Seraphina had spent the whole night alone in her chamber upstairs, walking back and forth, worried about Zachary.

Worried and angry and worried again.

How reckless could he be? Storming off to the unknown. He could get himself into grave danger.

And why hasn't he come back? It's been hours already, Seraphina stopped herself from diving deeper into the worst-case scenario.

She couldn't handle that. The thought of...

Gulping, she eyed the window across her, overlooking the Hearts' manor massive silver gate, looking for some sigh of Zachary.

Her heart beating fast, the images of the butchered footman flashes in her very mind, the sight of his chopped off head, bloody carved words into his chest, and such.

Aunt Veronica, despite still shaking at what transpired a while ago, is now resting in her chamber. A glass of water in her bedside table, which Seraphina prepared.

Of course, she waited until Aunt Veronica was fast asleep when she left the room to wait for Zachary's arrival.

Sighing, she sat down at her bed, her fingers grazing upon the white sheet, her mind conjuring the memory of Zachary in this very spot, making her laugh.

Oh, how her heartache and soar at the same time at those memories.

Seraphina was far too engrossed in her train of thoughts to the point her mind failed to register the sound of the creaking gate outside, the soft and slow sounds of footfalls downstairs, nearing her.

However, when the door flew open, Seraphina abruptly rode from her seat, her eyes wide shut, it was dark, indeed, the absence of a single lit candle worsened the scenario.

However, the presence of the moonlight providing at least a fair amount of light is enough for Seraphina to gaze upon once again, and a hooded man strolling towards her.

Giving herself the freedom of eyeing the man from head to toe, due to the large hood that concluded in his ankle, Seraphina couldn't see much.

Before Seraphina could open her mouth, or even had the chance to grab a mere weapon, throw it at him, the hooded man immediately ran towards her, thus, pressing a cloth against her nose.

Slowly, Seraphina could feel her world going round and round as she struggles to escape the man's firm grip, as she struggles to let out sounds from her lips, to even holler for help, as she struggles to even stand straight for her feet is getting jelly.

The last thing Seraphina remembered before everything went black was the rough feel of his hands over her, carrying her in a bridal-style.

Opening her eyes slowly, her mind still throbbing from the drug, her state worsens when a bright light coming from the candle is pointed towards her eyes.

Gasping, the man whom she can't quite see due to the blurriness of her sight, held both her shoulders firmly.

"It's time you wake up, Princess," exclaimed the man, his voice masculine yet not comforting. Far from Zachary's voice.

Even the hard grip on her shoulders, it gave her such creeps.

With that, she struggles to escape his rough hands, her mind still throbbing, earning her a hoarse chuckle from the man.

Slowly, her sight began to regain. She eyed the man gingerly, his red hair long enough to touch the end of his shoulders, his nose pointed, his brows thick, blue eyes and all, his lips curled into a handsome smirk. The man's wearing a well-tailored suit, well-polished shoes. His shirt rolled up, giving Seraphina a full view of his tattoos. Indeed, he is one hell of a wealthy man.

"Who are you?" Were the first words Seraphina uttered, her brows meeting, her eyes surveying her surroundings, realizing she is in a warehouse judging from the presence of the countless massive barrels?

She looked at herself, her feet and hands tied up in the battered mahogany chair.

"The name's Jack, Sweetie," he proudly answered, the smirk still plastered in his face flashing two deep dimples.

At the mention of Jack, Seraphina remembered Zachary repeating the name 'Jack' over and over again before he stormed off the manor.

"Where's Zachary? What did you do to him?" Questioned Seraphina, her eyes wandering around the abandoned warehouse, still, all she found were mountains of barrels.

Jack amusedly stared at her, his arms crossed, walking around her, his eyes traveling on her, taking in the sight of Zachary's girl.

"No wonder Zachary got all crazy over you, Sweetie. You're a beauty," observed the man, smirking.

Seraphina got chills just receiving his stares. Oh, how he loathes this man. If only she could kill him this instant but she knew the extent of her capabilities. Even without these ties, she knew she's no match for a man like him. What's worse was the presence of a pistol tucked in his back pocket.

"Where is Zach?" Repeated Seraphina, annoyed, struggling at her seat, anger rising inside her.

With that, Jack clicked his fingers, and in an instant, three hooded men entered the view, all carrying Zahary, who liked her, and was tied up in a chair.

Seraphina instantly hollered his name, relief and worry reigning in her heart.

The only difference is, he has a cloth-covered over his mouth, he looked way defeated and hopeless unlike her but as soon as he saw Seraphina sitting in front of Jack, his blood boiled. His fists curlings despite the rope brushing against his raw skin.

He then struggled in his seat, however, the three hooded men gripped his shoulders, stopping him.

Jack, laughing stared down at him, shaking his head, "Don't get all jealous of me, friend. I and your girl right here are just getting to know each other,"

Seraphina quickly shook her head, exclaiming, "Zachary, don't believe a word this fucker says,"

Even Seraphina was stunned at her choice of words, indeed, she's a person who refused to curse but with the great fury she's experiencing, all she wants is to just throw curses towards Jack.

