Cold Hearts In Love.

Zayd leaned back in the cushioned seat of the carriage, his gaze drifting to the towering trees and buildings passing by as they rolled out of the palace grounds. 

The atmosphere shifted as the carriage entered the lively town of Stonecold. The streets buzzed with activity: men returning from labor, women bargaining at market stalls for the evening meal, and children darting through the crowd in laughter. The air was rich with the scent of fresh bread, roasted meats, and spices.

Dressed to blend in, Zayd stepped down from the carriage as it came to a stop beneath a large oak tree. After a brief exchange with the coachman, who went off to tend to the horses, Zayd made his way toward the brothel—a sprawling building that loomed over the street like an unwelcome shadow.

The brothel's exterior was faded but well-kept, its large wooden doors adorned with tarnished brass fittings. Inside, the halls were dimly lit by flickering oil lamps, casting shadows that danced across the walls.

The air was thick with perfume and faint traces of smoke, and women lingered in the corridors, their eyes following him as he passed.When he entered the main hall, he noted the sparse crowd—a handful of patrons seated at low tables, nursing drinks, and exchanging quiet words. The atmosphere felt subdued, more like a waiting game than a revelry. 

An imposing, rotund woman approached Zayd with a smile that managed to be both inviting and calculating. She clasped her hands over her waist and tilted her head.

"Good evening, sir. And you are?"

"Lord Adrian," Zayd lied smoothly, his expression unreadable. After all, who used their real name on a stakeout?

"Lord Adrian," she repeated, her smile widening. "So, what shall it be tonight? We cater to all desires. If you're new here, we even offer special treatments—for the right price."

"I'm here for a particular lady," Zayd replied evenly, his tone polite but firm.

Her eyes narrowed, assessing him.

"You mean Aurora? She's gone, as I've told enough men to fill a ledger."

"Not Aurora," Zayd murmured, the faintest hint of a smile gracing his lips.

"I seek Lady Esmerelda. The last time I was in her company, it was… unforgettable." He infused his tone with the illusion of wistful recollection. 

The woman's expression soured, her gaze narrowing. "Her availability depends on the weight of your purse." 

Zayd regarded her intently, noting the gleam of avarice glimmering beneath her feigned indifference. He leaned forward, his voice low yet firm.

"I am prepared to pay whatever price is necessary." 

Her demeanor shifted at once, her lips curving into a sly smile.

"Any price, you say?" 

"You have but to name it," Zayd replied smoothly, his composure betraying no hint of unease. 

"Fifty gold coins," she declared, her eyes bright with unrestrained greed. 

A soft chuckle escaped him, and he shook his head slowly.

"You have become bold in your avarice. Twenty-five gold pieces shall suffice." 

Her gaze hardened, a flicker of irritation crossing her face.

"Did you not say 'any price' mere moments ago?" 

Zayd shrugged with practiced indifference.

"If my offer does not suit you, then I shall take my leave." 

Her arms folded, and her tone grew firm. "Thirty, then. Not a coin less." 

He heaved a sigh, as though in reluctant acquiescence. "Very well. I shall part with fifteen now, and the remainder upon the conclusion of our meeting." He dropped the small couch of coins into her hands, and a satisfied smile graced her lips. 

The triumphant smile that spread across her face betrayed her satisfaction.

"Follow me," she said, her voice almost sweetened by the promise of profit. She led him down a narrow corridor, the air heavy with incense and faint traces of stale perfume.

They stopped before a plain wooden door. She reached into her apron pocket and produced a key, unlocking the room with a practiced twist.The chamber inside was modest yet tidy.

A medium-sized bed stood in the corner, draped with simple white sheets. The faint scent of lavender mingled with the lingering warmth of the day.

"Make yourself comfortable," the madam said, turning to open the window slightly. "I'll be back with your favorite meal," she added with a wink before leaving the room.

Zayd's polite smile faded the moment the door clicked shut. He sank onto the edge of the bed, his mind racing. Minutes passed before the door reopened, and the madam entered again, this time with a pale, fragile-looking young woman by her side.

"He paid a fortune to have you, you better treat him exceptionally well," she snickered at the woman, and flashed him another smile before exiting, leaving them alone.

