~ Immortality unveiled ~Tom Riddle x Reader 🐍🌶

Chapter 18 ~ The Heir~ 🐍

UPDATED Sep. 16th. 2024

*Tom's POV*

The pocket watch in my hand ticks loudly in the silence of my office. Each second feels like a blade slicing through my patience.

"Where is she?" I mutter, more to myself than to Avery, who stands stiffly before me.

"My lord, she is not in her chambers," Avery responds, his voice laced with hesitation. His eyes flicker nervously as he adds, "Shall I send for a search party, my lord?"

I close the watch with a sharp snap, rising from my chair. My mind churns with possibilities, none of them pleasant. "No," I say coldly, my gaze fixed on the door. "I will find her myself. She thinks she can disappear without consequence? If she has run from me..." My words hang in the air, dangerous and sharp.

I turn to Avery, my eyes narrowing. "It was your duty to keep an eye on her."

Avery visibly flinches, his head bowing low. "Yes, my lord. I observed her walking into her chambers. I informed her of your meeting, and I left, believing she would prepare herself. She did not leave her rooms after that, my lord."

"Hm." My response is more a growl than a word. Useless. I push past him, making my way toward her chambers. If you want something done right, you do it yourself. I'm surrounded by idiots.

The hallway is dimly lit, the flickering light casting long shadows on the stone walls. As I approach her door, an ominous sense of dread creeps into my mind—an emotion I refuse to acknowledge. No, she wouldn't dare leave me.

I push the door open with a swift motion, stepping inside with a sense of authority. My eyes sweep across the room, taking in the scene.

The candlelight dances across the walls, casting eerie shadows on the scattered belongings. Her books lie on the floor, her clothes thrown carelessly across the bed. It's clear she didn't leave of her own accord. Her wand—still here. A sure sign.

"Eva..." I whisper, the sound barely leaving my lips as I step further into the room. Something is wrong. I sift through her belongings, searching for any clue that might explain her absence. My heart pounds, and a flicker of something unwelcome rises within me—anger, yes, but something more. Concern? No. I crush the thought before it can fully form.

Behind me, Avery shifts nervously. His presence grates on me.

"You were supposed to watch her, Avery," I hiss, my voice dangerously low.

"My lord, I swear, I did as you commanded. She was here, in her chambers when I left," he stammers, his words rushed and tinged with fear. He knows what failure costs.

I turn slowly, my gaze locking onto his, cold and unforgiving. "Then how did she vanish? Who took her?"

Avery's face pales, but before he can respond, I wave him off. "Find out who saw her last," I command, my voice cutting through the air like a whip. "If she isn't found soon, the consequences will be more than severe."

Avery nods quickly, retreating from the room without another word.

I continue to search, though I know it's futile. Whoever took her—whoever dared—planned this well. My fingers curl into fists as my frustration mounts. How dare someone steal what is mine?

Days pass. I pace my chambers, my mind racing with possibilities. Where is she? Every hour that passes without word sharpens the edge of my anger. No one takes from me. No one.

A knock at the door interrupts my thoughts. Avery enters, his face grim, his eyes barely able to meet mine.

"My lord... we've learned something." His voice trembles. "Gellert Grindelwald was seen near Hogwarts the night Eva disappeared."