Jack seems to love it, on the other hand, smiling more broadly, as if enticed by her. When Seraphina's headshot back to Zachary, he stared back at her, still struggling but he shook his head at her as if telling her something.

"I do enjoy women who have such sweet mouths like yourself, Sweetie," uttered Jack, crouching down in front of her, now, they're eye level, staring at one another.

His hand planted on her lap, gripping her thigh, Jack looked at his friend, "You wouldn't mind me tasting your girl, right?"

Zachary struggled once more in his seat, anger flashing in his eyes. If looks could kill, this Jack right here died a very, very, very tragic death.

Helpless due to the restraints in her hands and feet, Seraphina spat at his face when she felt his hand groping her thigh hard.

Jack seems surprised for a second at what she did but schooled his face a second later. Gingerly, he fished a white handkerchief from his breast pocket and wiped his right cheek.

Chuckling devilishly, he continued to stare at her, "Man, how I do love crazy girls in bed,"

That statement alone just made her blood boil even more.

Seraphina was sure she was about to spat at him again when Jack grabbed her neck, choking her.

"Oh, I wouldn't do that if I were you, Sweetie, unless you want your man here dead," threatening Jack, still choking her.

Struggling, Seraphina knew tears began to pool under her eyes, running out of air.

A second later, his rough hands released her neck, Jack only stared at her, a satisfied smirk on his face as she gasped for air.

Zachary, meanwhile, remained struggling, flashing furious stares at Jack.

Strolling behind her back, gripping her shoulders hard, she could feel his warm breath on her ears, giving her chills.

She only gazed at Zachary who is still struggling, doesn't he get tired?

"You wanna hear a story, Sweetie?" Exclaimed Jack behind her, his hands still over her, pretending not to notice the struggles of Seraphina under his touch.

"Once upon a time, there was a sixteen-year-old boy named Zachary Canning, his thirst for blood and violence was high enough for us to allow him to join the club. Oh, how I remember him very much eager to murder as many creatures as he can, whether in the museum or park. All is well, you see,"

He then paused, his long frail fingers massaging her shoulders. That alone only urged Seraphina to puke. She just can't stomach this guy.

"Over, many years later, he changed. You see, I and Zachary are good friends, right, brother?"

Zachary only stared at him, eyes filled with rage, his fists curled up, brows meeting.

However, Jack seems to see Zachary's reply as a 'yes' since he continued the tale, "The two of us are partners in crime, always do the killings in pairs, taking turns in choosing who will be our lucky next target until I noticed him slowly drifting apart. I thought, at first, he preferred to kill alone and so, I followed him until I learned he bought a property in Bath. I mean, of all places? Why Bath? The both of us knew we loathe those ridiculous balls," he stopped as if reminiscing their dear old friend.

He then walked in front of her, his hands inside his pockets, his footfalls loud and clear.

Crouching down in front of her, once again gripping her thigh, this time, with anger and lust, he continued, "I then discovered him obsessing over a schoolgirl, you. At first, of course, I thought he was simply watching his brother for I knew that sickly brother is, indeed, suspicious, he isn't really a man, that I knew for certain. However, I was wrong when I still caught him watching you despite the absence of his brother. Oh, how I loathe you in instant,"

" Whenever he came back to the club, eager to kill and all but with less energy like before he joined, I knew you're no good for him. Oh, Zachary here pretended not to be pretty busy with other things, definitely hiding you from us but too late,"

" I watched as my friend slowly changed. Even refusing to go killing anymore, with that, I began to dread the bad thing. That was until he left the club a year before his brother died with no explanation. He just left us out hanging. Too bad, all of us knew that once you get in, there's no way out," he concluded, smirking, his hand in her lap.

"Everyone goes through change, just accept it, he's grown sick of the-this killings, so what?" she furiously hollered at him.

However, Jack only gave her an amused look, as if what she just uttered was nothing but a piece of trash.

Shaking his head, he said, "Oh, how innocent you are, Sweetie. You do realize I was betrayed by your man, right?"

She didn't have the chance to answer him when she raced her off, saying, "as a matter of fact, I intend to have my revenge, of course, by crushing you. Preferably in bed, he could taste his sweet vengeance,"

Seraphina felt nothing but anger and disgust at his words, what made things worse was the sight of him leaning down towards her as if planning on kissing her any second now.

Due to her restraints and with his grip around her waist, Jack's lips came crashing down hers, struggling, she tried escaping him but it was no use since he is, indeed, a massive man.

"If only the two of you followed my warnings, this wouldn't have happened, Sweetie," he uttered, his lips on her ears, licking her earlobe.

She let out a disgusted gasp, feeling all dirty. He then returned his lips to her lips.

Only this time, he hardened his grip around her, even had the nerve to bite her lips, forcing her to open her mouth as his disgusting tongue entered her mouth.

She could feel her heart beating fast due to panic, with that, she bit his tongue hard. Hardest she could muster.

Immediately, he backed away from her, anger flashing in his eyes. "I'll show you how mean I could be in bed, you bitch," he angrily spoked.

He was about to attack her once again when suddenly, he felt a pair of strong massive arms head locking him.

