In that dark room, all alone.

He saw that insignia of a dog drawn in his own blood.

And... it tore ... him... apart.

He was a less suitable host in every regard other than age, yet managed to force his way into taking the role as heir.

In that god-forsaken room...

After that, they all saw him as disgusting….

It was true… He was not much of a human being anymore.

Sir taught him how to drive and he was a firm yet a fair teacher. He said Loukas’ mom taught him how to drive when he was 15 too…

Mom was still alive during that time.

Even though sir eye peered through him with caution after that horrible day, he still talked to him.

Yet He would break his bones for daring to show any distaste or ingratitude to his situation.

He should be more grateful that they could even consider him a suitable host.

He remembered waking up on the floor. If someone took enough pity on him, he would wake up in his bed, covered in gashes and open wounds as he waited until they healed.

Never did he have a doctor to look over him. That would give the Asbjorn a bad look. This whole thing was a secret. How can you explain why a 9-year-old is getting injured so much? And to this gruesome extent?

He was not human anyway, so what was the point?

However, despite all he had done, despite him getting down on his knees and showcasing he gave up. His family saw him as a monster. He was fine being used until there was nothing left of him. Many who knew the secret of heirs looked upon him…

With revulsion.

The same eyes he saw when a few of his older relatives look at his mother…

Disgust and Fear…

The worst memories slowly came back to him. It was a hazy mist that he tried to push away but it kept on encroaching his mind.

He did not want to remember it.

He was so hungry that day, they had always wanted him to eat.

Not the flesh of god this time.

They wanted him to eat the flesh of man. They wanted that flesh of those… humans into his mouth.

He was so hungry in that room.

He did not want to be a monster.

Cherly was in boarding school, Holgar thought he ran away again.

So hungry...

It tastes...

It tastes…

SO gooD...

Loukas bolted up from his seat in a cold sweat.

He was shaking.

Every part of him had his hair standing on its end.

It was just a dream.

Just a dream.

A horrible dream.

He reached for his face to wipe away the sweat only to find tears were dribbling down his face.

Why now?...

Why is he remembering this now?

He rather had others make vague recollections for him to put together, regardless of their accuracy.

Rubbing the temple of his head, he realized that he was on the couch in their home theatre. In front of him was the credits of the movie he had been watching.

Damn it, he had an awful headache.

The movie was not anything new, just a simple romantic comedy of a sunny girl and a brooding bad boy forming a relationship despite the girl’s awful family. Typical cheesy rom-Com fluff, something he loved indulging in shamelessly.

Who cares if it was cheesy and predictable? It was his kind of thing. It was a safe world where everything can and will sort itself out. A world he knew he did not live in.

Plus, it somewhat distracted him from this crushing feeling of longing in his chest. He wished Hide was here so they could watch it together.

He stretched himself in his seat and rubbed his eyes as he checked his phone for the time.

4:30 pm, and with the party being at 6:00 pm next week he realised he had to check on his friends to make sure they got their stuff and clothes sorted out. Carole would probably wear something classy. It was nice to see her at least somewhat interested in what to wear. Hide, however… Loukas had to make sure he does not decide to draw too much negative attention.

A smile tugged on his face at the thought of spending a night with them.

If he was to allow himself to indulge, that hoodie Hide nearly bought would be so tasty in the right circumstances. Loukas licked his lips as he thought about it some more. It could be more colourful though, but the fact it showed just enough skin to admire but not too much to allow for the imagination to complete made his breath hitch.

If Hide wore it as Loukas got on top of the tiny man while he begged his name. He can sink his teeth into the neck as he rubs his c-...

Stop. Not like that.

He rustled his hand through his hair as his blush plastered his face as he just felt uncomfortably hot.

It’s getting… harder to control his thoughts now.

No, not in that way.

As he tried to calm himself down from his fantasy he heard footsteps approach him. He turned to the source, seeing one of the “helpers” of the church of Flesh and blood.

He swallowed anxiously.

Why are they here? He did not have a session today.

“We are having a meeting. It would be to your benefit if you follow us,” one of them said.

It was on every basic level, an ordinary office.

