Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 111 - Chapitre 120

Astra's POVSomething in my heart squeezed but I refused to acknowledge it. I wouldn't bend for them, for these people.They have chosen their paths and I know those who were loyal to me, that was all that mattered.They rest…They didn't see the late nights spent reviewing security reports, discussing the best foot forward, poring through old council records for clues about the Order faction. They didn't see me chasing shadows in the halls once filled with peace, they didn't see countless meetings I held with my supreme guards.They didn't see the amount of meetings I had with Jerome. They didn't even see the rescue I pulled off for Mary. All the parchments, documents, files, everything. They didn't see, they didn't acknowledge. They only saw the ripples, not the storm beneath.It could make you wonder if they were blind. Each time they heard but they didn't see.But even as my mind raged, even as I sat there, a whisper cut through.'You've been careless.'I moved to the table in fro

Astra's POVWith a black cloak and hood, properly covering me. An ordinary cloak, one that wouldn't be associated with the palace or the capital either, I departed the palace and headed east.Drifting through alleys and winding roads towards Hollow Fangs Pack. I could take a horse but I couldn't, one missing horse will attract attention faster than I wanted it.I hoped to be back long before Jerome or any other person noticed I was missing.Hollow Fang Pack.It was that pack, the one that hid behind his low number and made you question if they could really do so much, when in reality, they did more than you could scream for.They were dangerous yet no one realized it. Somehow, most of the spies had been linked to them. The alchemical bomb most especially was linked to them too.I wondered how they had gotten in contact with the bomb and I hoped to figure that out on tis trip. Maybe I'd discover why Hector and Kane were still alive and terrorizing the palace like cowards.I spent three

Astra's POVThey were too careful, hiding loopholes that made me insistent on digging it out.And I dug more than I wanted.One house, just beyond the edge of the inner çourtyard had drawn my attention. It was suspiciously perching there.But I was quick to realize that it was only suspicious because it was me, to an ordinary eye, it could be anyone living there for any reason.But somehow the moment I passed it, I'd felt watched– like eyes literally moved behind the shuttered windows and followed me. And for some reason, one name stuck to mind.Elder Zara.I closed my eyes, the tremble in Mary's voice when she said the name, echoed in my mind.My eyes clenched slightly on the edge of the desk, "It's a web," I muttered, "Not just one traitor. Not even five. It's a network. We've pretty much established that."But I think it was still too scary to admit that, my own people. The ones who are supposed to work with me, wanted to walk all over me. Wanted to end me. Wanted a piece of the c

Astra's POVThe bush clearing was too quiet.I was half-hidden in the bush line. With knees bent and my breathing slow. My senses were stretched tight as wire. Somewhere to my left, a bird took flight, startled.This was my defense position as I waited for Jerome to our h his attack against me as usual.Then I felt it.A disturbance in the air.It felt different than usual. Did Jerome get a new energy or something?I barely had time to turn before I saw him. A tall, crude man burst through the short brush bush ahead of me with his blade raised and boots tearing through leaves. His intent was crude and loud– It was a kill first, ask nothing later.I ducked.My body moved before my thoughts caught up. I sprang upward, my muscles coiled, and the world tilted as I flew. The intruder's eyes widened just a second too late. I twisted midair,.my blade flashed once...And landed behind him as his arm fell to the ground in a clean, horrifying cut.He screamed.I smirked. And didn’t look back.S

Astra's POVThe dawn came without fanfare. But I'd been awake since I woke up from that nightmare-- memory anyway so I didn't mind so much.Once some pale light started making its way from under those clouds, I gathered myself and headed for the shower. But first I brushed. Watching my face– mouth move up and down as I made motions with the toothbrush. My eyes were slightly heavy but I ignored it.Once I was done brushing, I was under the shower at once, turning the knob and letting the water run its course through me. My body received the cool water with relief. It was a little chilly this morning but it wasn't as much to make me shiver. The temperature was still good.Good enough for us, for my species and maybe not for humans.I lathered myself effortlessly, my mind drifted to that dream– memory once more but I shook it away. I don't know why I dreamt about it but I wanted to leave it that way. I refocused on scrubbing my body and washing until I felt... free, alive, and refreshed.