other reapers. A heavy silence descended, thick with tension, as Lady Winter gritted her teeth and leveled him with a piercing stare full of frustration and contempt.

"Time is ticking, my lady," Zayden taunted, tapping his watch in a mocking gesture. "But yeah, we can wait patiently while you mull over my condition. After all, she is safe in your little spell-ball around her house." His words oozed with sarcasm, emphasizing his distrust in Lady Winter's methods.

"Or so we assume," he added nonchalantly, crossing his legs with a sly smile that pushed his mother to the brink.

The reapers exchanged worried glances, discomfort filling the air as his remarks cut through the silence like a sharp blade. He was right! The protective barrier Xavier had created around Ziana's home resembled a castle built on shifting sand, prone to collapse in the face of the insatiable lust and hunger of the demons seeking to reach Ziana and feed on her mystical energy.

Lady Winter fumed in frustration, her blazing blue eyes glaring at the impudent brat before her. Zayden, ever the provocateur, seemed to relish pushing her to the brink, knowing exactly how to drive her insane. Their interactions were a routine battle, an exhilarating and cruel game. Despite her best efforts, she was always defeated by his cunning manipulations.

"Alright!" she finally gave up yet again. "I will submit your request to the higher-ups." Her words made him smirk, taking pride in his ability to rattle her.

"Great!" Zayden responded, his smile warm and gentle. "Make sure you convince them properly."

The viewers of this tense standoff finally breathed a sigh of relief as Lady Winter huffed, her scowl hiding a small pout on her lips.

"What? Do all of you have tantrums to throw too?" the irate woman glared, causing the three reapers to straighten their backs and shake their heads. "Or perhaps you'd like me to give you a smack so you can scurry off to your tasks?" Lady Winter grumbled, and the trio swiftly stood up and bolted out of the house. They didn't possess Zayden's courage to face her wrath.

"Tch, tch, you should grow up and stop venting your anger on others," Zayden commented, earning a glare from Lady Winter. Much to her dismay, he took the tea that Lia had filled and handed it to her. "Here, have some tea and calm down."

Lady Winter sneered at his gesture and stood up to leave. Snapping her fingers, she floated in the air, reached the upper floor, and entered the door leading to the Afterlife.

Shaking his head, Zayden muttered as he took a sip of the freshly brewed tea, "I should teach her how to use the stairs."

Yael and Lia panted out loud as they reached the swimming pool. Xavier was no different and let out a small sigh, relieved that they were out of the battleground. He just hoped his brother would shut his mouth and not annoy Lady Winter anymore, as that would land him in the depths of hell, a place he frequently visited due to his troublemaking nature.

"I don't want them to break the contract," Yael expressed his displeasure, and Lia nodded in agreement. If Zayden severed his ties, they might have to sever their bond with Ziana too, causing her to lose all the memories of them and everything that had happened until now.

"It will be challenging for Lady Winter to protect her while staying in the shadows," Xavier commented, concerned about their leader's future. She was already having a hard time, and this would only increase the pressure upon her.

"But it's probably for the best that they go their separate ways," Lia muttered, recalling the fiery yet entertaining banter between the two. Despite their constant clash of personalities, there was an undeniable chemistry between them that none could ignore. She sighed heavily and refocused her attention on the tasks that demanded their full commitment.

"I will go search for the amulet while you find Katherine," Lia directed Xavier, whose face fell at the mention of the name. Turning to Yael, she continued, "Yael, visit Ziana to heal her wounds from last night's attack and gather information about Katherine's whereabouts." Yael nodded eagerly, looking forward to seeing Ziana again.

With the tasks evenly distributed, Lia smiled. "Let's go then," she said, leading the way to Zayden's garage where a fleet of cars awaited them. Xavier lazily grabbed a key from the rack, while Lia took her time selecting a suitable option.

Her attention was caught by a sleek black jeep, and she located its keys. Unlocking the door, she smiled, ready to embark on their mission. However, she noticed the troubled expression on Yael's face, his puppy eyes pleading with her.

