Their Secret Obsession (A Reverse Harem) by Pippa Moon novel Chapter 338

Kane's POV

We continued our climb, more cautiously this time. The winged demons maintained their circling above but kept their distance. The reddish sky intensified the dramatic ambience, casting warm, golden shadows that made the setting feel even more isolated and formidable. I stayed close to Lottie, ready to shield her from any threat.

"Are you okay?" I whispered to her. I offered a warm smile, gently brushing a strand of hair away from her face. Placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder, I squeezed lightly to let her know I was right beside her.

She nodded, though her eyes remained fixed ahead. "I just want to find Knox and get out of here."

"Me too," I agreed, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. As we approached the top of the staircase, the massive doors of the castle loomed before us—ornate and foreboding, with intricate carvings and symbols etched into the dark stone. The guards standing on either side observed us with unreadable expressions.

"Expecting trouble?" Adam grunted, his gaze flicking between the imposing doors and the silent sentinels.

"I am not sure yet," Astaroth replied calmly. For a moment, his usually confident demeanour faltered. His eyes held a flicker of vulnerability, a rare glimpse beneath his façade. It was as if the weight of something unseen pressed upon him.

"Who would want to hurt you? You're the king of chaos," she said, her voice tinged with confusion. Lottie tilted her head, curiosity and a hint of concern in her eyes.

"Even kings have their enemies." Astaroth offered a wry smile. She stopped walking, her feet planted firmly as she regarded him.

"I'm potentially sending my child to live with you. I deserve to know who your enemies are," she stated firmly.

Her words struck me like a bolt. I halted beside her, realisation dawning. Lottie was seriously considering going through with the deal—to give our child to Astaroth. A knot formed in my stomach. Astaroth met my gaze, a subtle challenge in his eyes, clearly not appreciating my unspoken doubts.

"My enemies are yours," he replied cryptically before stepping aside. "Welcome to my humble abode," he announced with a flourish, ending the conversation there... at least for now.

"Charming," I muttered under my breath. My distrust for Astaroth ran deep. The idea that our enemies were shared seemed absurd. Any foes he had were likely beyond our realm and capabilities. If they ever came for him, we'd be collateral damage at best.

"You have more enemies than you think, Kane," Astaroth remarked as we stepped inside. His tone was casual, but his words carried an ominous weight.

Inside, the castle was a maze of shadowed corridors and echoing halls. The atmosphere was thick, almost suffocating, as if the very air carried whispers of long-forgotten secrets. Warm hues from the reddish sky seeped through narrow windows, casting elongated shadows that danced along the walls.

"This way," Astaroth beckoned, a slight bounce in his step. He seemed almost... proud to have guests in his home. It was an odd sight—a demon hosting a tour.

We followed reluctantly, every instinct telling me to be on guard. Lottie clutched my arm, her grip tightening as we ventured deeper. The sound of our footsteps echoed ominously, and the guards' watchful eyes never left us.

"How am I meant to save him?" Lottie asked nervously, her voice barely above a whisper.

Astaroth chuckled dismissively. "You will know what to do."