Red eyes gleamed from the same window, eager and in waiting for the human's arrival.

    Dark's fingers lightly tapped behind his back, ticking with impatience. His usual robes dripped down his body like black wax, the silver clasp around his neck tighter. Behind him, the door knocked, and he muttered a curt, "Come in."

    Xilef carefully made his way into the room, pure-black eyes examining the Tear Stealer's figure.

    "Once it's dark, we'll go downstairs," he said. A pause fell between them, and Xilef's eyes swept down Dark's frame. "You're at unease. Why?"

    The Tear Stealer lingered, biting his tongue. Xilef took a step closer, leaning against the window to block most of his view.

    "I'm your friend, Dark," he said. "Is this human really a threat?"

    Dark glanced over at Xilef, shoulders falling as he sighed. "Cibil showed me more than just the attack," he said hesitantly. Xilef tensed at that, assuming the worst. "I—"

    He huffed, sitting on the ledge of the window, skin prickling at his friend's intense gaze. His brows furrowed as he mulled over the next words.

    "Xilef," he said softly, pausing for a while. He swallowed, gazing at the floor. "Do you think humans and Evolveds could ever... live peacefully with one another?"

    Xilef's brows furrowed. "I thought we already do."

    The Tear Stealer shook his head. "No, no, I mean... I mean with each other. In the same homes, the same relationships, whether that be—friends or even..."

    The Aurist's brows slowly rose as he realized what Dark was trying to say. "I... that idea's preposterous. Humans and Evolveds—living together? Why, we'd kill them."

    Dark worried at his bottom lip, lacing his fingers together.

    "I want to tell you something," he said, glancing over at Xilef with gleaming red eyes, "that you can't tell anyone else. Not a damn soul."

    The Aurist nodded, eyes focused. "Of course," he said softly, and Dark took a deep breath, fingers clenching and unclenching.

    "When I spoke with Cibil," he breathed, "she showed me a future." He swallowed, wringing his hands together. "A future with the human."

    Xilef blinked, eyes widening, but stayed silent.

    "And," his brows furrowed, "as someone of my stature—falling for a human." He shook his head. "The possibility's insane. I-impossible, even."

    Dark glanced over at Xilef, whose face remained vacant.

    "Cibil tells the truth," said the Aurist after a while. "She may have gotten satisfaction from seeing your reaction, but she cannot lie about the future."

    Dark returned his gaze to the floor. "Maybe I should just kill him," he said quietly. "He's only a human."

    Xilef shrugged, gently shaking his head. "Cibil doesn't give more than promised unless it's vital information," he said. "We'll have to see how things play out."

    The Tear Stealer huffed, standing and collecting himself again. "Thank you, Xilef," he sighed. He glanced out the window, finding the sun setting below the horizon. "Let's get ready."

    Xilef stood with a nod, and they left the room to prepare for tonight's attack.

———

Mark double-checked his pockets as the garage-door opened and the car rumbled to life.

    Knife, syringe, steel cord, vial... 

    He took a deep breath, pulling out his phone to call Ethan as he sidled into the car. A few seconds passed, and the line picked up.

    "Hey," said Ethan. "Are you on the way to his house, now?"

    Mark pulled out of his driveway, heading towards Centauri Park. "Yeah," he said. "Just thought I'd call you before I do it."

    Ethan hummed. "You're on your own, you know that," he said. "I can't help you if you're caught."

    "I know," he said, pulling up his GPS and typing in the Tear Stealer's address. He gave a confident smile. "I'll be in and out of there. Trust me."

    Ethan gave a suspicious hum. "Good luck, Mark," he said, his smile showing through his voice. "Remember, I'll kill you if you die."

    Mark laughed, shaking his head. "It's a deal, then," he chuckled. "Goodnight, Ethan."
    "Night."

    With that, he hung up the call and focused on driving, his mind focusing on the image of the Tear Stealer's face and his blood on the walls.

