Cross to Bear Universe: The Poisonous Butterfly 1

Part 1: The Poisonous Butterfly

AZRIEL

Isn’t it tragic when two people are in love but can’t be together? Not because they don’t love each other, but because the timing is off.

Why does destiny play such cruel games?

I’m not one to complain, but I had hoped for a different outcome, just once.

I was carrying the lifeless body of the man I’d just killed over my shoulder, his blood dripping onto the pristine marble floor. Splatters of blood decorated the mansion’s elegantly painted walls and polished floors, adding a macabre touch of color.

My fangs extended farther than ever before at the scent of blood.

I walked down the long hallway with a sense of purpose until I reached the grand staircase. I descended, dragging the mutilated body behind me, the soft click of my heels echoing off the grimy floor.

I kept my gaze focused ahead, the desperate cries for help fading into the background as I concentrated on my mission.

Reaching the bottom step, I let go of the body I was holding. The man in front of me flinched at the thud, his fear palpable.

“N-no, please!”

His body recoiled in terror as I approached. His eyes widened in fear as I noticed a deep cut on his forehead, blood streaming down his face.

He must have gotten that earlier.

“Please. I beg of you. Forgive me,” he plead relentlessly.

Tears streamed down his face, his lips and teeth trembling with fear. I struck him hard in the stomach, sending him crashing into the wall.

The blow was too much for the injured man, and he coughed. I moved swiftly, grabbing his neck and hoisting him up. His pleas continued, his hands fluttering nervously around my wrists.

I tilted my head back, studying his tear-streaked face and listening to the frantic pounding of his heart. He was weak.

He coughed out, “P-please. I won’t do it. I’m yours to use as a spy!”

His words made me laugh.

How naive could he be? Did he not understand that his sins were unforgivable?

Without another word, I pulled him close and sank my teeth into his neck, moaning at the taste of his blood.

He screamed and struggled in my grip, but it was futile. I stepped back as his body went limp and his screams ceased.

I closed my eyes and lifted my head, savoring the moment. But it wasn’t enough. I could never get enough to satisfy my thirst.

“Azriel, you should stop right now,” a familiar, gentle voice came from behind me.

I slowly opened my eyes and looked over my shoulder at the woman behind me, a soft smile playing on my lips.

Her beautiful face was framed by her chocolate-brown hair, but instead of smiling, she was glaring at me with mild annoyance.

Her adorable expression made me laugh, and I dropped the body with a thud.

As I adjusted my gear, I smiled at her and said, “Change that face, please.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and retorted, “What does my face have to do with anything?” She shot me a sharp look and raised an eyebrow. “Let’s clean that blood off your mouth when you’re done.”

I wiped my mouth with my fingers and noticed the smeared blood, which made me raise my eyebrows.

“Yes, Your Highness.” I licked my fingers and grinned.

Everyone was waiting in the garden as we left the blood-soaked house. Small groups of people were scattered throughout the vast space.

I glanced at the side where a few imperial guards were piling up the bodies and setting them on fire.

“Oh, finally, you’re done.” My brother looked at me and said, “You had us worried.”

“Why would you be worried?” I raised my eyebrows. “Lorcan, you have other things to worry about.”

He rolled his eyes in exasperation.

“Is everyone dead?” I asked, glancing at the side where a few injured survivors were kneeling. I frowned at Lorcan. “I thought the plan was to kill everyone?”

Lorcan placed a hand on my shoulder and said, “Easy,” stopping me in my tracks. “First, listen to what I have to say.”

I shrugged off his hand and walked toward the survivors. There were eight or more of them. Their clothes indicated they were not servants, even though I couldn’t see their faces clearly as they kept their heads bowed.

Lorcan stood beside me and explained, “They’re the enslaved people who were banished from the fallen empire. Their clothes show they’re not locals. It seems the bastard was shipping the surviving humans and selling them to other empires.”

“They’re all humans,” I said bitterly.

I looked over each stranger, forcing my fangs to stay in place. The smell of their blood was driving the monster inside me wild.

I growled and turned to face the only person who could tame the beast within me.

I watched her every move. Behind me, Lorcan muttered, “Easy.”

“Fuck off!” I snapped, but he just laughed.

He grinned and advised, “You should calm that monster inside you before there’s another bloodbath,” but I tried to focus on her and ignore everyone else.

“What do you think I’m doing?”

Lorcan looked from me to her and said, “It seems the imprint does work.”

I said, making Lorcan frown, “Well, we need to decide what to do with them.”

He crossed his arms and shook his head. “No, that’s not your concern.” His pale face wore a worried expression again. “We already have a plan for them.”

“Execute them?” I asked, looking sternly at my brother, who sighed.

“It’s been ten years since you woke up, and you still can’t control your bloodlust. I know it’s hard to bear, but remember, this is a mission. Not a blood party,” Lorcan sighed.

