Ferox Amor by pearl

Karen

Chapter 3….. underground

*Underground*

Richard's voice thundered through the dimly lit chamber. "Speak!"

The young man, Vick, trembled uncontrollably, his eyes wide with fear. "S-s-sir, I-I-I'm s-so sorry, I p-promise I didn't know."

Richard cut him off, his tone icy. "Shut up."

Vick's gaze met Richard's, and he recoiled at the fierce intensity. Richard's eyes seemed to burn with an inner fire.

"Your name is Vick, correct?" Richard asked, his voice dripping with disdain.

Vick nodded frantically as his eyes darted around the room, taking in the gruesome surroundings. Human skulls lined the walls, and torturing equipment hung like macabre decorations. The air reeked of blood and death.

To his right, Vick saw a young man being tortured by Richard's men. The victim's face was bloodied, his jaw hanging limply, and his eyes... Vick's stomach churned as he realized the man's eyes were gone.

Vick's breathing became ragged, his heart racing with terror. He knew he had to escape, but the odds seemed impossible.

The rumors were true: Richard Alexander, the business mogul, was a mafia boss. Vick's thoughts swirled, regret and fear warring for dominance.

He tried to beg, hoping to appeal to Richard's humanity. "P-please, Lord Richard, mercy..."

Richard's expression remained unyielding, his eyes burning with an inner fire

Richard's eyes narrowed. "I won't repeat myself. Who sent you to spy on me?"

Vick's voice trembled. "I-I was sent by... by Karen. Your brother."

Richard's eyes narrowed, his face twisted in anger and disbelief.

"Karen," Richard growled, his voice low and menacing.

Vick nodded, tears streaming down his face.

Richard's gaze locked onto Vick, his eyes burning with an inner fire. His bloodlust, dormant for years, stirred.

No, not now. Not again.

Richard clenched his fists, fighting the beast within. His heart raced, and his fangs threatened to descend.

But he refused to give in.

With a snarl, Richard wrenched himself back from the brink. His breathing slowed, and his fangs receded.

Vick cowered, sensing the danger.

"Please, Lord Richard, mercy!" Vick begged.

Richard's grip on his control faltered, but he regained it.

"Tell me, Vick. What was Karen's plan?" Richard demanded.

Vick stammered, “ I swear I don't know he only said that I should find a way of kidnapping your daughter ."

Richard's jaw clenched.

"You'll pay for your betrayal, Karen," Richard vowed.

Vick trembled, "P-please, don't kill me."

Richard's gaze lingered on Vick, his bloodlust still simmering.

But he would not succumb.

"I'll spare your life," Richard said, his voice dripping with warning.

Richard's eyes flashed with a final warning.

"Remember, Vick. You owe me now."

Richard turned to Victor.

"Take Vick to the holding cells. I'll deal with Karen personally."

Victor nodded.

As Victor dragged Vick away, Richard's eyes blazed with determination.

Karen would regret underestimating him.

Richard stormed out of the underground chamber, his long strides devouring the distance. He burst through the door, into the cool night air.

The city lights blurred around him as he walked, his mind seething with fury.

Karen's betrayal cut deep.

How could his own brother stoop so low?

Richard's fists clenched, his nails digging into his palms.

He needed to calm down, think clearly.

Richard wandered through the deserted streets, his footsteps echoing off the buildings.

Finally, he stopped at the waterfront, staring out at the dark waters.

The city's noise faded into the background as he breathed in the salty air.

Richard's gaze dropped to the rippling waves.

"What are you doing, Karen?" he whispered.

"Why are you pushing me to this point?"

The water lapped against the shore, a soothing melody.

Richard's anger slowly ebbed, replaced by calculation.

He would confront Karen, but with a clear head.

No more rage.

Only strategy.

Richard's eyes narrowed.

"It's time to settle this, brother."

Richard's thoughts swirled with questions. The only way he had been able to stop himself from craving blood was Adrianna's portion. But it seemed it had begun to wear off, because clearly he nearly feasted on Vick. Or was it because this had to do with his daughter? he thought. How would he deal with this? He asked no one in particular.

Karen's involvement complicated matters. Why would his own brother seek to undermine Sasha's destiny? He sought out his trusted ally, Victor, a loyal associate.

"Victor, I need information," Richard said, his voice low. "About Karen's plans."

