It was a dark alley.

There were no prominent lights—only darkness and a deadly silence that swallowed the narrow passage whole.

A man was running like a madman, his breaths ragged, chest heaving, and each footstep echoing in the hollow stillness. The silence was so suffocating, even his sharp panting sounded deafening.

He stumbled, and fell on the muddy street.

And then—

His footsteps.

A presence loomed.

A man cloaked in shadows, exuding a dark, ominous aura, stepped forward. His movements were calm… too calm. Yet every step carried something deadly, something cold.

The fallen man scrambled backward, his hands clawing desperately at the dirt. His body shook violently as the silhouette of his pursuer grew larger—closer.

His every step echoed like a countdown to the inevitable.

Slow. Heavy. Unforgiving.

The figure was tall. Broad-shouldered. Terrifyingly composed. And in his hand–

A shovel.

Mud dripped from its edge.

"P-Please... Please spare me, Python...!" His voice trembled with sheer desperation, lips quivering, eyes glossy with terror.

At the mention of that name—

Python—the air itself grew heavier.

The man before him paled, as if the darkness had swallowed the last ounce of hope from his soul.

"Özür dilerim... Patron!! Lütfen...!"

("I'm sorry... Boss!!! Please...!")

He begged in Turkish, sobbing, his hands raised in futile surrender.

But mercy?

That word had no meaning here.

The iron shovel in Python's hand moved–

CRACK!

It came down with terrifying force, smashing into the man's skull.

Blood splattered across the wet street like crimson petals.

A groan escaped the dying man, gurgled and lifeless.

"There's no 'sorry' in Python's dictionary."

Python's voice was ice. Flat. Deadly.

He raised the shovel again.

THWACK.

And again.

CRUNCH.

And again—

The strikes were relentless. Unforgiving.

Each blow shattered bone, tearing through flesh, until what remained no longer resembled a human face.

And still—

He didn't stop.

Not until Eiran's calm, low voice echoed behind him. "He's dead, Python."

Silence returned.

Python stood still, blood dripping from the edge of the iron shovel, pooling near his boots.

He looked down at the mangled corpse—eyes blank, jaw tight, muscles tensed.

Any ordinary man would've fainted, vomited or Ran away.

But not him.

Never him.

He was the shadow in nightmares, the monster behind the curtain of law and morality.

His hazel-brown eyes, now tainted with death, showed no emotion.

No regret.

No soul.

Just the cold... Darkness.

And a haunting, unshakable stillness.

It almost felt like he was willing the man to wake up, so he could kill him again.

"Darla got the remaining information. She's waiting for us," Rex said, his voice was composed.

Like Python, Rex was no stranger to the abyss.

"We need to leave now, Python." Rex added....

Python gave a slight nod. Then, without another glance at the body, he turned and started walking.

Three men followed him, each carrying the same dark aura as him.

"I'll drive." Izan, his younger brother, spoke with a spark of excitement.

Eiran tossed him the car keys, which he caught effortlessly, while his lips curled into a smirk.

"No need to get excited, Python is with us," Rex reminded him.

Izan rolled his eyes with a sigh and started the car.

Within seconds, their vehicle sped onto the road, leaving the passersby behind, just shadows in the rearview mirror.

-

Python sat in the back seat, HIS gaze locked on the dark cityscape flashing past the car window.

His hands rested on his knees, calm, steady and completely unbothered by the blood that had just soaked them minutes ago.

Betrayal...!!

It was a word he had long grown accustomed to, yet it never failed to ignite the same burning disgust inside him.

That man... Erdem...

He had served under Python for years, swearing loyalty, taking orders without hesitation. Yet, in the end, he was nothing more than a rat... selling secrets, thinking he could outsmart Python.

'huh, a fool.' He scoffed thinking about that disloyal rat...

Python had crossed oceans, leaving Istanbul for LA for one reason and one reason only... to end the life of that rat.

