The chains vibrated as Asher jerked to his feet.
— WHAT DID YOU DO?!
Ray had stopped near the door, his back turned.
"You talk too much, Asher.
— You dared to write to him! You dare make her believe that I abandoned her?!
Asher pulled with all his might, the pain tearing a muffled cry from him.
— You don't know what you've just unleashed... You don't know what Miria is capable of!
Ray turned around slowly, his gaze cold.
—I saved her.
Asher burst out into a hoarse laugh.
— Saved?
He raised his head, his eyes burning.
— Saved from what? From me?
Ray approached, only a few steps away.
—You are a vampire. A danger.
You're exactly the kind of monster that destroys everything it touches.
Asher's gaze darkened.
—The only monster here... is you.
A heavy silence fell.
Ray clenched his jaw.
— I have nothing more to hear.
He gestured to Isabella.
- Here we go.
She hesitated for a moment, glancing at Asher.
"Isabella… release me," he begged hoarsely.
— Miria is in danger.
"You're lying," she replied dryly, without turning around.
The door closed.
Asher screamed, his voice echoing against the stone.
— MIRIA!
But only the echo answered him.
---
Later, in Miria's room.
Miria was curled up on her bed, her eyes red, her face wet with tears.
Kira sat next to her, Marlie and Alix standing helplessly.
"Miria…" Marlie whispered. Say something...
She didn't answer.
The door opened suddenly.
Eiden, Axel, Bryan and Klaus entered.
—What's going on? Axel asked, worried.
Kira took a deep breath.
— Miria received a letter...
"A letter from Asher," Alix added.
The gazes froze.
"He says… he's leaving," Kira continued.
That he doesn't want to come between Miria and Ray.
That he saw them... kissing in the school hallway.
Miria sat up suddenly.
— That's not true!
His voice shook with anger and pain.
—Ray kissed me by force!
I pushed him away! I slapped him!
"I don't love him," she added, sobbing. I only like Asher!
The men exchanged heavy glances.
"It's fishy…" Bryan murmured.
"Asher would never write that," Eiden said in a low voice.
Klaus clenched his fists.
— We'll find him.
Axel nodded.
— Whatever it costs.
But Miria was no longer listening.
---
The chains weighed heavier than ever.
Asher was breathing hard, weakened, with a pale complexion.
The door opened.
Isabella entered.
He raised his head with difficulty.
— Please...
His voice was broken.
— Free me. Miria is fragile...
— She will think that I abandoned her...
— She could do something stupid.
Isabella frowned.
— You're being dramatic.
"I know her," he murmured.
—I beg you...
She avoided his gaze. Then she left, without giving him time to say more.
Asher closed his eyes, a dull fear crushing his chest.
—Miria...
---
Miria was alone.
Sitting on the floor of her room, knees against her, memories flashed by.
Asher's smile.
His voice.
Its warmth.
The tears flowed silently.
Then... a voice resonated inside her.
Again…
She shivered.
Separated again...
His breathing hitched.
My love... after so many years...
We found ourselves…
And just when happiness was there... it was taken away from us again...
Miria raised a trembling hand to her chest.
— Asher…
The voice resumed, softer. More dangerous.
If this is so...
A sob escaped his lips.
So maybe...
Her eyes filled with tears.
It would be better to die...
A terrible silence fell.
And somewhere, far away...
Asher felt his heart tighten.