Poison Rose of Avalon

Liora's phone: Every detail —was mirrored on Caspian's device, giving him complete surveillance over Liora's digital life. Whenever Liora sent a message, received a call, or even viewed a photo or video, Caspian's phone would instantly alert him, displaying precisely what she was doing.

Being miles distant from Liora troubled Caspian. He couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that someone might slip into her life unnoticed, keeping him oblivious. He needed to monitor her—to be aware of her activities, her companions, and the secrets her day might bring.

And what could be a better device than her smartphone? After all, a phone is a person's ever-present partner, an extension of each individual's existence. It travels everywhere, captures every dialogue, and uncovers every reality.

Caspian had ensured that her phone belonged to both of them. It was his portal into her world. He craved access to every private message, each secret revelation, and every conversation she had with her friends—he wanted it all.

He was grateful for his capability to access her phone, which allowed him to stop Ronnie, Kevin, Andreas, and Hanuel from inflicting additional damage on his flawless Doll.

For a period of three months, Caspian leisurely ensured that his three friends who had turned into prey received the punishment they rightfully deserved in Caspian's book.

Caspian is not your run-of-the-mill serial killer. He doesn't kill for fun—Oh No!

He despises violence. But, should anyone dare to tamper with his emotions, they'll quickly discover just how wrong they were. They'll meet a being of pure evil, glacial coldness, and ruthless efficiency and learn firsthand what real nightmares are made of.

After their eventual deaths, Caspian respectfully cremated their dismembered bodies and placed the ashes in individual urns—after all, they were once friends.

He presented each urn to their families, honouring their memory and offering condolences for their loss. He even attended their memorial service.

The sky was bright and unobstructed. Sunlight brilliantly illuminated the ground. Birds soared through the air and chirped. Walking along the tree-lined path, Caspian moved toward the car like a lion prowling through the jungle after paying last respects to his old friends.

He rested against his car as the driver turned on the engine to travel to the next destination. Caspian buried one hand lazily in his pocket, and after resting his phone for four months, he finally switched on.

The list of missed calls from his grandfather scrolled endlessly—sixty. A smirk ghosted across his lips as he dialled back.

"Did you miss me, Grandpa?" His voice was light, almost teasing, but the smirk didn't reach his eyes.

The chairman's voice came through, steady and knowing, laced with a satisfaction Caspian didn't trust. "Of course, child. Your parents missed you, too."

The composure in his grandpa's voice caused Caspian's smirk to falter as he straightened up. He could almost visualise the old man pacing in his grand office, back and forth, his expression faraway and analytical. He anticipated a reprimand, but what he felt now was something he wouldn't appreciate.

"You're the first person I called," Caspian informed him, his tone eager, trying to regain the upper hand. He was exhausted from being apart from Avalon; it was more a desire to be back with Liora that filled him.

"I'm glad to hear it, child," the chairman replied, amusement threading through his words. "I've arranged a surprise for you."

"What is it?" Caspian's eyes narrowed, suspicion creeping into his features.

"It's a surprise, something for you to discover, Caspian," the chairman said, his voice cryptic.

"I will do it once I am back."

"I'm afraid that door has closed for you." A hint of suspicion crept into Caspian's expression upon hearing his grandpa. "The real surprise awaits when you return to Quantum Future."

'What new challenge did this old man have in store for him now? Wasn't the nine years enough?' Caspian thought.

It did not take longer for Caspian's voice to chill the air as if winter itself had taken a form. "Neither you, nor God, nor the devil can prevent me from going to Avalon."

He was done staying away from Liora. He desired Liora's presence in his life without missing a day. "And..."

Before he could utter another word, his Grandpa interrupted, "Sure, you can come!" George Glacier stated it with no hint of emotion at all.

Without allowing Caspian a moment to respond, George Glacier severed the connection, leaving Caspian reeling in disbelief and frustration. He clutched his phone, squeezing it with such force that he feared it might crumble into dust beneath his grip.

Caspian's jaw tightened. The old man loved his games, loved testing him. Before concluding, he considered reaching out to his Doll first.

Despite his attempts to reconnect with Liora, he encountered a frustrating obstacle - her phone number seemed to be out of service, and all his attempts to access her phone were unsuccessful, making him anxious.

He decided to call Amara. Caspian's thumb hovered over the screen, and his eagerness was getting the better of him. The line barely rang twice before she picked up.

"Mrs. Valentine," he began, his voice steady but taut, "it's Caspian. How have you been?"

"Caspian?" Amara's surprise rippled through the phone. "Well, this is an unusual call. I'm doing well. What's on your mind, Master Caspian?"

Amara was fully aware of the reason he had reached out to her. She chuckled in her mind.

Caspian wasted no time exchanging more pleasantries and proceeded directly to the purpose of his call. "I've been attempting to contact Liora. Is everything okay?"

His tone grew more fervent, even as he tried to remain composed. How could he not? Was Liora upset for not sending a single message before disappearing for four months? Was this her way of punishing him, he wondered.

Amara's gentle laugh caused his jaw to clench. " Master Caspian, unfortunately, it's not for me to disclose."

Her words were light, almost mocking, yet there was a firmness underlying her words.

"Wishing you all the best," she remarked cheerfully, her voice ringing like wind chimes before the call ended.

For a second, he stared at the phone, the edges of his vision narrowing as his pulse thudded in his ears.

A bitter laugh escaped him as he tossed the phone onto the seat beside him, settling into a semi-sleeping position.

His thoughts were racing quicker than the horses'. Given his natural intelligence, he needed less than a minute to connect the dots: Surprise in California... for me to disclose.....and Liora's phone was unreachable.

His brows knitted together once the realization hit him, and a shadow of concern loomed overhead.

Looking up through the car's sunroof at the now overcast sky, he mused, "Did you arrive in California to torment me, or was this all Grandpa's plan?"

His palms pressed together, fingers arched while his thumbs rhythmically touched. His face grew stern, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface.

"What the hell am I supposed to do about Pearl now?" He muttered under his breath.

Pearl was far from an average wealthy woman. With a distinguished American lineage, money, and power, she also made a name for herself as a social media influencer.

She is the most eccentric woman Caspian has ever encountered, and she doesn't permit even a single butterfly to approach Caspian and James.

And the partnership with Sinclair and Anderson was crucial for the Glaciers. Nonetheless, the situation was more complex; James had developed a fondness for Pearl, adding further complications.

'How am I going to keep everyone perfectly in their place?'

"GRANDPA!!!"