The Damned Demon
chapter-714

Albert gave a nod of approval, his voice smooth as silk, "Isn't it time you dealt with that person once and for all?"

Derek's gaze sharpened, his eyes narrowing as he tapped on his wrist device, projecting a small, hazy image of a young man with striking golden eyes, faintly radiant and hauntingly familiar.

"I knew we'd have to deal with him the moment I saw those eyes," Derek muttered darkly, his voice low with suspicion. "There's something about him… It feels like I'm looking at 'him.' Who do you think he really is?"

Albert studied the image, his lips curling into a faint sneer, "I've felt it too. But Cedric is long dead, and ghosts are the last thing we should be worried about. But this one…he has to be in league with the Coven of the Damned. Everything started to unravel the moment he wormed his way into your wife and daughter's lives. There are no coincidences here. Now…what's your plan?"

Derek's eyes gleamed with cold intent, "He can't die until he's served his purpose."

Albert's smirk deepened, "Naturally. He could know something crucial—especially about Hellbringer. That's why we even let him roam around all this time. Let's send our most efficient asset, who can ensure the job is done swiftly."

Derek nodded slowly, his expression growing darker and more calculating.

—

Meanwhile, outside a rundown hostel near the abandoned mines, Asher stepped into the daylight, followed closely by Cecilia and Rachel.

He turned to them, a look of concern shadowing his face. "You two aren't safe anymore. Derek will know you helped me; there's no one else who he could think of that could have thwarted his plans."

Cecilia and Rachel exchanged an anxious glance before Cecilia gave a resigned sigh, "I knew the risks when I decided to help you. There's no avoiding it now."

Rachel nodded in agreement, her gaze steady.

"It doesn't have to be this way," Asher said earnestly. "Come with me. Let me protect you both."

But Cecilia shook her head, offering a soft, bittersweet smile, "I can't just run. That would only make things worse. If I disappear, Derek will only twist it into proof of my supposed crimes. I can't hand him that victory. But…" She turned to Rachel, her gaze softening, "Rachel, go with him. Stay safe until this is over. I couldn't bear to see you harmed."

Rachel gripped her mother's hand tightly, her voice resolute, "No, Mom. I'm not leaving you to face him alone. Whatever happens, we face it together."

Asher sighed, shaking his head, "Why are you both being so stubborn? Derek will stop at nothing. Even if he turns the world against you both, we can reveal the truth in time."

Rachel gave him a strained smile, "Mom's right, Asher. If we run, he'll hunt us without sparing any resources, and it'll be harder for you and your cult to do what needs to be done. We will just be a burden to you. By staying where we should be, we can at least keep his attention on us and buy you the time you need."

Asher clenched his fists, his frustration barely concealed. He knew they were right, but it made him feel helpless.

Both women nodded, touched by his resolve. Cecilia gave him a warm look. "I didn't believe it at first, but…you aren't like the demons I've faced in my life. You seem more human than some of my own kind. It's strange…yet undeniable."

Rachel's lips lifted in a soft smile, a look of resonance between them.

Asher briefly lowered his gaze as he wondered if they felt like that was because he was once human.

"Don't worry, Asher," Rachel said, her voice steady, "Dad won't dare kill or hurt us yet. He has a reputation to maintain, and he needs us to help him maintain it until he doesn't have to. For now, he'll just try to keep us under his thumb. So go on. Do what you need to."

Asher chuckled softly, his gaze flickering with warmth, "Like mother, like daughter, huh?"

Cecilia and Rachel shared a look, a warmth blossoming between them despite the looming threat.

With a final sigh, Asher relented, "Fine," he said, his voice tinged with reluctant resignation, "But if either of you is in danger, I'm coming back. No arguments."

Cecilia's gaze lingered on Asher's golden eyes, and she felt a pang, a flash of Cedric's face in her mind, his kindness and courage.

She swallowed the ache and murmured, "I wish Aira were still here. She'd do the right thing…she could have helped us."

Asher's face hardened, a flicker of disdain in his expression, "The right thing? She was there, Cecilia, when Derek murdered Cedric."

Rachel lowered her head, pain evident in her eyes.

Cecilia blinked, a mix of sorrow and disbelief clouding her face, "Maybe she was forced. She couldn't have crossed the WHA and lived to tell the tale, just like Cedric. But…if she didn't...there has to be a reason. She even disappeared after his death. I thought it was out of guilt and sorrow. But what if...Derek did something to her? Now that I know the things he is capable of...I can't help but worry about such a possibility."

Asher's brow furrowed thoughtfully, while Rachel looked at her mother in shock, "You think Dad did something to her? But we never found a trace of her, not even a body…"

Cecilia nodded slowly, "Exactly. Only your dad can hide someone in a place that nobody else can find. We never even found a body or a single trace of her. Nobody can disappear like that...not even through simple death."

