JOHANN STOOD FROZEN AS HE LOOKED AT THE ENTITY STANDING IN HIS ROOM.

“My name is Kyros Price. And I’m here to inquire about the whereabouts of my colleague Cassian De Silva.”

“What made you think I know him?”

“Come closer please.”

Johann was shocked that his body moved on its own. 

Why did my body move on its own? 

“Raise both your arms sideways please.”

Johann did what he asked. 

What’s happening?!

Kyros wore his monocle and looked at Johann. He was scanning his soul without him knowing. He can see the soul of Cassian trapped within the soul of the human. But Cassian’s soul is slowly leaking. It was like two fires with different colors.

“I see you’re an old soul. You may relax now. Your condition is still benign.”

“What did you just do to me?” 

“I scanned your soul, of course. And well, according to the reports I read you are the last human he got in touch with. Or more specifically he fought with.”

“Reports? What reports?” Johann asked while still feigning innocence.

“Surely you know everything going on in any hospital is recorded.”

“Yes. But you have access to it?” Johann asked. He could not help but let his guard down because it felt like he was only speaking to another human. If not for his sudden appearance in his room, Johann would think Kyros is not a death dealer like Cassian.

“Of course I do. Plus, my colleagues also have databases and trackers to any nonhuman activity within the vicinity I am concerned with. So, I can see he’s been inside you for more than a week now. Are there any changes in your body that you’re noticing lately?”

“I… no… I only switch with him if needed.”

“I see. Does your powers become stronger now that you are merging with him?”

“Merging with him? We’re becoming one? Now?”

“Oh, so you are unaware that the more he uses his powers to protect you, the faster his soul is merging into yours, leading to the creation of a soul that cannot be identified as a human soul or a death dealer.”

“Wait… wait… hold on! Are you a doctor? What’s with all the questions and how do you know all of these things?”

“I am not a doctor. But more like a scientist per se. May I speak with him, please? We have an urgent matter to discuss.”

“Why does it not bother you that he is within me? Is this just a normal thing for you?”

“It is no longer a common thing but it is not shocking, at least for me.”

“Well, since I no longer can deny your observations, I must admit Cassian is in me. But he is currently not saying anything as of the moment.”

“I see,” Kyros said. “Then I can only offer two solutions. One, you let me extract him from you which leads to your instant demise. Or—

The door behind exploded. His mother, Selena, was the cause of it and she overheard everything based on her reaction to them.

“Or…” she said. “You’ll get out of my house and never return or else I’ll perish you.”

Kyros only looked at his mother through his eyeglasses and did not even change his stance to defend himself before he speaks again.

“I’m afraid that was not the other solution I was offering.”

“Mom! Stay back. He’s a death dealer!” Johann yelled while placing himself between Kyros and his mother.

“Of course I know he’s a death dealer! Why else would he offer you some options to get that thing out of your body?”

That thing? How insulting.

Johann heard Cassian speak for the first time since Kyros appeared. 

Tell Kyros to come back after three days. We will then talk about this urgent matter he is so concerned with.

“Kyros, Cassian said—”

“I said leave. Now!” his mother interrupted.

“I am not yet done speaking to your son. And as much as I would like to leave there are certain concerns that I must—”

Johann’s mother glowed as if she was burning with rage. It’s been so long since Johann saw her mother use her powers that when she throws at Kyros the energy she had on the walls in his room explodes. The mechanical eye that was watching them was hit, but no one noticed it yet. Kyros stepped back and flew backwards to avoid any damage. He landed on the ground area of their house and his mother followed.

“Mom!”

You should stop your mom from interrupting your conversation with Kyros. Or else she will be in danger and I will take over.

How am I supposed to do that? She's way beyond angry now that another death dealer visited me.

Oh? So are you ready to accept that our souls will keep on merging then?

Of course not!

“Please stay still,” they heard Kyros commanded.

Ahh… good thing Kyros is smart. He did you a favor. I’m not sure if he was not yet pissed though.

From the damaged part of his room, Johann could see that her mother stood still while looking at Kyros.

“Was that hypnosis?” Johann asked himself. “Is that how he controls our body?”

Not yet. Though hypnosis is among the abilities of Kyros he has this command over you once he scanned your soul. He only needed to say the word please and you’ll do exactly what he wanted.

“What?!” 

“I am not here to kill anyone today so please try to listen,” Kyros said. “I only needed to talk to the death dealer who is currently inside your son’s body. Based on your reaction, I am sure you also wish for his soul to remain intact. Besides, you yourself should be well aware what could happen if they remained that way. Or does the Donovan clan not teach you anything?”

“He knew about… my family? And the spell?”

“Kyros can know everything if he wanted to,” Cassian replied to Johann. “At this point, he probably already knows the deal I had with your mother.”

“You should have just abided by his terms to use your son’s body. You owe him that,” Kyros said to Johann’s mother.

“See?” Cassian said while smiling. “He already knows it.”

“You were desperate to keep your son alive even if another soul takes place inside his body. But you could not keep your word? I must say, that is not a good trait to have as a mother. Or even as an adult.”

“Do not offer me or my son any deals again. Do you understand?”

“Would you say that even if the deal is beneficial for you and your son?”

“I doubt that.”

“I was about to offer your son our protection for three days,” Kyros said as if tired of talking to her. “Like you, we also do not wish for Cassian to merge with his soul.”

“Why three days? What’s going to happen after three days?” Johann asked.

“If Clay did not interrupt and put your life in danger, I would have been freed by now,” Cassian said.

“Three days? It will only take three days for him to be normal again?” asked Selena. 

“Yes,” Kyros said.

“I don’t trust you.”

“Neither do I, and after the stunt your son did to one of our kind, I would really be worried coming near to your clan given your reputation. But I must speak with Cassian and I am willing to make some adjustments. I also do not wish to fight that other thing you were so concerned about. So… if you please… Mrs. Donovan. Let’s put our guard down and talk like mature adults.”

Johann saw her mother was surprised.

“You knew…?”

“At the hospital, yes. You may relax now. And please think about my offer.”

Johann saw that his mother can now freely move on her own.

“How do I know if you’re telling the truth?” she asked. “Do you expect me to just trust you?!”

“So much distrust,” Kyros said as if talking to Selena is tiring him. “And so much doubt.” Kyros sighed before continuing. “When you came back to the hospital, you checked the room you were in hoping to sense some energy that was left in the room, correct?”

“How did you—?”

“Well, there was nothing left to see or feel. But my colleague had it recorded. While you were unconscious, demons tried to attack you. Your son was busy with Cassian so you were left unprotected.”

“Something killed those demons.”

“Someone did,” Kyros corrected her. “If you wish to see the full report then accept my offer. We protect your child and make sure Cassian won’t come out for three days. We’ll take care of any possible harms that will come his way. In return, you get your child back in his normal state and you’ll know whatever it is that happened in that room. We’ll also get Cassian back and I will make sure we will be out of your lives in no time.”

“You’re making it sound like a win-win situation.”

“It is. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement. And, unlike you humans, we are bound to keep our word whenever we make our deal with anyone.”