The five-headed golden serpent lunged again, all its fangs bared, but Yuvaan tilted his head with an infuriatingly effortless calm.
It struck again—miss.
Again—miss.
He smirked, casually brushing imaginary dust off the sleeve of his sherwani.
"Seriously? It's my henna ceremony today, and you're trying to kill me? Not cool," he said with that signature swagger, stepping aside just enough for the serpent to slam into the bedpost with a loud thud.
The beast hissed in frustration, its five heads weaving wildly, unable to understand how he kept dodging so easily.
Yuvaan's eyes glinted—half amused, half predatory.
"Come on," he taunted lightly, flicking his wrist to magically lock the door behind him.
"At least give me some kind of challenge… otherwise this gets boring."
The serpent recoiled, rising taller, gathering its strength. Shadows flickered across the room as it prepared for a lethal synchronized strike—
all five heads targeting him at once.
Yuvaan grinned.
"Good… now this might actually be fun."
Meanwhile, Kiara slowly made her way to the backyard, her eyes blank, her steps controlled—completely under Dilruba's hypnosis.
Dilruba, now in her most enchanting human disguise, clapped her hands together with a playful, wicked delight the moment she saw Kiara.
"Ahh, Jishwa finally arrives," she purred, circling her like a predator admiring its prey.
"You know, I've heard you're so powerful that you not only killed Mother Evil Kalashree… but even that cursed old hag Kalapishachi."
She leaned closer, her grin widening, her fox-like eyes glinting with triumph.
"But look at you now," she whispered with a giggle,
"hypnotized by a fox witch… me, Dilruba."
Kiara stood frozen, breathing shallowly, waiting—helpless—while Dilruba's laughter echoed through the vast, shadowy backyard.
Dilruba began circling Kiara slowly, like a playful yet dangerous fox, her anklets chiming softly against the stone pathway.
Her giggles filled the backyard — sweet, musical, and chilling.
She leaned close, eyes twinkling.
"You're so beautiful, Jishwa," she said, tilting her head as she admired Kiara.
"Honestly, if you weren't… well… Jishwa… we would have been—" she paused dramatically, tapping her chin.
"What's that word? Umm… besties!"
She clapped once, delighted by her own idea.
"You know, Dilruba isn't evil evil," she continued, placing a hand on her chest.
"Dilruba is… mischievously evil."
A sly wink.
A smug smirk.
She sighed dramatically.
"And Dilruba doesn't even have a personal vendetta against you. Dilruba doesn't like killing."
Her expression sharpened suddenly—eyes glowing with fox-fire.
"But Taamsi freed Dilruba…" she said softly, the tone dropping like a threat.
"So Dilruba must do what Taamsi wants."
With a swift flick of her wrists, two shimmering magical daggers appeared in her hands — glowing, sharp, humming with dark energy.
Dilruba blew Kiara a playful kiss.
"Tatta… bye bye."
The daggers shot toward Kiara—
—fast, deadly, unstoppable—
CUT TO BLACK.
Meanwhile, back in Yuvaan's room, the serpent lunged again — its single golden head stretching wide, fangs dripping with venom.
But this time Yuvaan didn't dodge.
He simply raised one hand.
A surge of crimson-dark magic burst from his palm, freezing the serpent midair, its body stiff and suspended like a creature trapped in invisible chains.
Yuvaan's eyes glowed deep red.
"Bas," he muttered calmly.
"It's my henna ceremony, and you're still trying to kill me? Not cool."
With a flick of his fingers — elegant, effortless — the suspended serpent was thrown across the room as if snatched by an unseen force.
The window shattered open with a sharp crack—
and the golden serpent went flying out into the open air.
The curtains fluttered violently behind it as the night wind rushed in…
And Yuvaan stepped forward, eyes narrowing.
Something — or someone — had sent that serpent.
And whatever else was lurking inside the mansion…
had just made this personal.
Meanwhile downstairs, the festive hum of the henna ceremony continued, but Moti Baa's sharp eyes didn't miss the sudden emptiness around two very important seats.
She leaned toward Bhoomi, her voice low but worried.
"Bhoomi… where are Yuvaan and Kiara? I haven't seen either of them in a while."
Bhoomi scanned the crowd, her smile faltering.
"Haan, Moti Baa… they were here just a few minutes ago. Strange…"
The cousins looked up instantly — Yug, Angad, and the others exchanging quick glances.
Angad stepped forward with his usual calm confidence.
"I'll go check, Baa. Maybe they stepped out for fresh air."
Moti Baa nodded, though concern lingered in her expression.
Bhoomi whispered,
"Bring them back soon, beta… it's their ceremony."
Angad gave a reassuring smile,
"Don't worry. I'll find them."
He slipped away from the crowd, eyes narrowing with growing suspicion —
because he too could feel it now…
something in the mansion was not right.
And Yuvaan and Kiara had vanished at the same time.
A coincidence?
Not in this family.
---