Author: Admin

 

HEART OF STONE

Heart Of Stone – Episode 23&24

 (..Sold•To•The•Pit•Of•Hell..)

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No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or reposted in any form, or by any means without a written permission from the author.

Copyright © 2025.

By: Naomi Cindy B.

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

The Millions Family are heartless folks. Even if some are better than the rest, their heartless side is never completely buried.

Shayla has spent her few weeks here learning that, but she never expected it to stretch to this level.

As she stood glued by the door of the basement, staring at the blind helpless girl in the corner of the room, her heart broke for her. 

If she’s an Eternal like the rest of the family, she must have been trapped in this dusty, rusty, cold room for hundreds of years.

The hell?

“But… there’s the FrostOrb. They could have used it to open your eyes. I heard the orb can do anything.” She spoke up softly, making sure to keep it in a low hush.

Pearl dropped the bottle of water she’s holding, then she opened the plate of food and took from the pie.

It’s pie and custard? That’s what they serve maids, servants and slaves here.

So they consider Pearl a servant?

Shayla couldn’t even talk, she just watched with pity as the pretty girl took a large bite from her pie.

With the way she’s smoothly taking the pie and the water from the tray, it’s hard to detect her blindness.

“Yeah…the legendary FrostOrb can do anything, but not my eyes. My blindness is a curse I inherited from my mother’s womb, so it’ll only leave when the curse lifts on it’s own.” She explained.

“I don’t understand.” Shayla’s face lined in a hard squeeze.

“I was supposed to be triplets with the twins, but they both came out before me. They escaped mother’s womb on the same day, and I stayed in the womb for one extra year before mother was able to birth me. That extra year I spent is my curse.” Pearl explained.

“I’m so sorry…” Shayla crouched, her pity for this female increasing.

“It’s nothing.” Pearl took another bite from her pie, smiling. “At least you came, and I got to feel warmth for the first time in years.”

“People often say I’m warm.” Shayla smiled a little.

“Of course you are…I guess you’re special. What’s your name?” Pearl asked, smiling too.

“Shayla, a slave.” Shayla introduced.

“Oh… Who was my food deliver before? She has never entered.” Pearl asked, drinking water again.

“Xena. She’s my friend, the Old Chef’s daughter, and Lord Ryker’s sister.” Shayla cleared.

“Lord Ryker…How handsome is he?” Pearl asked, and Shayla blinked. 

She didn’t expect that one.

“I might have been trapped here all my life, but the cleaner maids pass by the top of this basement, and I hear their whisperings. He was forced to be a part of this family with his sister’s lifeline, but despite that…he’s the most feared demigod here, also the most goodlooking.” Pearl smiled, her admiration so obvious.

“Yes… right.” Shayla stood, sounding awkward.

“Have you seen him up close before? What’s the most beautiful part of his body?” Pearl asked another weird question.

Shayla frowned, snapping out of it and remembering she’s not even supposed to be inside this basement in the first place.

Xena specifically told her not to enter. What was she thinking?

“I need to go now.” She stepped back, her shoes marching the broken concretes on the floor.

“You came here and gave me warmth, but now that I ask a simple question, you’re running away? You really don’t know what your answer would do for me…” Pearl maintained the smile.

‘Isn’t she smiling too much?’ Shayla thought. It’s odd for someone who has been suffering since birth.

But then, that soft side of her refused to heed to that suspicion, so she said what’s on her mind.

“His hands… Fingers.” 

“Hands?” Pearl repeated.

“Lord Ryker’s fingers are the most beautiful part of his body. His hands as a whole, they’re attractively perfect, and his skin…” Shayla rushed, opening the door to get out…

“An advise for you, Shayla.” Pearl said suddenly, and Shayla turned. 

Pearl is still smiling.

“Never trust any member of the Millions Family. Never.” She said. 

Shayla didn’t miss the foreboding undertone of that statement.

“Shay!” Xena’s voice rang from the basement top, and with thrumming chest, she left the room and slammed the door shut.

A minute after she was gone, Pearl dropped the bottled water back in the tray, her hand folding for a moment before she slid it behind her head to untangle the rope of her eye cover.

She took the cover away from her eyes, and an obsessive smile appeared on her lips.

Shayla might have closed the door when she was leaving, but right now, the door is open again.

—

“What took you so long? I was getting worried!” Xena held Shayla when she climbed up the staircase.

“The place looked stuffy and strange, so I was awed.” Shayla lied.

She regretted it, but what would Xena think if she tells her she actually entered the room?

“Tell me, you didn’t enter the room, right?” Xena asked, and Shayla gave her lip a bite on the inside.

“Why did I even ask that?” Xena grinned suddenly. “Of course you can’t enter. That door has been sealed by Azura for years, and no one can remove the seal except her. I dunno who’s inside, but it’s a big secret they’re keeping with their lives.” 

“You don’t know who’s inside?” Shayla gulped.

They’re already walking down the side stairs which leads outside.

“How would i know when I’ve never entered the room? But I know someone is inside.” Xena shrugged.

And that only heightened Shayla’s fear. Does that mean she opened the door? How?

If Azura sealed it for years, then how was she able to open it?

She was still on the wheel of thoughts when she was hauled to a solid pillar by strong, unyielding hands.

A gasp tore out of her throat, and that was enough to snap her out of her thoughts as her eyes clashed with Cheyenne’s.

“Cheyenne?” She muttered.

“Don’t call my name with your unworthy mouth, you sl+t!” Cheyenne spat, raising her hand. 

Her eyes are glaring evidences that she has not even the slightest likeness for Shayla. The hate is bloody.

“Cheyenne!” Xena shouted behind, but it’s like a dog’s bark to her. She wouldn’t care.

She brought her hand down to Shayla’s face, and Shayla closed her eyes quickly, expecting the nails.

But they never came. 

Cheyenne’s nails stopped a little before it’d get to her face, and her eyes are slightly wide.

She has touched Shayla once when she tore her with the nails at Granny’s corridor, but maybe her anger back then didn’t make her feel what she’s feeling right now—her warmness.

She could feel it as she held her arm, and that made her stop. 

Slowly, she let go.

Xena quickly pulled Shayla to herself.

“If you had dared to hurt her again, I’d have begged my brother to bash you to the dust even if it means kneeling in front of his tower for months. He might be a Millions by force, but he’s a Morozov by birth, and you’re nothing but his knight who has no last name.” She said angrily.

Cheyenne stayed still, her awed eyes still on Shayla.

“You can hurt me all you want, but stop calling me a sl+t at any chance you get. I’m not lusting after Lord Ryker, I wouldn’t dare. I’m just a lowly slave who was given a chance.” Shayla said, then she left with Xena.

Cheyenne stood there, confused and shocked as her eyes drooped.

“She’s definitely not the partner. If it’s her, Lord Ryker would have told I and Sage, so who’s she? Why this rare warmness?” She muttered.

Answers didn’t appear, so she sighed, calming down.

