Chapter 4
Chapter 4 Did I Scare You?
there, sweet girl p>
Draven greeted her with a warm grin.
In the background, Rook’s furious shouting and the harsh snarl of his hyena rumbled through the wall separating their cells.
Lyra nodded and slid the pre–written slip of paper through the service slot.
Draven raised an eyebrow and took it from her hand.
He’d clearly just finished washing up, draped loosely in a soft, wide–sleeve robe that hung open to expose swathes of skin across his neck and chest.
When his arm stretched out to grab the note, the sleeve slid down his forearm, revealing smooth, water- dampened skin dotted with vivid scarlet scales.
The stark contrast of red against pale white looked like crimson blossoms scattered over fresh snow, impossible to look away from.
His fingers holding the paper had sharp, defined knuckles and neatly trimmed nails. His skin was so pale that the blue veins winding across the back of his hand stood out plain as day.
He glanced down at the words written on the page.
“Thank you. I’m Lyra Kaelin, the new cell block attendant. If you need anything, tell me and I’ll log your request for supplies p>
After reading, Draven’s gaze drifted back to her.
His bright blue eyes glinted beneath the scarlet scales lining the outer corners of his lids; the bold, striking color left Lyra short of breath.
“Lyra? Such a soft, lovely name. It fits you perfectly p>
He’d propped himself sideways against the cell door right behind the slot, resting his sharp jaw lazily on one forearm.
Light swirled in his blue irises like sunlight rippling across ocean waves, and his stare was unapologetically
intense.
Lyra dropped her gaze, flustered, quickly signed her thanks before reaching into her rolling cart to fold his fresh clothes and push them through the opening.
“Thanks for all your hard work p>
Polite and composed, Draven sat up straight and took the bundle with both hands.
His eyes caught the dark bruise wrapped around her wrist instantly, and he leaned forward out of concern.
“What happened to your p>
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Chapter 4 Did 1 Scare You?
The second his skin brushed hers, he stiffened like he’d touched an electric shock.
Ly had already pulled her hand away fast.
He meant well, that much was obvious–just a little too forward for her comfort.
Feeling his odd, lingering stare weighing on her. Lyra gestured back to the paper, prompting him to list any supplies he might need restocked.
Draven’s pupils flickered.
He couldn’t quite pin down that strange, calming jolt he’d felt the second their skin touched, but she wa clearly on edge, so he didn’t dare reach out again to test it.
A warm, easy smile softened his features once more.
“Supplies p>
He tilted his head playfully. “I’d love some small fish to keep me company. Could you pick out a few pretty ones for me p>
Lyra only hesitated a second before nodding, carefully jotting his request down in her logbook.
As she scribbled, Draven watched her every move without looking away.
Out of Lyra’s line of sight, his cell looked like a private marine exhibit.
One half held standard, cozy living quarters, while the other housed a massive, crystal–clear water tank holding a single bright red betta fish.
Its enormous tail rippled gently through the water, layered like flower petals, flowing silk gowns, or flickering flames caught mid–wind.
Beneath his loose robe, he had an equally bright, dazzling, shimmering crimson fishtail. On both sides, sharp side fins folded like blades.
He truly fit the phrase: dangerous and alluring.
This was an outward sign that his psychic contamination had reached 88 percent.
If his numbers climbed any higher, he’d lose control of his human form entirely and be moved up to the third floor with the fully feral Sentinels.
Even with such dangerously high contamination, his steady temperament kept him from being consumed by beastly impulses, unlike Rook next door, whose 88.95 percent contamination sent him flying into unhinged rages constantly.
Draven still joked and bantered casually with the other coherent inmates around him.
Lyra finished writing and lifted her head, silently asking if he needed anything else,
Draven had been leaning forward to study her the whole time; when their eyes met, he grinned widely, the
16:44 Tue, Aug 25
Chapter 4 Did 1–Scare You?
“Oh, right–I haven’t gotten fresh air in ages. Could you help me write an application to go out p>
Ly nodded and added the note to her log.
Going out did not mean leaving this place.
Black Spire had built a large enclosed recreational space where Sentinels could step under open sky, soak up sunlight, and pass the time.
It worked like a prison exercise yard, just far bigger, nicer, and stocked with more amenities
First–floor Sentinels got approved for yard time easily.
Second–floor inmates faced stricter rules; each request was reviewed carefully by Black/Spire’s chief and the
archon p>
Third–floor Sentinels were banned from the yard entirely–unless their psychic contamination dropped drastically.
No 3S–tier Guides had appeared in decades.
Even if they waited for the other 2S Guides to attempt healing, every stable Sentinel outside still relied on constant Guide purification to stay sane.
There was no telling how many years would pass before anyone could spare the time to treat the high- contamination inmates locked up here,
Lyra kept writing quietly when Rook’s thunderous roar boomed through the wall.
“I wanna go outside too!
“If that fish freak gets yard time, I’m tagging along p>
It was plain he planned to pick a fight with Draven the second they were both loose in the yard.
Draven’s eyes flicked faintly, and he laughed like the threat meant nothing at all.
“Maybe when you can reel in your dog legs, they’ll let you out p>
Rook fell silent for a split second before unleashing a storm of vulgar curses.
No one paid the hotheaded brute any mind.
Lyra’s shoulders shook slightly, a quiet smile tugging at her lips at Draven’s jab.
Sentinels who were affected in reverse by their spirit animals showed signs of beast transformation, just like the scales on Draven’s face p>
Thinking of Rook’s spirit animal brought a silly old comedy sketch to her mind.
A soft laugh slipped out of her, her smile pushing two soft little cushions into her pillowy cheeks.
Draven who’d never once taken his eyes off her, felt his gaze light up instantly.
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Chapter 4 Did! Scare You?
He really wanted to pinch them. They must be as smooth and springy as a peeled egg.
Ly–scribbled Rook’s request down as well, then glanced back toward Draven a third time.
When their gazes locked on his deep, unblinking blue eyes, her own stare wavered, and she shifted uncomfortably to the side.
“Hmm,” Draven drawled slowly. “I won’t pile on too many requests all at once, don’t want to wear you out.
Lyra gave him a polite smile, nodded, and held up her logbook to signal she was closing the service window.
Draven stepped back to give her space.
“Catch you next time, yeah p>
Lyra shot him one quick glance, no visible response, then rolled her cart onward to the next cell–Cell 203
The second Lyra slid the service window open, a pure–white ermine poked its head straight out.
Its tiny nose twitched rapidly, round black eyes staring at her with unbridled curiosity.
Lyra jumped at the sudden flash of white, instantly fearing another violent beast like Rook’s hyena.
A soft, gentle male voice sounded out, and the ermine darted back inside the cell.
“Come back here, Snow p>
Right after the creature vanished, a stunning man with fluffy animal ears sprouting from the t
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Olivia Harris is an emerging author celebrated for her captivating romantic and steamy novels. With a talent for crafting deep emotional connections and fiery chemistry between her characters, Olivia’s stories offer readers an escape into worlds filled with passion, intrigue, and heart-stopping drama.