The room felt tight.
Not physically…
But mentally.
Like the walls were listening.
Kaela sat chained in the center, calm as ever, her eyes moving between all of them like she was already five steps ahead.
Lucas watched her for a long moment.
Then suddenly—
He clapped once.
"Alright. This isn't working."
Everyone looked at him.
Julien frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Lucas pushed himself off the wall and walked slowly toward Kaela.
"She's not scared."
He tilted his head, studying her.
"She's not angry."
Then he smirked slightly.
"And most importantly… she's not talking."
Kaela smiled faintly.
"Smart observation."
Lucas pointed at her.
"Thank you."
Then he turned toward Julien.
"Which means…"
He walked closer to him.
"We're doing this wrong."
Velik, standing near the window, finally spoke.
"And what do you suggest?"
Lucas's smile returned.
"Simple."
He looked back at Kaela.
"We stop asking questions."
Julien crossed his arms.
"And then?"
Lucas leaned closer to him and said quietly—
"We make her want to answer."
Kaela's expression didn't change.
But her eyes flickered slightly.
Lucas noticed.
Got you.
The Plan
Lucas turned to the group.
"Okay, listen carefully."
He pointed at Zoe.
"You."
Zoe raised an eyebrow.
"…Me?"
Lucas nodded.
"Yeah, spirit girl."
"I need you to scare her."
Zoe's eyes hardened slightly.
"I don't torture people."
Lucas shrugged.
"Relax. I didn't say torture."
He smiled.
"Just… make her uncomfortable."
Zoe didn't look convinced.
Lucas turned to Nora.
"And you."
Nora looked at him seriously.
"What?"
Lucas pointed toward Eva.
"Take the walking nuclear bomb out of this room."
Nora frowned.
"Eva won't agree—"
"Then don't ask her," Lucas interrupted.
"Just take her."
He lowered his voice slightly.
"She's unstable. If things go wrong… she'll destroy the whole house."
Nora looked at Eva.
She knew he was right.
Lucas clapped his hands again.
"And when she falls asleep…"
He grinned.
"You come back."
Then he spread his arms dramatically.
"And enjoy the show."
Nora rolled her eyes slightly.
"You enjoy this too much."
Lucas smiled.
"Of course I do."
Velik spoke from the corner.
"It is a good plan."
Everyone looked at him.
Velik stepped forward slightly.
"She is strong mentally."
He looked at Kaela.
"But not unbreakable."
Then he added—
"Pressure will create cracks."
Lucas pointed at him.
"See? Ancient vampire agrees with me."
Removing Eva
Nora walked toward Eva slowly.
"Come on."
Eva shook her head weakly.
"I'm fine."
The floor beneath her cracked slightly again.
Nora didn't argue this time.
She grabbed Eva's arm firmly.
"No. You're not."
Eva tried to resist.
But her strength faded quickly.
The magic had already drained her.
Zoe stepped in softly.
"Let her rest."
After a moment—
Eva gave in.
Nora helped her out of the room.
The moment the door closed—
The air changed.
It became colder.
Sharper.
More dangerous.
The Game Begins
Lucas turned slowly toward Kaela.
His expression changed.
Still playful…
But darker now.
"Well…"
He leaned slightly forward.
"Now it's just us."
Kaela smirked.
"You think this will work?"
Lucas shrugged.
"I don't know."
Then he added quietly—
"But I'm excited to find out."
He nodded toward Zoe.
"Go ahead."
Zoe hesitated for a second.
Then she stepped forward.
Her hands slowly began to glow.
Soft at first…
Then stronger.
The air around Kaela started shifting.
The temperature dropped.
Shadows in the room stretched unnaturally.
Kaela's eyes narrowed slightly.
"What are you doing?"
Zoe's voice changed.
Layered.
Like more than one voice was speaking.
"They want to see you."
Kaela's breathing changed.
Just slightly.
Lucas noticed immediately.
"Oh…"
He smiled.
"That got a reaction."
Zoe raised her hand slowly.
The shadows around Kaela began moving.
Not like normal shadows.
They twisted.
Forming shapes.
Figures.
Kaela tried to look away—
But couldn't.
Her eyes were locked.
"What… is this?"
Zoe stepped closer.
"They remember."
Kaela's calm expression cracked for the first time.
"Stop."
Lucas leaned casually against the wall.
"Or what?"
Kaela snapped her gaze toward him.
Lucas shrugged.
"You're not exactly in a position to negotiate."
Velik watched silently.
Observing every reaction.
Every breath.
Every small movement.
Julien Steps In
Julien walked forward slowly.
His eyes fixed on Kaela.
"No more games."
His voice was low.
Controlled.
"You said you didn't want to kill the others."
Kaela stayed silent.
Zoe's magic grew stronger.
The shadows tightened around Kaela's body.
Her breathing became heavier.
Julien stepped even closer.
"Then why did you continue?"
Kaela clenched her jaw.
Lucas whispered from behind—
"Push harder."
Julien didn't break eye contact.
"Who made you continue?"
Kaela's eyes flickered again.
For a second…
Fear appeared.
Real fear.
"I…"
Zoe's magic surged suddenly.
Kaela gasped.
The shadows closed tighter.
"ANSWER HIM."
Zoe's voice echoed.
Kaela shouted—
"STOP!"
Silence fell instantly.
Zoe lowered her hand slightly.
Kaela's breathing was uneven now.
Her calm… gone.
Lucas straightened up slowly.
And smiled.
Not playful this time.
But satisfied.
"There it is."
He looked at Julien.
"That's the crack."
Julien stepped even closer.
One final question.
"Who… is watching you?"
Kaela froze.
Her eyes widened slightly.
And for the first time—
She didn't look dangerous.
She looked terrified.
The Shift
Before she could answer—
The lights flickered.
Once.
Twice.
Then stopped.
Everyone in the room felt it.
That same presence.
Watching.
Lucas slowly turned his head toward the empty corner of the room.
"…Okay."
His voice dropped slightly.
"That's new."
Velik's posture changed instantly.
Alert.
Dangerous.
Zoe stepped back.
"The spirits…"
Her voice trembled.
"They're gone."
Kaela started laughing.
Not confidently.
Not proudly.
But nervously.
"You're too late…"
Julien grabbed her collar.
"What do you mean?"
Kaela looked at all of them.
Her voice shaking slightly now.
"He's already here."
Silence.
Heavy.
Unmoving.
Lucas looked around the room again.
Then back at Kaela.
And for now ....
He didn't joke.
"…Yeah."
A small pause.
"I had a feeling you'd say that."