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The night arrives sooner than later. Before we know it, we're heading towards the Moonriff Mountain.

Teleporting to the place would've been a far better option to avoid wastage of time. But apparently, Zander's teleportation abra dabra stuff doesn't work around the mountains. Some forces there prevent it. And so we embark to our journey like normal people in cars.

Anthony and Carla had dropped us off at the alley where the narrow path to the Moonriff Mountain begins but not without a thousand warnings from the lycan king that whatever we're shown through the illusions aren't true and we should not fall for it. My ears were traumatized by the amount of times he repeated the words. Thankfully, Carla took pity on us and wished us luck before she dragged her husband along and left.

Now, me and devil incarnate are walking through the deserted, narrow, snow-covered alleyway with the huge mountains towering over us on either sides. At the end of this road, we'll find the wolf-shaped mountain.

My arms wrap around my body as I try to bring warmth to myself, "The heck is it so cold here?!" I say through gritted teeth letting out a cold puff of air.

Zander all but shrugs walking beside me step-to-step, "'Cause it's snowing? Must've carried the sweaters, dude."

Narrowing my eyes, I pass him a heavenwards look, "And how would I know it's gonna be snowing here when I've never visited this place before? Even Anthony didn't know how this place looked like until today. Then what am I? A psychic? My siren cold-blood doesn't help one bit. Why aren't you not even bothered by the chilliness though?"

Oh, wait I know why he isn't cold. But before I can state it, devil incarnate retorts.

Zander's lips pulls into that lop-sided smirk as he averts his gray eyes to me, "Because baby, I'm not just hot on the outside but on the inside too."

I make a gagging expression at his words, "Get out of your delusion. Your blood is warm because you're a demon. You are not even close to hot. And never, like NEVER call me that again."

His smirk widens at my last words and he halts on his steps, "Does it bother you, baby?"

"No, it makes me want to puke." I smile a wide creepy smile and stomp ahead leaving him to himself.

Zander's heavy step follows me shortly, "Wait, my bubble gum!"

Groaning, I hasten my steps, "Shut up, idiot!"

"But my bugaboo, I'll be lonely without you! You're my darling. You're my baby." He sings with barely concealed laughter coating his each word.

I let out a very animalistic guttural sound, "If you continue with the obnoxious nicknames, sugar plum. I'll kick you where the sun doesn't shine, honey bun."

"What's with eatables? Now I'm hungry." He sounds like a man in pain clutching his stomach.

I all but ignore him and stride ahead. He falls into steps not minutes later, grumbling more obnoxious shit than I've ever heard in my entire life.

And that's how it goes with us bickering like old grandmas back and forth and me almost being on the verge of massacring him right then and there.

The nearer we get to the mountain, the more the cold increases until it's to a shivering point. I bite my lip against the chattering of my teeth and walk ahead determinedly.

A scream of content almost leaves my mouth when we finally spot the wolf shaped mountain.

The peek of the Moonriff Mountain seems to touch the moon, the snout of the wolf it's shaped after is open wide as if wanting to devour the circular white globe. Snow covers the mountain from its bottom to mid.

"Woah, that's very unrealistic." Zander mumbles beside me, "Looks like something out of a book."

"It's very much real." I say through chattering teeth.

Ugh. I really should've worn something warmer than the high-west jeans and crop top.

"Where will we find the shadow creatures though? We don't have to climb that thing to the top, do we?" By the perplexed tone of his voice, he seems horrified just by the thought of climbing.

I rub my bare arms and stare up at the peek, "No, there's a cave at the bottom of the mountain. We have to go there. Then once we cross the illusions, we'll have to look for the creatures. Wait, what were you doing when Anthony was explaining all this?"

From the corner of my eyes, I see him shrug, "I might've slacked half the time."

I roll my eyes, "Ofcourse. Why am I not surprised?"

"Because you know me well, sweet cheeks." He pats my cold cheek and I growl at him in response.

Raising a hand in surrender, "Okay okay, peace out. Let's go now."

His hands grab mine and I blink against the sudden warmth of his hand engulfing my cold ones. Ah it felt like heaven. I could almost feel my numb hands again.

And even though I was supposed to act like a bitch here, I let him hold my hand and drag me through the snowy alley towards the mountain.

We reach the cave not minutes later and it's more cold than anything here. My grip tightens on Zander's hand involuntarily as my teeth chatter making sounds like some darned woodpecker drilling the tree trunk.

Zander's footsteps halts just as we take a single step into the stony confines of the dimly lit cave. Pausing myself, I look up at him questioningly.

His grey eyes drill holes into mine and not knowing what to do or why he's staring at me strangely, I stare back haughtily.

Devil incarnate let's out a sigh. A groan of protest almost escapes my lips when he pulls back his hand from mine but I stay put.

What now? Did he finally realize that he can't do the no-hatred thing with me? Ugh why are you even thinking all this stupid stuff, Marilla. Zander can rot in Antarctica for all I care-

My reverie comes to an abrupt stop and I blink like a fool as Zander takes off his leather jacket he wore on top of his turtle neck shirt and drapes it over my shoulders. A heady warmth engulfs me instantly.

"Don't want you dying from cold, fish." He all but states with an obnoxious grin.

My mouth hangs like a gaping fish. Ah, not the fish, Marilla. Not the fish!

But the gesture, it was...sweet.

Ugh, but he isn't! He's just being good to you because he doesn't know the truth yet and believes his own reasoning. The moment he comes to know the actual truth, he'll start hating you and calling you names again.

"Thank you." I still grumble so low under my breath where not even myself could hear it properly.

But Zander does anyway.

His grin grows, "You're wel-"

Zander's words suddenly stop as his gaze glues to somewhere behind me.

My eyebrows furrow as I notice the way his eyes widen and his entire form stiffens. A rush of emotions crosses his face in an instant.

I turn around following his gaze but see nothing.

"What happened-"

My words are cut short as I hear his next word and realize just what's happening.

"Laira?" He whispers.

For the first time since I've met Zander Hellion, I notice the way his voice coates warmth and pain. When I look back at him, I see the way his eyes have softened. Something about the love glinting in those orbs makes my heart sink a teeny bit but I ignore the feeling just as it comes.

Shit, he's seeing the illusion. And it's about his dead wife.

Geziore. This is trouble.

He has to snap out of it before it becomes too much and he ends up staying here forev-

"Mari?"

This time, it's me who freezes at the feminine voice calling out for me. My heart thunders against my chest rapidly.

No no no. Not this illusion. Not her.

Not her out of all people.

A hand touches my shoulder making me flinch but I don't turn to look at the person knowing very well who it is. I try to convince myself that the person isn't really touching me and it's just an illusion that I feel. Instead I focus my sight on Zander walking past me towards wherever the illusion of Laira is.

Freaking hell, none of this is good.

"Mari, why won't you look at me?" The voice calling for me cracks as if on the verge of crying.

A sudden pain shoots through my heart and despite knowing this is an illusion, despite knowing none of this is true, despite knowing she'd never talk to me so sweetly ever again, I couldn't help myself from turning around and glancing at the girl.

Her blue eyes identical to mine shines brighter and the smile that had been the only assurance I used to need before everything went downhill graces her lips.

I don't know why but something about the softness in her gaze reminds me of the person she used to be and involuntarily my eyes start glistening.

"Layla." My sister's name leaves my mouth.

The next moment I know, she's hugging me.