Chapter 55 Who let the monsters in??

Chapter 55: Chapter 55 Who let the monsters in??

Fear gripped everyone as they stared at the entrance.

They watched the monsters freeze in place, every single one of them turning toward the door as though it was the most fascinating thing they had ever seen.

"Fuck... that has to be one of the scariest things I’ve ever seen." Lamia commented as they all looked at the candle burning steadily at the center of the glass table.

Killian, whose arm was wrapped securely around Noah’s shoulders, slowly shook his head.

"These ones are different. Are you sure they can even be killed? It looks like they’re here for something."

As those words left his mouth, Eugene instinctively glanced at Noah, wondering if he was the reason the creatures had gathered outside.

"We don’t have to think about that. We’re safe in here, right? So stop worrying." Damian said before settling back onto the couch, his eyes fixed on the candle’s gentle flame.

Slyvia walked gracefully toward the middle of the sitting room where the three alphas were gathered with Noah before stopping.

"Maybe someone here is the cause of all this..." she began, her blind eyes facing forward. "And I’m betting it’s Ashton."

Emily didn’t even allow her to finish.

"Shouldn’t you be outside fighting them? I thought you had that special radiance that keeps evil away. Dragon Affinity users have it, and someone from the Emperor bloodline is supposed to be even more proficient with it."

The question made everyone’s attention shift toward Slyvia.

Her jaw tightened.

She silently promised herself that Emily would pay for humiliating her.

"I... haven’t mastered it fully yet."

Before anyone else could respond, Killian interrupted.

"Then you have no right to talk."

His voice was calm, yet every word carried enough weight to silence the room.

"Have you forgotten that you were never invited to this party? So don’t start pointing fingers unless you want us to throw you outside for those monsters to devour. I’m pretty sure no one here would miss you."

Slyvia’s expression darkened at the open threat.

Her fingers curled tightly into fists as she glared at Killian before sweeping her gaze across everyone else.

Not a single person defended her.

Without another word, she turned around and walked away before taking a seat on the opposite side of the room with the others who had gathered into small groups, all silently praying for daylight so they could escape the jaws of the starving monsters.

"Okay... now that the pest is gone, by God’s grace we’ll all be fine." Killian stated.

The tense atmosphere eased just a little as everyone settled back down.

Killian remained at the edge of the couch with one arm still protectively around Noah.

Eugene sat comfortably on the floor with his head resting on Noah’s lap while Damian leaned against Noah’s shoulder, closing his eyes for a brief moment.

Surprisingly...

Noah didn’t complain.

Normally he would have shoved all of them away without a second thought.

But with death lurking just outside the walls, all they truly had was each other.

"What about Marcus?"

Damian suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.

"I know you’re angry with him for reasons only you understand... but please..."

His voice softened.

"I’m worried about him."

Noah looked at Damian with slight confusion.

Why was he asking for permission?

Marcus was Damian’s friend... his partner.

He didn’t need Noah’s approval to go and check on him.

"I never said you couldn’t meet him."

Noah answered quietly.

"I just don’t want him close to me. That’s all."

Damian lowered his head.

"I know..."

He smiled bitterly before looking at the others.

"Maybe I’m just being delusional... but I want all of us to stay together."

He chuckled softly.

"It makes me feel... safe."

His smile slowly faded.

"Like we’re family."

Noah stared at him.

Family...

The word echoed inside his head.

The way Damian said it almost made it sound as though Noah had always belonged with them.

It even made Noah wonder if he was somehow the reason these people had become close again.

"You don’t get jealous when they touch me?" Noah asked in confusion.

"I thought the three of you were possessive."

It wasn’t as though he was accepting any sort of relationship.

Far from it.

He simply couldn’t understand why none of them fought each other over something as simple as sitting beside him.

Instead...

They almost looked content sharing the same space.

As though the only thing that mattered was that it was one of them.

Anyone among the group was acceptable...

As long as it wasn’t an outsider.

Eugene smiled faintly.

"We’re almost the same."

He looked toward Damian and Killian.

"We were all born around the same time... even on the same date."

He laughed quietly.

"Different parents... but somehow we ended up growing together."

His expression slowly became distant.

"But something happened."

His voice lowered.

"Something that destroyed everything we had."

"We never truly became the same after that."

"It doesn’t feel right... even when we try."

Noah quietly nodded.

He wanted to ask.

He desperately wanted to know what had happened in the past that shattered such a strong bond.

Yet...

This wasn’t the right time.

Even after everything, they still seemed to understand one another without speaking.

Small glances.

Silent nods.

Simple gestures.

It spoke of years of trust that no amount of distance could completely erase.

"I’m tired..."

Noah yawned softly.

"I don’t think I can stay awake until sunrise."

Before anyone could respond, exhaustion finally claimed him.

His silver eyes slowly closed as he leaned sideways, resting his head against Killian’s lap.

Killian instinctively adjusted himself so Noah would be more comfortable.

A small smile appeared on his face.

His fingers gently brushed through Noah’s soft purple hair.

Each silky strand slipped effortlessly between his fingers.

He wished...

He could stay like this forever.

"We’re going to have that dance."

Killian whispered so quietly that no one else heard.

"I promise."

"Maybe not tonight..."

"But one day..."

"We’ll dance together beneath the moonlight."

No one interrupted him.

The room gradually fell silent.

Marcus had quietly joined them sometime earlier, remaining close to the group.

Rose and Lamia continued watching the candle.

It was the tiny flame protecting every life inside the house.

As long as it remained lit...

The monsters couldn’t enter.

One after another...

Sleep claimed them all.

Even Rose.

Even Lamia.

Only the candle continued burning quietly inside the silent room.

*****

Noah felt it.

Something...

Something was pulling at him.

A strange force tugged at his consciousness, desperately trying to wake him.

He frowned.

Ignoring it.

Trying to sink back into the comforting darkness.

But the feeling refused to disappear.

His silver eyes suddenly snapped open.

For a moment...

Everything was quiet.

Too quiet.

A cold breeze brushed against his skin, sending chills racing down his spine.

He slowly sat up.

Everyone around him was asleep.

Killian.

Damian.

Eugene.

Rose.

Lamia.

Even the other students.

None of them had noticed anything.

Noah turned his head.

Then suddenly—

A whisper brushed against his ear.

"They’re coming..."

His entire body stiffened.

"Run."

The voice sounded strangely close.

"I can help you escape."

Noah’s breathing hitched.

His eyes immediately darted toward the center of the room.

The candle...

His heart nearly stopped.

The flame...

...was gone.

It had gone out.

"No!!"

His terrified scream shattered the silence.

Everyone jolted awake in confusion.

Killian shot to his feet.

Damian’s eyes widened.

Lamia spun around.

Rose instinctively reached for her weapon.

Their gazes all landed on the candle.

The room froze.

Its light...

Had disappeared.

Then...

A slow creaking sound echoed throughout the house.

Creeeak...

Every head slowly turned toward the front door.

The creatures were no longer standing still.

One of them reached forward with its grotesque human-like hand.

Its twisted mandibles clicked violently.

Its hideous face stretched into something resembling a smile.

Long human legs stepped closer.

Its claw slowly gripped the doorknob.

Click.

The handle turned.

The door slowly began opening inward.

Killian’s pupils shrank.

"Run!!"

His roar shook the entire room.

"They got in!"

Chaos instantly erupted.

Magic circles burst beneath countless feet.

Affinities awakened.

Power exploded throughout the house as every single person activated their magic at once.

And the nightmare...

Finally began.