My fingers twitched, longing for the feel of a blade. My lips trembled with the rage I'd caged for too long before they finally stretched into an empty, cold smile. "You really knew how to get on my nerves, huh?" I whispered, the words thick with venom. "You never fail at all."A flicker of something—was it satisfaction?—flashed in Uncle Hajime's eyes, but he didn't speak.Cretheus stepped closer to me, close enough for his heat to calm the tremble in my limbs, but not enough to hold me back. He knew this wasn't his fight to lead. This was mine.I drew in a few steadying breaths before meeting their eyes with quiet resolve. "Worry not, Uncle," I said with a faint smile. "Bringing ruin to the Azai Clan was always part of my destiny, just as I vowed in the heart of the Adamantine Volcano."I gave a mock curtsy, the gesture laced with icy grace. "As a deity, I, Kasumi, Goddess of Gallant and Retribution, intend to keep that promise."Some people lurking in the dark shifted, and in the b
Cretheus stopped mid-step, his golden eyes narrowing. "Kasumi, we don't have time. This place is coming down.""I don't care!" I snapped, pushing past the pain that still lingered in my chest. "They used me. They bled me. They tried to sacrifice me like I was nothing but a cursed heir." My voice cracked. "They need to answer for what they did—not just to me, but to my father." The hatred I felt for them had been simmering for so long. I could no longer stop myself. "They're within my reach. They're the ones who made my father suffer. I don't want to let go of them, or else I would never see them again. I would never forgive them," I said darkly.I looked at my three mates, wanting to deliver what my heart wanted. But this was my last chance. They're still here. I knew it.Despite the chaos happening, with all the mixed scents from the people lingering here, I could still smell their scents from not so far away.Thaddeus, Theodore, and Cretheus looked into each other. There was a sile
One of the cloaked figures had managed to alert the whole place about my escape, even after defeating the three guards guarding the door. I hissed in silence and immediately ran away before taking the flowers from the vase while running through the hallway, scattering them to mask my scent. Even the lamp oil was thrown off the wall as I decided to use the same tactic to reach the ceiling.As stealthily as possible.I would be safe for now, as I saw countless guards had started to run down the hallway. Since the sun was about to set, this would help me to hide from the dark. I could find a way to escape here, and hopefully, I would be able to meet the elders of the Azai Clan.I used the ruckus to make my way to check every room, as I found some mint plants in the corridor just to rub myself in it. I must find a way to hide my scent. Any unfamiliar scent could make them alert.I managed my way to the kitchen and sneaked some food just to hide myself in the pantry. I was quietly filling
The chains were strong, laced with wolfsbane, but my enchantments still hummed faintly under my skin. They hadn't noticed. Perhaps they didn't know what to look for. Or perhaps, they were too arrogant to believe a half-deity could have laid protections so subtle.Closing my eyes again, I whispered a chant under my breath... soft, spell words in a language that vibrated against the stone walls. A faint glow stirred beneath my skin, weaving through my veins like golden thread. The pain from the wolfsbane flared, but I gritted my teeth and pressed on."With the Moon Goddess' blood vested on me, Her grace, by Her bond, awaken strength that lies beyond..."A surge pulsed through me.I felt the wards crackle against the chains. Not enough to break them, not yet, but I had time. Time, and hope. They hadn't silenced the bond I shared with Thaddeus, Theodore, and Cretheus. I had sent the signal. A whisper through our connection. They would come. They always would.But until then...I glanced t
When I came to, it felt like an eternity had passed. My eyelids fluttered open, revealing a dimly lit room unfamiliar to me. The air was damp, the walls lined with stone that exuded a cold, oppressive aura. Chains rattled somewhere in the distance, and the faint sound of dripping water echoed through the space.My body ached, and my throat felt parched as I attempted to sit up. A sharp tug at my wrists stopped me short. I looked down and saw my hands bound with sturdy restraints. Panic surged, and I tugged against them, only to realize the futility of my efforts.I could even feel my flesh burning from the wolfsbane smeared on them."Damn it..." I cussed under my breath, trying my best to calm down while my eyes roamed around as I noticed that I was in an unfamiliar room, filled with unknown people wearing cloaks. "Where on Mother's name am I?" I mumbled cautiously before finally noticing that my hands and feet were tied.The last time I remembered was opening an envelope. Kenji said t
Cretheus"I don't know what you're talking about." Kenji scoffed a smirk. "And this is not funny anymore, you three. If this is some antic—""Oh, I can assure you, Kenji. This is not," I chimed in, reaching his other shoulder, holding him off. "Stop feigning ignorance. We know that you want what Kasumi has right now," I said meaningfully.I might have been able to witness what miracle Kasumi had done, but his startled expression during that time and his sudden leave of absence had given me enough proof that Kasumi was telling the truth.Not only that, Thaddeus had already provided me with some documents of the recent suspicious activities of the four clans, enough to make me believe Kasumi's statement. Her former clan had been conspiring with Miyoshi Clan. And Kenji was already secretly contacting the Ikeda Clan and Kagawa Clan.As Kasumi told us, it would be a matter of time before they would act, due to the miracle she had performed, which had been granted by her mother, the Moon Go