Chapter 24
Chapter 24
ATASHA’S POV
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“Quickly,” a low voice urged. “Tend the fire and go. I still have the east corridor to sweep.”
My body froze beneath the desk, every muscle stiff and trembling as I pressed my back tighter against the wood. From the narrow gap between the base and the floor, I could see the hem of dark boots crossing the threshold, followed by another.
“Shouldn’t take long,” the second man muttered. “Place feels colder than usual.”
Metal clinked as tools were set down. I heard the soft sound of logs being moved, the fire stirred back to life with practiced hands. Orange flickers began to dance higher on the walls. I forced myself not to move. Not to breathe.
“Did you hear that?”
My heart slammed against my ribs. I instinctively gripped the paperweight tighter, holding it against my chest like it could somehow shield me.
“You’re hearing things,” the other replied. “There’s no one here. No scent either. Maybe it’s the wind outside.”
The first one didn’t sound convinced. His boots scraped against the wooden floor as he shifted his stance. “Still…”
The second sighed. “If you want to stay and talk to ghosts, be my guest. We’re already behind schedule. The attack tonight seemed different. We need to hurry before the wounded start pouring in.”
After a few tense seconds, the footsteps retreated. The door clicked shut.
Only then did I exhale slowly, carefully, as if my breath might still give me away. My palms were damp. My knees ached from crouching, but I didn’t dare move yet. I waited another full minute in the silence, listening, until I was sure I was alone,
Then, still crouched beneath the desk, I looked down at the object I was holding.
It wasn’t just a paperweight. It was a puzzle.
My fingers ran across the edges again, tracing the seam. I remembered now, Celeste once had this exact paperweight in her hands. We were young, and she had been turning it around curiously in the drawing room. She had laughed, saying it looked like it could unfold. But no matter how she twisted it, it never opened.
11:07 Wed, Sep 10
Chapter 24
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Our father had stormed in before she could figure it out. He had snatched it from her and scolded her so harshly she’d cried. At the time, I thought it was just another outburst. Now I knew better.
I rotated the base gently, pressing one side inward. Something shifted. A faint click echoed against the inside of the desk.
The triangular weight unlocked, unfolding like a hinge, revealing a flat, silvery plate, thin, smooth, and cool to the touch. I could barely see anything on it in the dim light, but when I ran my fingers across the surface, I felt it.
Grooves and tiny ridges.
Patterns carved so finely they were invisible without contrast.
This was it.
This was the map.
I reached toward the corner of the desk where the inkpot sat, right beside a cluster of quills and broken wax seals. I dipped my finger into the ink and gently smeared it across the metal plate.
But before I could finish-
The door creaked open again.
No.
I barely had time to tuck the plate into the folds of my suit before pressing myself flat against the underside of the desk again, heart leaping into my throat.
The footsteps this time were slower. Heavier.
These were not the same men. Then a voice spoke. “Why did you ask to see me here of all places? We’re in the middle of a war.”
My eyes widened.
William.
Father’s Beta.
Why was he here?
Then a softer voice answered. “He won’t come here tonight. Not with the attack happening and… they just tended the fire. No one would be here for a few minutes, and I turned off all
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Chapter 24
:
the mechanisms. Besides… I’m worried about you.”
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My breath hitched. Genevieve. Why was Luna here? Is she the reason why I didn’t trigger any
mechanism at all?
I clamped a hand over my mouth. What the hell?
“I saw your state last night,” she continued, voice dripping with concern. “You’re wounded.”
“I’m fine,” William said flatly. “It’s a scratch. We have bigger problems. Tonight’s attack, this wasn’t in the plan. They were supposed to hit once as a distraction. Now they’re back again. Why?”
My heart pounded so violently I feared it would echo through the floor. What the hell was he talking about?
Genevieve spoke again, this time slower, and gentler. “I don’t know, but both of us know that those monsters cannot be trusted. This isn’t surprising at all.”
William growled. “I know, but that was only for distraction… Tsk… you—you shouldn’t be here. If anyone sees us-”
“No one will,” Genevieve cut in. “The staff is busy. He’s with the council. We have a few more
minutes.”
“Gene… what are you doing?” he hissed.
“I missed you,” Genevieve said in a sickly sweet voice that made me want to vomit.
Genevieve… my mother. William… my father’s most trusted man.
Were they involved all along? It seems that I just discovered another secret.
I stayed frozen, unable to think, unable to move, clinging to the cold metal plate against my chest. If Alpha Collins ever found out about this, he wouldn’t just punish Genevieve. He’d go after William too, and it wouldn’t be quick. He’d tear him apart, piece by piece.
And then William said something that made the blood drain from my face. “Stop… Stop it! We cannot do this now. We have to be careful. The girl’s still alive. If she finds out anything—”
“I already gave her the poison that you gave me,” Genevieve said. Her voice was so calm and cold it made me shiver. I have never heard her use this voice in the past. “I have seen her drink it. All of it. She won’t die here, but… I can assure you she will never reach the north.”
William’s voice dropped. “I have to go. We can’t be seen here together. And you…” He paused. “You need to be more careful. Especially around that Cassian.”
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Chapter 24
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There was a shift in Genevieve’s tone. Cassian?”
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“He knows something’s off,” William muttered. “He was asking questions about the poison. I don’t want you getting dragged into anything if he starts digging.”
Genevieve let out a soft, scoffing laugh. “No one will suspect me. Everyone already thinks it’s Collin. He’s made so many enemies that if something happens, no one would bat an eye. You don’t have to worry about me. You should worry about yourself. Stop getting yourself wounded and making me anxious.”
A beat passed before William let out a low sighed. “You know the deal.”
“I do,” Genevieve replied, her voice turning soft and drawn out. “Go on then. Hurry back to the chaos.”
“I’m leaving first,” William said, and I heard the low creak of boots stepping away. “Stay hidden until you’re sure it’s clear.”
“I know what I’m doing,” Genevieve said with a sigh.
The door creaked again, then clicked shut.
I stayed frozen, heartbeat thudding in my ears. The air in the room had turned still, but not calm. It was heavy, tense, like the space itself was holding its breath.
Then, Genevieve started humming.
It was soft and familiar. A lullaby from my
childhood.
But hearing it now, sung in that same sickly sweet voice that had just calmly spoken about murder, sent a chill racing down my spine. Every hair on the back of my neck stood up.
What’s going on? Did she sense my presence?
AD
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