No one betrays Python and lives to tell the tale.

Erdem must have thought he had time. Thought the distance would protect him. Thought he could run.

But Python never lets his prey escape.

Loyalty isn't a choice. It's a law. And breaking that law meant one thing... Death...

And The shovel had done its job perfectly. Now, Erdem was nothing but a nameless corpse rotting in the shadows of an alley.

Python exhaled slowly, his fingers tapping against his knee in a rhythmic pattern yet controlled and calculating.

His eyes flickered toward the rearview mirror, catching Izan's smug expression as he drove, and then to Rex, who sat beside him, Calm as always.

'Darla has the remaining information.' Python repeated Rex's words in his mind.

'Good..' And then he closed his eyes leaning his head back..

.

*****-----****

[Morning]

"Mama!!! You know I only eat toast with orange marmalade!" Samira pouted, her arms crossing in a dramatic flair, lower lip jutting like a sulking child.

"Samira, the jam is finished. Just have your toast with this flavor today," Liana replied calmly as she placed a glass jug of freshly squeezed juice on the dining table.

"But I don't like apple flavor, Mama!" she whined again, her voice rising slightly, like she'd just been asked to drink poison.

Liana sighed deeply, her patience thinning. "It's just for one day, sweetheart. Stop making a fuss and eat your breakfast, please."

Samira gasped softly, placing her hand over her chest as if Liana had just wounded her pride. Her eyes widened with an innocent glint. "You're scolding me?"

"When did I scold you?" Liana let out a tired chuckle, pouring juice into a tall glass and sliding it toward her daughter.

Before Samira could argue further, a calm voice interrupted her from the other side of the table.

"You could have told me yesterday that the marmalade was finished. I would've brought it for my doll," her father, Gary, said gently, looking at her with soft eyes.

"Natalia didn't inform me. Otherwise, I would have already arranged it, Honey," Liana replied, giving a glance toward her husband, Gary Orlaith.

Natalia, their housemaid, who usually took care of groceries, was off today. And in her rush yesterday, she had forgotten to mention that the jar of orange marmalade was empty.

"So sorry, sweetie. Just manage for today. I'll go shopping with Natalia in the afternoon and buy everything fresh," Liana reassured her with a warm, apologetic smile.

Samira sighed, her expression softening. "It's okay, Mama. Please don't say sorry."

Just then, a hand reached over and placed a new, sealed jar of orange marmalade right in front of her on the table.

Her eyes widened, shimmering with delight. "Brother... how—"

Kai smirked casually, sliding into the chair beside her. "Before going for a jog, I went to the kitchen to get water and saw the empty jar. So, I stopped by the store while returning."

He reached over and affectionately ruffled her hair. "I knew our Simmi wouldn't eat properly without her favorite marmalade."

"Thank you, Brother!" she grinned brightly, wrapping her arms around him.

Samira Orlaith. The cherished daughter of Gary and Liana Orlaith. The little sister who was loved to pieces by her family. With her sparkling brown eyes and soft heart, she was nothing less than a princess in their home. And everyone lovingly called her Simmi.

"Good morning, lovely people!" came a cheerful voice from the hallway.

Talia stepped into the dining room, dressed in a sky-blue blouse and high ponytail, radiating her usual sunny aura.

"Good morning, Talia," Liana greeted with a fond smile.

"Come, have breakfast, sweetie," Gary offered kindly, gesturing toward the table.

Talia shook her head politely. "Thank you, Uncle, but I already ate. You know Dad's strict diet rules. He won't let me breathe without measuring calories."

Kai snorted. "Yeah, yeah... that's why you're slowly turning into a buffalo."

Talia gasped dramatically and glared at him. "Kai brother! You shouldn't call a girl that! Don't you know anything about respecting women?"

"You two, stop fighting like kids. Let's go already," Samira sighed, rolling her eyes fondly as she grabbed her tote bag.

