LOGINCASSAIN "This is how you win a game people..."The crowd is screaming my name, cameras flash everywhere, teammates slap my back like I just secured the universe yet all I feel is exhaustion and something sharp sitting under my ribs- grief.I peel off my gloves, toss them onto the bench, roll my neck once. Sweat drips down my spine. My wolf is restless and Maddox is quieter than usual.I step out of the tunnel then see Sebastian with his expensive cologne leaning against the concrete pillar near the exit like he owns the place with his hands in pockets. Suit too clean for a stadium.He smiles when he sees me.I don’t.“Cassain,” he says smoothly. “Hell of a game.”“What do you want?”He studies me like I’m a chessboard.“You’re grieving,” he says.“Be careful.”“I mean no disrespect.” He straightens. “I came to talk.”“You have thirty seconds.”He glances around. “Can we talk somewhere private?”I laugh once. “You think I’m afraid to speak in public?”His eyes flicker.We move to th
EVELESSA I rush to meet with officer Hall at the location he sent but as I make my way there I get confused because this is the road to my old hostel but then I look up and find patrol cars, Emmanuel, Richard and Alexander standing with Detective Hall. I clear my throat "What have you found?"Detective Hall faces me and shakes his head "I'm so sorry for your loss Miss Jones" I freeze immediately "What loss? What are you talking about?" I feel Alexis and Aretha arrive besides me then Cassain joins them.Richard holds my face "They found his body here" "I want to see his body."Emmanuel’s eyes widens "No that's not a good idea Evelessa"I push past him "I insist Detective Hall. We move into the building and the room and I see a body wrapped in white cloth and I lift the clothing and find my father's face disfugured, his body filled with inscriptions and messages clearly stating "I'd be back for you Evelessa."A small cut is spotted near his jaw so I reach out with shaky fingers and
EVELESSA "Does Cassain even know you left the house for work?"I scoff "Of course not. I got a sleeping potion from my mother, used it on him and sneaked out leaving Alexander to stay with him and deal with him after he wakes up"Alexis eyes me "You do realise he doesn't want you out especially after the assassination attempt""I know but I've got work to do" I say as I take my seat in my office with them both seated across from me.We're going through sales book when a dramatic, well-tailored, overconfident man walks into my space uninvited.We’re reviewing fabric swatches when the glass doors open and every female intern in the building suddenly forgets how to breathe.Aretha pauses mid-sentence.Alexis slowly lowers her sunglasses.And I don’t look up immediately.“Miss Evelessa Jones?” a smooth voice asks.American accent.Money dripping from every syllable and not human at all.He’s… offensively handsome.Tall. Broad shoulders. Perfect jawline. Dark hair styled like he has a tea
CASSAIN"You could have at least given us a heads up yesterday you know? Instead of going completely crazy."I scoff "Stop thinking about that Lucian, what have you found in the investigation? Someone tried to kill me yesterday "He nods solemnly "We’ve found nothing so far"The car suddenly stops as we drive by two buildings as Maddox goes cold. Something's very wrong.“Get down” Maddox murmurs inside my head.I dive down immediately, pulling Lucian down as a bullet slices through the air exactly where my skull would have been.The sound cracks loudly as more bullets pierces the car and people scream.Guards move but they are too slow.I blur forward as a second shot explodes against the marble pillar behind me.There's a professional sniper around here.My eyes flash crimson as I locate the source; north tower, three buildings across.Smart angle.Wind compensated.The third bullet grazes my shoulder.It burns a little...it carries silver and heavy poisonI look down at the thin l
CASSAIN"Can we please just go home now?"Lucian scoffs "You've been antsy all day majesty but there's nothing I can do to help you. You have to leave Evelessa for some minutes especially during classes."I’m halfway down the academic wing when I hear and see students whispering around.Students whisper with their phones out.“Bro, they’re doing a lingerie face-off on the main stage.”My steps slow.“What?”“Yeah. Mira challenged Evelessa. Whole crowd’s there.”Something inside me snaps into attention at that as my wolf Ares lifts its head while Maddox goes very, very quiet.“Say that again,” I tell the boy who just spoke.He freezes when he recognizes me.“I...heard Mira and Evelessa are on stage. It’s some kind of showcase thing.”My jaw tightens and I swallow my edginess at his words. Students automatically move out of my way as I change direction toward the auditorium as my aura comes off almost choking everyone but I don't care and I don't stop.My wolf growls low in my chest.
EVELESSA "Hmmp....can't you shove a chair up her ass or something Lessa? I'm going crazy here. Why put up with her crazy ass anyway?"I laugh as I pick up my bag ignoring Aretha’s meltdown. Davina has been circling me all afternoon like a perfume cloud with legs.Every comment? Passive aggressive.She's thrown so many insults around I've had to hold both Alexis and Aretha down physically. I pack my bag slowly, ignoring her pointed stare from across the class“Evelessa,” she calls sweetly.I don’t look up.“Yes, Professor?”She walks closer, heels clicking like a countdown to irritation.“You seemed distracted today again”“I wasn’t.”She smiles thinly. “You never said a word during class.”“No, I didn’t.”Aretha snorts beside me.Davina’s eyes flick to her. “You’re bold for someone who survives off borrowed relevance.”Aretha gasps dramatically. “Did she just call me a Wi-Fi password?”I zip my bag.“Is there something you need ma'am?” I ask calmly.Davina folds her arms. “You know







