Nikolai had always been captivated by birds. Their elegant wings, the way they soared effortlessly through the sky-it was a kind of beauty that never ceased to amaze him.
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He often watched them from his window, imagining what i...
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CHAPTER TWENTY
As we stopped, I turned to face Claire, a playful smile dancing on my lips. "Do you believe in magic?" I asked, tipping my hat down slightly and giving her my best enigmatic gaze, one that blended coldness with just a hint of unpredictability.
Claire blinked at me, surprise washing over her features. "Sometimes," she murmured, her voice soft and hesitant.
"Close your eyes," I ordered gently, my tone steady and inviting. I could sense her heartbeat quicken as I pulled her closer, the warmth radiating from her body mixing with the thrill of what was to come. I knew what she was thinking—poor girl, entranced by my charm, unaware of the game I was playing.
With a swift motion, I wrapped my coat around her and embraced her tightly. "Hold on," I whispered, just before pulling her into my portal. A surprised yelp escaped her lips as we were engulfed in swirling darkness.
The sensation of teleportation was always exhilarating, the world blurring around us before re-forming into a new reality. As we stumbled out of the portal, the dim lighting of the Decay of Angels' hideout flickered to life, revealing its cold, metallic surfaces and shadowy corners.
Claire stood there, eyes wide with confusion. "Wha—where am I?!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with a mix of fear and wonder.
I chuckled softly, removing my arms from around her and stepping away to give her space. "Welcome to the realm of the extraordinary," I replied with a flourish, strutting over to Fyodor, who was leaning against a wall, an amused grin playing on his lips.
"Brought you this delight, dos-kun!" I announced with mock bravado, tapping my cane against the floor as if presenting a prized possession.
Fyodor's gaze slid from me to Claire, his expression shifting to one of intrigue. He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper that sent shivers down my spine. "Ah, can you keep the act a bit longer, Kolya? I have more plans for this... fawn."
I mentally groaned at the prospect, feeling the weight of his request. "Fine," I murmured, rolling my eyes as I adjusted my coat, the fabric falling perfectly back into place.
Turning back to Claire, I saw the mix of awe and confusion in her eyes. "This is Fyodor," I said, gesturing toward him with a flourish. "The mastermind behind all of our little escapades."
Fyodor straightened up, his demeanor shifting into something more authoritative as he extended a hand toward Claire. "Pleasure to meet you," he said smoothly, his voice laced with the kind of charm that only added to the air of mystery surrounding him.
Claire hesitated for a moment before taking his hand, her gaze flickering between us. "What... what is this place?" she asked, her voice a whisper now, as if afraid that speaking too loudly might shatter the illusion.
