Marked by fate のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 21 - チャプター 30

Xander's POVOnce we all head back outside into the large tent in the quad, I am anxious to see Zahra again. After what Henry told us, I need to see her more than ever. The others are scanning the crowd as well, all of us eager to catch sight of her. I feel a tingle run down my spine, and Oscar and I turn in the direction I am already looking. There she is. Fuck. Every time I see her, I am stunned. She is so fucking beautiful, so strong, and confident. Before, the only time she was confident was when she was training. The rest of the time her shoulders were slightly stooped and rounded, as if she was always hoping to fade into the background and avoid notice. But now she holds herself with such poise, her head high, she stands tall like a warrior.“Titch! Over here!” I call, as Oscar and I push our way towards her.“Hey,” she says, her smile wide but a little forced. She’s standing tall, but I notice her fingers clenching and unclenching at the side of her dress. She’s nervous, though

Xander's POVWe talk and laugh, catching Zahra up on the pack changes. We keep things light, skirting around the heavier topics—especially the ones that hit too close to Max. He’s quiet, distant, but at least he’s still here. That counts for something.After eating, Zahra excuses herself to rest before the evening party. The moment she disappears inside, I feel the tension creep back. Without her presence, everything feels off-balance. I can’t stop thinking about her words, about how lonely she must have been. And then there’s Max—his misery so heavy it’s suffocating. I want to help him, to talk to him, but Helena’s hand on my arm burns like a brand, dragging me back to reality.I can’t stand it anymore. I need to move.“I’m going to shower and change before the guests arrive,” I announce, standing up. Helena’s fingers tighten on my arm.“Babe, want me to come up and help you?” she asks in a sultry voice, and I feel every muscle in my body tense. The others all look away pointedly, the

Tobias's POVMy footsteps echo across the pale limestone flagstones as I pace up and down the length of my room, the same restless circuit I have walked every night for weeks. Sleep has become a stranger to me. At best I catch an hour or two here and there, sometimes slumped in the chair by the window, but never more than that. It has been nearly three years since I last knew the weightless relief of a full night’s rest.The gothic splendour of these chambers means nothing anymore. Once I might have admired the carved ceilings, the gilded sconces, the tapestries heavy with history. Now it all feels suffocating. The curtains hang useless at either side of the tall windows, drawn open to let the moon pour in. Her light spills cold and perfect across the floor, taunting me with beauty I cannot touch.Thor stalks in my mind, pacing as I do, his growls and grumbles a constant rasp against my nerves. His restlessness is only one of the reasons I cannot sleep, but it is relentless. The ache i

Tobias's POVThe ache of my betrayal still burns, as sharp as the first day I felt it. Nicholas reports she is managing, and Brant sometimes catches sight of her, but it is never enough. When we are home, Atlas and I run to the academy at night and sleep under her dorm window, close enough to breathe her scent but never close enough to be seen. We cannot make contact. It is killing us slowly. The frustration boils over and I slam my fist into the wall. Stone splinters around the crater my knuckles leave. Daemon flinches behind me but stays silent.I snarl and turn away from his concerned eyes. At the wardrobe I pull out a black shirt, strip off the grey t-shirt I am wearing, and pull it on. Normally, I’d ignore the blood smeared across my hands, however we are living with vampires. So, I quickly wash my hands, my knuckles already half-healed. My jeans are clean enough, and I cannot summon the care to change them. My hair hangs too long now, brushing my shoulders. Mother despises it, bu

Tobias's POVThe door bursts open. Alistair and Daemon charge inside. Their eyes sweep the carnage, horror plain on their faces. Thor whips us toward them, chest heaving, fists tight, and whatever is on my face makes them both hesitate.Alistair looks outraged as he takes in the chaos "What the fuck Tobias?!"“That’s not Tobias,” Daemon says, his tone low and certain.“Thor, what’s wrong?” he asks, hands raised, voice careful. “What happened?”Alistair’s gaze flicks from the destroyed furniture to me, but Daemon does not look away. He knows who he is speaking to.“Mate,” Thor growls, the sound tearing out of my throat. “Mate’s hurt.”Alistair’s head snaps toward us, eyes wide. “Your mate? I didn’t think you’d found her yet!” He sounds incredulous, confused.“It’s complicated,” Daemon mutters over his shoulder. Then, more firmly, “Thor, give Tobias back control. Let us help. If your mate’s in danger, we’ll find a way, but you have to let him back in.”Thor snarls, pacing, but the promis