"No matter what you do to me, Lucas, my brother will never waver. He will save me, and he will bring an end to your reign of darkness."

"We shall see. But for now, you will remain my guest. Enjoy your stay in the darkness. It will give you plenty of time to ponder over your brother's choices." With a final mocking smile, Lucas turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Ilonka alone in the cold, oppressive room.

The hours dragged on, each passing minute further intensifying the hunger gnawing at Ilonka's stomach. Weakness began to seep into her limbs, her energy waning with every heartbeat. The room remained shrouded in darkness. It was in this bleak setting that the sound of footsteps finally echoed, breaking the heavy silence.

As the door creaked open, a figure emerged, their features partially obscured by the dim light. The sight of food in their hands momentarily sparked hope within Ilonka, but as they approached her, she noticed their cold, detached gaze and an unsettling smile etched upon their face.

This mysterious individual was a woman, her presence exuding an eerie mix of authority and indifference. Her eyes, as piercing as Lucas's had been, held a calculating glint, as if she derived pleasure from witnessing the suffering of others. Her sleek black hair cascaded down her back, contrasting starkly with her pale complexion. Dressed in a sharp black suit, she seemed to blend into the shadows, her figure melding seamlessly with the darkness that surrounded them.

The woman approached Ilonka, a tray of food balanced in her hands. She set it down on a small table nearby, still wearing that unsettling smile. With meticulous precision, she tore a piece of bread and delicately brought it to Ilonka's lips.

"You can take your food back. I won't eat it. Perhaps it's poisoned, just another ploy to further your cruel intentions."

"Your paranoia is rather amusing, Ilonka," the woman remarked, her voice laced with condescension. "But I assure you, the food is as harmless as it appears."

Ilonka met the woman's gaze, unyielding in her suspicion. "And why should I trust your words? You're a part of Lucas's sick game, a pawn in his designs. How do I know you're not simply playing your role?"

The woman's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of annoyance crossing her features. She leaned in, her voice a low whisper filled with an unsettling calmness. "You may be wise to question everything, Ilonka, but in this instance, your mistrust is misplaced. Lucas desires your obedience, not your demise—at least, not yet."

Ilonka's eyes widened slightly, the woman's words held a hint of truth, resonating with the logical part of her mind. If Lucas truly intended to kill her, he wouldn't go through the effort of feeding her at all.

Reluctantly, Ilonka allowed herself to be handfed. She couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine as the woman's icy touch brushed against her cheek. There was something deeply unsettling about the way she seemed to relish in this twisted act of control. The hand that fed her held an underlying strength, fingers calloused yet precise, as if they were accustomed to manipulation and coercion.

The woman's eyes never left Ilonka's face, studying her reactions intently, as if searching for signs of weakness or submission. Ilonka met her gaze with defiant eyes, refusing to grant her captor the satisfaction of witnessing her despair. Each morsel of food brought temporary relief to her hunger, but it was a bitter reminder of her captivity, a cruel gesture intended to prolong her torment.

Despite the bizarre circumstances, Ilonka decided to seize the opportunity to gather information. She engaged the woman in conversation, hoping to discern any useful insights or weaknesses that could aid in her eventual escape.

"Who are you?" Ilonka asked, her voice tinged with cautious curiosity.

The woman paused momentarily, a flicker of surprise crossing her otherwise composed expression. After a brief hesitation, she responded. "Names are inconsequential in the grand scheme of things, Ilonka. You may call me Evelyn, if it pleases you."

"Why are you aiding Lucas in this twisted game? What stake do you have in all of this?"

"I serve a purpose, Ilonka. My allegiance lies with those who hold power and the promise of a better future. Lucas is but a means to an end."

"And what end is that? What is it that you seek to achieve?"

Evelyn's gaze grew distant. "There are forces at play, Ilonka, forces far greater than you or I. Lucas is a pawn in a game much larger than his own ambitions. My role is to ensure the balance is maintained, to guide the unfolding events towards their destined path."

"Destiny? What do you mean?"

"There are prophecies, whispers of an impending change. Lucas believes himself to be the harbinger of this change, but he is but a pawn in a grander scheme. Your brother, Ethan, holds a key to this unfolding future. Whether he embraces it or fights against it remains to be seen."

As Ilonka contemplated the weight of Evelyn's words, the woman finished feeding her. With a final unsettling smile, Evelyn left the room, leaving Ilonka alone with her thoughts.

~~~~~~~~

Aiden had assigned me the task of overseeing the catering arrangements for the Selene festival. He explained how I needed to coordinate with the catering companies to ensure that a wide variety of high-quality dishes were available throughout the festival. He handed me a detailed list of the different cuisines and specialities that needed to be included in the menu, ranging from traditional delicacies to contemporary favourites.

The first catering service I called was Southern Flavors, renowned for their roasted meats and vegetables from the southern plains. They were excited to be a part of the festival and promised to provide their signature dishes that would delight the visitors.

Next, I reached out to Northern Delights, known for their flavorful stews and pastries from the northern highlands. They were equally enthusiastic and assured me that they would bring their best culinary offerings to the festivities.