10.x (Interlude; Alec)

Regent, with a sinister ease, controlled Shadow Stalker, forcing her into a humiliating display of submission. He threatened her, revealing that once he’d taken control of someone, it was easier to do so again, turning her into a liability for the Wards. He proposed she leave town to avoid this fate, but he knew, through her heightened emotions, she wouldn’t.

Instead of releasing her, he embarked on a new plan. He used her shadow form and athleticism to quickly traverse the city, reveling in the physical sensations he experienced through her body. He found these sensations far more thrilling than his own mundane existence, leading him to ponder if his father, the villain Heartbreaker, had somehow damaged him, or if his own powers had dulled his senses to the ordinary.

He rummaged through Shadow Stalker’s belongings, discovering two phones. One was a smart phone, the other an older, heavily used model. He bypassed the smart phone’s password using her muscle memory and found contacts, including an “Emma Barnes.” The older phone revealed Shadow Stalker’s civilian identity and a history of cruel texts exchanged with Emma and others, targeting a girl they once considered a friend.

Regent, more annoyed than remorseful, sent an email to Winslow High School’s teachers and the police, attaching the incriminating texts, exposing Shadow Stalker’s bullying. He then called Emma, pretending to be a lonely, heartbroken Sophia, confessing his love for her. Emma, irritated and disbelieving, hung up.

He then used the smart phone’s map application, finding directions to 33 Stonemast Avenue, Shadow Stalker’s home. He arrived before his teammates reached Coil, and entered the house. He encountered Shadow Stalker’s brother, Terry, and her mother. He manipulated Shadow Stalker into a confrontation with her mother, revealing a crossbow loaded with a non-tranquilizer dart. He dismissed her mother’s concerns, claiming boredom and anger issues.

In Shadow Stalker’s room, he found photos, many featuring Emma. He burned Emma’s face out of the pictures, then wrote a fake suicide note, detailing Shadow Stalker’s supposed self-hatred and heartbreak over Emma’s rejection. He staged a scene, making it appear as if Shadow Stalker had attempted to hang herself.

He confronted Shadow Stalker, giving her limited control to speak. He explained his actions as retribution for her actions against his teammate and a way to remove a dangerous element from the city. He threatened her, stating that if he ever regained control, he wouldn’t hold back. He secured her with plastic cuffs and released her, leaving her to deal with the aftermath. The chapter ends with Regent relinquishing control, leaving Shadow Stalker to face the consequences of his actions, a chilling display of manipulation and calculated cruelty. The author shows how much Regent enjoys manipulating people, making him a very dangerous character.