Hiana was huddled in the middle of a forest where the trees had fallen. She didn't move at all, and not a single creature dared to approach her.
They could already feel the killing intent of the demon woman from a distance.
Slowly, the woman's body, not wearing any clothes, emitted black smoke. At first, it was very little and thin but gradually thickened.
And suddenly, that demon woman's body exploded, creating black lumps with green streaks emitting light. Then, the lumps shrunk toward the center again, to where Hiana had been.
However, the demon woman was nowhere to be seen. In the middle of a large area that was empty because of the explosion, there was an object like a giant egg, with a height of 5 feet, black in color, textured like a slimy stone, and decorated with glowing green streaks like the explosion earlier.
For a few moments, nothing else happened. The situation was very quiet. And then, a succubus and a wyvern-riding shapeshifter came to check.
"What is that?" The succubus hissed.
"Whatever it is, I'm not sure it's a good thing." The male shapeshifter responded. "We must report this immediately."
***
[Vorn's POV]
Wearing a hat, I sat in a small restaurant with Velvet. My wife was wearing a hoodie and covering her head, but I could detect the tension on her face.
"What?" I chuckled. "You've never looked this scared against anyone, and your opponents are scary."
She brought her face closer to mine. "What if they don't like me?"
"That doesn't matter, does it?" I shrugged. "You're not going to see them regularly."
"But…." She's speechless, and I hold her hand.
"It's okay. They will be happy to see me with a woman like you."
I left a note at my house this afternoon. It contains the location of this place and when we will meet.
While sipping my coffee, I saw a thin man and a short woman with black hair getting out of a car.
I waved to them. My parents immediately rushed into the restaurant.
"Your mom begged me not to report you to the police." My father sat across from me, looking unamused. "You're a fugitive, Ethan. You can't just run away like that…."
My father's words were cut off when my mother tapped him on the shoulder. That man snorted and turned his face toward the window.
My mother smiled, and instead of talking to me, she focused on Velvet. "I'm Becca, and this is my husband, Josh. What's your name, darling?"
Velvet had frozen. It seemed she didn't expect to receive such a friendly response. "M-my name is Velvet, Mrs. Alexander."
"That accent…." My mother slightly tilted her head. "Are you from the Scandinavian area, Velvet?"
"She's from Finland," I responded before my mother caught Velvet's confused expression. "And don't ask about her family. She doesn't feel comfortable talking about it."
"I won't ask any further, then." My mother raised both hands, then spoke to me. "Ah, I'm proud you can find a woman as beautiful as her, Ethan. All this time, I was worried because you never had a girlfriend… Ah, I forgot to ask. How are you?"
"I'm fine, mom."
"Enough of the pleasantries." My father snorted again. "Now, what are you going to do, Ethan?"
I cleared my throat. "I just want to tell you, maybe I will go far away, and maybe I won't see you for a long time…."
"Maybe you better turn yourself into the police, son." That man cut me off. "You have to be held accountable for what you did. Trust me, it will be easier for you, your mom, and me."
"He can't do that, Josh." My mother sighed. "With one look, I can tell that Ethan and Velvet are very close. Ethan is a good boy. He can't just run away. He must have a reason…. Soon, he will be a father."
My father slapped his forehead. The atmosphere became silent, and with an unusually stiff movement, Velvet turned his head to me.
I don't know how my mother could conclude such a thing. But this situation can provide benefits for me.
"Just say it." I hissed, wishing Velvet could play along.
The dragon lady was silent as she lowered her head. "I came to this country without anyone…. I can't tell you in detail…. The point is, I had to survive alone, then Ethan came at the lowest moment in my life."
Well done, Velvet.
My mother nodded. "You can't live without Ethan, huh?"
"And before you conclude that I beat up people because of her, I will tell you that it's not true," I explained. "That incident was purely my fault. She had absolutely no influence."
My mother closed her eyes again, then took a brown envelope out of her handbag. "It's not much, but I hope it helps you both."
"What are you doing?" My father widened his eyes when he saw my mother handing the envelope to me. "You want to be branded a criminal for helping them escape?"
I pushed the envelope to my mother, then smiled. "No need. We have a lot of savings. You are the ones who need it the most. Your business is not doing well."
"Are you sure? You're traveling with a pregnant woman, you know?"
I was about to answer, but my phone vibrated. It was a call from Ayre. I deliberately gave her the cell phone and taught her to use it.
"What is it?" I asked her.
"I saw a police vehicle as you described, my lord." The shapeshifter general answered.
"Okay, Velvet and I will be there soon." I am standing. This is indeed my plan. Better to run at the slightest sign of the police.
I then looked at my parents again. "We have to leave immediately. Sorry for making you worry, and thanks for raising me."
Damn. Those things sound unsuitable for a demon lord to say.
Unexpectedly, my father wiped his tears and hugged me.
"Be careful, son." He patted my back. "And remember, no matter what happens, you are our child forever."
I desperately held back my tears. Shit. Why is this moment so emotional for me?
My mother hugged Velvet and whispered. "Take good care of my boy, Velvet."
"Of course." The dragon woman replied firmly. "I will take care of him with all my soul and body."
"That's good, but it seems a bit overkill." My mom chuckled, took her arms off Velvet, then hugged me. "Be a good father, Ethan."
I sighed. "Sure, mom."