"LOUISE!" Orion screamed, rushing to the balcony in horror. The sound of rushing air filled his ears as Taylor's body plummeted downward.
For a heartbeat, everything froze. The distance below was dizzying, at least five stories high. Orion's breath caught. "Oh, goodness....he's dead?!!" he whispered, gripping the railing tightly.
But then ....
A flash of light-blue energy rippled below. Taylor was standing. Perfectly unharmed, his expression that of fury and disbelief.
"What… the hell?" Orion breathed, eyes wide. His shock turned into a kind of delirious humor. "Of course. Of course he's not dead. Because why would anyone die normally in this crazy world?" He ran a hand through his hair, still trembling. "Even the damn omegaverse world didn't kill the alpha's easily now we've got this esper-and-guide madness. Yeah, sure. Why not?"
"What? Are you worried about another man already?" Louise's voice sliced through Orion's spinning thoughts, dragging him sharply back to reality. Before Orion could even process the words, Louise moved swift and deliberate pinning him against the cold balcony railing. His grip was firm around Orion's waist, possessive and unyielding, his golden eyes gleaming with a dangerous mixture of jealousy and authority.
Another man? Orion thought bitterly, disbelief flashing across his face. That was your brother, motherfucker! The words burned on his tongue, but instead of saying them aloud, he let out a harsh scoff and rolled his eyes away in disdain, refusing to give Louise the satisfaction of seeing him rattled.
Louise leaned closer, his breath ghosting against Orion's skin. "There are certain rules you'll follow the moment you marry me, Orion," he said, his tone deep and deliberate, every syllable filled with dominance. "And one of those rules is simple ..... you don't stare at or show care for other men. They don't deserve your attention, not your pity, not even your gaze. Only I, your husband, deserve that." A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, but his eyes stayed cold.
Orion blinked in stunned silence for half a second before the full absurdity of Louise's words hit him. His chest tightened first with disbelief, then with a burst of anger so fierce it felt electric.
Who the fuck are you to say that?! he screamed inwardly. How can one guy be so arrogant? So full of himself?!
A sharp scoff escaped him, loud enough to echo across the balcony. "First of all," he began, voice sharp and dripping with fury, "I'm not marrying you. I'll rather die than marry you!" His words came hard, his glare unwavering. "That isn't too hard to grasp, is it? I'm not interested in your foolish drama or your delusions of control. I need peace and if the only way to get that is through death, then so be it."
Louise could only let out a scoff and before he could even form a sentence ....Orion shifted his weight, grabbing the railing behind him.
And before Louise could pull him back, Orion pushed himself off the balcony rail.
If dying means escaping this madness....this world of being claimed by four damn Espers because obviously that's where this is leading to, married off like property, carrying a stupid baby that isn't even mine to want.....
The world tilted. Air rushed past his ears, wild and deafening. The sky spun, golden light from Louise's aura reflecting in his fading vision.
This is a painful way to die… but at least it's my choice. No death could possibly hurt more than being chained or being fated to four lunatic Espers again.
***
"How could you sell Orion off to Esper Louise, Mr. Redwood?!" Edwards thundered, his voice echoing through the dimly lit lounge as his hands planted firmly on his hips. "You sold him to the number one Esper in this damn country?! Are you out of your mind?!"
The background murmurs of low-level Espers, sleazy guides, and a few humans mixed with the soft thrum of seductive music and laughter. The thick air reeked of pheromones, cheap liquor, and the unmistakable musk of sex.
Mr. Redwood sat lazily on a velvet couch, unbothered. His gold rings gleamed under the dim lights as he chuckled, counting thick wads of cash from an open briefcase on the glass table in front of him.
"Sell?" he repeated mockingly, his grin stretching wider. "Oh no, Edwards, you've got it wrong. That brat should be grateful the number one Esper of this country wants him. Serving drinks at this club wasn't enough to pay off his debts anyway. I've been telling him for months to start serving higher-ranked Espers, but no....he always had an excuse. Well, not anymore." He snapped the briefcase shut and leaned back, smug. "Now that Esper Louise himself wants him? Who am I to say no?"
Edwards' fists clenched tightly at his sides. "You're his uncle, for goodness sake! When I woke up this morning and didn't find Orion in his room, I thought he'd been kidnapped! Only to receive a letter saying you sold him off like some animal! Have you lost your mind, Mr Redwood?! Have you forgotten he's your late sister's son....your own blood?!"
Redwood's smile faltered for a second before anger surged through his expression. "Can you just shut the fuck up and get out of my office, Edwards? You're giving me a headache," he barked, slamming his hand against the table.
"I'm not going anywhere!" Edwards shot back furiously, stepping closer until he was towering over the older man. "Everyone in this country knows Esper Louise is unstable! He's dangerous! He rejects every government offer to pair him with guides because none of them survive him! Rumors say the ones who are forced into his mansion end up dead either from his overwhelming energy, or because he kills them when they displease him!"
Edwards' voice trembled as he pointed an accusing finger. "And you sold Orion to him?! He's not even a guide! He's just a normal human! You've basically sent your nephew to his death!"