Solo Ruby in the Raven's lair | Taennie ff

29

Panick and Past

The heavy wooden door creaked as Kai stepped into the dimly lit room. His eyes adjusted to the shadows, taking in the opulent yet suffocating space. The room exuded a sense of dark grandeur—ornate mahogany furniture, deep red velvet drapes, and a low, ominous glow from the chandelier above. But the suffocating atmosphere wasn’t just because of the décor.

It was because of him.

The Boss sat behind a large, polished desk at the far end, his form partially shrouded in shadow. His presence seemed to fill the room, radiating a chilling power that made the air heavy and the walls feel closer. The dim light caught the sharp edges of his face, making his expression look almost predatory. A low hum of menace seemed to vibrate from him, making even the slight movements of his fingers on the glass of whiskey appear calculated and dangerous.

“You took your time,” the Boss remarked quietly, his voice almost a purr. There was a sinister quality to it—low, calm, and lethal. He set the glass down with a soft clink, the sound seeming to echo in the silence. His piercing eyes, gleaming with a dark amusement, never left Kai.
There was no emotion in his tone—just a cold, unyielding control. “Got distracted, did you?”

Kai stood stiffly, forcing himself not to flinch. He had dealt with the Boss’s wrath before, but each time, it felt like a razor’s edge pressing against his throat. “I was ensuring everything is in place,” he responded evenly, though his heart hammered against his ribs.

The Boss finally looked up, his dark eyes piercing through the shadows. “In place, you say?” His lips twisted into a smirk, devoid of warmth. “Is that what you call your hesitation downstairs? Because to me, it looked like you were second-guessing yourself.”

Kai’s jaw clenched. He knew this was coming. The Boss had eyes everywhere—nothing escaped his notice. “I wasn’t hesitating,” he replied firmly. “Everything is going according to plan.”

The Boss’s smirk widened slightly, a predator toying with its prey. “Then why do I sense doubt in you, Kai?” He leaned forward, his gaze never wavering. “You’re not getting soft, are you?”

The question hung in the air, loaded and dangerous. Kai stood straighter, masking the turmoil roiling beneath his calm exterior. “I’m not. I know what needs to be done.”

A dark chuckle escaped the Boss’s lips. He rose slowly from his chair, his towering frame casting a long shadow that seemed to swallow the room whole. The dim light glinted off the cruel sharpness of his gaze, making him look almost inhuman. He circled around the desk, moving closer, and Kai forced himself not to step back.

“You know what needs to be done?” he repeated softly, his voice dripping with mockery. He stopped just in front of Kai, close enough that Kai could see the dangerous glint in his eyes, smell the whiskey on his breath. “Then tell me, Kai… Why did you look so conflicted when you saw her?”

The Boss’s stare was unrelenting, and for a heartbeat, Kai felt like he couldn’t breathe. But he forced himself to hold the gaze, to show no fear. “I wasn’t conflicted. I’m focused on the goal,” he replied steadily, every word measured. “She’s just… a tool.”

The Boss’s eyes narrowed, and for a terrifying moment, there was silence. Then, with a sudden, vicious motion, the Boss swung his glass against the wall. The sound shattered the silence, whiskey splattering, the shards of glass glinting ominously in the dim light.

“A tool?!” he roared, his calm demeanor evaporating in an instant. He grabbed Kai by the collar, yanking him closer, their faces mere inches apart. “You fool. Do not lie to me!” His voice was low and lethal, a growl that reverberated with barely contained fury. “I saw the way you looked at her. You’re weakening.”