—

[Clouds Castle]

It’s a golden building which sat somewhere in the deepest clouds of Luminaria, and there’s no rival to it’s beauty. It stood there alone, and it shone alone, day and night.

The gold is rimmed with white at some few points, but not enough to dim the golden rays which reached the roof and floors and even the olive branches surrounding it.

There are fog fountains around, and they’re pouring pureness into the heavenly harem

Eternus is a seer, the oldest and wisest in Luminaria. He sees into the future and peers into the past with one quick glance. 

He’s got long white hair and calm, pure presence. Always in a flowing white robe and a peaceful smile.

He stays alone in the castle, and that’s why he came to open the entrance door by himself when Ryker arrived with Sage.

“Look who finally paid a visit after about 100 years.” He said, his smile not breaking. His white hair fell in two long gentle curls on his shoulders.

“105 years.” Ryker corrected, stepping inside the castle. His black robe is a contract to Eternus’ white one.

The door seemed to embrace him as it closed behind him and Sage.

“Saying the wrong number was on purpose. I know you have an obsession with exact numbers. You didn’t change.” Eternus replied, walking beside him.

Sage is behind, looking around the unending richness. 

Eternus isn’t on Ryker’s level of rich, but he likes showcasing his riches just like Ryker, so his harem is vainglorious.

“If Ryker isn’t Ryker anymore, then who’d blow Luminaria out of existence when it’s time?” Ryker replied, giving him a glance.

“Of course, that’s what you’d say.” Eternus tilted his head.

They entered a room where a small plum garden is, and they sat in the center of the trees, on thick glass chairs with the desk between them.

Sage left them to go arrange a room for their night rest.

“Why the sudden visit? You didn’t give me a heads-up this time.” Eternus asked.

“There’s a female,” Ryker started. Eternus leaned in, eyes wide.

“Your partner finally?”

“She has the warmness, but not the mark.” Ryker explained.

Eternus pulled back on the table. “Not the mark? Then she’s not. Maybe she was just gifted with the warmness.” 

“I ate her meal, I held her, I can hear her voice even when I don’t want to. I have never saved anyone…my nature only kills but I saved her from the banshee!” Ryker’s voice went up.

“Oh…” Eternus leaned in again. “I heard of how you killed generations too, cos they bullied her?”

“Cos I needed to attain the second stage. Don’t twist this.” Ryker rolled eyes shortly.

Eternus sighed.

“Her mother Liza is still alive. She wasn’t killed like other rule-breakers cos the human who impregnated her did it with force.”

“You made your findings? Good.” Ryker pressed his back softly to the backrest.

“She’s not your partner…” Eternus repeated, getting serious.

“And it’s not like anyone hid her mark from me on purpose?” Ryker raised his lashes.

“Liza’s powers were stripped from her the moment she got raped by a human, so there’s no way she hid the mark. Even if she did, do you really think there’s anyone in this world who can hide anything from you?” Eternus gave him a respectful look.

“Zeke is hiding Xena’s lifeline from me, and it’s still hidden in the shadows till now. You might wanna write that down.” Ryker deadpanned.

“You can fool everyone else with your plans, Ryker, but not me. You really want me to believe you don’t know where Zeke hid her lifeline? You?” Eternus laughed shortly.

“You got more annoying.” Ryker muttered with another eye roll.

“Can we not ruin the night with your partner talks? You’re spending more than one day here, so there’s still time to talk. You said you ate her meal, why not eat mine too?” Eternus waved his hand.

The plum trees in the room vanished, getting replaced by several additional tables of lavish extravagant dishes. 

Colourful chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and beautiful decorative flowers bloomed on the walls, completing the dinning mood.

“I’m not eating your food.” Ryker stood from the glass chair.

“Sit back.” Eternus said from his seat.

Ryker went for the door, but the glass slammed close before he could touch it, so he turned back to face the sneaky old man.

Eternus is already holding his sword, ready for a duel.

“You should have asked for it nicely. Don’t blame me if I strip you out of your skin.” Ryker muttered with deep resonance, summoning dry ice on his right palm.

The rare black jewels on his robe were moving with his steps.

“I missed this” Eternus smiled.

They went for each other at the same sharp time, and their big duel started.

In one short minute, the room is in fatal irreparable ruins.

Shattered chandeliers, tables, mashed dishes, smashed chairs, broken grounds and walls. Falling ceilings.

Sage opened the door slightly, peeping inside to see the chaos ongoing. 

“I guess they’re going to do this till tomorrow morning.” He smiled.

His Channeler Shell brightened in his pocket, and he pulled it out quickly.

“Cheyenne?” He spoke into it.

“She’s warm, the slave.” Cheyenne said straight to the point.

Sage paused.

“Warm?”

“I think she’s a fill-in till the real partner would be found, fair enough. That warmness saved her, I was gonna tear her face earlier.” Cheyenne continued.

“Try to be nice sometimes, Cheyenne.” Sage sighed as he walked away from that door.

—

[Loco Conference Rendezvous]

The ambassadorial conference didn’t take as long as Granny Jojo predicted.

At 10am, they were already done.

She wasn’t able to leave early as the other ambassadors were overfilling her with greetings like they do each time they attend the conference like this. They accord her great respect as the East Palace Granny which she hates, but she can’t avoid it.

Now there are just two people left in the room with her, and as they came forward to give their greetings, she raised her brows at them.

Kasia and Astor.

“You West Palace folks just don’t know when to stop.” She said.

“We’re not here to tackle you, Grandmother. We’re here to seek cooperation.” Kasia assured.

“On what?” Jojo scoffed, grabbing her bag already.

“You know exactly what, Granny.” Astor said.

Jojo’s eyes slipped to him for a second.

“I know you’re not happy with the power abuse of Azura and Zeke, I know you’re not fine with the unstoppable attitude of the twins. We just need you and Lord Ryker on our side, and on the night of the Feast, we’ll do the needful. We only have to get the FrostOrb.” Kasia explained.

“Nice explanation,” Jojo stood. “I assume you spent days practicing that line before coming here, but sorry… You’re not worthy of my cooperation, talk more of Ryker’s.”

She was glaring as she pushed Kasia’s chair out of her way, and she nearly walked past her when Kasia stood suddenly.

She pulled Jojo back, holding eyes with her without blinking.

“You’ll connive with us in the West Palace, you will convince Ryker to join us too, and you both will help us steal the FrostOrb on the night if the Feast.” She compelled.

Everything went still for a second, but then like an unexpected wind, Jojo’s palm smacked Kasia’s face.

The slap was brutal, and it sent Kasia to the ground at Jojo’s feet.

She tried standing, but she can’t. Jojo held her there magically.

Astor attacked Jojo with a strike, trying to save his wife, but his strike was only able to shake Jojo subtly before she pulled a relic mirror out of her bag, throwing it at him.

His ear got a big cut, and the poisonous mirror reflection made his eyes black. He fell on the ground too.

The mirror came back to Jojo, she caught it smoothly.

“Granny! Granny stop!!” Kasia yelled fearfully on her knees.