"Bye, Mama! Bye, Papa! Bye, Brother!" she chirped, waving her hand toward them as she and Talia headed for the door.

Their laughter echoed through the halls as they stepped out, completely unaware that everything in their lives was about to change forever.

---*****-----

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Thank you so much for reading my book, I'm sure you will enjoy reading it...

Please Vote and comment to support and motivate me, and you can also read my other books by clicking on my profile.

It's just the beginning, stay tuned for exciting plots :)

Xoxo

After finishing their university classes, Samira and Talia slipped into the car, both of them ready for a quick snack at a nearby café.

They needed a break from their busy routine, and this was their moment to unwind. The streets were busy, the city alive with its usual hum of activity.

**---***---**

They reached the café, ordered their drinks, and found a spot by the window. The faint clink of spoons against cups and the murmur of distant conversations didn't register with them, as Talia was lost in scrolling the headlines of the day, while Samira was leaning head back with closed eyes.

Talia leaned forward, her face full of excitement.

"Oh my God, look at this headline, Simmi..!!" She held up her phone, showing Samira the shocking news.

Samira glanced at the screen. Her eyes narrowed at the blurred photo of a man who had been killed the previous night by Python. The gruesome image made her stomach churn, but she kept her composure. She closed her eyes, trying to push away the thoughts it stirred.

"Another one… the victim of Python." The name itself was enough to freeze anyone in their tracks.

Samira closed her eyes again, trying to block out the growing pit of unease in her stomach. "It's becoming too common," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Talia's face twisted with disgust. "Only a person with a heart of stone could kill someone like that. What do you think, Simmi?"

Samira sat straight, her eyes steady as she looked out the window. "I don't know," she replied flatly. "Maybe. But who am I to say?"

Talia raised an eyebrow, clearly not understanding. "What do you mean? You're usually so sure about things."

Samira let out a long breath, her fingers tapping absentmindedly on the table. "They want us to see them as monsters. But the truth is, we only know what they want us to see."

Talia squinted at her, confused. "You're talking in riddles again, girl..i!"

Samira's lips quirked into a slight smirk, but her eyes remained distant. "It's not riddles. It's just the way they play this game. They show us cruelty, and that's all we ever know."

Talia let out an exaggerated sigh, frustrated but still intrigued. "Uff! I still don't get your point!"

Samira shrugged and leaned back in her seat again. "It's not about getting it. Let's not get caught up in this. Anyway It's the police's job to figure it out, not ours."

Talia sighed again, this time more thoughtfully. "Sometimes, I really wonder how you think so deeply."

Samira gave her a small, knowing smile. "It's not deep thinking. It's just how I see things."

Samira gave a small smile. "They've carefully built their dark image. But that's all people know of them. It's a persona. It's all they want the world to see."

Before the conversation could continue, a waiter approached their table with the takeaway. "Here's your order, Ma'am."

"Thank you," Samira said with a polite smile.

They gathered their things and headed for the exit.

But as they did, a pair of dark eyes followed them from the shadows. Samira didn't notice, but someone was watching her every move.

Python.

His masked face gave nothing away, but something about the way he watched her… It was almost as if he was studying her. An unsettling feeling stirred deep in his chest.

"What a decent woman," he murmured under his breath, his voice so low that it was barely audible over the cafe's ambient noise.

Darla, sitting across from him, raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Did you say something?"

Python merely shook his head, his cold eyes never leaving Samira's figure, until she left the cafe. "Nothing."

The two of them sat in silence for a while, as the weight of the moment lingered between them. Python didn't speak further, his mind far away, plotting the next move.

Eventually, Darla broke the quiet. "I got his location." Her voice was crisp and deliberate.

Python's eyes narrowed, the glint of anticipation in them. Without a word, he rose, his movements smooth and controlled. He adjusted his hood and mask, and then, without a second glance at Darla, he headed toward the exit.

