501 Bottom line* (1/2)

Zeres was the same as the silver-haired young man in her past self's memories. His ancient fashion, long silver hair, and that ethereal face remained precisely the same, except for his now golden-colored eyes.

”Zeres,” she uttered his name. Abigail had seen how Zeres cared for and loved her past self. She had watched how he sacrificed himself to save Alex and how he remained in her side until his last breath. She had also heard his last words, begging her never to forgive him, and that made her heart ached for him. He was always such a selfless friend who had loved her past self unconditionally.

The thought of Zeres' last moments had broken Abi's heart into pieces again, and all she wanted that moment was to hug him.

Abi stepped forward. Alex remained rooted on the ground, his jaw clenching, but he didn't stop Abigail from approaching him. However,

”M-my wife?” Zeres' said, and the hellfire in Alex's eyes blazed mercilessly. He grabbed Abigail and pulled her back towards him, wrapping her with his mighty arm.

Abi was as shocked as Alex. But Zeres reacted the same the moment he watched Alex pulled Abi in his embrace. His burning gaze also intensified as both men glared at each other with unbearable intensity.

Alicia and Abi could now feel the extreme danger in the air. The already heavy atmosphere turned even heavier. The intense tension was making it hard to move.

”Alex, calm down. Please.” Abi said, and gladly, she could immediately pull Alex's attention to her.

”I can't calm down when he's not, Abigail. What if he attacks?” Alex replied, and he returned his alert and dangerous gaze back to Zeres.

”Alex, he's your friend.”

Her words made Alex's jaws clenched again. ”I know,” he replied, not tearing his eyes off him. His eyes momentarily softened, but too soon, they returned to its fierce and dangerous state. ”But if he's here intending to take you away from me…” his voice hardened, ”then, I'm sorry, but that's my bottom line.”

Abi could only bite her lips. She heard what Zeres just said, so she understood why Alex was now acting like this. Why on earth did Zeres call her that?

Alicia, on the other hand, was having a hard time dealing with Zeres. She's been calling out his name, but the man wasn't responding at all. She could feel that his situation was getting more and more dangerous. A little bit more and something terrible might happen!

”Zeres!! You promised me that you'd calm down!!” Alicia yelled at him, but the man continued stepping forward. ”Listen to your queen, damn it!!”

Alicia had used the curse that would force any witch to submit to her, the queen. This was one of the witch's queen's most potent abilities. As long as she could touch the witch directly, she could make them listen to her command. And rogue witches weren't an exception. This was why rogue witches always try to run away from the witch queen as far as they could.

Even though Zeres was someone ancient and also a half-human, he was still a witch. Her power could at least affect him.

To her relief, the man halted, and his lashes dropped to meet her gaze. ”Stop! This is an order. Don't attack them and calm down.” She commanded in a firm yet careful voice.