“How dare you try to compel me! Is this pride? If you have this much pride, you should have fought Azura and Zeke when they were trying to kill your son Blaise!” Jojo yelled.

“We’re no match for those two, we know that very well!” Kasia defended.

“But you think you’re a match for me?” Jojo laughed. “I might not be sucking powers from the FrostOrb, but I’m not weak. You can’t even face me, but you’re dreaming of going against the whole of the East Palace? You both are fools!”

“Before you think of going against The Millions, first find out why you lose your powers at midnight. Solve that mystery before planing, cos if you make any move without preparations, then even Jude is enough to tear you both and your kids apart with your mediocre powers that can’t lift a stone.” Jojo continued, then she left the room.

Kasia was finally able to stand up. She rushed over to Astor and helped him up. His black eyes are back to normal, but his ear is bleeding very much. The cut part is on the ground.

“Her mirror technique got crazier.” He muttered.

“She was right, we made a senseless move. Now I lost her trust.” Kasia said regretfully.

“I told you. Didn’t I?” Astor sighed, holding his bleeding ear.

—

[Black Swan Ballet School]

It’s a full house.

Shayla and Xena didn’t expect the crowd, they kept multiplying.

It’s like everyone in Luminaria came for this audition, so it’s definitely gonna be a tough one.

Luckily, Shayla and Xena are among the ones who came early, so they’re number 20&21 respectively.

They’re sitting outside with the others, and they’re the only ones wearing black nose masks to conceal their identities.

Also, they’re doing all they can to keep their heads low since the evil twins are inside the building.

If Sadie gets them, she’s going to kill the both flatly.

They’re both holding hands, avoiding talks too so their voices won’t leak.

Luckily, there are people from poor families among the others, so they’re not the only ones wearing cheap poor clothes, and that got them covered.

“20 and 21!” The call-in teacher yelled from the door.

They both raised their number tags, and they were called in.

Getting to the dressing room, fear gripped Shayla again.

The ballet outfit is a no for her.

The leggings and tutu is enough to cover her feet completely, but the leotard is tight and short on the arms, so she won’t be able to wear that.

If she does, it’d expose the wounds on her back and arms, and that’d give her away.

She just wore only the provided ballet shoes, then she entered the main audition hall with Xena.

Inside the hall, Esme sat proudly with ten other teachers who’re the Judges. She’s in their middle with her usually flashy extravagant clothes and yellow over-painted nails.

The moment she saw Shayla, her countenance froze.

“Do you think this is a joke site? You’re wearing a mask, and the only ballet stuff on your body is the shoes!” She snapped angrily, then she faced Xena too.

“And you, thankfully you’re wearing the complete ballet wears, but why the mask?” She questioned.

“I have wounds on my body, and it might stain the white leotard if I put it on.” Shayla spoke.

“And about the masks, we have our personal reasons. But we promise we won’t disappoint you.” Xena added.

“You both!!” Esme slammed her palms on the desk.

She was about to stand when one of the teachers spoke.

“Director, why not give them a chance? If they soil it, then we’ll hand them over to the punishment camp. They’ll clean sewages for a year, and they’ll starve like street dogs.”

“Fair enough…” Esme sat back, smiling interestedly. “Play Cruel Symphony Classical. Let them dance to it for me.”

“Cruel Symphony? Mercury your daughter and the twins who’re the baddest dancer here haven’t even mastered that.” A judge said.

“Do what I asked.” Esme insisted.

The song was slid into the background speakers, and the moment the tunes started flooding into the room, the girls started their moves, rawly.

Fortunately, it’s the same dance they saw the twins practicing at Starr balcony, and Shayla fell into the strings, becoming one with the song.

Xena isn’t as perfect, but she followed Shayla’s fast lead, and she didn’t lag. She matched her pace.

Their arms flew in symphony, legs stretched in sync.

Their laps spread equally. They went back to back at the same time, slid on pointe multiple times then raised their weights to land on different spots before coming together again, then they went down, rolling back to each other and smiling.

By the time they stood, the entire judge are on their feet plus Esme herself, and they all have wide mouths and popped eyes.

Esme has mad shock in her eyes.

Xena caged Shayla from behind, and Shayla’s slim body went slanted, then they went apart again…

“This is….” Esme gasped, dropping her pen.

She was clapping before she knew it.

“Awesome!!” The teachers joined her clappings.

“I’ve never seen this before!”

“Who are they?”

“Mama Mia!”

“Whoa!!”

By the time the girls made the last move and went on pointe again, the clappings were thundering around the room so hard.

“Can you both at least show your faces?” Esme went closer to them.

“Not yet, ma’am.” Shayla said under her mask, sweating a lot.

“Fine…fine. Next week is the final audition like you both know, and you both have to come.” Esme took tag 1 and 2, giving it to them.

“You both have to definitely show up, please.” 

“Sure, we won’t disappoint.” Xena smiled under her mask, leaving the room with Shayla.

The moment they got back to the dressing room, they hugged tight.

“We’re so lucky! I love you so much Shay!” Xena gushed.

“I love you too” Shayla smiled.

—

[Gymnasium]

Since the teachers are busy with auditions right now, dancers are here, just chilling out.

Each to their own side of the place.

Sadie and Mercury are sitting at a side, their legs are mounted arrogantly, and their soy milk bottles are held to their lips. 

They’re drinking with straws, and they’re glaring at two people in particular…

Kade and Blaise.

Soren is currently at the washroom, so he’s not glaring with them.

“After their deaths, let’s go break-in tonight. It’s been long, and I have a mansion in mind.” Mercury said.

“Sure, but I’m going to ask you one question.” Sadie faced her.

“I’ll never lie to you.” Mercury shrugged.

“Are you in love with my brother?” Sadie asked flatly.

For the next minute, Mercury was blank, then she laughed, unable to keep her awkwardness low.

“In love with Soren? That’d be betrayal and I’ll never do that to you. I know what’s going to happen if one of you should fall in love, so that’s never happening.”

“You won’t mind if I tell Soren to rape Xena and touch her right in front of you?” Sadie asked craftily, taking her milk straw away from her dark lips.

“Why would I care? In fact, it’d be sweet to watch.” Mercury replied, wiping her sweaty hand secretly on her leggings.

“Great, then give me the ashes I told you to bring.” Sadie stood.

“Right!” Mercury brought her dead father’s ashes pack out of her bag. She was about to hand it over to Sadie when Faye came in.

She’s holding her phone, smiling as she read out a news from lumi web.

“The Millions Family have to be the craziest family existing. Locking in their last daughter cos she was born blind? Precarious!” She laughed.

Sadie and Mercury gasped, shooting up from their seats at the same time. 

Soren came in, staring at his phone too. He has seen the news.

Sadie snatched the phone, and when she saw it, she gasped.

Kade, Blaise and the other dancers drew closer, converging around the twins who look obviously shaken.

“Oh…so there’s a fourth child to the Millions family? And she’s blind? I get the shame, her lock up is normal.” Blaise chuckled.