—

One hour later, Mark passed Centauri Park and carefully drove down Eagle Crossing, eyeing the mailbox numbers before each house. Trees arched overhead, shunning out any light that the moon might hope to provide. No streetlamps hugged the street, leaving everything in darkness except for the path of Mark's headlights.

He stopped at house 4221, a few houses away from the Tear Stealer's home. With a deep breath, he checked his pockets again and exited the car, locking it. The headlights shut off, leaving him in swarming, open darkness.

Mark glanced around, watching his surroundings, and walked down the sidewalk, thumbing over the knife in his pocket. In his mind, he counted the numbers passing by: 4223... 4225...

He took a deep breath, his heart pounding in anticipation. Despite his years of killing, everything felt different. This was an Evolved, and he had to be careful.

Inside the Tear Stealer's mansion, hidden through a long driveway and the dense trees, sat Eyes in front of her monitors.

"He's here," she said, nodding over to Emery. He glanced over at Lux, and they separated into the two unoccupied rooms of the manor. Eyes' leg bounced as she stared at the screens.

In the main hall, lit only by blue candlelight, stood Dark and Xilef, waiting patiently for Mark's arrival. Dark glanced out the stained-glass window, mind whirring and shoulders tense. Xilef's light touch startled him.

"It's going to be alright," said Xilef quietly, eyes calm. The quiet of the manor settled over them. "Emery and Lux are in position."

Dark sighed and nodded, straightening himself.

Outside, Mark reached House 4427, staring down its driveway with wide, excited eyes. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes and nodding to himself.

"I've got this," he whispered.

He walked down the gravel driveway, walking alongside the trees in case anyone was patrolling the area. Lush grass rustled beneath his feet, and the tree bark felt cold underneath his fingertips as he ran his hand over them. Up ahead, a dim light flickered—a lantern up high.

Mark's heart began to beat faster, and he crouched in the slightest, entire body loaded like a spring. More lights dappled into view, and as he kept walking, he saw multiple windows glimmering with candlelight. His eyes widened at the sight, trying to take in the prestige of the manor, but he forced himself to keep focus. He shook his head, making his way through the darkness.

His eyes landed on a quiet window on the ground level, which whispered of little life; dark. He swallowed, slipping out his knife and gripping it tightly, and approached the window.

"I've got this," he repeated under his breath, his limbs practically vibrating with nervousness.

He pressed himself against the mansion, carefully edging over to glance into the tinted window. The room was dark, its bed made and drawers untouched. With another deep breath, he went down to his knees and crawled so he was under the window, trying to find a way in. The window spoke of history—old and nowhere near modern—and Mark furrowed his brows at that.

Carefully, he raised his hands, pushing on the window. It gave under his touch. Swung open like a door.

His brows rose, surprised that it was unlocked.

Mark glanced around his surroundings again. Clear. He gazed into the room.

Clear.

He stood up. Pushed the window and climbed into the room.

Mark's heart thudded in his throat, his hands shaking.

I made it, he thought, lightly panting. I made it, I'm in his house, I-I'm in the Tear Stealer's house—

He glanced around the room, finding it empty, and he gave himself a moment to breathe. After collecting himself again, he adjusted his grip on the knife, approaching the open doorway. He peered through it, glancing left and right to find endless hallways.

Mark walked forward, brows furrowing as he found himself unable to exit. He stepped forward, bumping into something. An invisible barrier.

His heart spiked, and he glanced around the room, still finding it empty.
He stared at the open doorway, reaching forward with his hand. Cold bled into his hand, stopping it from continuing, the blockade like stone. He pushed the barrier. It gave in, and he stumbled forward, making a sound of surprise.

Mark caught himself, hoping no one heard, and sighed in relief as nothing stirred.

"Weird," he whispered. A cold gust of air swept past his left side, and he glanced behind him, eyes widening.

Hands grabbed him from behind. Over his mouth. Over his throat. He gasped, hands flying up. Kicking. Flailing.

