Chapter 82: Prison Break 1

Chapter 82: Prison Break 1Bloom Mansion – East Wing Perimeter

The rain had stopped, but the ground still glistened wet under the moonlight. The trees swayed gently, wind curling through the branches like whispers.

Something small moved in the grass—fast and quiet. A rat. Its tiny body darted over roots and slipped beneath the outer gate of the Bloom Mansion, unnoticed. Its fur was dark and patchy, and its eyes gleamed like wet obsidian.

It moved with purpose. Like it knew where it was going.

When it reached the moss-covered stone path that led to the side of the estate, it paused. Sniffed. Waited.

Then it twitched—twitched hard. Its body convulsed like someone yanked it from inside. Bones cracked. Muscles tore, then rewove. The rat’s skin split open and peeled away like a paper suit.

And then—

Selene stood up.

Naked, pale, with streaks of blood and fur clinging to her skin. Her body was tall, thin, lithe like a shadow made of flesh. Her eyes were dead. Not dull—dead. Like the light had gone out behind them years ago.

She exhaled once, then stretched. Each limb cracked back into place.

Then she stepped toward the Bloom Mansion.



She didn’t sneak. She didn’t slither. She walked.

Main Entrance – Side Guard Post

A young witch stood by the gate, staff in one hand, glowing charm in the other. Her long black coat brushed the stone every time she shifted weight. She looked half-bored.

She didn’t even notice Selene until she was almost at the steps.

"Hey," the witch called, raising her hand. "Halt. Who the hell are you?"

Selene didn’t reply. She just smiled.

The witch narrowed her eyes. "I said stop. Identify yourself."

"I’m here for Greta," Selene said, voice soft, smooth.

"Yeah?" The witch tilted her head. "Why aren’t you cloaked? Why’s your mana off? You think walking in here naked is some kind of statement?"

Selene smiled wider.

"I think your face is about to become mine."

The witch blinked. "What?"

Too slow.

Selene lunged. Her arm stretched, bones popping, flesh rippling as claws burst from her fingertips. She slashed the witch across the throat before she could react.

Blood sprayed the stones.

The witch stumbled back, gagging, eyes wide.

Selene caught her before she hit the ground.

"Shhh," she whispered. "I just need your skin. That’s all."

Then—again, her body convulsed. Her muscles twisted, rearranged, and in seconds, Selene was gone.

The witch stood in her place.

Same coat. Same face. Same scent.

But the eyes were still dead.

She picked up the staff and charm, stepped over the cooling corpse, and opened the side door.

Interior – North Corridor

The inside was quiet, but not empty.

Two witches passed by, chatting in low voices. One looked up and gave Selene a nod.

"Hey, Vera. Thought your shift was outside tonight."

Selene smiled with the witch’s mouth. "Got pulled early. Greta wanted a check on the prisoner."

One of the witches sighed. "Still breathing?"

"For now."

"Better her than us. The last girl that got too close ended up with a melted arm."

They laughed.

Selene laughed too. Just enough to blend in.

Then her smile faded. "Oh, by the way..."

"Hm?"

"You know the west perimeter’s unmanned right now, right?"

One of the witches frowned. "What do you mean?"

Selene’s hand slipped behind her back.

She pulled a dagger—thin, curved, black as ink.

And jammed it into the nearest witch’s throat.

The second turned, screamed—only to get tackled into the wall. Selene’s face shifted mid-air, becoming monstrous, wolf-like. Teeth tore into the woman’s face, ripping through skin like paper.

The corridor went silent again.

Selene stood up, covered in blood.

Then she changed. Again.

Now she wore the face of the second witch.

She kept walking.

Bloom Mansion – Upper East Wing

Every new hallway came with another life. Another face. Another quick kill.

The Bloom Mansion was a fortress—but not one built for things like Selene.

She didn’t break doors down. She didn’t trigger alarms. She slipped under their skin, took their memories, stole their voices.

"She’s still in the room?"

"Yeah. Greta hasn’t left it all day. Think she’s prepping a mindspell."

"Damn. Poor girl."

Selene walked past them. "Mindspell won’t be enough."

The others blinked.

"You say something, Mira?"

Selene looked back. Her eyes glinted unnaturally.

"I said it won’t be enough."



Then she snapped both their necks with one fluid motion.

The Holding Room – Outer Door

Now she stood outside the door.

No guards. No sound. Just pulsing magic humming softly from the seal.

Selene didn’t try to open it with force.

Instead, she knelt, hands becoming long and stringy—like roots. They slipped into the cracks of the stone. Probed the ancient symbols. Twisted the locks from inside.

The runes flickered. Once. Twice.

Then faded.

The door clicked.

She opened it.

Inside – The Room Where Remu Was Kept

Remu was curled up on the floor.

Her hair stuck to her face, chains wrapped around her limbs like thorns. Her breathing was shallow, and the blue light of the runes made her skin look ghostly.

She looked up, slowly.

Expecting Greta.

Expecting pain.

But instead—

A stranger.

Remu frowned. "Who the hell...?"

Selene stepped inside. Her face was blank now. Herself again.

"The one who’s getting you out of here."

Remu narrowed her eyes. "What—no. I don’t know you."

"You don’t need to." Selene crouched near the chains. "Hold still."

"Don’t touch me."

"I’m not here to hurt you."

"You’re not Greta."

"No."

Remu stared harder. She could feel the wrongness rolling off Selene in waves. Her instincts screamed.

"You’re not even human, are you?"

Selene met her eyes.

"No."

Silence.

Then a faint smirk tugged at Selene’s lips.

"But neither are you."

Remu flinched like she’d been slapped.

Selene reached out. Her hands shifted—part key, part tool, part something that should not exist.

The chains resisted for a moment—then clicked loose.

One by one, they fell.

Remu didn’t move.

"Why are you helping me?"

Selene stood.

"Because I was sent to get you. And because Greta’s spell won’t save you. Not that you need saving anyway."

"You work for her?"

"No."

"Then who?"

Selene smiled again.

And didn’t answer.

Footsteps echoed from the hallway.

Witches.

Too many.

Selene turned her head, listening.

"You’ll want to move," she said calmly.

Remu hesitated—then stood, slow and weak.

She clenched her fists, flames licking her palms.

Selene glanced at her. "Still got some fight, huh?"

Remu glared. "Always."

The door blasted open.

Six witches. Armed.

"Get away from her!"



Selene moved first.

She lunged—shifting mid-sprint. Her arms turned into blades. Her back erupted with spikes. Her mouth opened too wide, filled with too many teeth.

The hallway lit up with screams.

Remu watched.

Eyes wide.

She didn’t know who this woman was.

But she wasn’t going to ask questions. Not yet.

Not when she was finally free.

Not when the walls of her prison were painted red.

The mansion echoed with chaos.

And somewhere deep in the woods—

The moon kept watching.