Novel & Cerita The Third Wheel Strikes Back

“We want to have a little chat first.” My heart rate picks up. “About what?” “About your… place,” the third woman says, her eyes flashing. “Or rather, your lack of one.” They begin to circle me, like wolves stalking prey. Which, I suppose, is exactly what they are. “That dress is wasted on you,” the tall one says, reaching out to finger the silk of my sleeve. Her nail catches on the fabric, and with a quick motion, she tears a small hole. “Oops.”

They’re not here to kill me. They’re here to play. I swallow hard and force myself to stand tall. “Stay back,” I warn, voice steady despite the tremor in my limbs. “I’ll fight.” They laugh. The third rogue—a massive brute with a scar down his cheek—lunges first. I try to dodge, but he’s too fast. His hand closes around my wrist, twisting it painfully. I yelp, kicking at his legs, but another rogue grips my other arm, yanking me back.

I had watched him enough times in enough situations to know his rhythm. Then Three!!! I put my hand on the door and pulled it open. The timing was exactly right. Eric and Lauren had already committed to the third hit in full weight, full force and everything they had. And then the door swung open before they connected and sent all of that momentum forward with nowhere to go. They stumbled past the frame and caught themselves against the opposite wall with considerably less dignity than they had started with. I stepped out into the corridor.

“It will break, and you will break with it.” “Not today,” I said, and drove my claws into its chest. The scream that followed shook dust from the chains above, but the song died with it. The others shrieked once, then dissolved into black mist that retreated down the tunnel as fast as it had come. Silence crashed over the chamber. The stranger looked at the chains, then at me. “The second blow has been turned. For now.” Seren sheathed her blade. “And the third?” The stranger’s gaze didn’t leave me. “The third isn’t a fight.”

she greeted Lora. “Hey! What a nice Saturday morning to hear from you,” Lora said on the other line. “Ah. I decided to just scrap the idea of the new ending of the third book,” Cela said straightforwardly. “But why? What happened?” Lora asked in disbelief. “Nothing. I mean, it’s been due and I’ve not come up with anything better than the original ending,” Cela explained. “Is that final?” Lora asked. “Yes, it is. Sorry, Lora. And please tell the other producers and whoever is involved in the production that I am sorry for wasting their time waiting for nothing. I’ll apologize to them personally when we do the viewing,” Cela said.

“Already on it, sir. I’ll push IT, Security, and Legal. I’ll also have PR ready on standby controlled statement only if necessary.” Thirdie watched the city through the glass. The warm morning he’d felt before the quiet, private thing with Kathalina stayed with him in a small way. It gave him a steadiness that was useful now: he could be both soft where it mattered and ruthless where he had to be. He did not regret waiting. He had fixed things in silence before, planning for the moment to step in with full force. Now he had a reason to cut deeper than profit: he would protect what mattered. He would not let someone take that from him.

I walked backwards, still in a daze. But I didn't realize I was already backing into a trolley. My body hit it and the hallway got filled with the unsweet harmony of falling trays and cutleries. “Shit,” I winced. Bradley's head jerked to the door. “Who's there?!”

A faint exhale. Not quite a laugh. Not quite anything. “On three?” she asks. I glance back. Voices behind us now too. Closer. Seconds. “We don’t have three.” I strike the panel. Once. Nothing. Again. A crack. Louder. The voices stop. “They’re above us!” Too late. Third strike— the panel gives. Metal bends inward just enough. Light bleeds through. Weak. Flickering. But there. “Go,” I say.

“You awakened the Gate, flame-child. But you haven’t yet burned. Come with me, and I’ll show you what your blood was truly meant to do.” Lyra snarled. “I’d rather burn the world first.” He didn’t blink. “Then I’ll show you what it looks like burning.” He raised his staff. The ground cracked. And from beneath— Risen bones exploded upward, forming a ring of skeletal wolves that encircled Lyra and Kael. They were trapped. Kael lunged forward—only to be thrown back by a wave of golden force. Lyra was alone. The priest smiled. “The third Gate calls for betrayal. It won’t have to wait much longer.”

I stepped toward him, anger boiling over. However, before I could get close, Nancy blocked my path. "Joshua, are you done making a scene? If you're not, you can keep going, but we're leaving." She yanked off her black mourning dress and tossed it carelessly onto the floor. As Gilbert walked past, he deliberately stepped on it, then glanced back at me, his eyes full of open provocation. My whole body trembled. The next second, I lunged forward and drove my fist straight into his face.