Mark grabbed his knife and stabbed behind him, earning a yell. The hold released, and he fell forward, caught by strong arms.

He looked up, meeting furious eyes, and cursed.

Where did they come from?!

Emery grabbed Mark by the throat, and he choked for air, gripping onto his hands. He stabbed the knife into Emery's neck, but the blade snapped. It crumbled to the floor.

Mark's eyes widened. He struggled, the air knocking out of his lungs as Emery slammed him into the wall.

Lux emerged from the shadows, their cheek bleeding from Mark's knife, a snarl on their face.

"Keep at it," snarled Lux, glaring at Mark. "He can't have any fight left in him when we take him to Edwards."

Who the hell is that? thought Mark, but the need for air halted all questions. He struggled, kicking and scratching, gripping, flailing, but Emery wouldn't let go. Mark coughed, his throat burning and the edges of his vision ebbing.

"It's so saddening," said Emery, voice deep, "how weak humans are."

Mark kicked out, right down south into Emery, and he shouted and let go, dropping Mark to the floor. He gasped for air, the oxygen blazing in his lungs.

He jumped to his feet and sprinted out the door, stumbling. The bright hallway flickered, and all candlelight blew out.

He glanced over his shoulder, finding nothing.

"What the fuck," he panted, glancing all around. Only left and right—front and back. Just hallways.

Mark fumbled in his pockets, pulling out the steel cord and holding it in both his hands. He stepped forward.

Shadows shot up from the floor, pummeling down into Mark. He shouted and fell to the floor, darkness shrouding his eyes. Cold filled his veins, and he struggled. He pushed up. Standing. Shadows pushed him back down.

He grimaced, gasping when the shadows disappeared all at once. Only hallway.

Hands gripped his arms, and he jolted, yelling out when Lux and Emery forced him to his feet, their grips tight enough to break bone.

"Let me go!" he yelled, kicking and tugging.

Emery's nose scrunched in distaste, and he grabbed the back of Mark's collar, tugging it up and dragging him along like a dog by its scruff. Mark choked, clawing at Emery's hands, but found no hope.

"Cooperate and you live," hissed Emery, tugging the back of his collar harder. Mark choked, and Emery forced him to his feet. "Now walk."

Mark winced, and Emery kept hold of his arm and collar, pushing him onward through the endless halls. Lux walked beside them, a pale hand pressed against his cheek to stop the bleeding. Mark couldn't help but feel a surge of satisfaction despite his situation.

They continued through the halls, Mark still struggling and Emery still shoving, and the lights came back. The hallways opened, and a menacing door loomed ahead, blue light gleaming through the bottom of it.

Mark swallowed, tripping over his feet. "Where are you taking me?" he demanded.

They ignored him, and when they stopped in front of the door, Emery tugged Mark up close and leaned down to his ear.

"When we enter this room," growled Emery, breath hot and disgusting against Mark's ear, "you will not utter a word."

Mark leaned his head away, grimacing and glaring, and Lux smacked his head straight.

"Stay in line," they hissed, fangs sharp and glittering. Mark swallowed, grimacing at the pain in his body, and tugged his arm in Emery's hold. His grip only tightened.

Emery nodded over to Lux, and they swung open the door, revealing the main hall. Emery shoved Mark inside, who tried to protest, eyes widening as they threw him onto his knees in the center of the hall.

There, only feet before him, stood the Tear Stealer in all his glory. Clothed in pure, glittering black with his figure demanding utmost attention.

The Tear Stealer glanced over his shoulder at the disturbance, turning to face Mark and gazing down at him, his red eyes flashing menacingly. Mark looked up at him, eyes wide, his entire body frozen in shock.

The entire room seemed to explode as they made eye contact, thrumming with meaning. Mark lost his breath at the feeling, and even Dark's nostrils flared at the utter calamity of their encounter.

