Chapter 883:

Earle was convinced he had her trapped and made a move to seize her shoulder. Elena, however, sprang up, using the wall to forcefully twist his wrist. The momentum shifted in an instant.

Elena now held a knife against Earle’s throat, its cold metal stark against his skin. She pressed the blade slightly, drawing a thin line of blood. “Order your men to back off,” she said, her voice cold.

Despite the knife pressing into his flesh, Earle’s smirk remained unflinching. His eyes locked with hers, unwavering. “If you kill me, none of you will make it out alive,” he declared confidently.

After all, they were in Avaloria, a realm controlled by Shadow, where Earle’s word was law.

Undeterred by her threat, he moved closer to her.

The knife dug deeper, narrowly missing his artery as she pulled back just in time.

Elena held her grip firm, observing him intently. He really was insane. If she’d hesitated even a second, he’d already be dead. He didn’t care about anyone’s life—not even his own.

Elena’s gaze hardened. “You really think I won’t kill you?”

Earle’s laughter was bold and mocking. He reached up slowly to his mask. “Didn’t you want to see my face? Fine. Take a good look.”

“You…” Elena frowned. Before she could stop him, the mask slid off, revealing a face that made her breath catch.

Her eyes widened for just a moment before she composed herself, meeting his gaze with steady indifference. Who could have imagined the leader of Shadow would look so unnaturally perfect?

His slight smile met her steady gaze, his eyes gleaming with an androgynous allure. His face was sharply contoured, exuding a lethal charisma, particularly those green eyes—eerily magnificent yet clearly dangerous. Elena remained tight-lipped, her expression unreadable.

Earle moved closer and asked, “Well? Satisfied?”

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Unmoved, Elena responded, “A pretty face doesn’t mask your true nature.” His hands were stained with too much blood. Damnation wasn’t a question of if, but when.

Attempting to pierce his veneer, Elena aimed her words at his corrupt spirit.

Yet, Earle merely laughed softly, a satisfied grin spreading across his face.

Her expression darkened further.

Earle stopped laughing and teased, “Ah, you find me attractive then.” Elena was momentarily dumbfounded. Could he genuinely have misunderstood her so completely?

In that brief moment of distraction, Earle seized her by the jaw. He drew closer and kissed her.

As their lips met, her eyes narrowed instinctively. Reacting impulsively, she plunged the knife into his chest. The blade buried itself with a grim finality. Earle’s eyes tightened, yet he didn’t push her away. Instead, he drew her in, deepening their kiss.

He kissed her forcefully, his teeth clamping onto her lip with a predator’s tenacity.

Revulsion marred her features. She pushed the blade deeper.

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