Night had fallen. A waning moon hung in the dark sky, and a few stray beams slipped through the window lattice. Hancock lay on her side, restless and unable to sleep.
Many years had passed since she had been a slave, but returning to that place had torn open scars that had only just begun to heal.
The Holy Land. The name alone sent a chill through Hancock. She had seen Ye Chen, and they had reconciled, but her brow still furrowed from time to time. She was far from calm.
Becoming the Empress and joining the Shichibukai had changed nothing. The Celestial Dragons dared not touch her, but they had never curbed their monstrous cruelty in the slightest.
Her gauzy dress, thin as a cicada's wing, showed off every curve of her full, slender figure. Her long hair spilled like a waterfall over her back and soft, rounded shoulders. Her arms were smooth and pale as fresh lotus roots.
Her long, fair legs had a soft, alluring glow. Hers was a body that could drive any man wild, yet a faint night breeze made Hancock shudder.
Fear entered her deep, captivating eyes, and Hancock curled tightly in on herself.
By day, she was the Empress, looking down on everyone. But at that moment, she was only a vulnerable, helpless woman. Without the Empress's finery, she was not so strong inside. She, too, needed a shoulder to lean on.
"Lucci, why did you stop?"
They had run some distance when Lucci suddenly halted. Gin froze and hurriedly asked him what was wrong.
"You go on ahead. I just saw a squad of Marines pass by. They were in a hurry. They're probably headed for the Heavenly Prison."
Lucci's Scythe-shaped brows drew together. He waved Gin on. "Take care of