Victor's expression turned grave. "Boss, Karen's been gathering support among the... influential families. He's spreading fear about Sasha's potential."

Richard's eyes narrowed. "What proof does he have?"

"Rumors of an ancient text, hidden away," Victor replied. "It supposedly details the halfling's role in a certain... prophecy."

Richard's determination hardened. "I need that text."

Victor nodded. "I'll retrieve it, but beware, Boss. Karen won't stop until Sasha's neutralized."

Richard's jaw clenched. His brother would regret underestimating him.

Richard's phone buzzed, breaking the silence. Victor's text flashed on the screen: "Meet me at Club Eclipse. I have the text."

Richard arrived at the club, a nondescript building in the city's underbelly. Inside, Victor waited, a manila envelope in hand.

"What's this?" Richard asked, taking the envelope.

"The ancient text," Victor replied. "Karen's been searching for it everywhere. You're the only one who can stop him now, Boss."

Richard opened the envelope, revealing yellowed parchment. The text within spoke of:

"...the halfling, born of darkness and light,

Shall bridge the divide, and bring forth the night.

A power so great, it shall shake the foundations,

And either save or damn the generations."

Richard's eyes narrowed. This was more than a prophecy – it was a warning.

I thought the prophetess said that Sasha....

He was still halfway through.

Suddenly, the lights flickered, and the air thickened. Richard's instincts screamed warning.

"Victor, we have unwanted company."

The lights flickered again, and the shadows seemed to writhe on the walls. Richard's gaze swept the room, sensing the presence of others.

"Victor, how many?"

"Four, Boss," Victor whispered, hand on his gun. "They came out of nowhere."

Richard's eyes locked onto the figures emerging from the darkness.

A woman, tall and imposing, stepped forward. Her piercing green eyes seemed to bore into Richard's soul.

"Karen sends his regards," she said, voice dripping venom. "You're running out of time, Richard."

Richard recognized the woman – Aurora, Karen's top enforcer.

"Aurora, you're making a mistake," Richard warned.

Aurora sneered. "You're the one who's mistaken, Richard. You think you can protect Sasha? We'll take her, and there's nothing you can do."

Richard's anger flared, but he kept his cool. "You'll have to go through me first."

Aurora smiled. "That's exactly what we plan to do."

With a nod, her companions moved forward, forming a semi-circle around Richard and Victor.

Aurora's gaze seemed to hold a deeper malice, a personal one at that. Richard sensed there was more to her involvement than mere loyalty to Karen.

"Aurora, what's driving you?" Richard asked, his voice low.

Aurora's smile twisted. "You never suspected, did you, Richard? I was the architect of the Great War. The one that tore your family apart."

Richard's eyes narrowed. "You're talking about Adrianna's departure."

Aurora's eyes flashed with triumph. "Yes. I manipulated events, fueled the conflict. Your family's divisions were the key to our plan."

Richard's mind reeled. "Why?"

Aurora's voice dripped venom. "To prevent the halfling's from been too powerful. Of course, that witch of a mother would have done just anything to stop us, so at first, I thought that manipulating her to breach the portal would be enough, but her witch mother gave her that stupid necklace which has been concealing her power."

Victor's eyes widened. "Aurora, why... So you manipulated Sasha, and here I've been putting all the blame on her."

Richard shook his head, recalling his once-so-happy family drifting apart until the last straw when Adrianna left. So, all this while, it had been Aurora. This cunning b***h. Who knows what she must have done to Karen.

Haha ff

Richards eyes darkened with realization.

Aurora's laughter echoed through the air "Karen thinks he's using me, but I'm the one pulling the strings. And soon, Sasha will be mine."

Do not test my patient Aurora I did not just earn the word “world's cruelest underworld boss “ His eyes flashing red which made her hairs to stand on toes”..

Richard's gaze locked onto Aurora, his anger boiling over.

"Do not test my patience, Aurora," he growled, his eyes flashing red.

Aurora's smile faltered for a moment, but she regained her composure.

"You'll never stop me, Richard. I've planned too well."

Richard's voice dropped to a menacing whisper.

"We'll see about that."

With a nod, Victor moved forward, gun drawn. Richard's eyes never left Aurora.

"Take care of her companions," Richard ordered.

Victor nodded and moved into the shadows.

Aurora sneered.

"You think you can take me down? I have Karen's support."

Richard's smile was cold.

"Karen has no idea what you're truly capable of, Aurora. But I do.