The hunt had begun.

***----****---***

Meanwhile, on a dimly lit street corner, a man in his late thirties, a smoker with rough hands, walked down the sidewalk, mindlessly exhaling cigarette smoke into the cold night air.

But as he turned a corner, his steps faltered. His breath caught in his throat as he saw who stood before him.

It was him.

"Python?" The man's voice trembled as he looked at the figure in front of him, a shadow in the darkness. His knees buckled, and he crumpled to the ground.

Python and Darla stood in his path, their presence alone enough to make anyone tremble with fear.

The man's eyes widened in panic.

"I'm sorry, Python! Please forgive me!" He stammered, his head lowered in submission.

Python's steps were slow, deliberate, each one echoing in the man's mind like the beat of a death march. But just as Python was within reach, the man's eyes flickered with a moment of desperation.

With shaking hands, the man pulled a hidden gun from his back. It was a weak move, a futile attempt to fight back. But before the gun even cleared his waist, Python was upon him.

In the blink of an eye, Python's blade flashed, stabbing deep into the man's shoulder. The man let out a strangled cry, his body jerking in pain as blood seeped through his clothes.

The gun clattered to the ground, forgotten in the wake of Python's speed and power.

***---^^^^^---****

[A hidden underground dungeon]

A place that reeked of dampness, blood, and despair, where the air was thick with the stench of fear as four men lay in broken heaps, their bodies battered and bruised, their spirits crushed.

Their leader, a former ally, was chained to a chair in the center of the room, his face pale and drawn. He trembled as he waited for his punishment.

The door opened with a groan, and Python's shadow fell over the room. His cold, calculating eyes swept over the men, his mere presence enough to silence them.

"Ah, so this is that bald traitor," Izan sneered from his corner, his voice dripping with disdain. He leaned forward, arms crossed over his chest. "The one who dared to betray Python."

Eiran, sitting with his legs casually crossed, couldn't hide his amusement. "Has he said anything yet?"

"No!" Rex snapped, frustration clear on his face as he punched the man squarely in the jaw. "The bastard's still got that thick skin."

The man groaned in pain, but there was no hint of repentance in his eyes.

Izan chuckled darkly. "Let me tell you something, fool. The number of people Python has killed? It's more than the number of words he's spoken in his life. And trust me, that's a hell of a lot."

The man's breath quickened, his eyes darting in fear.

"Spit it out, you bastard!" Rex shouted, slamming the barrel of a gun into the man's mouth, forcing him to look up.

Python, who had been silent this entire time, finally stepped forward. His voice, when it came, was a low, dangerous whisper. "Once your dog starts guarding the enemy's home, you can never bring back its loyalty."

The traitor's face was drained of color. "I... I'm sorry, Python," he whimpered, the words trembling on his lips.

Without hesitation, Python spoke again, his tone icy. "Kill him."

"But, Python! He's the only witness to the deal," Darla intervened, her voice cool and measured.

Python's gaze shifted to Rex, who was already stepping forward, gun in hand.

Rex merely nodded, his expression grim. "You had your chance, man."

Before the man could react, the gun went off with a deafening bang. His body slumped forward, lifeless.

The other four men, who had been silent, trembled violently, knowing that their own fate was sealed.

Python's cold gaze swept over them, his presence as suffocating as ever.

"Özür dilerim Abi!!!! Lütfen!!!" one of them cried, tears streaming down his face. (Sorry, Brother!!! Please!!!)

Python's expression never changed. His eyes were empty, emotionless.

One last, shaky voice broke through the silence. "Boss! We won't repeat our mistakes again!"

Python's gaze grew darker, and in an instant, he fired. The sound of gunfire rang out, echoing through the room. In less than two seconds, all four men lay dead, their brains scattered across the cold stone floor.

Without another word, Python stood up, adjusting his mask. "Clear this mess, Izan."