“It’s the news of the damn century. The oh-so-mighty Millions Family from the East Palace have a blind chic as the baby of the house. She’s completely powerless? What a jinx!” Kade grinned.

“I bet she’s ugly too.” Faye added, popping her gum, and that made many dancers laugh.

Kade pushed everyone out of his way till he got to the middle to face the twins who’re still dumbfounded.

“Your insane family isn’t only power-drunk, but y’all are also lying crooks? That’s unacceptable.” He slammed his rigid chest into Soren’s.

—

[Millions Family Exclusive Store]

The first thing Lilith came to check out is new clothes since she’s a new member of the family now, and she’d be becoming Ryker’s secret wife too.

She was humming excitedly as she shopped alone with enough assistants behind her who’re pushing the carts of her plenty picked items.

Her makeup could paint two gigantic mansions right now.

“I feel so empty, I guess I’m eating next.” She nodded with a pout, facing an assistant.

“Call the upper floor, I need carbonara in like twenty minutes.” She ordered.

“Yes ma’am.” The assistant bowed, leaving to do what Lilith asked.

“Lilith the dwarf?” Jude entered the store, looking utterly shocked at what he’s seeing.

This place is exclusive, so how?

“Hey, upcoming big brother! I should have known we’d be becoming family the moment I got your jacket.” Lilith waved.

Unexpectedly, Lilith gripped her neck, throwing her over to the other side with planned harshness.

“Why the hell are you in the family store you short irritating witch!” He demanded furiously.

“You damn thing!” Lilith stood, opening her mouth to scream, but Winona’s entrance stopped her.

“Jude!! ” She entered with a laugh, flashing her phone screen at his face.

“You haven’t heard about the ongoing chaos? Luminaria is burning with the news of BBOTEP.” She laughed again, enjoying the jest.

“BBOTEP?” Jude blinked.

“Blind Baby Of The East Palace! Your last sibling Pearl Millions is out in the open! Y’all are psychos in that family and I get the chills just thinking about it! F+ck!” Winona laughed louder, flipping her sleek healthy hair.

“What!” Jude gasped.

—

[East Palace, 6PM]

Azura and Zeke look so out of it as they ran their restless races into the main castle, their breaths chasing each other till they were inside.

They heard clattering sounds from the dinning, and they followed, meeting Pearl there.

She sat majestically, eating like a royal that she is. She’s wearing one of Sadie’s black dresses, and though the eye cover is away from her eyes, her blindness is obvious with the way her hands missed the plate few times.

“Mother? Father? I can smell your presence.” She said, pushing a small cut tiramisu into her mouth with her plastic fork.

One dangerous hit from Zeke made the dinning table break down, sending glass splinters everywhere.

“How where you able to come out? How!!!” He roared.

“That’s not a good way to welcome the baby of the house.” Pearl smiled innocently, sitting still.

Azura dragged her up with her dress, and Pearl grunted.

“How were you able to get out? It’s a question!”

The twins barged in at this point, followed by Jude and Granny Jojo.

“It’s true.” Soren muttered, his shock settling in better.

“She’s even wearing my goth dress? That blind sorrow is wearing my dress!!” Sadie shouted.

“How are you out?” Jude spoke, bewildered.

“Pearl…” Granny Jojo muttered, her eyes wide too.

“A slave named Shayla saved me from the basement. She came and opened the door for me, and she gave me directions to come out. She did it, said she was doing me a favor which I didn’t reject.” Pearl said.

“Shayla?” Azura and Zeke chorused.

“Shayla?” Jude and Granny Jojo chorused too.

“That damn animal!” Sadie growled.

Soren’s fists clenched.

Meanwhile, Old Chef is listening by the opposite wall.

He covered his mouth to block his gasp as he rushed off.

—

[Granny’s Chamber]

Shayla leaned gently on the window of her room, rubbing her fingers on the wind chime and humming the Cruel Symphony song she danced to earlier at the audition.

She didn’t meet Jojo at home when she arrived earlier, so she’s alone here, accompanied by nothing but the scent coming from Ryker’s embroidered handkerchief.

With a slim slice of smile on her face, she brought out the handkerchief from her gown pocket, pushing it to her nose to sniff.

“Wonder where he travelled to.” She whispered, sniffing again.

“Shay! Shayla!! Shay!!” Xena’s trembling voice rang from outside. 

“Xena?” Shayla left the window, and Xena came in tearfully.

She’s with Old Chef.

“Shay, don’t lie to me. Did you really open the basement door like Pearl said? She just confessed that you did! Please say you didn’t! They’re going to kill you!!” She cried shakily.

Shayla’s eyes widened too much.

“Pearl? Is…out?”

“Talk to me!” Xena snapped.

“The door opened when my body touched it, and I went in. We talked for a moment and I left after shutting the door back.” Shayla confessed fearfully.

“This won’t work, they’ll be here to take you any moment from now.” Old Chef said with urgency.

Another person came in, making them turn. It’s Cheyenne.

“Get here” she strictly ordered, but Shayla didn’t understand, so she didn’t move.

With powerful force, Cheyenne pulled her, and Shayla found herself in front of the wicked lady.

Cheyenne took her hand surprisingly, and she started taking her out of the room, but the royal guards were already at the door.

At once, they all attacked.

Cheyenne pushed Shayla behind herself, brandishing her nails at them. She tore two at a time, their flayed skins gumming to her bloody nails before they fell off to the ground.

Red stained the walls, and Shayla’s heart thundered faster than it has ever done all her life.

The cries of the two torn guards wasn’t enough to scare off the rest. They charged forward.

Cheyenne pulled off her hat and flung it forward, cutting off one head with it.

Blood sprayed the ceiling, then her legs left the ground. She leapt up fluidly and kicked the door metal away from the hinges.

The metal slammed into the faces of two others, and she landed back on her feet, her hair covering her eyes.

She took Shayla’s hand again, attempting to escape, but this time, Azura and Zeke entered.

Cheyenne was pushed back with the brute force of their boiling anger, and her body easily rolled out of the room through the window.

“I didn’t release her, I didn’t even know how the door opened!” Shayla shook her head, shifting back.

Her organs shivered inside her as if detached from her hot insides.

“Keep quiet, slave.” Zeke muttered, his rage affecting her from his voice.

Shayla staggered.

Azura immediately raised her hand up, waving it from from the dark skies to the ground.

A single thunder cracked in obeisance to her powers.

The thunder slipped into the house through the open window and hit Shayla’s legs cruelly.

Every bone her legs crushed within that fleeting second, and her screams were louder than a banshee’s as she went down, falling on her face flatly.

The twins came in with a black coffin which they dropped beside her, the weight so impactful on the ground.

Together, they threw Shayla’s slumped body inside the coffin.

“The thunder arena is ready, the pinnacle is cold, waiting for her blood.” Sadie said mercilessly.

“Great news, let’s get it started.” Azura’s voice echoed darkly.

The coffin was carried out, Shayla’s blood dripping out of it like water.

TBC.