"Can you drop me off at Ziana's house?" The poor guy asked, pouting slightly. He had a terrible experience driving these man-made vehicles and much preferred walking over sitting in one of them.

Lia nodded with a smile, melting at his cute expression. "Hop in," she said, walking towards the car, and Yael happily followed her, while Xavier hopped in his car.

But as Lia was about to start her engine, a wild idea flashed in her mind, bringing a wide smile to her face.

"Go ask your brother to drop you off," she suddenly ordered, and Yael, who was holding the door, blinked in confusion.

"Don't you think he deserves to say goodbye to his wife?" Lia asked, winking at Yael, who blinked but soon understood his mission. He nodded with a grin and backed off from the jeep.

"Good luck!" Waving at them as they drove away, he gingerly walked inside the villa, ready to fool his elder brother.

"Why are you back?" Zayden, who had finished enjoying his tea, asked as Yael walked toward him. He had heard the sound of the cars but didn't expect them to leave Yael behind, knowing that he always complained about driving cars to him in the Afterlife chambers.

"Lia ordered me to get information about Katherine from the local humans here alone while they meet the supernatural committees," Yael complained with a pout, standing beside Zayden's chair. "So..." Pulling at the hem of his sleeve, Yael blinked his innocent eyes, full of hope.

"So?"

"So, can you accompany me?" The little guy asked, but when Zayden shook his head, he pestered, "Please... You are free anyway until they nullify the bond."

"Please! It'll be difficult for me to navigate the city on my own," Yael continued, tugging at Zayden's shirt, making Zayden sigh out loud.

"Alright, stop it now," Zayden complied, shrugging off Yael's hand. He had a soft spot for this little kid and would never say no to him, which Yael was now using against him.

—

[Ziana's House]

Ziana's living room crackled with tension as she sat engrossed in her favorite series. The once-beloved second male lead had just exposed his true colors, transforming into a despicable jerk. The betrayal cut deep, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. How could someone who had seemed so charming turn out to be so deceitful? It reminded her all too well of someone else she knew, someone who shared uncanny similarities with this treacherous character, intensifying her anger.

"Yes, that's my girl!" Ziana exclaimed, her chips crunching loudly as the female lead slapped the jerk. In her opinion, he deserved more than just a mere slap.

Meanwhile, outside her house, a heated argument erupted inside a parked car. Yael had convinced Zayden to come here, but he had no idea what he was getting himself into. He wasn't about to fall for Yael's pleas this time.

"Please, Zayden, it would be so awkward for me to meet Mrs. Brown alone. This is my first time at her house!" Yael grumbled, his pout deepening as Zayden adamantly shook his head.

"Just a few minutes, that's all I'm asking," Yael persisted, his determination shining through. They needed one last chance to salvage their relationship before it crumbled completely. "Besides, it's an opportunity for you to inform Mrs. Brown about your plans. She'll be relieved to know that you're nullifying the soul-bond contract with Ziana."

Zayden's distaste for the idea of seeing her again was palpable, but Yael's reasoning struck a chord. Norah, Ziana's mother, held resentment toward them, especially Zayden, for involving her daughter in their complex arrangement. It was only fair to deliver the news and bid them farewell. They would likely never cross paths again, at least not until her daughter was alive and kicking!

With a heavy sigh, Zayden reluctantly unbuckled his seatbelt, signaling his agreement. Yael grinned, mirroring Zayden's actions as they both stepped out of the car.

*Ding Dong.*

The doorbell's chime broke the silence, drawing Ziana's attention away from the screen. Setting aside her chips, she slipped on her slippers and made her way to the door. A smile spread across her face when she caught a glimpse of a familiar face through the peephole.

"Yael!" Ziana swung the door open with excitement, but her smile quickly faded as she noticed another person standing beside him.

Her happiness morphed into annoyance, a frown tugging at her lips as she eyed her husband with frustration. "What are you doing here?" she asked, crossing her arms.