"For someone whose mother is the ruler of the Underworld, you're certainly afraid of death," Penny purred, her eyes fixed on the silver blade.
Jude didn't answer. He was staring at Elisabeth's unconscious form, his mind a whirlwind of regret.
"You need to relax," Penny whispered, sensing his hesitation. "If you truly love her, you'll let me do this. It's the only way."
Jude opened his mouth to protest, but a sharp gasp cut him off.
"Are you people sick?" Elisabeth's voice was weak but laced with venom. "Where am I?"
"You're awake," Jude said, stepping toward her.
"Get your hands off me!" she hissed, struggling against her restraints.
"Honey, if I were you, I wouldn't struggle," Penny laughed, running a finger down the edge of the blade. "Those chains are shut tight."
"Why, Jude? Why!" Elisabeth's eyes welled with tears as she looked at him. "Oh, so now you can't even look at me? You disgust me."
"I did this to protect you!" Jude snapped, his guilt turning into defensive rage. "When we're together and happy, you'll understand. But we have to get that mark out of you first."
Elisabeth let out a hollow, horrified laugh. "I thought Jason was crazy, but you're on another level. I will never be with you. You've brought me nothing but pain. You're sick if you think anyone could ever love a traitor."
Jude flinched as if she'd slapped him. He lunged forward, grabbing her face with bruising force. "Jason may think he has you, but I won't stop until you're mine. Do you have any idea how many years I've loved you? I won't let him have you. Not him, and not Ray."
"Cough, cough," Penny interrupted, bored. "Wrap it up. I need to proceed."
Elisabeth's eyes widened as Penny approached with the shimmering blade. "What are you doing? Don't you touch me!"
"This is going to sting, Princess," Penny smiled. "But it's for the best."
"AHHHHHHHHHH!"
"AHHHHHHHH!"
Jason collapsed to his knees in the forest, clutching his chest. "My heart... my chest! What are they doing to her?"
The pain was unbearable. He felt every scream, every slice of the blade as if it were happening to his own skin. He knew what they were doing—they were trying to sever the bond by force. He had a flash of a memory—a girl, a fire, a scream—and it brought a wave of nausea.
"I have to find her," he gasped, his vision blurring. "I can't read her thoughts... it's all just... pain."
In the clearing, Jude finally broke. "STOP! Penny, she's in pain! Stop it!"
"Stop... please," Elisabeth sobbed, her strength fading.
"Fine, big babies," Penny rolled her eyes, sheathing the blade. "I'm going for a snack. Be gone before I get back."
The moment she was gone, Jude knelt by Elisabeth. "Elisa..."
"Don't you dare," she whispered, her face pale. "If you want me to even think of forgiving you, get me out of here. I need my father."
"I can't. I'm sorry," Jude said. Before he stood up, he leaned in and forced a kiss onto her lips—a cold, desperate claim.
"You'll understand later. Jason is never going to be good for you."
"And who are you to decide that?" she screamed as he walked away. "Jude! Get back here! JUDE!"
"Wait, I think I see him! Jason!" Frank's voice echoed through the trees.
Jason stumbled out of the brush and collapsed into his father's arms, sobbing. "I couldn't find her... Dad, I couldn't find her!"
Frank held him tight. "Son, it's okay. We will find her."
"You don't understand!" Jason cried.
Suddenly, strong hands pulled him back. He was looking into the eyes of Manny, Elisabeth's father.
"You can feel her pain, can't you?" Manny asked, his voice surprisingly soft. "It's a beautiful and dangerous curse, of this mark. The longer you are separated, the more intense the pain becomes." Manny gripped Jason's shoulders. "Look at me. We are going to get her back. But you need to pull yourself together. We'll meet tomorrow after your school hours and finalize the plan."
"Thank you, Manny," Frank said.
Manny nodded solemnly. "Keep me updated on Lily."
The next day, school felt like a gray, lifeless dream. Jason moved through the halls like a ghost, his mind entirely consumed by Elisabeth. Suddenly, a wave of energy hit him. He looked up to see Rouna standing there, her expression fierce.
"Come with me. Now," she commanded.
Before Jason could respond, a voice whispered in the back of his mind—faint, like a radio signal. Rouna grabbed his arm and dragged him into a storage room. The moment the door shut, she slapped him.
"Start talking! I know you know where she is!"
"Why would I know?" Jason growled, rubbing his cheek.
Ray stepped out from the shadows, looking exhausted. "I'm too tired for games, Jason. Where is Elisabeth?"
"I don't know!"
"Do you think we're stupid?" Rouna screamed. "Where is she!"
The noise was getting too much. Rouna's screaming, the tight space, Ray gripping his collar—Jason felt trapped. And then, the voice in his head turned into a roar.
JASON!
"Elisabeth!" Jason gasped the name out loud.
"Yes, what about her?" Rouna demanded. "Are you ready to talk?"
Jason leaned his head against the wall, the memories finally breaking through the dam. "I died and came back," he whispered, his voice trembling. "I was reborn once before. There was a girl I loved... I marked her, and it changed everything. It was a forbidden mark."
Ray and Rouna froze.
"The Night Walkers found out. They tried to take her because it was time for her awakening—they wanted the Phoenix fire inside her. I knew the only way to save her was to 'reborn' us both. But something went wrong. She died, and I was the only one who came back as I was. I lost Her, the fire she held was lost, I could never forgive myself ." Tears streamed down his face. "I've been running from that memory for so long."
Ray slowly let go of Jason's collar. Rouna sank to the floor, her face pale.
"Wait... you marked Elisabeth?" Ray whispered. "What is wrong with you?"
"We'll deal with you later," Rouna said, her voice shaking. "But first, where is she?"
"I tried to find her, but she's hidden," Jason said.
Suddenly, Jason's head snapped back. A vision flooded his mind. Elisabeth was standing in a gray void, looking frail and broken.
Jason... Jason please. I need you... there isn't much time left.
"AHHHH!" Jason screamed, clutching his head.
"What's happening?" Rouna cried. "Ray, get the nurse!"
"My head!" Jason's eyes flew open, but they were glowing with an eerie light.
"I saw her. She's weak."
He bolted for the door, his movements fueled by pure adrenaline.
"Where are you going?" Ray shouted.
"Explain what just happened!"
"No time!" Jason yelled over his shoulder. "Just follow me!"