Next Episode 

Previous Episode 

 

HEART OF STONE

Heart Of Stone – Episode 23&24

 (..Sold•To•The•Pit•Of•Hell..)

All rights reserved 

No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or reposted in any form, or by any means without a written permission from the author.

Copyright © 2025.

By: Naomi Cindy B.

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

The Millions Family are heartless folks. Even if some are better than the rest, their heartless side is never completely buried.

Shayla has spent her few weeks here learning that, but she never expected it to stretch to this level.

As she stood glued by the door of the basement, staring at the blind helpless girl in the corner of the room, her heart broke for her. 

If she’s an Eternal like the rest of the family, she must have been trapped in this dusty, rusty, cold room for hundreds of years.

The hell?

“But… there’s the FrostOrb. They could have used it to open your eyes. I heard the orb can do anything.” She spoke up softly, making sure to keep it in a low hush.

Pearl dropped the bottle of water she’s holding, then she opened the plate of food and took from the pie.

It’s pie and custard? That’s what they serve maids, servants and slaves here.

So they consider Pearl a servant?

Shayla couldn’t even talk, she just watched with pity as the pretty girl took a large bite from her pie.

With the way she’s smoothly taking the pie and the water from the tray, it’s hard to detect her blindness.

“Yeah…the legendary FrostOrb can do anything, but not my eyes. My blindness is a curse I inherited from my mother’s womb, so it’ll only leave when the curse lifts on it’s own.” She explained.

“I don’t understand.” Shayla’s face lined in a hard squeeze.

“I was supposed to be triplets with the twins, but they both came out before me. They escaped mother’s womb on the same day, and I stayed in the womb for one extra year before mother was able to birth me. That extra year I spent is my curse.” Pearl explained.

“I’m so sorry…” Shayla crouched, her pity for this female increasing.

“It’s nothing.” Pearl took another bite from her pie, smiling. “At least you came, and I got to feel warmth for the first time in years.”

“People often say I’m warm.” Shayla smiled a little.

“Of course you are…I guess you’re special. What’s your name?” Pearl asked, smiling too.

“Shayla, a slave.” Shayla introduced.

“Oh… Who was my food deliver before? She has never entered.” Pearl asked, drinking water again.

“Xena. She’s my friend, the Old Chef’s daughter, and Lord Ryker’s sister.” Shayla cleared.

“Lord Ryker…How handsome is he?” Pearl asked, and Shayla blinked. 

She didn’t expect that one.

“I might have been trapped here all my life, but the cleaner maids pass by the top of this basement, and I hear their whisperings. He was forced to be a part of this family with his sister’s lifeline, but despite that…he’s the most feared demigod here, also the most goodlooking.” Pearl smiled, her admiration so obvious.

“Yes… right.” Shayla stood, sounding awkward.

“Have you seen him up close before? What’s the most beautiful part of his body?” Pearl asked another weird question.

Shayla frowned, snapping out of it and remembering she’s not even supposed to be inside this basement in the first place.

Xena specifically told her not to enter. What was she thinking?

“I need to go now.” She stepped back, her shoes marching the broken concretes on the floor.

“You came here and gave me warmth, but now that I ask a simple question, you’re running away? You really don’t know what your answer would do for me…” Pearl maintained the smile.

‘Isn’t she smiling too much?’ Shayla thought. It’s odd for someone who has been suffering since birth.

But then, that soft side of her refused to heed to that suspicion, so she said what’s on her mind.

“His hands… Fingers.” 

“Hands?” Pearl repeated.

“Lord Ryker’s fingers are the most beautiful part of his body. His hands as a whole, they’re attractively perfect, and his skin…” Shayla rushed, opening the door to get out…

“An advise for you, Shayla.” Pearl said suddenly, and Shayla turned. 

Pearl is still smiling.

“Never trust any member of the Millions Family. Never.” She said. 

Shayla didn’t miss the foreboding undertone of that statement.

“Shay!” Xena’s voice rang from the basement top, and with thrumming chest, she left the room and slammed the door shut.

A minute after she was gone, Pearl dropped the bottled water back in the tray, her hand folding for a moment before she slid it behind her head to untangle the rope of her eye cover.

She took the cover away from her eyes, and an obsessive smile appeared on her lips.

Shayla might have closed the door when she was leaving, but right now, the door is open again.

—

“What took you so long? I was getting worried!” Xena held Shayla when she climbed up the staircase.

“The place looked stuffy and strange, so I was awed.” Shayla lied.

She regretted it, but what would Xena think if she tells her she actually entered the room?

“Tell me, you didn’t enter the room, right?” Xena asked, and Shayla gave her lip a bite on the inside.

“Why did I even ask that?” Xena grinned suddenly. “Of course you can’t enter. That door has been sealed by Azura for years, and no one can remove the seal except her. I dunno who’s inside, but it’s a big secret they’re keeping with their lives.” 

“You don’t know who’s inside?” Shayla gulped.

They’re already walking down the side stairs which leads outside.

“How would i know when I’ve never entered the room? But I know someone is inside.” Xena shrugged.

And that only heightened Shayla’s fear. Does that mean she opened the door? How?

If Azura sealed it for years, then how was she able to open it?

She was still on the wheel of thoughts when she was hauled to a solid pillar by strong, unyielding hands.

A gasp tore out of her throat, and that was enough to snap her out of her thoughts as her eyes clashed with Cheyenne’s.

“Cheyenne?” She muttered.

“Don’t call my name with your unworthy mouth, you sl+t!” Cheyenne spat, raising her hand. 

Her eyes are glaring evidences that she has not even the slightest likeness for Shayla. The hate is bloody.

“Cheyenne!” Xena shouted behind, but it’s like a dog’s bark to her. She wouldn’t care.

She brought her hand down to Shayla’s face, and Shayla closed her eyes quickly, expecting the nails.

But they never came. 

Cheyenne’s nails stopped a little before it’d get to her face, and her eyes are slightly wide.

She has touched Shayla once when she tore her with the nails at Granny’s corridor, but maybe her anger back then didn’t make her feel what she’s feeling right now—her warmness.

She could feel it as she held her arm, and that made her stop. 

Slowly, she let go.

Xena quickly pulled Shayla to herself.

“If you had dared to hurt her again, I’d have begged my brother to bash you to the dust even if it means kneeling in front of his tower for months. He might be a Millions by force, but he’s a Morozov by birth, and you’re nothing but his knight who has no last name.” She said angrily.

Cheyenne stayed still, her awed eyes still on Shayla.

“You can hurt me all you want, but stop calling me a sl+t at any chance you get. I’m not lusting after Lord Ryker, I wouldn’t dare. I’m just a lowly slave who was given a chance.” Shayla said, then she left with Xena.

Cheyenne stood there, confused and shocked as her eyes drooped.

“She’s definitely not the partner. If it’s her, Lord Ryker would have told I and Sage, so who’s she? Why this rare warmness?” She muttered.

Answers didn’t appear, so she sighed, calming down.

