Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Bailey’s POV

God, hospitals were terrible. What was with all the racket in the middle of the night? I jerked upright, ready to storm out and yell at whoever was making the noise, when suddenly my legs went numb.

“Well, it’s about time you woke up, girl. I was starting to get impatient.”

I froze. A girl stood before me, her eyes blazing red. And her clothing… Oh no. Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me. She was dressed just like Tristan. Fantastic. No break for me tonight.

“And who the hell are you?” I snapped, irritation outweighing fear. These guys were really testing me.

“Cocky now, are we?”

She clenched her fist.

“At least I’m not… slutty!”

Okay, that was harsh, but in my defense, her wardrobe looked like it belonged in a strip club.

“You better watch your tongue, girl, or I just might cut it out. The boss can have you without it too.”

The boss? Nathaniel didn’t send them. Oh great, more creeps. Time to run—again. I needed a distraction, and fast.

“Now, Eva, what did I tell you? We need her unharmed.”

A man appeared behind her. His face mirrored hers perfectly.

“And you are?” I asked bluntly, scanning for any weakness.

“Excuse my sister. She has quite the temper; the smallest thing can set her off. I’m Alex, and this is my twin, Eva. I don’t think I need to explain where we’re from—Tristan’s body already showed you what he could do. More details can come later, as we return to our realm. So, if you’d kindly come with us…”

This did not sound good. Eva was vicious but predictable. Alex… he was something else. There was a darkness radiating from him, subtle yet palpable, and it sent shivers down my spine. No way I was going anywhere with them.

“And if I don’t?”

I stepped back, ready to leap through the window if I had to.

“Not advised. You’d end up with many broken bones.”

How did he know what I was thinking? Eva smirked.

“My brother is observant. He analyzes in seconds, predicts your every move. Always a step ahead. So… come quietly.”

No way. I needed a plan. I could distract them, buy time.

“What does your boss want with me?” I asked, feigning curiosity.

“It’s not you, exactly. It’s the heart in your chest. A rare opportunity. To acquire the black heart—nobody would miss it.”

I realized then…

“You’re not planning to give it to your boss, are you? You’ll take it for yourself the first chance you get?”

Alex chuckled, fixing his coat.

“Quite observant. Was I that obvious?”

Eva’s eyes widened.

“Really, brother? You were going to leave me to the boss while you ran off with the heart?”

Bingo. Distraction time.

“Uh-oh. Probably never. He’d leave you to him.”

Eva’s temper flared. Alex didn’t even flinch—he could see right through me—but his sister was already distracted.

“I see what you’re doing. Won’t work. My sister warned you—I’m very observant,” he said smugly.

“Damn it! Do you read minds?”

“Quite the opposite. I study. Analyze. Humans are predictable. My kind uses two forms of magic: brain and heart. Heart magic feeds off emotion—anger, love, envy, lust—it’s powerful, aggressive. My sister? Temperamental, dangerous. Me? I use brain magic, slower, but precise. Emotion can develop faster than knowledge.”

That bought me time.

“And the heart?”

“The heart you hold… the blackest, most powerful ever in our realm. Controlled not by emotion, but pure darkness. Nathaniel figured out how to wield it without feelings. The power I need. Combine it with my brain magic, and I can free my sister and myself from our debt to our boss…”

I smirked.

“You do have emotions. You put her first. You feel the need to protect her. And you want this heart… because you want to feel something yourself.”

Alex laughed.

“Didn’t you hear? Heart’s power isn’t controlled by emotion…”

“Maybe, but its host still is. Nathaniel’s brother would be dead if it weren’t,” I said, steadying myself.

Eva laughed uncontrollably.

“Stop embarrassing yourself, Eva,” Alex snapped.

“I’m embarrassed?! You’re humiliated by a human!” she spat, punching the wall. The wall cracked. My moment. I bolted. Fire escape, no elevator, just running.

Not far. Alex blinked in front of me, hand gripping mine.

“Did I mention we can teleport?”

“Ouuch! You forgot that part!” I yelped.

He smiled, loosening slightly.

“You smiled. Interesting… intriguing. I’ll analyze you soon.”

A golden rope shot from his hands, binding my wrists and pulling me toward him. Eva jumped, startling me.

“Take her. I’ll get Tristan’s body,” Alex said, disappearing into Tristan’s room.

Minutes later, he returned, carrying Tristan. Smoke enveloped us. Seconds later, we were back in the alley. My head spun, my heart pounding—not fear, but the other heart… Nathaniel’s.

“And you thought it would be easy?”

Nathaniel emerged. Calm. Empty eyes. The darkness around him palpable, more sinister than Alex. My chest flared with heat—his heart’s rage.

“Well, Nathaniel. Our chances of agreement are… slim. You won’t let us leave with the girl and your brother, will you?”

A faint smile.

“You are correct. Now, enough talk. Hand over my brother and the girl.”

Alex froze.

“She’s the new host, and your brother… the key. If he awakens, fine. If not… he’s practically dead,” Alex replied.

Nathaniel’s gaze darkened. Pain shot through my chest. I fell to my knees. Alex pried open my shirt—red light pulsing beneath my skin, threatening to explode.

Eva and Alex were concerned, but Nathaniel didn’t flinch. Then, suddenly, the pain vanished. My vision cleared. Relief swept over the twins.

“Focus more on me,” Nathaniel said, voice cutting through the air. A black apparition emerged behind Eva.

“Watch out!” I shouted. Instinct took over—but my body froze. Nathaniel’s voice echoed in my head: Do not move. Move, and we die.

He guided my hands with his telekinesis, forcing Eva into the creature. I couldn’t stop it.

“Enough!” Nathaniel’s power surged. Flames from his hand, flames from mine.

“STOP!” I yelled, spreading my hands. A wave of energy sent Nathaniel flying back, the creature screaming and vanishing. I opened my eyes—Alex held his unconscious sister, Nathaniel staggered, shocked.

“How… how did you do that?” he asked.

“I… I don’t know. Instinct, I guess.”

Alex adjusted his glasses, lifting Tristan.

“We’ll settle for your brother… for now.”

He created a spinning blue vortex. Eva awoke, stunned.

“Wha… what’s happening?”

“Mission partly successful. Another time for the girl,” Alex said. She jumped into the vortex.

Alex followed, carrying Tristan. Relief washed over me.

Then—Nathaniel grabbed my hand, dragging me into the shrinking vortex. He jumped in after me. I could only scream:

“AAAAAAAHHHH!!!”