“I know. Why do you think I have an imprint? She can control both me and my monster.” I grinned.

“Yes, but your face and eyes betray you,” Lorcan patted my shoulder. “I may be older, but trust me—I know that look.”

“What look?” I turned to face him, scowling. Lorcan leaned in to whisper in my ear.

“The one that says you wish her blood were yours.”

I bared my fangs at him. How dare he suggest such a thing?

Lorcan laughed and raised his arms to block my attack. I punched him in the stomach, and we both fell to the ground, rolling around like children.

“Oh my Goddess!” a familiar voice exclaimed, clapping. “Can you two immature bastards stop it already?”

“But it was his idea!” Lorcan gripped my neck and hissed.

“Shut up!” I hissed back.

The voice commanded, “ENOUGH!” and I stopped. “Azriel, get up.”

I let go of Lorcan’s neck, stood up, and straightened my clothes. I brushed my hair out of my face and scoffed at Lorcan, who just laughed.

“I told you to stop it!” she ordered, but I was too frustrated. She smacked my head and said, “Hey, stop it!” again.

I jerked my head, staring at her in disbelief.

“Stop it, Azriel,” she said again.

Lorcan laughed and stood up, saying, “You should do as the queen orders, my dear brother.”

I glared at him until a sigh made me turn my head.

She motioned for me to follow her, but I shook my head. “Azriel.”

“Stop it!” I shouted and turned to walk away, but she grabbed my shirt, causing me to stumble.

“Stop it? You’ve been acting strange. So, you’re going to do as I say. You need to clear your head. Let’s go!” she insisted, pulling me along.

I groaned in frustration, but in the end, I followed her.

We walked in silence for a while before she abruptly stopped. I looked down at her small figure. Aside from looking older and wiser, she hadn’t changed much.

“You crossed a line today, you know,” she said angrily, catching my attention. “This wasn’t the plan.”

“Excuse me?” I kept my hands behind my back and scowled.

“Unraveling the mystery and taking down the villain was supposed to be our mission. But you went ahead and turned the mansion upside down. Now, with everyone gone, we’re back to the starting line.”

I clenched my fists, biting back a response. I watched as she rubbed her temple, releasing a weary sigh. It was clear she was feeling the pressure.

“I’m sorry,” I muttered. “I know I went too far, but what other choice did I have? When my monster took over, I had no choice but to follow his lead.”

“Sorry?” she echoed. I felt a flush of embarrassment and quickly lowered my gaze. “Look at me.”

Her soft fingers gently lifted my chin. I met her gaze, my eyes filled with despair.

“You’re staying behind next time. I need your monster out of the picture, Azriel. Do you understand?”

I nodded, feeling like a chastised child.

“I hate seeing you like this,” she grumbled, causing a smile to tug at my lips. “What’s so amusing?”

“You,” I replied, grinning. As I studied her face, I noticed her lips curling into a smile. Her simple act of support eased my tension. “The imprint is working wonders.”

“It certainly is,” she agreed, grinning back.

“MOTHER!” A familiar voice interrupted our moment. I rolled my eyes and turned away as the girl approached.

“Is something wrong?” she asked, clearing her throat. She took a deep breath, lifted her head, and flashed a smile.

“There’s something you need to see,” the girl panted. “Oh, hello, uncle.”

“Hello,” I grumbled in response.

She rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue.

“For Goddess’s sake, can you two quit it? This constant bickering is getting old.”

“He started it.”

“Then get lost!” I snapped, earning a smack on the head.

“Azriel! How many times do I have to tell you not to curse in front of my kids?” she scolded.

“Countless times. And for the record, we’re not pals!” I retorted, looking away.

“Feeling’s mutual,” the girl shot back. As she moved closer, her red-and-blue eyes darkened.

Anger surged within me, my nails digging into my palms.

“Bring it on, old man!” she taunted.

“Enough!”

I groaned as she stepped between us, her hands pushing us apart.

“But, Mom, he started it!”

“No, I didn’t,” I growled back.

“Azriel!”

“Fine,” I conceded, raising my hands in surrender.

“Go tell everyone we’re leaving,” she instructed her daughter.

I kept my gaze on the dense forest surrounding us, avoiding her eyes.

“Should we head back now?” Her voice was soft.

I sighed, glancing at her.

“Sure, let’s go before your husband shows up and blames me for keeping you out too long.” I smiled, taking her hand.

She laughed. “Oh, please, Maximus wouldn’t dare.” Her laughter grew when I raised an eyebrow. “Okay, maybe he would.”

I straightened up, a soft smile on my face.

“Thank you,” I said suddenly, catching her off guard.

“Thank you?” she echoed.

“Yes, Amari, thank you for always being there for me,” I said, grinning at her.

She blinked, then smiled shyly, shaking her head.

“It’s always my pleasure, Azriel.”