Chapter 99: Is the universe trying to make me cheat

Chapter 99: Is the universe trying to make me cheat Two hours passed, and the alarm Julian set triggered his mind. As soon as he opened his eyes, the initial alertness faded, and the hazy clock surrounding him retracted into his body. It was already noon. They planned to return to Madam Grace’s house after lunch, but Julian had set an earlier alarm because he needed to pack a few things. Moving soundlessly out of bed, he gave Eva and Ethan one last glance before leaving the room. The amicable, easygoing expression he usually wore around Eva was gone. He teleported to his study. He strode to the bookshelf, pushed it aside, and revealed a hidden door. Turning the knob, he stepped inside. Julian lit the dark room with a crystal from his ring, revealing rows of weapons—daggers, swords, and bombs—lined up with precision, each arranged in their owner’s designated area. Under the crystal lights, every weapon gave off a dangerous gleam. Julian moved to his section, trailing his fingers along the daggers and swords, his lips curling into a cold smile, eyes filled with a deadly glint. He withdrew his hand and headed to Ethan’s section, gathering every bomb into his ring. Ethan hadn’t stocked much—he believed his powers were more than sufficient. These bombs were what he had forced Ethan to store for him because his section was full. "You’ll all be useful today," he muttered. These weapons had been part of his collection, never meant for real use—until now. Since they used bombs on them, returning the favour was only fair. As Julian sorted through the weapons he needed, Aaron pulled up outside the mansion. "Stay here." He shut the bus door, ordering his beasts to remain inside. Taking deep breaths, he steadied his trembling hands and stared at the house. His heartbeat pounded in his ears. Fear and excitement clashed in his chest—it was now or never. He had a way of knowing she was the one. After all, he was the one caring for her while their mother recovered from birth complications, their father constantly at their mother’s side. He dug his nails into his palms, using the sting to fight the fear numbing his legs. Taking another breath, he cloaked himself in shadows and slipped through the gate, unseen. Blaine felt something brush past and paused, frowning. He glanced around before spotting his own shadow. Thinking he’d just imagined it, he shook his head and kept moving, oblivious to the shadow detaching from his and slipping up the stairs. Aaron searched every room, beginning to think Stone had given him the wrong address. This was the last room, and he hadn’t seen a single woman. He entered soundlessly, no heartbeat, no presence. He had long perfected the art of blending into the shadows. Yet the glimpse of green hair on the bed stopped him cold—his heart skipped. The faint sound was all Ethan needed to wake. His hand shot out, flinging an ice dagger at the wall’s corner. The dagger passed through Aaron’s body and shattered against the wall. The noise snapped Aaron back to reality. Tearing his gaze from the woman under the covers, he met Ethan’s murderous stare. Ethan rose, and ice formed beneath his feet as he lunged at the intruder, aiming to freeze him in place. Aaron moved through the walls like water, his eyes fixed on the bed. He wasn’t here to fight—only to see the woman’s face and confirm something. ’’You dare," Ethan growled, raising an icy dome over the bed. Aaron could feel his body freezing. Even his shadow powers weren’t enough. Aaron halted and slipped out of the wall with a frown—this man was testing his patience. "I just need to see her face and confirm something. I don’t mean any harm," he said, barely holding it together. Ethan gave a short, incredulous laugh. "You seriously think I’d let a stranger see my wife’s face?" His expression said it all—he thought the man was deranged. Suddenly the temperature plummeted. Frost coated the walls and floor. "I’ll kill you just for thinking it," Ethan hissed, cold mist curling from his lips, his blue eyes hardening like ice. If Julian were here, he’d know Ethan was serious—someone was going to die. "Ethan... turn the cold down..." Eva mumbled in her sleep, frowning as she turned onto her side. Instantly, as if someone flipped a switch, the room warmed, and she sighed contentedly into the covers. Just as Ethan prepared to take the battle outside, the man’s words rooted him in place. "Sister." Aaron’s voice trembled as he stumbled to the bed, eyes red. Before Ethan could react, Aaron reached her side and brushed her hair away from her nape. Ethan acted fast, wrapping an ice chain around Aaron’s waist and dragging him back, pressing a dagger to his throat. But it was too late—Aaron had seen what he needed. "Are you Madam Grace’s son?" Ethan asked, recalling that she had a son with shadow powers. Aaron only laughed in response. "Hahaha... Sister, I finally found you." Tears rolled down his cheeks, leaving Ethan unsure how to respond. Aaron couldn’t forget the black birthmark on her nape. He might not remember much from when he was nine, but that mark was the one detail that stayed with him—even after her face faded from memory. He just wanted to embrace her, but Ethan’s blade at his throat made that impossible—and it annoyed him. This man seemed to have a close relationship with his sister, so he couldn’t kill him. "Thank you for taking care of her. I’ll be taking her with me." The moment the words left his lips, he locked onto Ethan’s shadow, freezing his movements. Ethan struggled, veins bulging, but couldn’t move. He watched Aaron rise and dust off his suit, then stride toward the bed. "Stop! Don’t you dare take her!" Panic laced Ethan’s voice. He didn’t care if they were siblings—no one was taking Eva from him. Aaron ignored him, dodging the ice Ethan managed to summon despite his restrained body. He knew it wouldn’t hold long—they were equals in power—and sure enough, Ethan’s bones began to shift and rearrange. Ethan planned to shift into a beast with a smaller shadow to slip out of Aaron’s restraint. Eva stirred, annoyed by the noise. Her mind still foggy, she was ready to curse—until she opened her eyes and saw warm green ones staring at her. She blinked, feeling guilty for dreaming about another handsome guy while married. "But damn, he’s fine." Ethan, in the middle of breaking free, stumbled, stunned by her words. Unaware she’d spoken out loud, Eva gasped as Aaron smiled. "Hello, sister." His lazy drawl made her fan herself with sparkly eyes. "Even his voice could get someone pregnant. What kind of temptation-filled dream is this? Is the universe trying to make me cheat?" she giggled, convinced it was a dream. Aaron found her cute and pinched her cheeks. Ethan facepalmed in silent embarrassment—the tension had been completely snuffed out before it could spark.