Chapter 89: Chapter 89 Parasite Unlocked
Elara’s POV
"Chamber One, Kaelen: Spirit collapse level decreased by 2 points. Current spirit collapse level: 70.
"Chamber Two, Julian: Spirit collapse level decreased by 2 points. Current spirit collapse level: 64.
"Chamber Three, Dorian: Spirit collapse level decreased by 2 points. Current spirit collapse level: 70.
"Chamber Four, Barrett: Spirit collapse level decreased by 2 points. Current spirit collapse level: 64.
"Chamber Five, Alistair: Spirit collapse level decreased by 2 points. Current spirit collapse level: 61.
"Chamber Six, Finnian: Spirit collapse level decreased by 2 points. Current spirit collapse level: 45.
"Chamber Seven, Silas: Spirit collapse level decreased by 2 points. Current spirit collapse level: 52."
My eyes practically sparkled. "Yes!"
I’d finally leveled up.
My wood ability had hit Level 6, and I’d unlocked this insane new attack skill called Parasite. I could wrap vines around enemies, suck their life force to freeze them in place, and boost my own energy all at once!
Holy shit, this ability is completely overpowered! Way more useful than Photosynthesis! With Parasite, I’m basically invincible no matter what the weather’s like!
Boys, I absolutely adore every single one of you.
Without you guys, how would I even build this kind of power?!
I was practically bouncing with joy—even more excited than the guys locked up in those wards.
The instant I stepped into Chamber One, Kaelen’s whole demeanor shifted. His earlier tension just melted away. I could see it in his eyes—like I was some kind of walking sedative. Other women needed to channel their spiritual energy to calm people down, but apparently all I had to do was show up. Just standing here, maybe giving him a little pat, and he’d go from agitated to peaceful in seconds.
I was his personal chill pill.
"Elara..."
Kaelen pressed himself against the food slot, those hopeful eyes locked on mine, a grin breaking across his face that he couldn’t quite suppress.
"Seventy! You’re doing great!" I told him.
I reached into my pocket and pulled out a fresh vine bracelet. Before I could even offer it, Kaelen stuck his hand through the slot. I blinked in surprise. "Damn, did you just read my thoughts or something?"
As I spoke, something else tumbled out with the bracelet—a dragon scale. The same one I’d found outside his door on my very first day here. It was so gorgeous and shimmery I just couldn’t bring myself to toss it.
The second that scale hit the ground, Kaelen’s eyes went huge.
I watched him stare at it, his whole body going rigid. Some kind of intense emotion flickered across his features, but I couldn’t read what it was.
While he seemed to be having some kind of internal meltdown, I stayed totally unfazed. I crouched down, scooped up the scale, brushed off some nonexistent dirt like it was a precious gem, and slipped it back into my pocket.
When I glanced back up, I caught sight of Kaelen’s dragon features turning this brilliant shade of red.
Seriously? Even with all those scales covering his face, I can still tell when he’s blushing.
"You... feeling alright?" I asked.
"Elara..." His voice came out rough and dry. "That’s my scale."
I shrugged. "Yeah, I know!" I’d picked it up right by his door, so obviously it was his.
His eyes went even wider. He made this soft, strangled sound, then suddenly bolted up the stairs.
——
Kaelen’s POV
My heart was pounding so hard I thought it might burst.
She kept my scale. She actually kept it.
In dragon culture, when someone keeps a dragon’s scale—especially one that fell naturally—it means they’re accepting a mating invitation. It’s one of our most sacred traditions. The scale represents our essence, our very soul, and when someone treasures it...
It means she loves me!
All this time, I thought she was just being kind, just doing her job. But she’s been carrying my scale with her, taking care of it like something precious. She even cleaned it off when it fell, like it mattered to her.
I can’t believe it. Elara... she feels the same way.
I have to get control of myself. I can’t let her see how much this affects me, not yet. But knowing she kept my scale, knowing what that means...
Everything has changed.
——
Elara’s POV
I tilted my head, watching him disappear. He just... ran away?
For someone who looks so intimidating, I have no clue what goes on in that head of his. Getting this worked up over a simple pastry? Honestly, he’s got the heart of a pet. Probably could train him completely with just a few treats.
After setting the pastry down, I headed over to Chamber Two.
The moment I turned my back, I could feel eyes on me. When I glanced up, sure enough, there was Kaelen peeking out from the second floor. His room had this different setup that gave him a perfect view from above.
Right now, his stare felt intense—burning into my back. That gentle look from before had vanished completely, replaced by something that felt almost... hungry. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
But I had no time to analyze Kaelen’s mood swings. My attention was already shifting to Julian.
After his transformation, he wasn’t a sea demon anymore. Now he had this godlike face, his hair still damp, propping himself up on his elbows at the food slot. fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm
The second he spotted me, he flashed this warm smile. Ever since I’d promised to take him home with me, Julian had gotten way more confident. He was showing off his upper body now, making sure his tail was on full display too.
That stunning tail caught the light, scales shimmering as he casually tapped the pool water. The scales that covered him from the waist down were absolutely flawless.
I found myself leaning closer, and this wicked thought popped into my head. But remembering the dragon watching from the other ward, I forced my curiosity back down. I was dying to figure out where exactly his, uh, equipment was located...
God, I’m so curious! He’s covered in fish scales from the waist down, so where the hell is his dick?!
He seemed completely oblivious to what was running through my mind, likely only noticing that I was staring at him more intently than usual today.
When he saw me set the pastry down, he naturally grabbed a fork, speared a piece, and held it up to my lips. "Try some too."
A drop of water fell from his hair...