—

[Clouds Castle]

It’s a golden building which sat somewhere in the deepest clouds of Luminaria, and there’s no rival to it’s beauty. It stood there alone, and it shone alone, day and night.

The gold is rimmed with white at some few points, but not enough to dim the golden rays which reached the roof and floors and even the olive branches surrounding it.

There are fog fountains around, and they’re pouring pureness into the heavenly harem

Eternus is a seer, the oldest and wisest in Luminaria. He sees into the future and peers into the past with one quick glance. 

He’s got long white hair and calm, pure presence. Always in a flowing white robe and a peaceful smile.

He stays alone in the castle, and that’s why he came to open the entrance door by himself when Ryker arrived with Sage.

“Look who finally paid a visit after about 100 years.” He said, his smile not breaking. His white hair fell in two long gentle curls on his shoulders.

“105 years.” Ryker corrected, stepping inside the castle. His black robe is a contract to Eternus’ white one.

The door seemed to embrace him as it closed behind him and Sage.

“Saying the wrong number was on purpose. I know you have an obsession with exact numbers. You didn’t change.” Eternus replied, walking beside him.

Sage is behind, looking around the unending richness. 

Eternus isn’t on Ryker’s level of rich, but he likes showcasing his riches just like Ryker, so his harem is vainglorious.

“If Ryker isn’t Ryker anymore, then who’d blow Luminaria out of existence when it’s time?” Ryker replied, giving him a glance.

“Of course, that’s what you’d say.” Eternus tilted his head.

They entered a room where a small plum garden is, and they sat in the center of the trees, on thick glass chairs with the desk between them.

Sage left them to go arrange a room for their night rest.

“Why the sudden visit? You didn’t give me a heads-up this time.” Eternus asked.

“There’s a female,” Ryker started. Eternus leaned in, eyes wide.

“Your partner finally?”

“She has the warmness, but not the mark.” Ryker explained.

Eternus pulled back on the table. “Not the mark? Then she’s not. Maybe she was just gifted with the warmness.” 

“I ate her meal, I held her, I can hear her voice even when I don’t want to. I have never saved anyone…my nature only kills but I saved her from the banshee!” Ryker’s voice went up.

“Oh…” Eternus leaned in again. “I heard of how you killed generations too, cos they bullied her?”

“Cos I needed to attain the second stage. Don’t twist this.” Ryker rolled eyes shortly.

Eternus sighed.

“Her mother Liza is still alive. She wasn’t killed like other rule-breakers cos the human who impregnated her did it with force.”

“You made your findings? Good.” Ryker pressed his back softly to the backrest.

“She’s not your partner…” Eternus repeated, getting serious.

“And it’s not like anyone hid her mark from me on purpose?” Ryker raised his lashes.

“Liza’s powers were stripped from her the moment she got raped by a human, so there’s no way she hid the mark. Even if she did, do you really think there’s anyone in this world who can hide anything from you?” Eternus gave him a respectful look.

“Zeke is hiding Xena’s lifeline from me, and it’s still hidden in the shadows till now. You might wanna write that down.” Ryker deadpanned.

“You can fool everyone else with your plans, Ryker, but not me. You really want me to believe you don’t know where Zeke hid her lifeline? You?” Eternus laughed shortly.

“You got more annoying.” Ryker muttered with another eye roll.

“Can we not ruin the night with your partner talks? You’re spending more than one day here, so there’s still time to talk. You said you ate her meal, why not eat mine too?” Eternus waved his hand.

The plum trees in the room vanished, getting replaced by several additional tables of lavish extravagant dishes. 

Colourful chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and beautiful decorative flowers bloomed on the walls, completing the dinning mood.

“I’m not eating your food.” Ryker stood from the glass chair.

“Sit back.” Eternus said from his seat.

Ryker went for the door, but the glass slammed close before he could touch it, so he turned back to face the sneaky old man.

Eternus is already holding his sword, ready for a duel.

“You should have asked for it nicely. Don’t blame me if I strip you out of your skin.” Ryker muttered with deep resonance, summoning dry ice on his right palm.

The rare black jewels on his robe were moving with his steps.

“I missed this” Eternus smiled.

They went for each other at the same sharp time, and their big duel started.

In one short minute, the room is in fatal irreparable ruins.

Shattered chandeliers, tables, mashed dishes, smashed chairs, broken grounds and walls. Falling ceilings.

Sage opened the door slightly, peeping inside to see the chaos ongoing. 

“I guess they’re going to do this till tomorrow morning.” He smiled.

His Channeler Shell brightened in his pocket, and he pulled it out quickly.

“Cheyenne?” He spoke into it.

“She’s warm, the slave.” Cheyenne said straight to the point.

Sage paused.

“Warm?”

“I think she’s a fill-in till the real partner would be found, fair enough. That warmness saved her, I was gonna tear her face earlier.” Cheyenne continued.

“Try to be nice sometimes, Cheyenne.” Sage sighed as he walked away from that door.

—

[Loco Conference Rendezvous]

The ambassadorial conference didn’t take as long as Granny Jojo predicted.

At 10am, they were already done.

She wasn’t able to leave early as the other ambassadors were overfilling her with greetings like they do each time they attend the conference like this. They accord her great respect as the East Palace Granny which she hates, but she can’t avoid it.

Now there are just two people left in the room with her, and as they came forward to give their greetings, she raised her brows at them.

Kasia and Astor.

“You West Palace folks just don’t know when to stop.” She said.

“We’re not here to tackle you, Grandmother. We’re here to seek cooperation.” Kasia assured.

“On what?” Jojo scoffed, grabbing her bag already.

“You know exactly what, Granny.” Astor said.

Jojo’s eyes slipped to him for a second.

“I know you’re not happy with the power abuse of Azura and Zeke, I know you’re not fine with the unstoppable attitude of the twins. We just need you and Lord Ryker on our side, and on the night of the Feast, we’ll do the needful. We only have to get the FrostOrb.” Kasia explained.

“Nice explanation,” Jojo stood. “I assume you spent days practicing that line before coming here, but sorry… You’re not worthy of my cooperation, talk more of Ryker’s.”

She was glaring as she pushed Kasia’s chair out of her way, and she nearly walked past her when Kasia stood suddenly.

She pulled Jojo back, holding eyes with her without blinking.

“You’ll connive with us in the West Palace, you will convince Ryker to join us too, and you both will help us steal the FrostOrb on the night if the Feast.” She compelled.

Everything went still for a second, but then like an unexpected wind, Jojo’s palm smacked Kasia’s face.

The slap was brutal, and it sent Kasia to the ground at Jojo’s feet.

She tried standing, but she can’t. Jojo held her there magically.

Astor attacked Jojo with a strike, trying to save his wife, but his strike was only able to shake Jojo subtly before she pulled a relic mirror out of her bag, throwing it at him.

His ear got a big cut, and the poisonous mirror reflection made his eyes black. He fell on the ground too.

The mirror came back to Jojo, she caught it smoothly.

“Granny! Granny stop!!” Kasia yelled fearfully on her knees.

