51.

Jack stood in the dimly lit room, the shadows flickering across his sharp features as the holographic map of Earth glowed before him. His eyes gleamed with malice as he stared at the planet, spinning slowly in front of him. He was close now—closer than ever to breaking Alex’s hold over Aeryn. His kingdom thrived on chaos, and nothing delighted him more than causing suffering to those he despised. And right now, Alex was the perfect target.

A cruel smile tugged at the corners of Jack’s mouth as he tapped a few buttons on the control panel, bringing up information on several human girls. His eyes scanned the list, searching for someone—someone that could be used as bait. Aeryn had escaped his grasp once, but this time, he wasn’t going to let that happen.

“This one,” Jack muttered to himself, his gaze locking onto a particular profile. It was a girl named Isabel. She was around Aeryn’s age, with striking features and a background similar enough to make her the perfect lure. If Jack played his cards right, she would be his key to finally getting Aeryn back—and perhaps, exacting some well-earned revenge on Alex.

He pressed a button, and the hologram flickered before disappearing altogether. A tall figure, one of his loyal henchmen, appeared at his side, awaiting orders.

“Prepare the transport,” Jack ordered, his voice dripping with authority. “We’re going to Earth.”

The henchman nodded silently, turning on his heel to carry out the command without question. Jack’s eyes narrowed as he turned back to the now-darkened screen. He could already see his plan falling into place, and the thought of it sent a thrill of excitement coursing through him. If everything went as planned, Alex would soon be powerless, and Aeryn—she would be back where she belonged.

---

Isabel was walking home, unaware of the eyes that had been watching her for weeks. She was just an ordinary college student, caught up in the mundane routine of life. The evening was quiet, and the streets were mostly empty. Her earbuds were in, music blaring as she absentmindedly strolled down the street. She didn’t notice the black shadow that seemed to follow her, moving in silence, like a predator stalking its prey.

Suddenly, there was a flash of blinding light.

Isabel gasped, pulling her earbuds out as her heart pounded wildly in her chest. She looked around, but everything had gone dark again. The streetlights flickered ominously, and an unsettling chill ran down her spine.

“Hello?” she called out, her voice trembling slightly. “Is anyone there?”

There was no answer. The air seemed to grow colder, and Isabel’s pulse quickened. She could feel the presence of someone—or something—nearby, watching her, waiting.

Before she could take another step, a dark figure appeared in front of her, materializing from the shadows as if out of thin air. She stumbled backward, her breath catching in her throat.

“Who—who are you?” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

The figure didn’t answer. Instead, a cruel smile spread across his face, his eyes gleaming with an otherworldly light. Jack took a step closer, and with a wave of his hand, the world around them shifted. The street, the buildings, the very air itself seemed to warp and twist until Isabel was no longer on Earth at all.

She blinked, disoriented, her surroundings completely unfamiliar. The sky was an unnatural shade of purple, and the landscape around her was barren, desolate, like something out of a nightmare.

“What—what is this?” Isabel whispered, her voice trembling with fear. She looked around frantically, her heart racing. “Where am I?”

Jack stepped closer, his tall, imposing figure towering over her. “Welcome to my kingdom, little human,” he said, his voice smooth and mocking. “You’re going to help me with something very important.”

Isabel took a step back, her mind reeling with confusion and terror. “Help you? I don’t even know who you are!” she cried, her voice rising in panic.

Jack chuckled darkly, clearly enjoying her fear. “You’ll learn soon enough. But for now, all you need to know is that you’re a means to an end. You see, I’ve had my eye on another human—Aeryn—and I’m going to use you to get to her.”

Isabel’s eyes widened in horror as the reality of her situation began to sink in. “Aeryn? I don’t even know an Aeryn! Please, let me go! I haven’t done anything wrong!” she pleaded, her voice breaking.

Jack’s expression remained cold and indifferent. “Whether you know her or not is irrelevant,” he said, his tone flat. “All that matters is that she will come for you. And when she does, Alex will follow. Then I’ll have exactly what I want.”

Tears welled up in Isabel’s eyes as she realized there was no escape. She was trapped, a pawn in some twisted game she didn’t understand.

“Why me?” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Jack tilted his head slightly, as if considering her question. “Because you’re human,” he said simply. “And humans have a way of getting under Aeryn’s skin. You’ll serve your purpose well.”

With that, he turned away from her, signaling to his guards to take her away. Isabel’s heart raced as two of Jack’s men grabbed her arms, pulling her roughly along behind them.

“Wait! No!” she cried, struggling against their grip. “Please, let me go!”

But her pleas fell on deaf ears as she was dragged deeper into Jack’s twisted domain.

---

Back in Alex’s kingdom, Aeryn had no idea that Isabel had been taken—or that Jack was once again plotting her downfall. She had spent the morning with Alex, feeling a sense of peace that she hadn’t known in a long time. But that peace was short-lived.

A knock at the door interrupted their quiet moment. One of Alex’s advisors stepped into the room, his face grim.

“My Lord, we have received troubling news,” the advisor said, his voice tense. “It appears that Jack has made another move.”

Alex stiffened, his body tensing with barely concealed anger. “What has he done this time?” he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

The advisor hesitated for a moment before speaking. “He’s taken another human.”

Aeryn’s heart skipped a beat. She looked up at Alex, her eyes wide with shock. “Another human?” she echoed. “But why? What does he want with her?”

Alex’s jaw clenched as he stood, his mind already racing with possibilities. “He’s trying to draw you out,” he said, his voice tight. “He knows you won’t stand by while an innocent is in danger.”

Aeryn swallowed hard, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew Alex was right. She couldn’t let another human suffer because of her. But the thought of going up against Jack again filled her with dread.

“What are we going to do?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alex turned to her, his expression fierce and determined. “We’re going to get her back,” he said, his voice firm. “And this time, we’ll make sure Jack pays for what he’s done.”

Aeryn nodded, her resolve hardening. She wouldn’t let Jack win—not this time.

As Alex began to prepare for their next move, Aeryn’s thoughts turned to Isabel, the girl she had never met but was now bound to save. She had no idea what lay ahead, but one thing was certain: they would not let Jack’s evil plan succeed.