Chapter 7 Danger has a name?

Miles away from Moon Pavilion, inside a warehouse on the outskirts of the city, a bloodied man hung from the ceiling by chains fastened to his wrists, his feet barely touching the floor.

His face was swollen beyond recognition. One eye had already swollen shut. The other remained fixed on the man seated several feet away.

Cassius Volkov.

The man shuddered.

Not because of the pain.

Because Cassius had not spoken a single word since arriving.

The silence was worse.

Much worse.

Cassius sat with one leg crossed over the other, a file resting loosely in his hand.

His expression was indifferent.The scene before him held little interest.

For a brief moment, his thoughts wandered elsewhere.

To the woman he had left at the estate.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

It vanished almost immediately.

The temperature in the warehouse seemed to drop.

Cassius lowered his gaze to the file.

A cold glint flashed across his eyes.

Without warning, he flung it.

The file struck the bloodied man's chest before falling onto the floor.

The man flinched violently.

A muffled sound escaped him. His mouth had long since been gagged.

"You dared to steal from me." Cassius's voice was calm.

The man's body trembled. He shook his head frantically. Tears mixed with blood as he struggled against the chains.

Cassius watched without expression.

The sight was neither pitiful nor tragic. It was simply annoying.

Adrien stepped inside.

"Mr. Volkov."

Cassius did not look away from the suspended man.

"What?"

"Mrs. Volkov left the estate."

The warehouse fell silent.

Even the man's muffled pleading seemed to stop.

"Where?"

"Moon Pavilion."

For a moment, Cassius said nothing.

Then he glanced at his watch, just past noon.

He reached for his phone. His thumb hovered over the screen.

Then he typed four words.

Be back by three.

After sending the message, he slipped the phone back into his pocket.

The bloodied man released another desperate sound.

Cassius did not spare him a glance, he looked at Adrien.

Those black eyes held no mercy.

"Handle it."

Adrien lowered his head. "Yes."

The man's face drained of color.

Without another glance, he left the warehouse.

The matter was already forgotten.

---

Moon Pavilion.

"Marine?"

Davina waved a hand in front of her face.

Marionette blinked. "Hm?"

"What's wrong? Are you alright?" Davina asked worriedly.

Marionette smiled and lifted her teacup. "I'm fine."

Davina looked unconvinced. "You disappeared for a second."

"It was nothing."

Davina studied her for another moment before finally letting it go.

"Fine. I'll allow it." She pointed a finger across the table. "But only because I have more important things to interrogate you about."

Marionette nearly laughed. "Interrogate?"

"Yes, interrogate." Davina sat straighter. "Tell me, how does he look?"

Marionette paused. "Cassius?"

"Who else?" Davina lowered her voice dramatically. "I've never actually seen him, but I heard he's completely hideous."

A laugh escaped Marionette before she could stop it.

Davina looked offended. "Why are you laughing?"

"Because that's ridiculous."

"Is it?" Davina folded her arms. "People say that's the reason he never appears in public."

Marionette shook her head. "I don't think so."

The answer came surprisingly quickly.

Davina's eyes narrowed. "Oh? Interesting."

Marionette instantly regretted responding.

"No, no. Continue."

"There is nothing to continue." Marionette sipped her tea.

Davina gasped. "You've seen him."

Marionette stared at her. "Obviously I've seen him."

"Right." Davina grinned. "And you immediately defended his appearance."

Marionette sighed. "Because it's definitely not as you described". 

Thinking back, she had never actually taken the time to study his face. But then the word ugly is completely out of place when used to describe him.

"Marine." Davina called out with a teasing tone.

Marionette chuckled as she quickly picked some cookies and stuffed them in Davina's mouth. "Eat more".

Davina swallowed the cookie and pointed accusingly at her. "You're trying to silence me."

"It's working." 

"Not even a little."

Marionette laughed.

The sound seemed to ease something in Davina's expression.

Her smile softened.

"Marine."

The change in tone immediately caught Marionette's attention.

"Hm?"

Davina looked down at her teacup for a moment before speaking.

"When I heard the news, I was terrified."

Marionette's smile faded slightly.

"Davi..."

"I'm serious."

Davina looked up.

"The Vale family went too far this time". Her fingers tightened around the teacup.

Marionette fell silent, her eyes stung.

Davina reached across the table and squeezed her hand.

"I knew you'd survive it. You always do."

Davina smiled bitterly.

"But knowing that didn't stop me from being scared."

A warm feeling settled in Marionette's chest.

She squeezed Davina's hand back.

"You are here now, that's all that matters ".

Davina smiled weakly. "I know."

"But that doesn't stop me from worrying."

Marionette stood and wrapped her arms around her.

Davina immediately hugged her back tight.

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Davina ruined the atmosphere.

"As your best friend, it is literally my job to be dramatic."

Marionette laughed into her shoulder. "There she is."

Davina finally pulled away and sat back down.

Then her expression became serious again.

"Still, You have to be careful."

Marionette raised an eyebrow.

A trace of helplessness crossed Davina's face.

"My father deals with powerful people. Governments, investors..." Davina stirred her tea absentmindedly. "And according to him, there are three people he never underestimates."

"And Cassius is one of them?" Marionette chipped in.

Davina nodded. "The truly dangerous people aren't loud because they don't need to be."

Marionette's mind traveled back to last night, how he let himself get hurt just to manipulate an entire conversation.

Davina sighed. "Anyway, enough about that. No matter what, I'll always be here for you".

Marionette smiled and patted her head, "I'm so lucky to have you".

"No, I'm the lucky one". Davina immediately added causing both of them to burst Into laughter.

Then the door opened. Neither woman paid much attention.

"Marine."

The male voice froze Marionette where she sat.

His eyes locked onto Marionette instantly.

Everything else seemed to disappear from his attention.

For a second, she thought she had imagined it.

Slowly, she turned.

A man stood near the entrance. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Dark hair slightly disordered as though he had arrived in a hurry. The resemblance to Davina was impossible to miss. The same eyes and features. As though someone has taken Davina's face and carved it into a more sharper and more masculine version.

Marionette's eyes widened. "Daemon?"

Across the table, Davina nearly choked.

"Wait. Daemon?" Her twin brother was supposed to be overseas.

The man crossed the room in three long strides.

Marionette stood so quickly her chair scraped against the floor. A smile broke across her face.

The moment he reached her, she threw her arms around him.

Daemon caught her immediately. Holding her tightly.

Relief flashed across his face so briefly she almost missed it.

“Marine.”

His voice was rougher than she remembered.

“You idiot.”

A laugh escaped her.

“You too.”

Slowly he released her.

His expression changed.

Marionette noticed the change immediately. The warmth was gone.

He lowered his head.

Close enough that only she could hear.

“You shouldn't be here.”