“How dare you try to compel me! Is this pride? If you have this much pride, you should have fought Azura and Zeke when they were trying to kill your son Blaise!” Jojo yelled.

“We’re no match for those two, we know that very well!” Kasia defended.

“But you think you’re a match for me?” Jojo laughed. “I might not be sucking powers from the FrostOrb, but I’m not weak. You can’t even face me, but you’re dreaming of going against the whole of the East Palace? You both are fools!”

“Before you think of going against The Millions, first find out why you lose your powers at midnight. Solve that mystery before planing, cos if you make any move without preparations, then even Jude is enough to tear you both and your kids apart with your mediocre powers that can’t lift a stone.” Jojo continued, then she left the room.

Kasia was finally able to stand up. She rushed over to Astor and helped him up. His black eyes are back to normal, but his ear is bleeding very much. The cut part is on the ground.

“Her mirror technique got crazier.” He muttered.

“She was right, we made a senseless move. Now I lost her trust.” Kasia said regretfully.

“I told you. Didn’t I?” Astor sighed, holding his bleeding ear.

—

[Black Swan Ballet School]

It’s a full house.

Shayla and Xena didn’t expect the crowd, they kept multiplying.

It’s like everyone in Luminaria came for this audition, so it’s definitely gonna be a tough one.

Luckily, Shayla and Xena are among the ones who came early, so they’re number 20&21 respectively.

They’re sitting outside with the others, and they’re the only ones wearing black nose masks to conceal their identities.

Also, they’re doing all they can to keep their heads low since the evil twins are inside the building.

If Sadie gets them, she’s going to kill the both flatly.

They’re both holding hands, avoiding talks too so their voices won’t leak.

Luckily, there are people from poor families among the others, so they’re not the only ones wearing cheap poor clothes, and that got them covered.

“20 and 21!” The call-in teacher yelled from the door.

They both raised their number tags, and they were called in.

Getting to the dressing room, fear gripped Shayla again.

The ballet outfit is a no for her.

The leggings and tutu is enough to cover her feet completely, but the leotard is tight and short on the arms, so she won’t be able to wear that.

If she does, it’d expose the wounds on her back and arms, and that’d give her away.

She just wore only the provided ballet shoes, then she entered the main audition hall with Xena.

Inside the hall, Esme sat proudly with ten other teachers who’re the Judges. She’s in their middle with her usually flashy extravagant clothes and yellow over-painted nails.

The moment she saw Shayla, her countenance froze.

“Do you think this is a joke site? You’re wearing a mask, and the only ballet stuff on your body is the shoes!” She snapped angrily, then she faced Xena too.

“And you, thankfully you’re wearing the complete ballet wears, but why the mask?” She questioned.

“I have wounds on my body, and it might stain the white leotard if I put it on.” Shayla spoke.

“And about the masks, we have our personal reasons. But we promise we won’t disappoint you.” Xena added.

“You both!!” Esme slammed her palms on the desk.

She was about to stand when one of the teachers spoke.

“Director, why not give them a chance? If they soil it, then we’ll hand them over to the punishment camp. They’ll clean sewages for a year, and they’ll starve like street dogs.”

“Fair enough…” Esme sat back, smiling interestedly. “Play Cruel Symphony Classical. Let them dance to it for me.”

“Cruel Symphony? Mercury your daughter and the twins who’re the baddest dancer here haven’t even mastered that.” A judge said.

“Do what I asked.” Esme insisted.

The song was slid into the background speakers, and the moment the tunes started flooding into the room, the girls started their moves, rawly.

Fortunately, it’s the same dance they saw the twins practicing at Starr balcony, and Shayla fell into the strings, becoming one with the song.

Xena isn’t as perfect, but she followed Shayla’s fast lead, and she didn’t lag. She matched her pace.

Their arms flew in symphony, legs stretched in sync.

Their laps spread equally. They went back to back at the same time, slid on pointe multiple times then raised their weights to land on different spots before coming together again, then they went down, rolling back to each other and smiling.

By the time they stood, the entire judge are on their feet plus Esme herself, and they all have wide mouths and popped eyes.

Esme has mad shock in her eyes.

Xena caged Shayla from behind, and Shayla’s slim body went slanted, then they went apart again…

“This is….” Esme gasped, dropping her pen.

She was clapping before she knew it.

“Awesome!!” The teachers joined her clappings.

“I’ve never seen this before!”

“Who are they?”

“Mama Mia!”

“Whoa!!”

By the time the girls made the last move and went on pointe again, the clappings were thundering around the room so hard.

“Can you both at least show your faces?” Esme went closer to them.

“Not yet, ma’am.” Shayla said under her mask, sweating a lot.

“Fine…fine. Next week is the final audition like you both know, and you both have to come.” Esme took tag 1 and 2, giving it to them.

“You both have to definitely show up, please.” 

“Sure, we won’t disappoint.” Xena smiled under her mask, leaving the room with Shayla.

The moment they got back to the dressing room, they hugged tight.

“We’re so lucky! I love you so much Shay!” Xena gushed.

“I love you too” Shayla smiled.

—

[Gymnasium]

Since the teachers are busy with auditions right now, dancers are here, just chilling out.

Each to their own side of the place.

Sadie and Mercury are sitting at a side, their legs are mounted arrogantly, and their soy milk bottles are held to their lips. 

They’re drinking with straws, and they’re glaring at two people in particular…

Kade and Blaise.

Soren is currently at the washroom, so he’s not glaring with them.

“After their deaths, let’s go break-in tonight. It’s been long, and I have a mansion in mind.” Mercury said.

“Sure, but I’m going to ask you one question.” Sadie faced her.

“I’ll never lie to you.” Mercury shrugged.

“Are you in love with my brother?” Sadie asked flatly.

For the next minute, Mercury was blank, then she laughed, unable to keep her awkwardness low.

“In love with Soren? That’d be betrayal and I’ll never do that to you. I know what’s going to happen if one of you should fall in love, so that’s never happening.”

“You won’t mind if I tell Soren to rape Xena and touch her right in front of you?” Sadie asked craftily, taking her milk straw away from her dark lips.

“Why would I care? In fact, it’d be sweet to watch.” Mercury replied, wiping her sweaty hand secretly on her leggings.

“Great, then give me the ashes I told you to bring.” Sadie stood.

“Right!” Mercury brought her dead father’s ashes pack out of her bag. She was about to hand it over to Sadie when Faye came in.

She’s holding her phone, smiling as she read out a news from lumi web.

“The Millions Family have to be the craziest family existing. Locking in their last daughter cos she was born blind? Precarious!” She laughed.

Sadie and Mercury gasped, shooting up from their seats at the same time. 

Soren came in, staring at his phone too. He has seen the news.

Sadie snatched the phone, and when she saw it, she gasped.

Kade, Blaise and the other dancers drew closer, converging around the twins who look obviously shaken.

“Oh…so there’s a fourth child to the Millions family? And she’s blind? I get the shame, her lock up is normal.” Blaise chuckled.