    At the Tear Stealer's side emerged Xilef, whose black, calculated eyes absorbed the sight of Mark. He shrank under their gazes.

    "Your name," demanded the Tear Stealer, voice low and assertive, every ounce of him oozing with power.

    Mark swallowed, fists clenching on the wooden floor. "I—" His breaths came out shallow, speeding up when Dark stepped forward. His heart pounded as he realized how close he was to a High Evolved. "My n-name's Mark," he spluttered.

    The Tear Stealer narrowed his eyes at him, red eyes gleaming with scorn. He lifted up Mark's chin with his foot, pressing the front of his shoe against his neck. Mark choked, terrified to move, the contact sending violent bursts of shivers down his spine.

    "I could kill you right now," said Dark, glaring down at him. "Tear you to pieces with only a finger."

    The Tear Stealer leaned forward, heel pressing against Mark's chest and pressing the air out of his lungs. Mark swallowed painfully, jaw tight and body tense.

    "But I won't do that," hissed Dark, resting his elbow against his knee to get closer to Mark's face. "No, I want to have some fun with you first."

    Mark trembled, eyes widening. He stared up at the Tear Stealer, terrified yet lost in his eyes. Dark released his foot, and Mark gasped, falling forward and catching himself with his hands. The Tear Stealer stepped away, staring at Mark's figure.

"Have you any idea of who I am?" growled Dark, teeth bared and eyes wild. Menacing. Mark quivered and sank under his powerful gaze, his skin tingling when Dark began to circle him.

Each step of his shoes thundered against the floor, ringing through Mark's ears. The Tear Stealer's robes grazed against him, and he tensed up, swallowing thickly.

This is not a dream, his mind raced, absolutely panic-stricken. His breaths came out short and shallow, though he desperately tried to hide his terror. This is real.

"Have you any idea of where you truly are?" hissed the Tear Stealer, stopping inches before him.

Mark suppressed a flinch as he returned to sickening reality, his heart quivering like a terrified hummingbird. Zipping to and fro, locked in the confines of its cavity—unable to escape.

Dark kneeled in front of him, gripping Mark's chin with cold hands and forcing his face up. Mark's nostrils flared, and he held his breath, chest burning. The Tear Stealer tilted his head, fingernails pricking Mark's jawline until pain blossomed in his skin, red eyes glancing over the lines of his face and the plain expanse of his neck.

"I have tears from kings," breathed Dark, his voice sharp and hissing. Mark shuddered, Dark's breath fanning across his face. "Queens, presidents, people of high stature... even peasants." He dug his nails into Mark's jaw, the flesh beneath his fingertips warm. "And do you know what I get from those tears?"

Mark swallowed, unable to breathe. He winced when Dark pulled him closer, his eye contact relentless.

"Power," whispered Dark, his voice a low gravel. "Not the power of reigning over nations, but the power of knowing one's secrets."

Mark tried pulling away, but Dark tightened his grip. He stared at Mark, taking in the sight of him, and shoved his head down as he stood up. Mark winced, catching himself, his body trembling.

"Take him to a room," ordered Dark in a booming voice, which rattled through Mark's very being. The Tear Stealer gazed at Emery and Lux, eyes alight. "Make sure he can't escape."

    Mark shouted as Emery pulled him off the floor by his collar, growling. He glanced at Dark, eyes burning into his own. They stared, glaring and intense, until Emery dragged Mark out of the hall and shut the door. It rang through the hall with a deafening silence.

    Xilef glanced at Dark, taking in his tense frame.

    "Don't let Cibil's visions get to your head," said Xilef, grazing a hand over Dark's arm. It only relaxed him in the slightest. "You'll figure out what to do."

    Dark glanced back at Xilef and huffed, bowing his head, trying to shake off the intense air that he and Mark had just shared.

    "I already know what to do," he said, voice low and monotonous. He glanced over at Xilef, staring at him in the eye. "And I'll take advantage of every second."

Thank you so much for reading!

Have a great day,
Kassian