Izan's face lit up with a grin. "Tabii Abi!!!" (Of course, Brother!)

As Python exited the room, Rex scoffed, wiping the blood from his gun with disdain.

"Look at this kid," he muttered. "He gets happy over such small things."

"Oh, come on, Rex," Izan said with a wide grin. "It's more than enough for me. You know Python barely involves me in these things."

Eiran, who had been silent up until now, sighed and took his wife's hand. "Let's go. It's time to finish this."

The final step was imminent.

And no one would escape alive.

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To be continued

it's just the beginning, stay tuned ❣️

"Yes Mama, it was delicious. We're all well aware of uncle's cooking skills." Samira said sweetly over the phone.

"Don't worry, we'll sleep soon." She crossed her fingers as she whispered a soft chuckle, clearly not intending to sleep anytime soon.

"I'll go and bring snacks for the movie," Talia leaned in and whispered, already tiptoeing away.

Samira simply nodded, still on the call. She spoke to her mother for a few more moments, soft-spoken and smiling, before finally ending the call. As soon as the line disconnected, her smile faded into curiosity.

Something didn't feel right.

Her eyes automatically shifted toward the window. A strange sensation had been crawling over her skin for the past few minutes—like someone was watching her. The prickling at the back of her neck was sharp, insistent. Without thinking twice, she moved toward the window and looked outside.

Her gaze halted at the villa across the road. A mansion or what used to be one—stood shrouded in silence and darkness. No lights flickered. No shadows moved. It looked... deserted and haunted.

Her breath slowed as her eyes narrowed.

And then, she saw it.

A pair of eyes—piercing, motionless, watching her—from a second-floor window of the villa.

His face was hidden beneath the shadows, but the dim streetlight outside fell just enough to reflect in his eyes, revealing a gaze that was cold... and deadly.

A chill ran down her spine.

But she didn't flinch.

For the first time in her life, Samira found herself staring directly into a man's eyes without looking away that too for such a long time. She was someone who always kept her distance—especially from men. Aside from her father and brothers, she avoided most male interaction altogether.

But this–

This felt different.

Those eyes were sharp. Calculating. A warning wrapped in a challenge.

Her instincts screamed at her to look away, but her pride made her hold the gaze longer. There was a strange pull—unnerving yet magnetic. She could feel his stare seep into her bones, as if making an unspoken promise.

Her heart pounded in her chest. Her breath trembled. And still, she didn't break eye contact.

Neither did he.

Those eyes—void of warmth, void of emotion—felt like a silent conversation, laced with a threat... or was it fascination?

"Here I am with our caramel popcorns and hot chocolate shake..!" Talia chirped as she walked back into the room.

Samira flinched hard, snapping out of her trance. Her body recoiled slightly as she turned toward Talia.

"You're still standing here? I left you like ten minutes ago!" Talia raised a brow, amused.

"What K-drama are we going to finish tonight?" Samira asked, attempting to brush off the tension.

Talia beamed. "Of course, our Lee Min-ho's ‘The King.’ We can never skip our king!" she said dreamily.

Samira chuckled weakly. "Let's start, then."

But before sitting down, Samira couldn't resist. She turned back for one last glance at the villa.

Those eyes were still there.

Still watching...

Still waiting...

She swallowed hard and yanked the curtain shut, drawing them over the window with swift hands. Then, without a word, she walked back to Talia and joined her on the bed.

.

****-------******--------****

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[Some time ago – Villa Across the Street]

Python entered the abandoned mansion that they had temporarily rented for their time in L.A.

He moved wordlessly through the darkness, pulling off his hoodie. His black shirt clung to his chiseled torso, veins pulsing against skin as he loosened his collar. As he stripped his shirt, he heard faint voices coming from outside.

This was a high-end area—quiet, sealed off from city noise. Any sound carried easily in the silence.

His expression remained unreadable as he stepped toward the window. Like a predator, he moved silently, with deliberate grace. His sharp gaze landed on two girls standing near their window—dim light washing their faces in warmth.

