77. Erase Memories..
The demon tried one last desperate strike, a screech tearing through the mansion.
Marcelline didn't even blink.
She lifted her hand—
Her fingers glowed molten yellow—
And she grabbed the demon's face mid-charge.
The creature froze, thrashing violently.
"Enough," she breathed.
Her voice wasn't loud.
But it carried ancient authority.
Max felt the hair on his arms rise.
The demon convulsed as a yellow fire ignited in Marcelline's palm.
Smoke poured from the demon's eyes, mouth, and chest.
It screamed—
Then the scream turned into a gurgle—
Then into nothing.
WHOOSH.
The dark form disintegrated into ash, sucked into the floor, leaving a silent, cold emptiness behind.
Marcelline exhaled softly.
No victory.
No celebration.
Just… done.
She turned away from the burnt mark like it was an annoying stain.
---
Marcelline walked straight to the two broken bodies on the floor.
Max's heart hammered.
He stood frozen, terrified to see the truth.
Chloe's arm twisted the wrong way…
Aiden's ribs crushed…
They looked dead.
Marcelline knelt between them, placing one glowing yellow hand on each of their chests.
A low hum vibrated in the air.
Her eyes brightened until the entire room turned gold.
Max covered his eyes instinctively.
Bones snapped back into place.
Wounds closed.
Bruises evaporated.
Their breathing steadied.
And within seconds—
Aiden and Chloe looked like they were simply sleeping peacefully after a long tiring day.
Max breathed out shakily, unable to believe what he'd seen.
"W-who… how did you—"
Marcelline didn't even look up as she moved to the priests.
She raised her hand again.
A soft yellow wave spread over the unconscious men, healing every crack in their skulls, every injury they received.
They gasped softly, but Marcelline flicked her fingers—
They fell right back into deep sleep.
No memories.
No pain.
Not yet.
---
Max finally found his voice.
"What are you…? How did you heal them? Who—"
Marcelline stood up slowly and finally turned toward him.
Her smirk was lazy, wicked, and beautiful.
"You ask too many questions, handsome."
Max forgot how to breathe.
Her eyes glowed softly, mischievous now—
no longer deadly.
"Focus on breathing first," she teased.
Max stiffened, embarrassed and confused.
"I—I wasn't— That's not—"
She stepped closer.
"Relax," she whispered, smirk deepening.
"I don't bite."
Then she leaned a little closer…
"Well… unless someone begs."
Max's mind shut down completely.
---
Marcelline stepped past him toward Aiden, Chloe, and the priests.
"Alright," she sighed.
"Now only memory erasing is left."
Max jerked his head toward her.
"What?"
Marcelline shrugged lightly.
"You want them to remember all this?"
Her voice was calm but sharp.
"The trauma. The fear. The nightmares. The demon hunting them in dreams?"
Max opened his mouth—
But no sound came.
Because she was right.
Completely right.
He lowered his gaze.
Marcelline smiled faintly.
"That's what I thought."
She lifted her glowing hand over the unconscious group—
"And don't worry," she added casually, almost playful,
"you too."
Max's entire body tensed.
"What— why mine?!"
Marcelline winked.
"Because you're already thinking too much about me."
Max's face went blank.
Marcelline extended her hand toward him…
Her yellow light beginning to rise.
---