After Hazel finished frustrating Benedict, she made her way to Ariel's chamber to fetch her.
A quiet breath left her as she walked down the hallway.
For a moment… she almost felt bad for the girl.
To be dragged into something like this… to face such horror, all because fate decided to bind her to a demon.
It was cruel.
Hazel's jaw tightened faintly. She loved her brother more.
Far more than whatever pity she could feel for a girl she barely knew. She could not let anything happen to him.
Not because of sympathy. Not because of guilt.
Nothing mattered more than him.
Hazel shook her head lightly, pushing the thoughts away the moment she reached the door that led into Ariel's chamber.
There was no use thinking about it.
She reached for the handle and pushed the door open, and froze.
The girl was gone.
Her gaze moved slowly across the space.
Everything was exactly as it was supposed to be.
Except…The girl.
For a moment, Hazel did not move.