His eyes narrowed instantly.

The same girls from the restaurant this afternoon.

One of them left the room, but His gaze locked on the one who remained.

She was on a call, her lips moving in soft conversation. He couldn't hear her, but her expressions—pure, gentle, slightly defiant—made something stir within him.

He watched her, and continued watching her like he was memorizing her face.

And then... she noticed him.

But she didn't back away.

Her eyes found his through the distance. Her gaze sharpened, unmoving. And to his surprise, she didn't look away.

Python's lips lifted into a faint smirk.

"Daring enough to meet Python's eyes?" He mumbled under his breath with a smirk on his lips corner.

Time blurred. He didn't notice how long they stood like that, staring into each other. Two strangers sharing a silent war from across the street.

When the other girl came back and drew the curtains shut, he stepped back too, almost as if their connection had been forcefully cut.

He closed his eyes, inhaling sharply through his nose. His chest rose, but he remained quiet.

"We're waiting for you," Rex called out as he entered the room.

Python didn't respond. He opened his eyes, the smirk was gone long ago. Without a word, he walked to the cupboard, pulled out another black shirt, and buttoned it swiftly—veins bulging along his hands with every movement.

Then, slipping his hoodie back on, he vanished into the darkness again, his mind no longer on the mission... but on her.

****----******----****

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[Later That Night – Dark Warehouse]

Four figures moved like shadows across the deserted compound.

They watched as several men loaded suspicious bags into a van.

"Told you. Authentic news," Rex whispered with a smirk.

"Good job, Rexy," Eiran muttered, his eyes fixed on the scene.

Without a word, they launched into action. The guards didn't even have a chance to scream. Necks snapped. Bodies dropped.

Inside the warehouse, silence reigned. Their steps were ghost-like, undetectable. They moved like reapers—silent, brutal, merciless.

Izan crouched near a table, reaching for a packet of white powder. Before he could sniff it, Python took it from his hand, and examined it silently with his fingers and looked up at Eiran. "It's drugs."

Izan sighed in disappointment.

Rex chuckled and patted his head. "Don't worry, baby boy. You'll get your share tonight."

"Brother never lets me do anything..." Izan mumbled with a pout.

"Because he cares about you," Rex replied casually.

Just then, Eiran tossed a firelighter toward Izan, while Python simply tilted his head slightly, signaling.

"Thanks!" Izan beamed with a wicked grin and poured fuel over the van.

Moments later, flames erupted, engulfing the drugs in fire.

Eiran scoffed at Izan. "Drama queen."

Without wasting another second, the four of them opened fire.

Bullets rained inside the warehouse.

Screams echoed—brief and blood-curdling.

And then... silence.

Just like that, another drug ring was reduced to ashes—courtesy of the four monsters that hunted in the shadows.

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***------******------***

Samira was going to stay at Talia's place for a few days. She and her brother, Kai, had secretly arranged a surprise anniversary trip for their parents—something special just for them. Their plan worked, and the Orlaith couple had left for a short vacation, smiling with joy.

Kai, too, had to travel to another city for some important business meetings, leaving Samira behind for five days. But she wasn't alone. Talia was more than a friend.

The bond between the Orlaiths and the Valeries wasn't built on blood but on something stronger—trust and time. For over forty years, both families had lived side by side. Even before Samira and Talia were born, their parents shared a connection so deep that it felt like family.

Now, two days had passed.

Both girls sat in the lawn, wrapped in cozy shawls, enjoying their late-night snacks under the moonlit sky. The winter breeze carried a soft chill, but the warmth of the bonfire beside them made everything feel magical.

"Simmi..." Talia broke the silence.

"Hmm?" Samira responded while munching the chocolate..

"I'm going inside. The fog is getting thicker. What if a ghost shows up out of nowhere?"

