Dear Immortal Tyrant

Lina never knew the ripple effect of losing herself. She didn't know what it had meant to Kaden, who had suffered for a thousand years. Nor did he tell her that she was the rope holding his sanity together. 

Kaden DeHaven was unstoppable. The world yielded to him. Companies scrambled under his orders, employees shuddered at the mention of him, and nobody dared to cross his path. The underworld was a never ending storm.

An ancient triad had surfaced, seizing everything like a tornado bent on rampage. The Yang family was the first target. The Yangs fought back with equal forces and they were on equal standing now. The Medeors also took a hit, but quickly recovered. The DeHaven triad showed up with weapons the world was yet to see, only for onlookers to realize their connection to military equipment, which frightened many.

"You know I hate to lecture, but mother and father…" Milo muttered, casting his gaze to her.

"Director Lina, look this way!"

"Young Master Milo, a smile for our magazine please!"

"What a stunning dress, Director Lina, who are you wearing?"

Lina turned to flash a slight smile to the blinding paparazzi. She wanted to yell at Isabelle, for the woman never mentioned this was a world-renowned premiere. Lina knew she should've expected as much when the movie had one of the highest budgets of the year.

"I know," Lina murmured.

"I imagine it's very heartbreaking to see the love of your life do such a thing," Milo mumbled in a voice so low, only they could hear.

"Let's talk about this later," Lina responded, forcing a smile for another camera.

You never knew who was recording. There was always going to be an internet lip reader who could decipher their conversation just from the silent movement of their mouths. Once Lina decided the flashes were becoming too much for her, she hurriedly dragged Milo down the red carpet and up the stairs leading to the premiere.

"Watch out for your dress," Milo reminded her.

Lina had a tight grasp on his elbow. Her long white dress was beautiful and flowy, capturing the elegance of an ancient Greek goddess. The soft muslin gathered at her feet, hundreds of swarovski crystals and pearls were stitched towards the bottom. Yet, the wind dared to pick it up, fluttering behind her like a majestic cloud following after her. People were bewitched.

"Oh my god, is that—"

"It is!"

"Hurry and get a photo! Quick!"

Lina turned at the commotion and her heart stopped on the spot. Her throat tightened and she suppressed a gasp. She stood at the top of the staircase, her gold heels blinding everyone who glanced her way. 

As the world turned into chaos, people clamored forward to get a photo, paparazzi screams filled the air, and fans squealed at the sight of him, Lina could barely breathe.

Lina could feel her world spin. It had been three weeks since she had last seen him. Three weeks since she'd heard his voice, felt his gentle caress on her skin. She would never admit it, but she craved him. She burned for him. He was the flame she shouldn't wander close to and she was a willing moth.

"Stop looking," Milo hissed at her with a slight frown. "You're falling in love."

"I don't fall in love, Milo." Lina turned but she felt his piercing gaze on her. She was paralyzed from head to toe. One look and it was mesmerizing.

Tears filled her eyes at what he had done to her. At what she had done to him. They weren't good for each other, but their love crackled like a wildfire. Their love was like a flame that reached high in the sky, burning everything in its path. It left two lovers with a trail of ashes permeating the air, no victor in sight. 

"He's hurt you. He's harmed our family. We will not forgive him."

"Clyde tried to take my life five times in the five years since I left Kaden. Will you forgive him?"

Milo was stunned. He opened his mouth, but his sister was gone. He stood at the top of the staircase, his entire body cold as ice. What…? Naively, he blinked and turned to see his sister. She was so lonely.

Lina was one of the most beautiful women in the entire city. Her frail shoulders resembled the lowered wings of a dove, her neck like that of a swan bending its neck to shelter itself, and her expression was always melancholic. She had the face of someone who had experienced a thousand years of heartbreak.

"Chairman DeHaven, this way please!"

"Chairman DeHaven, any word on the newest development of your real estate project? Or the collaboration between Claymore Conglomerate to increase security?"

Claymore Conglomerate. They were military-grade weapon producers. Lina's head snapped behind her to see Kaden again. Finally, when the people weren't blocking him, she saw it. Or rather, her.

Lina's throat tightened. Mia had never looked more blinding. With a confident hand on Kaden's elbow, Mia flashed a dazzling smile for the people. The camera went wild, clicking so fast, the paparazzi might have broken a finger. 

They're siblings, Lina reminded herself. Kaden knew just as much. She could tell. She knew him well. Kaden kept his distance from Mia, there was no fire or chemistry, it was just mutual friendship. Mia shared the same view, given the distance of her body from Kaden, despite her hand resting on his elbow.

"He's so… cold." Milo reached where she stood. "Did you hear the rumors? Kaden is an emotionless beast now. What exactly happened to that man since the last time we saw him?"

"I broke his heart," Lina admitted. "It's understandable he became heartless."

"You did what?" Milo hissed, grabbing her. "Is that even possible? He seemed so in love with you that the idea of breaking his heart would be impossible." 

"You'd be surprised at what four words can do," Lina said. 

When Lina made eye contact with Kaden, her heart skipped. He was staring right up at her, dead in the eyes. Kaden said nothing. His face didn't shift. His eyes didn't flash. He was a blank canvas. Her stomach dropped. She had never felt this kind of way around him before. An undeniable terror seized her chest.

Kaden, the man who'd always loved her was aloof before her. There was no inkling of love. No shimmer of adoration. Instead, he gazed at her like a stranger on the bus would. She felt her throat go dry. 

Then, Kaden's eyes flashed ruby red. Lina nearly fainted on the spot, her knees going weak.

"Red eyes," Milo choked out. "Let's go, Lina. When a Pure-Blood's eyes flash that color despite having resting black eyes usually, they're either furious, hungry, or their emotions are high."

Lina could feel herself being rapidly guided away by Milo, his hand on her upper back. Even so, she couldn't look away. Kaden mesmerized her even from this far of a distance.

Lina's legs turned into stone. For a split second, when no one saw it, Lina did. She always noticed the small things about him that no one could. His fangs. For once in her entire life, they protruded. She saw the pointy edges slip out, teeny tiny and barely visible. As quick as they came, they were gone.

Kaden wanted her blood.