Emma stood awkwardly, her gaze fixed on the floor. She seemed defeated, her shoulders slumped under an invisible weight.

Zayd regarded her quietly, taking in her pallor and the weariness etched into her face.

"Let us be done with this," Emma snapped, her tone cutting. She turned her back to him and began fumbling with the ties of her gown, her gaze fixed anywhere but on him. 

Zayd stepped forward swiftly, taking hold of her trembling hands to halt her movements. She whipped around to face him, her eyes blazing.

"You mean to undress me yourself?" she said softly, trying to suppress her nerves as much as possible, but Zayd could see right through her. He met her glare with steady calm.

"Whatever thoughts you harbor, they are mistaken. I have not come for that. I am here to take you away." Her brow knit in confusion, suspicion etched into every line of her face.

"Take me away? What nonsense is this? Do you mean to purchase me? Has that old crone already agreed to sell me? That must be why she permitted me to come in here—" 

 "No, she has not—" "You expect me to believe that?" she cut him off, her voice rising in fury.

"You wretch! Just because you are rich, you believe you can buy people as though they were cattle! Men like you will burn in hell for your wickedness!" Her chest heaved with anger, her words trembling on her lips. 

Zayd stood unmoving, his expression unreadable. When he finally spoke, his voice was quiet yet firm.

"Lady Aurora asked for you to be searched for," 

Emma froze, her breath catching in her throat. Her eyes widened, and a flicker of hope lit up her face.

"Aurora?" she whispered, scarcely daring to believe. "She lives? And how did she know I was still here?" 

"She does," Zayd confirmed.

"You can ask her that yourself once we get out of here." Emma hesitated for only a moment before nodding.

"I'll come with you," she said softly, her voice trembling.

"Good. Follow my lead."Emma quickly bolted the door behind them, her hands trembling. Zayd strode to the window, his sharp eyes measuring the distance to the ground below.

Though the fall would be nothing to him, as a vampire, the same could not be said for Emma, a mortal, especially since they were on the third floor. 

"I shall descend first," he said, his voice steady. "Wait for me, and when you jump, I will catch you." He gave her a reassuring nod. 

Emma's breath quickened, but she nodded nonetheless.

"You have my word," he murmured before turning to the window. With practiced ease, he climbed onto the ledge and began his descent, each movement deliberate. 

Emma hurried to the window, peering down just in time to see him land lightly on the ground below.

Before she could follow, the door burst open, revealing two guards flanking Madam Justitia. 

"I knew you were plotting something," the Madam hissed, her eyes aflame with rage.

"He would have to come back for you and pay more to have you, seize her right now!" She said coolly, a smirk playing on her lips. Emma backed toward the window, panic gripping her.

"He's already paid you, hasn't he? You fraud! Stay back, or I'll jump and you won't be able to make money off me!" she screamed, her voice shrill with desperation. 

Madam Justitia sneered, unmoved. "You're bluffing," 

Before the guards could lay hands on her, Emma threw herself from the window, a terrified scream tearing from her lips.

The wind rushed past her as the ground neared, but instead of striking the earth, she found herself cradled in a pair of strong arms. 

She opened her eyes, gasping as she met Zayd's crimson gaze.

His eyes… they were black before. 

Her heart pounded anew as she took in his features, seeing his face up close for the first time. He was strikingly handsome, almost otherworldly. 

"Don't let them escape!" Madam Justitia's shrill cry rang out from above. Zayd turned sharply, his expression hardening.

One of the guards had descended after them, but before he could act, Zayd moved with blinding speed, delivering a powerful kick that sent the man sprawling into a nearby gutter. 

Zayd moved with unnatural swiftness, his form a mere blur as he darted through the winding streets, carrying Emma securely in his arms.

Emma clung tightly to his neck, her heart hammering as the world became a streak of shadows and faint lantern light. Within moments, they reached a quiet alley, far from the brothel and the chaos they had left behind. 

Zayd slowed to a stop, setting her gently on her feet.

"Are you hurt?" he asked, his tone softer now. Emma shook her head, her legs trembling beneath her. She couldn't bring herself to say anything, while he just stared at her.