Lahat ng Kabanata ng Nemesis Of The Lycan Triplets: Kabanata 261 - Kabanata 270

Adam stood rigid, jaw taut, balled fists by his sides, his eyes unreadable as they stared at his brother. His expression was a storm barely contained, almost thunderous—he was trying, and failing, to look calm, unbothered, civil. I thought it was funny, then strange. Why would he look like that? It's not like Noah and I were copulating on the dance floor; we were just dancing.My eyes found the woman he had been dancing with; she was frowning in confusion, and for a second I thought, playfully, that she might have had a crush on him. Meanwhile, the crowd was beginning to notice the standoff, their feet shifting uneasily, probably because it was bad luck for public disagreements to erupt during the auspicious feast meant to celebrate the goddess. I noticed too that the music faltered, the musicians hesitant, seeing as Noah and I had stopped dancing with Adam's intrusion.Even the Lycan King was watching, saying nothing, revealing nothing. He really must want me for Adam, I mused, unm

The little hall was unlike the grand palace rooms filled with chandeliers and gold trims. It carried a different kind of weight, one that pressed down on me the moment I stepped inside. The air here was still, reverent, like it belonged to centuries of whispered confessions and stern judgments. Benches were arranged in neat rows on both sides, polished by the constant brushing of anxious hands and restless shifting. At the far end sat a raised dais, a long carved table perched upon it, where I imagined men in robes had sat in judgment over disputes that could tear families apart. The high ceiling made the room feel vast despite its modest width, its beams etched with curling sigils that seemed to breathe faintly in the low lamplight. The walls, bare except for two torches flickering on either side, seemed to absorb sound, muting even the shuffle of my own shoes. It was a place that demanded silence, demanded truth, even when truth was inconvenient. "You spoke like you didn't know

I bit back a chuckle of disbelief. Was this really happening? Or was I just in a bad dream? I pinched myself hard, gritting my teeth when the pain struck sharper. This was real.I had fallen into a trap, a recurring trap. How did this happen? And why was El not talking? Why was my magic not functioning?I could hear Daniel distinctly, bragging about how he was going to deal with me for turning him down, for playing him like an animal at every turn, but I was rather concentrated on bringing up my magic. Tears stung my eyes when I realized nothing was happening. I was helpless. But how?I staggered to my feet, grunting when the headaches beating against my head tripled, when my eyes started to burn from staying open, when my legs became too weak to hold my weight. What was happening to me?Drugged. My mind supplied immediately. Something that had been staring at me since I first felt the onslaught of a headache. But I had been too consumed with Adam. Adam, who had always been my nem

"Maya… can you hear me? Blink if you can…" That was the Queen's voice. And she was calling me by my real name. But was that even my real name, since the identity of my real parents was yet unknown? And what was that about blinking? My eyes were not open. They still hurt. But I attempted to, because in attempting, I was sure that my lids would move and that would be enough confirmation that I was alive, that the treatment was working."Thank the Goddess." I heard her mutter in relief, and would have gasped if not for my immobile state, at the irony of things. I had thought the Queen was my enemy, that she would be the one to kill me, but it had been Adam and his brothers, and their pack. What did I know? Malek was right. I shouldn't have taken things at face value.Malek. She had kept her word, hadn't interrupted my sojourn in the black deep. For how long? I wasn't sure. I wanted to ask, but my lips refused to move, refused to open. I was still comatose, though somehow, by some

"You are late."I didn't bother greeting the matron in charge of the Institute of magic learning, nor did I explain myself or apologize. I brushed past her, past the gates, and started toward the wing designated to me and a few others.Even though it was an institution of learning—one that produced state-of-the-art magic wielders, famous and feared—most parents still wouldn't send their children here. Not because of the prestige but because of the price. Many who entered didn't leave with their sanity intact. Some didn't leave at all. The training conditions weren't proper or humane, and the methods used could never be called legalistic."Sage, you don't get to walk over everyone here!" the matron shouted, heels clicking as she hurried after me. Her voice cracked with anger. "It doesn't matter if you are of royal blood. In here, you are nothing. You are nothing—"I turned then, eyes flashing with contempt, my stare slicing into her like a blade. She faltered, stumbling, and fell to