For the first time in all these months, I've finally beheld the man who's responsible for all the prisoners' fear and misery. Even Bob shivers before his presence:

"Y-Young Lord, you didn't have to_"

The warden only raises a hand to shut him up. He stands before me in all his magnificence. I have to lean my head back to see his face.

He pushes his hood off. A beautiful black-haired man of over thirty-five years emerges before me, with shimmering blue eyes similar to those of Knut, and pale skin like his. He somehow reminds me of Dagur too, save that I cannot see any burns on his face or his hands. I guess all snow leopards look kind of the same, regarding the main points.

He truly is mesmerizing, though, just like Knut. His eyes are just as majestic, if not more. But his gaze is far from magnanimous - the same vile spark as in Dagur's eyes twinkles in his. Dagur already looked beastly in his burn-marks, while this man, handsome as he is, seems far creepier with those predatory feline eyes.

"Theo Sinclaire, is it?"

"Y-Yes."

That deep voice full of contained wrath is accompanied by a faint smile that reminds me of Gwynplaine just as much as Dagur's did. My friends weren't wrong, this man is indeed a beast. A beast who doesn't always show his true colours, which renders him even more terrifying, like the black clouds that portend a heavy storm.

"My little kitten has told me a lot about you."

His fingers run across my cheek. He's playing with me as a cat does with a mouse he's going to devour. What's worse, these annoying feline guards are holding me, so even if he dares hurt me, I won't be able to defend myself. Neither Rufus nor any of my friends can do anything to help. This man is omnipotent. I even doubt Knut would've helped if he were here. I'll have to proceed with caution if I want to save my skin, no matter how it enrages me to be so helpless.

"Which kitten - Dagur or Knut?"

A stupid question I've asked, but at least that'll buy some time... for me to figure out how to get out of this if there is any way at all.

He lets out a deep laugh. It's another matter to shiver at - you'd think he's been laughing like that whenever he punished prisoners to death. Judging by the administrators' looks, it must indeed be the case.

"Knut," he finally replies. "He was right, you are one troublesome child."

"I'm eighteen."

"Exactly... Now then, Theo Sinclaire, do you perchance have any complaints on how you're being treated here?"

The way he's eyeing me with his eyebrows raised, I figure he's waiting for a negative reply and an apology, or maybe even my groveling for mercy before his feet. But since he's asked how I feel, I might as well answer.

"If you want the truth, I do."

Everyone's jaws drop. They can't believe I've just talked back to the warden. Bob stares at me in a stupor. Then, his gaze changes into a fierce glare, as if he wants to kill me right here and now. But he's the least of my problems, so I avert my eyes from him and turn back to the warden.

"Oh?" His smile deepens. "What would it be?"

I pierce his eyes with mine. I can feel how my eyes are filling with tears, but I try to suppress them. I am scared, but I have to do this. I can't put up with Derek's behaviour anymore. This man may be unjust and remorseless, but he's still Knut's brother. Something makes me believe he'll understand. Or it might just be my vain hopes and imagination... Siblings aren't always alike. I know that from my experience. Ethan is nothing like me. It might as well be that this man is as cruel as Knut is kind. I can't know for sure. But I'm still risking it. I'm fed up with Derek. He's trying to kill me, so I might as well defend myself as I can.

"Derek's ordered the cooks not to serve me food. So, now that you're here, I'd like to ask you, Lord Warden - did he have the right to do that?"

I feel a lump in my throat. I guess all the worries of these past weeks, the fear of getting found out, the hunger from all the scarce food they've been giving us, and now this incident, have greatly hit my nerves, to the point that I want to burst into tears. I've been trying to suppress the anguish, but I can't.

The warden's sturdy finger wipes my tears off. He pats my head as if I indeed were a child. He eyes my shoulder Derek's bitten.

"You don't need to beat up those who oppress you, Theo Sinclaire. I am here for that."

He turns to Derek, who's no less stupefied than me:

"You know, Derek, when I heard about the commotion here, I failed to finish my supper."

"Lord Warden, I am sorry!" Derek bows down. "I didn't know you'd be concerned about that slut."

"I don't give a damn about any prisoner. But by hurting this particular girl, you've hurt also my brother's feelings, Derek."

"Lord Warden, please forgive me!" Derek falls to his knees.

"I'm not a forgiving type."

The warden raises his hand. Blue fire emerges from his palm and hits Derek. He roars in pain as he's burnt alive. Soon, only a grilled shark remains in his place. The warden puts his hood back on. A particular detail catches my eyes - the palm he's used the blue fire with is bleeding. Did his own fire really hurt him like that? I guess that's what Knut meant when he said that the warden's body doesn't complement his organism. He's burning up on his own if he uses the fire too much.

"I'd want that shark for my breakfast, Melanie. Oh, and Bob, you appoint some new headman for the merpeople. That's all. See you later!"

He walks out. Everyone is still frozen in shock and horror, including me. He's killed a fellow deviant, a subordinate, without any sense of regret, any emotion, even if his body was hurt in the process! Screw that, he's even asked to cook him for his breakfast!

My friends weren't wrong, this guy really is a beast.