Xiran arrived outside the mansion, alone. As per his father’s instructions. The dark mansion was surrounded by all kinds of creatures, guarding it in case of an attack.

He stepped out of his car and a sense of dread fell over him. His Leia was somewhere inside, he could feel her. The persistent ache in his heart transformed into an excruciating torment, rendering it unbearable.

Xiran was instantly surrounded by five hybrids, he would have torn them apart but showed restraint. He didn’t want to do anything which would provoke his father into hurting Aselia.

They took him inside and he growled ever so loudly when one of them tried to touch him, making him cower away. They left him outside his father’s study, who had been expecting him.

"Come in, Xiran," his frosty voice sounded from inside.

Xiran collected himself, hiding away the emotional pain that was etched on every feature of his handsome face and slowly opened the door to face his father.

Stepping inside he found Phantom sitting on his desk chair in a relaxed fashion while Xifin stood beside him with a smirk on his face.

"We have been expecting you, take a seat. It’s time for a family meeting," his father pointed to the empty chair. Xiran gave them both a look full of pure revulsion and demanded:

"Where is she? I want to see her."

His father scoffed at his authoritative voice, amusement settling in his glacial eyes. He crossed his hands and berated:

"Are you in a position to make demands of me?" Xifin giggled beside his father, clearly enjoying his brother’s misery.

"Is she even alive?" the words physically hurt him to pronounce. His eyes darted between his father and brother, how could they be so heartless?

"She is, take a seat now," his father pointed with his eyes and Xiran stepped forward with heaviness weighing down on him. He crumpled on the chair, his resolve dissolving.

"Did you come alone? Or the minions you keep around about to follow you? Because I will hurt her if anyone does," his father’s words made him grip the sides of the chair so tight that the wood began to break under his hold. Breathing was becoming a laborious task in the presence of these men, he was ashamed to call family, his family.

"I came alone, no one will come after me."

"So you chose not only an elf but a hunter on top of it to bond with? You never fail to amuse me Xiran," Phantom mocked, trying to rile him up.

Xiran kept a straight face and answered:

"It’s none of your business. I am here, let her go now. Do whatever you want with me, I won’t complain."

"And what will be the fun in that? I have to commend you though. You hid her well with a family of Golden hounds. But you were reckless and paid the price. If she hadn’t gone to Emeradius, I wouldn’t have found her so easily," the need to tear Jaguar into pieces was itching Xiran. He shouldn’t have left the bastard alive.

"Not well enough it seems," Xiran ground his teeth with his jaw set.

"Well, you took her memories too. I fixed that. The level of amusement will increase tenfold now that she remembers you. We have some interesting plans in place," he chuckled, enjoying Xiran’s tensed jawline and clutched hands. His son was trying so hard to not show any emotions and yet Phantom could clearly see how miserable he was.

"I have some unsettled business with that bitch," Xifin spoke up, feeling empowered and brave in front of his father and Xiran shot him a look of disbelief.

"You have some nerve to say that after what you did."

"We just wanted to drink her blood, never thought she would fight back," he shrugged with a meh expression and Xiran wanted to kill him on the spot.

"You almost killed her if I hadn’t arrived on time. How would you feel if I was to do the same thing to Sohlia?" Xiran shot back, his rage evident.

"Oh! Please, we all know not in a thousand years you can hit a woman. Even your threats seem silly," they both laughed at him and the agony and anger turned into poison and coursed through his veins. A poison which would change him and morph him into someone else later.

"Xiran! You attacked me with the intent to kill. Destroyed my bases, killed my people and took away my hostages. For all these crimes you will pay," Phantom announced with a grim smile gracing his thin lips.

"I don’t mind, do what you want but let her go first," his desperation was so profound. But Phantom ignored him, he picked up his phone and dialled someone.

"Bring the serum," he said as the call connected. Xiran watched him with uncertainty. A dread filled him, he knew his father was up to no good.

Two men entered his study soon after and one of them held a syringe.

"Now be a good boy and comply," his father got up and sauntered over to his men, taking the syringe from them and holding it in his hand.

Xiran stood up and faced his father, "Not before you let her go."

His father jeered at him before ordering Xifin and his men: "Hold him."

Everyone shifted instantly and Xiran was ready for them. Phantom’s men charged at him and he ripped out their hearts without breaking a sweat. Xifin attacked from behind and Xiran elbowed him, he staggered backwards and Xiran turned around and had him in a chokehold.

Lifting him, Xiran banged him on his father’s study table with so much force that the table splintered and cracked into pieces. His father moved behind him in that instant. Trying to plunge the needle into his neck, Xiran shifted away, at the last moment and his attempt went in vain.

Phantom snarled and tried to reach Xiran again, while Xifin shifted among the debris, groaning in annoyance. Xiran kicked his father, directly in the throat and he toppled right over Xifin. Xiran couldn’t help but smirk, seeing them lying there in a heap.

"Enough!" his father shouted, seeming outrageous at Xiran’s antics.

"Seems like you don’t value that bitch of yours as much as I thought you did. You just signed her death warrants," the smirk Xiran was holding vanished at his words.