Inside Pandora's Box, Alpha Bennet takes a leisurely stroll, his eyes absorbing the peculiarities of the floating and moving items in the rooms. He tilts his head inquisitively at a self-sweeping broom, delaying our progress.
'This way, if you don't mind, Alpha Bennet,' Yiselda urges, a note of impatience in her voice.
As we traverse the hallway and enter through the large mirror, Yiselda opens the door on the right. Alpha Bennet, puzzled by the apparent emptiness of the dark room, questions, 'There is nothing in there? Is there even a floor to stand on in there?'
Yiselda, with a confident smile, turns back to the dark space. 'Materialize', she commands. A book appears in her hand, and she casts the next spell, 'Sprouto Spawniate.'
Alpha Bennet takes a step back in astonishment as a staircase of books materializes before his eyes. While everyone else wears a smile, my expression remains neutral as I fight to keep my nerves from bubbling over.
As we stand before the imposing, dark wooden door, conflicting emotions swirl within me. Excitement bubbles up, fueled by the prospect of seeing Alec, while guilt also tugs at my conscience, my thoughts inevitably drifting to Magnus.
Alpha Bennet points to the symbols on the door, displaying curiosity and caution. 'What do these symbols mean?' he inquires.
Yiselda enlightens him. 'If the creatures on the other side escape their dungeon cells, these markings will prevent them from exiting through this door.'
'An extra barrier,' he remarks, acknowledging the defensive measure.
'Yes,' Yiselda nods, her expression grave. 'It will also harm them, inflicting severe pain and injury if they try to force themselves through it.'
As Yiselda opens the door, a waft of Alec's distinctive sandalwood and sage scent brushes past me. My instincts scream to run towards him, but the exhaustion from the morning's near-drowning keeps my body in check. Clenching my fists, I intentionally position myself behind everyone, concealing the internal struggle from prying eyes.
Inside, the grimghouls snarl, their menacing presence acknowledged by Alpha Bennet and the witches. A sudden realization hits me—I'm dangerously close to the bars, yet the grimghouls show no interest in attacking me. I'm curious as to why they are not interested in harming me.
'What are these vicious things? I've never seen them before,' Alpha Bennet remarks, taking a cautious step back.
'Grimghouls, with their razor fangs and claws, can rip someone to pieces in seconds,' Yiselda informs him, her tone carrying a weight of warning.
Alpha Bennet stiffens, a visible reaction to the awareness of the formidable creatures before us.
My heart pounds faster as we progress through the dimly lit dungeon. Seeking comfort, I scratch Reaper's head, grounding myself amidst the tension. My gaze briefly locks with Alec's intense stare as we pass the shadow reapers, his eyes leaving a scorching trail through me. I manage a smile at Lilac but consciously keep my eyes downcast, minimizing eye contact with Alec. Unlike the grimghouls, the shadow reapers approach, pressing against the bars as if drawn to me. Perplexed, I halt, meeting their unnerving proximity with a stare of confusion. Yiselda wears a similar expression, and Reaper, perched on my shoulder, offers me a knowing look. In response to Yiselda's strange look, I shrug. The Shadow Reapers retreat to the rear of the cell, responding to Reaper's caw. 'I’m a Shadow Raven. They are drawn to me,' Reaper reveals.
'Oh,' I reply aloud, receiving more curious looks from those around me.
Yiselda proceeds to explain to Alpha Bennet the nature of the shadow reapers and how they funnel down one's throat, taking control of the mind and body and inducing hallucinations. 'I can barely see them in the dark,' Alpha Bennet comments.
'Illumini,' Yiselda casts the spell of light, revealing the Shadow Reapers as human silhouettes with black mist emanating from them, akin to Reaper. 'Dimulous,' Yiselda says, plunging the cell back into darkness.
'I suppose it’s time for you to meet their master, the vampire king,' Yiselda declares, striding toward Alec's cell.
We approach Alec's cell. My peripheral vision catches Alec's hands clenched around the bars, his head wedged between them, his eyes burning into me. Instinctively, I maintain a deliberate distance, aware of the raging hormones intensifying our connection. Alec, too, appears to struggle against the restraints; his desire for me is obvious. I can almost envision him snatching me up in his arms if the bars weren't separating us. Beads of sweat form across his forehead as his hands tighten around the bars, his gaze fixed on me.
Alpha Bennet sneers, his disdain evident, 'This is the Vampire King?'
'Yes, this is him,' Yiselda confirms.
Alec suddenly shifts his gaze to Reaper on my shoulder, his expression transforming into delight. 'Hello, Reaper. It’s been a long time, my old friend,' Alec's smile widens.
Reaper caws and flaps his wings. 'Wait! You know the vampire king?' I ask through the mind-link.
'Did I not mention that?' Reaper replies casually, leaving me shocked and seeking an explanation.
Alpha Bennet scoffs, interrupting our mind-link. 'He looks as weak as a wart on a toad’s rear and only looks around twenty years old.'
Alec hisses, flashing his teeth at Alpha Bennet, causing him to step back. Alec then resumes his intense gaze on me.
'Appearances can be deceiving,' Yiselda interjects. 'He has been here for a long time, and his powers are phenomenal. It took the entire coven to get him in here using multiple spells at the same time.'
‘How long has he been in here?’ Alpha Bennet asks.
‘Hundreds of years, I’ve lost count of how many years exactly,’ Yiselda replies, her expression reflecting the weight of time that Alec has endured within his supernatural prison.
As the revelation of Alec's solitary confinement for centuries sinks in, a heaviness settles over my heart. Finally, summoning the courage, I meet his gaze. Our eyes lock, and in that moment, it's as if we peer into each other's souls. My heartbeat quickens. On Alec's face, a mixture of sadness and longing plays out. He closes his eyes, inhaling deeply, undoubtedly absorbing my scent and succumbing to the same urges that tangle within me. The desire to hold and touch me emanates from him, evident in how he breathes me in. Blushing, I avert my gaze before his eyes flutter open.