025: ARE YOU CURIOUS?

ARYA

Diana squeezed her eyes shut, slowly lifting her hands up in the air. "It wasn't me," she croaked, and I narrowed my eyes at her.

"You do not want to cross me, Diana. Talk," I hissed, and I could see her shudder visibly.

"They sent me to act as a decoy. They threatened me... It's really not me. You have to believe me," her voice trembled, her fear palpable.

I wanted to believe her but trust had become a luxury I couldn't afford. Elena's words still echoed in my mind. Everything added up. Diana knew something. The only question was... how much?

She definitely had a close connection with the real culprit, but how do I get it out of her?

"Who sent you?" I asked her, and she whimpered.

"I don't know who they are, but...they're one of the attendants. They are new. It's all I know, I swear."

Releasing a sigh of irritation, I pulled my knife away from her and sheathed it. She rubbed at her neck, wiping away her tears with trembling fingers.

She watched me as I picked up the letter, flinching when my gaze met hers. "What? Did you read it?" I asked. She shook her head slowly. "...I was too terrified."

Biting my lower lip, I unfolded it and read the content of the note. It read: 'Don't forget what you owe us. The only reason we spared your sister's life is because of what we promised. Remember, her life is in your hands. You must complete the quest.

Go to your room, you'll find the antidote for the poison in your sister's body.'

My breath caught in my throat.

No. No, no, no.

Maya.

Maya was poisoned.

Terrified, I ran out of the library and headed to my room, leaving Diana standing there, who must've been surprised at my sudden movement. When I arrived, I was breathless and panting. Sure enough, lying on my nightstand was a small bottle containing a translucent liquid. Picking it up, I hurried off in search of my sister.

I rushed to her room only to find the door ajar. There were a couple of attendants gathered there. I easily recognized Elena when I saw her. She rushed over to me, her eyes wide with concern.

"There's something wrong with her," she told me, and I swallowed past the lump in my throat, pushing past the other girls to get to my sister. She was slumped on the floor, gasping for air. Blood was oozing from her nose, and her eyes were unfocused.

Trembling, I fell to my knees, cradling her in my hands. Tears blurred my vision as I uncapped the bottle with shaky fingers.

"Please, Maya. Please stay with me," I sobbed, bringing the rim of the bottle to her lips. She swallowed weakly, her eyelids fluttering close.

After she'd drunk it, I held her closer to myself, tears rolling down my cheeks as I gently rocked her. I lost track of time sitting there. And after a while, she stirred, opening her eyes with a low groan.

"How are you feeling?" I asked, and she nodded weakly. "Better. Much better."

I broke down into fresh tears right then, unable to wrap my head around how close I'd come to losing my sister.

After helping her lie on her bed and tucking her in, I made the other attendants leave. Then I sat there by her bedside, stroking her hair to comfort her.

I couldn't bring myself to tell her that it was my fault. It was all my fault that she'd nearly died.

...

Soren was waiting outside Maya's room when I slipped out to give her some time to rest. I ignored him, walking past him.

"Do you really trust Diana?" he asked, and I halted, bewildered.

How did he know about my discussion with Diana?

Grabbing my blade, I held it out to him, my fury swelling. "Was it you then? Are you the culprit?" I demanded.

He blinked at me with a stoic expression on his face. "What was Diana talking about? Are you being blackmailed?"

He seemed genuinely curious, but that was the last thing I needed right now. So I pivoted on my heels without giving him an answer.

"Stop hovering around me and return to your Alpha," I spat.

"I can't go to him. He's out for a hypnosis session," he said, and I stopped.

"Hypnosis session?" I thought aloud. Why would the great tribrid alpha need a hypnosis session?

"Why? Are you curious?" Soren asked, and I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

"Leave me alone," I droned and stormed down the hallway.

I stepped out into the garden, the cool breeze whipping my hair against my face. I looked up to stare at the cloudy grey sky, tightening my grip on the weapon in my hand. Drops of rain made contact with my face and hair, but I ignored it, holding out my blade. I imagined Alpha Daxton standing before me. I wished killing him was easy enough. One stab to the heart and he dies.

But my mother didn't raise a killer. I was never born to kill. Even so, I'd chosen to survive. And to survive, I needed to kill.

Anger swirled in my guts as I practised my martial skills in the garden. I'd believed that I was free from the people who'd sold me. And now, if I failed to do their bidding, Maya's life was at risk.

Thunder rumbled overhead, and suddenly, it began to rain heavily.

My hands trembled, angry tears pricking my eyes as I let out a frustrated yell. My clothes were quickly soaked through, and my hair was matted against my head.

If my father were still alive, he'd have burnt their world to the ground for what they did to us.

Maya was the only family I had, if I lost her...

I shook my head to ward off my thoughts, kicking a foot into the air.

"Your form is off."

I flinched at the sound of Alpha Daxton's voice. Before I could crash to the ground, his arm was wrapped around my waist faster than I could blink. Our gazes met, and I gulped. Water dripped from his long lashes, landing on my cheeks. I could hear the loud pounding of my heart, and I was hyperaware of his hand on my waist. There was something strikingly intimate about this position.

"W-what are you doing?" I stuttered, my face heating up. He drew in a sharp breath, my back resting on his chest.

"You're training so hard to kill me, aren't you?" He said, and I scoffed.

"Your kicks look strong, but you're only going to hurt yourself if you try that on me," he whispered, his lips grazing my earlobe.

My heart stuttered, my stomach tightening. What was it about this man that was so electrifying? I really couldn't tell.

"Why are you telling me this?" The words came out in a breathless whisper.

"Even if you're so bent on killing me, you should put in more effort. I'm the tribrid alpha after all," he drawled, his voice laced with arrogance.

Annoyed, I attempted to swirl out of his hold and punch him in the face. But he blocked my attack effortlessly, stopping my blow with the palm of his hand. Frustrated, I fought harder and harder, determined to cause him pain. But every single time I tried, he deflected my attack like it was a child's play. Finally, he grabbed my wrists, amusement swimming in his irises.

"You've got zeal. However, you lack skill," he said, and I bared my teeth at him. The nerve of this jerk. Yanking one hand from his grip, I swung my knuckle towards his throat.

The corner of his mouth curled upwards, and again, he grabbed my wrist, pulling me closer to himself. We were both soaking wet, and our bodies were in close contact. I could feel his semi-hardness pressing against my core.

My breath caught in my throat, my gaze locked onto his. He parted his lips, his gaze flickering from my eyes to my lips. Then he began to lean in. I should've pulled away or fought him off. But in that moment, all I could think of was how good those full lips would feel against mine. Lust coursed through my veins, heating my insides, and when our lips brushed, my eyes slipped closed.

Just before we could kiss, we heard the sound of a loud gunshot.

He pulled away instantly, stepping in front of me to shield me with his body. I stared at him, my heart pounding as my lungs struggled to catch up.

Had I almost kissed my enemy?

Worse... had I wanted to?