Page 53

Chapter 52

Selestina

N asarea and I sit across from one another, a pile of library books between us. She's been quiet, too quiet, her blue eyes darting between the books to the window, and back again. It's subtle, but impossible to miss the nervous energy radiating from her.

I lean back in my chair, studying her. “What's going on?”

Her head snaps toward me; her expression is momentarily startled before she forces a small, tight smile. “Nothing. Just… thinking.”

I arch a brow. “About?”

She hesitates, her fingers trailing over the edge of the book in front of her. “The prophecy. The kings. Everything.” Her voice wavers slightly, a crack in her usually steady demeanor. She quickly clears her throat. “It’s a lot to unravel.”

I nod, keeping my gaze steady on her.

Nasarea fidgets in her seat, her eyes darting to the window again as the sun dips lower, the golden light deepening into amber. “My brain is spinning,” she blurts suddenly, closing the book in front of her with a decisive snap. “I think I'll head to the library, see if I can figure something out.”

I frown, her abruptness setting off alarm bells in my head. “I'll come with you.”

She waves me off a bit too quickly. “No, it's okay. I just need to focus. I'll probably be up all night, and you need rest.”

I narrow my eyes at her, but she avoids my gaze, already gathering her things. Something's off. She's too nervous, too keen to leave, and I don't buy her excuse for one second. “If you say so,” I mutter, leaning back in my chair, watching her every move.

Nasarea nods, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “I'll see you later,” she says, forcing a smile before slipping out the door.

The moment she's out the door, I'm off my bed. Whatever she's doing, it isn't any late-night study session. I snag my leathers, yanking the straps into place in record time, and tug my mask on. The comforting weight of it settles me as I head for the door.

The halls are silent. I keep my footsteps light, my body pressed to the edges of the corridors as I follow the sound of Nasarea's boots. She moves with purpose, her pace quick but slow enough, like she is trying to appear casual and failing miserably.

I follow her around the windy paths of the academy and out until she slips beyond the fence that bounds it, heading towards the edge of the Dark Forest. Tonight the air is cool, the last streaks of daylight clinging across the horizon in orange and purple swirls. I stick to the shadows and observe her stop at the treeline.

She is not alone for long. Nazriel emerges from the darkness of the forest, his stature imposing even in the bad light. The twin moons, hidden behind treetops, catches his features: sharp and taut with concern. He draws closer to Nasarea, leaning in to whisper something to her. She nods, her face a mask of worry to match his own.

Whatever this is, it's not some simple sibling meeting.

And then the king arrives.

Rey Chalchiuhtotolin rises out of the darkness, an uneasy tension among them as the king's cold eyes scan over his children.

“What have you got on the girl?” the king says in a deep, commanding voice.

My heart leaps. They're talking about me.

Nazriel shoots a glance at Nasarea before stepping forward, his tone measured but tense. “She remains at the academy, as far as I know. Though…” He hesitates, his jaw tightening. “She leaves the grounds occasionally. I've seen her go into the dark forest several times in the night. I always lose her once she is in.”

“You've been watching her?” the king asks, arching a brow.

Nazriel nods, his face now set in stone. “Yes. I have been tracking her movements. She's unpredictable. Dangerous.”

Nasarea looks up at him, eyes wide with shock. “Nazriel, what are you talking about? Why didn't you tell me?”

Nazriel exhales harshly and looks away from her. “Because I wasn't sure what she was doing. I didn't want to jump to conclusions.”

“Did she do it?” The king asks, his voice razor sharp .

The silence weighs heavy as Nazriel treads once more, carefully, his shoulders square. “Yes, Father. She tried to kill me,” he finally growls.

Blood runs from my face like a burst dam.

I can hear Nasarea's soft gasp, even from my hiding spot. “What?” she whispers, her voice shaking. “She tried to?—”

“I was able to talk her down,” Nazriel says quickly, his tone softening. “But she's dangerous, Father. There's more to her than she's letting on.”

Nasarea steps back, shaking her head. “Nazriel, this doesn't make sense. Why would she…?”

The king's gaze sharpens, his focus shifting wholly to Nasarea. “What do you know about her, Nasarea?”

Nasarea falters, her hands twisting together. “She's…she's different from the others,” she admits reluctantly. “There's something about her. She's hiding things. But I don't know what. She…she resurrected a bird at Combat.”

She doesn't tell them that I am the Shadow Reaper.

Not yet.

I feel betrayed.

Nasarea knows my secrets, secrets I trusted her with. And now she's using them against me, feeding them to her father and brother like they meant nothing. I knew there would be a loophole to that witch's promise.

The king nods slow, not surprised. “Keep watching her. Both of you. If she poses a threat to the crown, we will eliminate her.”

Nazriel's jaw clenches and he nods, while Nasarea hesitates, eyes shifted to the forest before she too whispers her agreement.

I slip further into the shadows, my hands shaking with rage and hurt. Everything I said to Nasarea, everything I trusted her with, will be used as a blade in my back. All except one truth she didn't reveal, the truth that I am the Shadow Reaper.

Yet.

I clench my fists, and my mind goes into overdrive with schemes and contingencies. This isn't over. Not by a long shot. If they want to play this game, they'd better be ready for the consequences. Because I won't go down without a fight.