Talia clutched her shawl, a dramatic shiver escaping her.

Samira burst into laughter. "Seriously!! You're scared of ghosts??"

"As if you're not!" Talia rolled her eyes. "Don't act so brave. I know you get scared too."

"No, I don't. Because there's no such thing as ghosts or djinns." Samira huffed confidently.

"Really? Then I wish you meet one someday, so you'll stop calling me stupid for believing in them!" Talia snapped playfully.

"Tch..!! There are no such creatures, stupid!! Now sit down and enjoy this bonfire, the moonlight, and this winter breeze," Samira said, pulling her shawl tighter around her.

"You enjoy this frozen night. I miss summer already," Talia grumbled and walked back inside, leaving Samira alone near the fire.

Samira looked around, taking in the stillness of the night. The wind rustled the leaves. Somewhere in the distance, a dog barked. She leaned forward, trying to warm her hands—but then, she felt it again.

That strange gaze.

A cold sensation crawled down her spine.

Her eyes darted to the same window she had looked at two days ago. The same house. The same darkened window.

And there they were...

A pair of hazel-brown eyes.

Watching her again.

Staring at her with a piercing, dreadful intensity.

Samira's breath hitched.

It was him—the same mysterious man. His presence made the air around her feel heavier. Her heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, her thoughts went haywire.

"Who is he? Wait... no way. Could he actually be a ghost?" Unknowingly, she mouthed the words.

And he saw it.

Python had just returned to his room when he heard the sound of laughter. Drawn to the noise, he went to the window and saw her—sitting by the fire, her face glowing under the moonlight, her laughter echoing faintly in the night air.

His eyes narrowed.

He saw her lips move... and understood what she was saying.

"Ghost?" He almost smirked.

Hidden by the shadows, his lips curved just slightly. Even he didn't realize he had smiled—a subconscious reaction he hadn't felt in years.

"I think I should go inside," Samira muttered to herself nervously. "He's indeed a djinn or ghost. That Talia really has a black tongue!"

"What are you muttering to yourself?" Talia returned, holding two mugs of steaming hot chocolate.

Samira took hers with a smile. "I was talking to a ghost."

"You found your ghost already?" Talia laughed.

"Yeah... kind of," Samira chuckled and took a sip—

"Auhhh!" she winced, rubbing her lips. "It's too hot!"

From the window, Python's smile vanished as he frowned, seeing her flinch in pain.

"Be careful, girl... It's hot. Don't get so lost in your imaginary ghost." Talia spoke teasingly.

Again, his lips curved unconsciously.

"What are you staring at?" Eiran's voice cut through the room.

Python blinked.

Eiran followed his gaze, looking out the same window. He saw two girls laughing near the fire. Innocent. Normal. Unaware of the darkness that lurked so close.

"Nothing," Python replied coldly, looking away.

Eiran shrugged. "Hmm... Anyway, I'm going to meet the Hunter group tonight. I'll see you later."

He started walking toward the door, then paused, glancing back. "Python..."

The tone shifted. He wasn't joking anymore. "Don't let this... temporary infatuation dominate you. Our world is different from theirs."

Python didn't respond.

"People like them–" Eiran continued, "...can only have one feeling for people like us—hatred."

Python lowered his gaze slightly.

"They can't survive in our world. And we... we don't have room for people like them." With that, Eiran left the room.

Python stood still for a moment, then reached out, slowly shutting the window.

No more moonlight.

No more laughter.

Just darkness.

Because in their world, emotions were forbidden.

In their world, quietness and violence ruled.

Their hearts were no longer homes—but graves.

He and his brothers had crossed every imaginable line of cruelty and bloodshed. Their names struck terror. They were proud of their notoriety. They wanted to be feared.

And yet... this girl—

She looked at him differently.

She wasn't afraid.

She didn't see the monster everyone else did.

She had caught his attention.

And that alone...

Made her dangerous.

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****------******-----****