In that instant, he knew Zachary had escaped his restraints.

'Damn it,' gasped Jack, twisting his upper body to escape Zachary's hand clutches.

He should've not let the hooded men go, that's for sure.

But Seraphina is not one to complain. Eyeing Zachary's furious face as he tried to choke Jack, she knew she had to do something but with all these ties, she's stuck in simply watching.

She gazes at Zachary's arm around his neck, definitely with an intent to kill. "Don't you fucking touch her, you asshole!" Hollered Zachary, his face red due to fury, his eyes scary.

The color of Jack's face was slowly changing, it was as if all his blood was draining, panic painted in his once handsome features.

Yet, despite that, he still managed to kick Zachary in the thigh, causing Zachary to lose his grip around Jack.

With that, the two of them faced each other. Jack, still gasping for air, Zachary immediately attacked him, raining him with punches.

Her emerald eyes wide, Seraphina hasn't seen this side of Zachary until now. She's aware Zachary can be like this but it hasn't occurred to her how scary it is.

"You fucking asshole!" Screamed Zachary as Jack tried to miss his stum wounds but failed to.

"You were my friend, Zachary, you know that!" Exclaimed Jack, successfully landing a hard punch on Zachary's eye.

Still standing firmly, Zachary punched him on the stomach followed in his cheek.

Typical of Zachary, he did not reply and didn't stop from screaming, "you're willing to throw away years of friendship because of what? Because of this bitch?"

At his statement, Zachary punched him in the face once again but this time, Jack managed to dodge

Everything happened so fast, a while ago, it seems obvious Zachary is on his verge of winning the fight but Jack managed to get away from his clutches.

Zachary struggled under him but did not throw any punch, truth be told, Seraphina couldn't see much of the fight since they had their backs at her.

All Seraphina could do is gasp and holler Zachary's name, praying that he'll make it through alive.

"Don't you dare call her that," responded Zachary, giving such death glare to him.

Laughing sarcastically, he replied, "and what would you do, Zach?"

"I swear, I would fucking skin you alive until all your flesh come throbbing out, I would fucking chop each your fingers, stabbed your eyes and had them plucked out all while I enjoy the sound of your agony," Zachary exclaimed, his fists turning white, still starring straight at him despite his face covered in blood, his teeth swimming in blood as well.

"Like good old times, huh," Jack laughingly muttered, his stares devilish.

"I told you already for so many damn times, I don't want any part in that stupid cult of yours anymore,"

"Fuck, can't believe what this fucking love if you'll call it that turned you into, man,"

Subsequently, he double punched Zachary's nose, both their faces covered in their own blood. Their noses must've been crooked if ever they survived. Their knuckles are forever swelling and so's their faces.

Judging from his posture, his raised fist, Seraphina could tell Jack was about to land a solid punch on her Zach, with that, she let out a gasp.

As soon as he first kissed Zachary's left cheek, the loud sound of the firing of the gun filled the surrounding area.

Seraphina screamed Zachary's name as loud as she could, her heart beating fast, her whole body trembling in fear.

For the second time, she called Zachary for she hadn't known what had become of him.

That was until she saw right in front of her Jack falling to the ground, swimming in his own pool of blood, all coming from his head.

It was followed by the soft grunt of Zachary, gingerly, Seraphina watched as Zachary struggled to rise from his position.

At the sight of Zachary walking limply towards her, his body all blood, Seraphina immediately burst into tears.

In an instant, Zachary is beside her, hurriedly untying the bounds, with that, Seraphina, not giving a damn about his state, wrapped her arms around her and kissed him, their kiss full of love and urgency.

Zachary rested his bloody hands around her waists, deepening their kiss, even trailed his lips across her neck and earlobe, erasing Jack's kisses on hers.

Seraphina clung into him as if he's the oxygen, her tears flowing, her mind and body still registering that, indeed, Zachary is alive.

"I thought he shot you, Zach. I-i saw a gun tucked inside his pocket, I-i thought he shot you, I thought you di-" Seraphina stuttered, her palms across his bloody cheeks, her eyes filled with desperation, still assuring herself.

Under her touch, she saw and felt Zachary wince die to his wounds. With that, she let his hands fall from his.

Still, Zachary's hands remained around her, holding her, rocking her, exploring her, as if, he, too, is still assuring herself that they're both alive.

"And that's the very gun I used to kill that bloody asshole," murmured Zachary in her earlobe.

" And I'm sorry, Seraphina for all this. For putting you into this, for all this bullshit," uttered Zachary, his hands gripping her shoulders, regret in his eyes and voice.

Seraphina merely nodded at him, and smiled, "I love you, Zach, I don't care about all these, I just really love you,"

Returning her smile, he intertwined their fingers before looking up at her, saying, "And I do love you very much as well, Sep,"

"Now, let's get outta here and clean yourself up," said Seraphina as soon as Zachary finished kissing her in the mouth, their lips still touching, their noses touching.

Chuckling, he replied, "Yes, Ma'am,"

"I sure do hope no more bad guys chasing us, Zach,"

Pinching her sweet little nose, he replied, "no more kidnappings and all that, I promise you, Sep,"

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