Asher furrowed his brows, wondering if Cecilia's suspicion held any truth.

The possibility of Aira's disappearance being another one of Derek's buried secrets lingered like a weight in his mind, unsettling him in ways he didn't expect. But he pushed it aside, focusing his resolve. "We'll uncover her disappearance when the time's right," he said, his voice calm but determined, "But now, our priority is to destroy the Nexus Tower before Derek can activate it. We have to act before he arms the majority of Hunters with M.A.M. Thanks to Cecilia, we know where the Nexus Tower is located."

Rachel and Cecilia nodded, anxiety flickering in their eyes but matched with fierce determination.

—

Back in the well-lit depths of the Culthold of the Coven of the Damned, Remy hovered anxiously in the shadowed hallway, his gaze fixed on the Bloodice Mistress, Rebecca Thorne. Her reputation as one of the most feared figures in the demon world was intimidating enough, but the fact that she was enslaved to Hellbringer made him both horrified and curious.

Right now, though, his worry was for his grandmother, who was engaged in what appeared to be a heated discussion with Rebecca.

Remy shifted uncomfortably, hoping Rebecca wasn't bullying Grace now that his grandmother was no longer at her peak strength.

Rebecca's voice was sharp, accusatory but low enough to not let anyone else hear, "You think your sly tricks go unnoticed? You slept with him, didn't you? Just admit it, right now!" She stood beside Grace, hands on her hips, her voice barely a whisper but charged with a palpable frustration.

Grace didn't flinch, a subtle smile playing at her lips as she calmly poured the tea, "Shh, keep your voice down. Master wouldn't appreciate you speaking so loudly with a kid nearby."

Rebecca's face flushed slightly, but she whispered fiercely, "I am keeping it low. Don't try to change the subject. Tell me what you two did that night."

Grace chuckled softly, glancing at her, "I didn't expect you to be so jealous. But fine, if you insist." She set the teapot down with a gentle clink.

"I'll admit I shared a passionate night with our master. But it isn't a crime, is it? I may be old, but I'm still allowed to enjoy life, right?" Grace winked, her tone teasing.

Rebecca's cheeks flushed a deeper red as she sputtered, "You—! I underestimated you! I can't believe you actually did it!"

Grace raised her brows, feigning innocence, "What's so shocking? He wanted it too, and he enjoyed every second. Isn't that natural between two consenting adults?"

Rebecca's voice faltered, caught between indignation and disbelief, "B-But… you're a human slave. That's… that's not right!"

"Oh, come now," Grace replied with a slight smirk. "I thought demons indulged with their slaves often enough. Surely you had your own escapades as a princess consort?"

Rebecca's flush deepened as she stammered, "I-I… don't think that's relevant here!" She cleared her throat, attempting to hide her embarrassment. She obviously couldn't let Grace know she was a virgin until Asher took it.

But she couldn't resist, crossing her arms with a feigned look of disinterest as she asked, "But just to make sure you didn't do anything to offend Mater…Just… what exactly did you two do?"

Grace's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Well… we worshiped each other with our mouths until our lips got swollen and red, tasting each other's essence. Then we went on to use our bodies to dance with each other until our hips became sluggish and our skin was riddled with hot sweat," Her voice softened, a hint of genuine sentiment, "The way he kissed me… I felt young again. Like I was his, and his heart laid bare for me to take. I already can't wait to feel it all over again."

Grace then looked at Rebecca and asked with a subtle smile, "Do you also feel like that? My married life was just a business transaction. I have never truly loved a man, so I can't really tell if this is what it feels like."

Rebecca's expression faltered, a mix of shock, indignation and reluctant intrigue crossing her face, realizing how different her experience was compared to hers. She could see that Grace wasn't trying to provoke her but speaking her heart out and that she seemed to have enjoyed every second of it. Rebecca couldn't help but wonder if it would really feel that good. But Asher never kissed her...not even once. He did make her feel pleasure through his "punishments," but now Rebecca couldn't help but wonder how it would feel to experience something deeper like Grace did.

She tried to hold her composure, but jealousy tinged her voice, "O-Obviously, what you felt is nothing. You only think it's something special because you lack experience, hmph," She forced a haughty expression, though envy simmered behind her words.

Grace chuckled, her voice smooth and nonchalant, "You must be right. I feel like I should have come upon our master sooner. All these years feel wasted. What a pity I am not as lucky as you," She shrugged, casting Rebecca an innocent smile that only seemed to agitate her further.

Before Rebecca could respond, both women turned their attention toward the doorway as Asher entered the hall, his face dark and grim, "We've got some very bad news," he announced, his voice low and foreboding.

The light-hearted atmosphere between Grace and Rebecca evaporated instantly, replaced with tension as they exchanged worried glances.