“It’s the news of the damn century. The oh-so-mighty Millions Family from the East Palace have a blind chic as the baby of the house. She’s completely powerless? What a jinx!” Kade grinned.

“I bet she’s ugly too.” Faye added, popping her gum, and that made many dancers laugh.

Kade pushed everyone out of his way till he got to the middle to face the twins who’re still dumbfounded.

“Your insane family isn’t only power-drunk, but y’all are also lying crooks? That’s unacceptable.” He slammed his rigid chest into Soren’s.

—

[Millions Family Exclusive Store]

The first thing Lilith came to check out is new clothes since she’s a new member of the family now, and she’d be becoming Ryker’s secret wife too.

She was humming excitedly as she shopped alone with enough assistants behind her who’re pushing the carts of her plenty picked items.

Her makeup could paint two gigantic mansions right now.

“I feel so empty, I guess I’m eating next.” She nodded with a pout, facing an assistant.

“Call the upper floor, I need carbonara in like twenty minutes.” She ordered.

“Yes ma’am.” The assistant bowed, leaving to do what Lilith asked.

“Lilith the dwarf?” Jude entered the store, looking utterly shocked at what he’s seeing.

This place is exclusive, so how?

“Hey, upcoming big brother! I should have known we’d be becoming family the moment I got your jacket.” Lilith waved.

Unexpectedly, Lilith gripped her neck, throwing her over to the other side with planned harshness.

“Why the hell are you in the family store you short irritating witch!” He demanded furiously.

“You damn thing!” Lilith stood, opening her mouth to scream, but Winona’s entrance stopped her.

“Jude!! ” She entered with a laugh, flashing her phone screen at his face.

“You haven’t heard about the ongoing chaos? Luminaria is burning with the news of BBOTEP.” She laughed again, enjoying the jest.

“BBOTEP?” Jude blinked.

“Blind Baby Of The East Palace! Your last sibling Pearl Millions is out in the open! Y’all are psychos in that family and I get the chills just thinking about it! F+ck!” Winona laughed louder, flipping her sleek healthy hair.

“What!” Jude gasped.

—

[East Palace, 6PM]

Azura and Zeke look so out of it as they ran their restless races into the main castle, their breaths chasing each other till they were inside.

They heard clattering sounds from the dinning, and they followed, meeting Pearl there.

She sat majestically, eating like a royal that she is. She’s wearing one of Sadie’s black dresses, and though the eye cover is away from her eyes, her blindness is obvious with the way her hands missed the plate few times.

“Mother? Father? I can smell your presence.” She said, pushing a small cut tiramisu into her mouth with her plastic fork.

One dangerous hit from Zeke made the dinning table break down, sending glass splinters everywhere.

“How where you able to come out? How!!!” He roared.

“That’s not a good way to welcome the baby of the house.” Pearl smiled innocently, sitting still.

Azura dragged her up with her dress, and Pearl grunted.

“How were you able to get out? It’s a question!”

The twins barged in at this point, followed by Jude and Granny Jojo.

“It’s true.” Soren muttered, his shock settling in better.

“She’s even wearing my goth dress? That blind sorrow is wearing my dress!!” Sadie shouted.

“How are you out?” Jude spoke, bewildered.

“Pearl…” Granny Jojo muttered, her eyes wide too.

“A slave named Shayla saved me from the basement. She came and opened the door for me, and she gave me directions to come out. She did it, said she was doing me a favor which I didn’t reject.” Pearl said.

“Shayla?” Azura and Zeke chorused.

“Shayla?” Jude and Granny Jojo chorused too.

“That damn animal!” Sadie growled.

Soren’s fists clenched.

Meanwhile, Old Chef is listening by the opposite wall.

He covered his mouth to block his gasp as he rushed off.

—

[Granny’s Chamber]

Shayla leaned gently on the window of her room, rubbing her fingers on the wind chime and humming the Cruel Symphony song she danced to earlier at the audition.

She didn’t meet Jojo at home when she arrived earlier, so she’s alone here, accompanied by nothing but the scent coming from Ryker’s embroidered handkerchief.

With a slim slice of smile on her face, she brought out the handkerchief from her gown pocket, pushing it to her nose to sniff.

“Wonder where he travelled to.” She whispered, sniffing again.

“Shay! Shayla!! Shay!!” Xena’s trembling voice rang from outside. 

“Xena?” Shayla left the window, and Xena came in tearfully.

She’s with Old Chef.

“Shay, don’t lie to me. Did you really open the basement door like Pearl said? She just confessed that you did! Please say you didn’t! They’re going to kill you!!” She cried shakily.

Shayla’s eyes widened too much.

“Pearl? Is…out?”

“Talk to me!” Xena snapped.

“The door opened when my body touched it, and I went in. We talked for a moment and I left after shutting the door back.” Shayla confessed fearfully.

“This won’t work, they’ll be here to take you any moment from now.” Old Chef said with urgency.

Another person came in, making them turn. It’s Cheyenne.

“Get here” she strictly ordered, but Shayla didn’t understand, so she didn’t move.

With powerful force, Cheyenne pulled her, and Shayla found herself in front of the wicked lady.

Cheyenne took her hand surprisingly, and she started taking her out of the room, but the royal guards were already at the door.

At once, they all attacked.

Cheyenne pushed Shayla behind herself, brandishing her nails at them. She tore two at a time, their flayed skins gumming to her bloody nails before they fell off to the ground.

Red stained the walls, and Shayla’s heart thundered faster than it has ever done all her life.

The cries of the two torn guards wasn’t enough to scare off the rest. They charged forward.

Cheyenne pulled off her hat and flung it forward, cutting off one head with it.

Blood sprayed the ceiling, then her legs left the ground. She leapt up fluidly and kicked the door metal away from the hinges.

The metal slammed into the faces of two others, and she landed back on her feet, her hair covering her eyes.

She took Shayla’s hand again, attempting to escape, but this time, Azura and Zeke entered.

Cheyenne was pushed back with the brute force of their boiling anger, and her body easily rolled out of the room through the window.

“I didn’t release her, I didn’t even know how the door opened!” Shayla shook her head, shifting back.

Her organs shivered inside her as if detached from her hot insides.

“Keep quiet, slave.” Zeke muttered, his rage affecting her from his voice.

Shayla staggered.

Azura immediately raised her hand up, waving it from from the dark skies to the ground.

A single thunder cracked in obeisance to her powers.

The thunder slipped into the house through the open window and hit Shayla’s legs cruelly.

Every bone her legs crushed within that fleeting second, and her screams were louder than a banshee’s as she went down, falling on her face flatly.

The twins came in with a black coffin which they dropped beside her, the weight so impactful on the ground.

Together, they threw Shayla’s slumped body inside the coffin.

“The thunder arena is ready, the pinnacle is cold, waiting for her blood.” Sadie said mercilessly.

“Great news, let’s get it started.” Azura’s voice echoed darkly.

The coffin was carried out, Shayla’s blood dripping out of it like water.

TBC.

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