Page 54

Chapter 53

Selestina

T he walk back to the dorms feels like a lifetime, every step heavy with the weight of what I’ve just overheard.

They all knew. They’re all watching me.

Why?

The cold night air clings to my skin as I cross the courtyard, the stones beneath my boots. I stay low, keeping out of sight, the mask of the assassin taking over. My heartbeat thuds in my ears, and I force myself to focus, to breathe.

That’s when I see him.

Nazriel veers right, his movements unhurried. He raises a hand, motioning for Nasarea to stay back. She hesitates for a moment, her lips moving as if she’s arguing, but she eventually nods and retreats into the forest. Nazriel doesn’t watch her go. Instead, he adjusts the collar of his coat and strides toward the courtyard.

I slip behind a stone archway, pressing my back against the cool surface as I watch him approach. My instincts scream at me to leave, to disappear before he can sense me. But then I notice them—four figures waiting for him in the center of the courtyard. The other princes.

Matheus stands slightly apart from the rest, his flaming red hair catching in the moonlight. His expression is unreadable, like always, and his arms are crossed tightly against his broad chest.

Tomas leans casually against the edge of the fountain, looking bored. Like a kid in timeout. I want to laugh, but I have a gut feeling that my heart is about to be broken.

Rhyker is beside him, his green tattoos on full display in his ripped tank, a predatory smirk tugging at his lips.

Then there’s Kaelion, lounging on a bench, but he looks far from comfortable.

They’re waiting for Nazriel, their postures relaxed but their expressions anything but. This isn’t a friendly gathering. This is strategic.

Nazriel reaches them. He stops in the center of the group, his icy blue gaze sweeping over each of them. “Well?” he says, his tone sharp but quiet. “What do you have?”

Tomas is the first to speak, his voice dripping with amusement. “She’s not as easy to crack as I thought she’d be. But give me time.” He smirks, running a hand through his silver curls. “She’s already curious, already looking for something to hold on to. A little charm, a little push, and she’ll fall right where we want her.”

Rhyker chuckles, his smirk widening. “You are all idiots. She will be mine, regardless of what happens. I already told you, I’m winning this little game.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I press harder against the stone, my nails digging into the surface. What the hell is this?

Kaelion leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his dark eyes glinting with malice. “You’re both too focused on the obvious,” he says, his voice low and taunting. “She doesn’t need sweet words or stolen nights. She needs doubt. Make her question herself. Make her think she’s losing control. And then… when she’s desperate, she’ll come to us willingly. You are all obsessed with her too much and it’s getting in the way of doing what we were fucking told to do.”

Nazriel remains silent, his gaze bouncing between them. “And how is that going?” he asks finally, his voice even.

Kaelion shrugs. “She’s already teetering. I’ve seen the way she looks at you, Nazriel. The confusion. The frustration. You’ve wormed your way into her head just by existing.”

Nazriel’s jaw tightens, but he doesn’t respond immediately. Instead, he turns to Matheus, the only one who hasn’t spoken. “And you?”

Matheus doesn’t move, his expression still and stoic. “I don’t play games like this,” he says quietly, his voice carrying an edge of disapproval. “If you want to manipulate her, do it without me.”

Yeah, he may not be involved, but he knows what is going on, whatever this is, and chooses not to stop it. Not standing up for what is right, is another form of betrayal than the act itself.

Tomas snorts, rolling his eyes, while Kaelion leans back, looking thoroughly unimpressed. Rhyker shrugs, crossing his arms. “Suit yourself, Matheus. More fun for the rest of us.”

Nazriel finally speaks, his tone colder than the night air. “We don’t have time for your pissing contest. She’s a threat, and you know it. This isn’t about fun. This is about power. ”

They’re talking about me like I’m some kind of puzzle, a game they’re all playing.

I want to scream. I want to storm into the courtyard and demand answers, but my legs feel frozen, my body pinned to the stone by the weight of their words.

“Does she know anything?” Nazriel asks, his gaze sweeping over the group again.

Kaelion grins. “If she does, she’s not saying. But it doesn’t matter. She’ll break eventually. They always do.”

Tomas chuckles darkly. “We know she works for Alexander. We just need a little more time for her to tell us who the Shadow Reaper is.”

I bite my lip hard enough to taste blood, the metallic tang grounding me as my mind spins.

They’ve been working together this whole time. Every word, every glance, every touch. It was all a lie.

Matheus finally speaks again, his voice quiet but firm. “You’re playing a dangerous game. If she figures it out?—”

“She won’t,” Nazriel interrupts, his tone final. “She can’t.” He looks almost regretful when he says it, but his mask is quickly put back into place. A cold indifference that I know too well.

I can’t stay here any longer.

By the time I reach the dorms, my hands are trembling, and my chest feels like it’s going to explode. My mind races with their words, the betrayal cutting deeper than any blade ever could. Nasarea. Nazriel. The other princes.

They’ve all betrayed me.

I trusted them—trusted her. And they’ve been using me, manipulating me, breaking me down piece by piece. How could I be so fucking stupid? This is exactly what I have been trained to avoid, to never get close enough .

I thought I was alone before. But now, I know for certain, I can’t trust anyone. Not anymore.

I feel so stupid. I was so desperate to be liked and liked in a genuine way; I fell for their shit, swallowed their lies whole, even though I’ve spent my entire life learning not to trust such deceptions. The bitterness of it all cuts deep.

No one could despise me more than I despise myself right now.