Carved mahogany wooden desks, plush black leather chairs, expensive tapestry imported from offshore and various pieces of artwork that hang proudly on the walls.

Those accursed statues of a god stared him down as if he had done so much wrong.

He had done so much wrong and he felt a wave of nausea.

Asbjorn had many other business ventures from stocks to company investments to other various forms of trades. It was frequent for foreign investors to be in this room to discuss whatever deal or offer they currently have with his family.

Loukas knew he would never truly take part in these business deals. He would act as the face of the company while everyone else did the work. He did not know how to feel about that.

In that room, there was not anyone else except for Sir, another strange man and several other robed figures.

Loukas numbly thought of his father, who as per usual was not in sight. He had given up on pretending to be a father as soon as his mom took her life. But Loukas knew better than to think it was out of grief. He simply no longer had a reason to pretend to care.

Now that he thought about it…

When was the last time he saw his father?

His head felt fuzzy as he took his seat on one of the plush chairs following the example of others in the room.

“Didn’t you read any of the messages I sent boy?” The older man called an uncle huffed.

“No, sir,” He said back, he knew better than to make much of a scene. If he wanted to remain unharmed, he would just nod along, it was easier for him that way. Loukas’ quietly took the hot tea placed in front of him and sipped, his eyes drifted towards sir’s neck.

How fragile it was? It looked so easy to cut into.

A thin layer of skin hide veins and arteries. Once it was pierced that thick red fluid would pour.

“Boy, this is a lot more serious than you think. We are not playing games here,” Sir brought him out of his thoughts.

Loukas shook his head, what was wrong with him?

“I know, sir,” he said

A man Loukas did not recognise in a white coat gaze at him briefly with indifference contrasting Sir’s annoyance.

Loukas clutched his hand into a fist but gave him a simple nod and followed them out of the room and back into that office.

“We were just looking more into the Ventis and it more long term effect,” The long coat wearing man said looking over his notes. Loukas did not like that glint in his eyes when he turned them on him.

Loukas' mind wandered as they spoke again tuning them out. He just wanted to leave and maybe enjoy his friend's company. Maybe he can get Hide to drop by the arcade thing, he seems the type to love stuff like that. He wanted them all.... to... stop……………………….. talking………………..

“Just like your mother aren’t you?”

Loukas did not like that tone but as usual, kept it to himself.

Sir eyes narrowed at the strange man “Don’t compare her with him. Edgar... Don’t you ever do that..”

For once in his life, Loukas agreed with the older man but decided it was best to focus on his tea. A bitter grassy flavour nipped at his tongue but like everything handed to him, he forcefully swallowed it down.

The man, known as Edgar, eyebrows slightly raised at Sir’s harsh tone and continued, “Regardless, both are the same thing in the end. To be honest the heir title was more suitable for your aunt rather than-”

“The ventis was only meant to be in the host... From our research, in anyone else, no matter how small-”

NO that’s a lie, it would make things better.

Loukas' hand tightly gripped his cup

“Would kill them, that’s what the ventis does... It’s a poison,” Edgar shook his head, “Can’t believe that woman in her last moments wanted to kill off this city. Still, maybe that thing inside them is getting even worse”

“Are you kidding me if that boy just act better then-”

Loukas could not believe it…

His mother was a flawed, flawed lady, but she cared.

She wouldn’t...

She would never...

Loukas, noting the two men were more talking with each other rather than to him, was about to get up from his seat. He set aside his tea on the table, however... His legs wobbled and shook below him. His body no longer obeyed him, he felt so weak.

The world spun and swayed and then went black for what he thought was only a second.

The 6 ft 3 man found himself on the floor, the room spinning, his body heavy.

He felt a cloth gag forced into his mouth and tied behind his head as he could not give even the minimum amount of resistance.

The cloth was rough and cut the sides of his mouth but in his current state, he could not make a sound nor sign of pain.

His eyes grew heavier and heavier among the noise of shouting and demands. He saw his fallen cup of tea with that golden liquid dripping onto the carpeted floor.

Words from voices that sounded distorted were what he heard.

“We should have... expected this... from that demon... Fer-Carson... not a host... The very monster themselves in flesh.”

Eventually, Loukas felt no more, as his world went dark.