Whispers in the Chamber

Nyla was passing through the west wing when she suddenly heard footsteps on the stairs. The footsteps were slow and deliberate, too casual for that time of the night. She took a quick look and was just in time to see Damon descending down the stairs, with his shoulders gently brushing against the wall.

She frowned deeply as she looked at him. His shirt was unbuttoned halfway, the usual neat hair was now tussled in a very suspicious manner. She knew he had sensed her presence, but he didn't even bother to look in her direction, heading straight for the main hall without a word.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out where he had been. Or rather, with whom.

Nyla’s anger rose in her chest. That nobody…The despised Omega from a lowly and unfortunate pack. Elena.

She watched until he disappeared around the corner before turning quickly and heading straight for the east wing. Her steps were brisk, trying to keep her breath under control as the anger in her threatened to erupt. She didn’t even knock when she pushed open the door to Lucia’s chamber.

Lucia was comfortably perched in front of her mirror, brushing her long hair as if she had a modelling appointment the next morning. “You look like you’ve just seen a ghost,” she said, grinning at Nyla’s reflection in the mirror.

“It’s worse,” Nyla replied, shutting the door firmly. “I just saw Damon leaving Elena’s room.”

Lucia’s hand froze immediately. For a moment, her face took a neutral look, but the gradual change around her eyes betrayed her. She put the brush down very slowly, and then turned to face Nyla.

“Are you sure?”

“Do I look like I’m making this up?” Nyla snapped, visibly irritated that Lucia would even think of doubting her. “I just saw him coming down from her floor with his shirt undone, and no guards with him. He had no reason to be there unless…”

A cold smile broke out on Lucia's face. “So our suspicions were right after all. The little brat actually plans on trying to seduce her way into his heart.”

Nyla calmly walked over to Lucia's bed and sat down, lowering her voice as she spoke. “You know what this means, don’t you? She may have already gotten her claws in him. And if she plays this card right, she’ll have more influence than either of us.”

“But not if we play our cards right first.” Lucia said confidently.

There was a brief silence as they both contemplated the situation. They weren't exactly the best of friends, given the fact that they've both been fighting subtle battles with each other for Damon's attention. But with a mutual enemy now in the mix, a temporary alliance seemed to be the best option for them.

Nyla folded her arms. “We need to be very careful about how we confront her at the moment, we don't know how Damon feels about her yet. If we attack too soon, he may defend her and we would end up looking petty.”

Lucia tilted her head and smiled again. “Exactly. We need to make him see her for the useless lowlife she really is without him knowing we’re behind it.”

Nyla’s eyes glinted with mischief. “Are you suggesting…?”

“Sabotage, set ups, whatever it takes,” Lucia said simply. “Something that makes her look like a threat to the pack…Or a danger to him personally.”

“But she's too new to have much dirt on her,” Nyla mused aloud.

Lucia's smile suddenly became dark and dangerous. “Then all we have to do is create some.”

Nyla was still playing the cautious card. “It has to be believable…Something Damon can’t ignore. Something that forces him to distance himself from her without us ever being named as the cause.”

Lucia tapped her fingers against the mirror. “What’s her weakness?”

“She’s wolfless,” Nyla said immediately. “And she comes from a very poor pack…the daughter of a lowly Omega family.”

Lucia’s eyes brightened. “Which means she can be easily manipulated and bullied into submission. A few subtle tricks and we'll have her breaking the Alpha’s laws.”

Nyla grinned wickedly. “And when she does, we make sure Damon finds out. Immediately.”

Lucia rose from her seat and swiftly closed the distance between them. “We’ll need to be careful. If he even suspects that we’re working together…”

“He won’t,” Nyla cut in with confidence. “You and I have never given him a reason to think we’re allies. If anything, he still thinks we hate each other.”

Lucia gave a low chuckle. “Which makes this perfect.”

They sat at the small table in the corner of the room, leaning in like conspirators.

“We've already put some fear into her during our last visit, and so far Damon didn't say anything. We'll have to continue from there and be very careful.” Nyla said.

“Exactly,” Lucia agreed. “If we build on that, we'll make quick progress. Also, we’ll need to get her on the bad side of someone Damon trusts.”

Nyla’s eyes sparkled thoughtfully. “I know just the person. Garrick…He hates outsiders, but Damon listens to him.”

Lucia smiled approvingly. “Good. And once Garrick starts reporting her to Damon, we can easily sit back and watch him pull away from her.”

“But that’s just the start,” Nyla said. “If she survives that, we'll be needing something bigger. Something… final.”

Lucia looked a bit surprised. “Are you thinking of removing her completely?”

Nyla’s smile was slow and dangerous. “If necessary.”

Lucia’s expression matched hers. “Then let’s make sure it becomes necessary.”

By the time they were done, there was no trace of hesitation in either of them.

Nyla stood up and carefully smoothed her dress. “I guess it's all settled then. We'll put the brat in her place, and when we're done with her…she'll be begging to flee for her life.”

Lucia chuckled…a very cunning and mischievous chuckle. “She wouldn't even know where to start fighting from by the time we're done.”

They finally said goodnight, with Nyla heading back to her apartment.

The battle for who would give Damon an heir was still on between the both of them, but they were going to put it aside for now.

Elena had to go first.