Chapter 24
24 Chapter 24 A Poisoned Lullaby
Faye’s POV
“Move faster,” a gruff voice commanded from beyond the doorway. “Get that fire going and clear out. I still have the entire eastern wing to finish before dawn p>
Terror shot through my veins as I pressed myself deeper beneath the mahogany desk. Through the thin gap between the heavy wooden base and the floor, I watched dark leather boots step across the threshold. A second pair followed close behind.
“This won’t take more than a few minutes,” the other man grumbled. “Though I swear this room gets colder every time we come through here p>
The sharp clink of metal tools hitting stone made me flinch. I could hear them moving logs around, coaxing the dying embers back to life with swift, efficient movements. Golden light began to climb the walls, casting long shadows that danced like predators in the growing warmth. I held my breath until my lungs burned.
“Wait. Did you catch that p>
My heart nearly exploded from my chest. Without thinking, I clutched the object in my hands tighter, pressing it against my ribs as if it could somehow make me invisible.
“You’re paranoid,” his companion shot back. “There’s nobody in here. No scent, no movement, nothing. Probably just the storm rattling the windows p>
The first man’s boots scraped against the floorboards as he turned slowly, scanning the room. “Something feels wrong p>
His partner let out an exasperated sigh. “If you want t stand here all night jumping at shadows, that’s your choice. But we’re already running behind, and after tonight’s raid, the infirmary is going to be overflowing with casualties. We need to finish this p>
Several agonizing seconds crawled by before the footsteps finally retreated toward the door.
The latch clicked into place.
I waited in the suffocating silence, counting my own
frantic heartbeats until they slowed to something resembling normal. My palms were slick with sweat. My legs had gone numb from crouching in the same position, but I didn’t dare shift even an inch. Only when I was absolutely certain they were gone did I allow myself to breathe properly again.
Still hidden beneath the desk, I finally looked down at what I’d been holding.
It wasn’t just some decorative paperweight. It was a puzzle.
My fingers traced the intricate edges again, following the barely visible seam that ran around the middle. The memory hit me like a physical blow. Sally had found this same object years ago in our father’s study. She’d been turning it over and over in her small hands, fascinated by its weight and strange design. She’d been convinced it could open somehow, but no matter how she twisted and pressed, nothing happened.
Father had burst into the room before she could solve it. He’d ripped it from her grasp and screamed at her until she sobbed. Back then, I’d thought it was just another one of his explosive rages. Now I understood
the truth.
I rotated the base carefully, applying gentle pressure
to one side.
Something gave way with a soft click. Get full chapters from ~net
The triangular weight split apart like a flower blooming, revealing a flat metallic disc that gleamed silver in the firelight. It was impossibly thin, smooth and cold against my fingertips. In the dim lighting, the surface appeared blank, but when I ran my hand across it, I could feel them.
Tiny grooves. Delicate ridges. Patterns etched so finely they were invisible without the right contrast.
This was what I’d been searching for.
This was the map.
I reached toward the desk’s corner where an inkwell
sat among scattered quills and broken wax seals. Dipping my finger into the dark liquid, I began to carefully smear it across the metal surface.
But before I could finish, the door groaned open again.
No. Not now.
I barely managed to slip the disc into the folds of my jacket before flattening myself against the underside of the desk once more, my pulse hammering in my
throat.
These footsteps were different. Measured. Deliberate. Heavy with authority.
Then a familiar voice cut through the silence. “Why did you insist on meeting here? We’re in the middle of a
war zone p>
Nick. My father’s Beta.
What was he doing here?
A softer voice responded, one that made my blood turn to ice. “He won’t come tonight. Not with the attack happening, and they just refreshed the fire. No one will return for hours. Besides, I disabled all the security measures. I’m worried about you p>
Eileen. My mother.
I pressed my hand over my mouth to muffle any sound that might escape. Why hadn’t I triggered any alarms when I entered? Had she done something?
01:42
“I saw how badly you were hurt last night,” she
continued, her voice thick with false concern. “You’re still bleeding p>
“It’s nothing,” Nick replied curtly. “Just a scratch. We have bigger issues to deal with. Tonight’s attack wasn’t supposed to happen. They were meant to strike once as a diversion, then retreat. Why are they back p>
My mind reeled as the implications hit me. What
attack? What diversion?
Eileen’s tone shifted, becoming almost soothing. “You
know those creatures can’t be trusted. This shouldn’t
surprise either of us p>
Nick growled low in his throat. “I understand that, but this was only meant to distract attention. Now
everything’s escalating. And you shouldn’t be here. If anyone discovers us together p>
“No one will,” Eileen interrupted smoothly. “The staff is dealing with the wounded. He’s locked away with the
council. We have time p>
“Eileen, what are you doing?” Nick’s voice carried a warning edge.
“I’ve missed you,” Eileen whispered in a sickening tone that made my stomach churn.
Eileen. My mother. Nick. My father’s most trusted
advisor.
Were they having an affair all this time? The betrayal cut deeper than any physical wound could have.
I remained perfectly still, hardly daring to breathe, the cold metal disc pressed against my chest like a brand. If Alpha Rowan ever learned about this, Eileen
wouldn’t be the only one to suffer. He’d destroy Nick slowly, savoring every moment of his pain.
Then Nick said something that turned my blood to frozen poison. “Stop this. We can’t risk it now. The girl is still breathing. If she discovers the truth about us p>
“I already gave her the poison you provided,” Eileen said with chilling casualness. Her voice had transformed into something I’d never heard before, cold and empty of any warmth. “I watched her drink every drop. She won’t die here in the pack lands, but I can promise you she’ll never survive the journey
north p>
Nick’s voice dropped to barely above a whisper. “I need to leave. We can’t be seen together. And you need to be more careful around that Hardy p>
Something shifted in Eileen’s tone. “Hardy p>
“He suspects something’s wrong,” Nick muttered. “He’s been asking questions about the poison. I don’t want you getting caught in his investigation if he starts digging deeper p>
Eileen let out a soft, mocking laugh. “No one will ever suspect me. Everyone already believes Rowan is behind it. He’s created so many enemies over the years that if something happens to her, no one would even blink. You don’t need to worry about me. Focus on keeping yourself alive and stop making me anxious with these injuries p>
A moment of silence stretched between them before Nick sighed heavily. “You know the arrangement p>
“I do,” Eileen replied, her voice becoming drawn and seductive. “Now go. Return to the chaos before someone notices you’re missing p>
“I’m leaving first,” Nick said, and I heard his boots
moving toward the exit. “Wait until you’re certain the corridor is empty before you go p>
“I know exactly what I’m doing,” Eileen said with quiet confidence.
The door creaked and clicked shut again.
I stayed frozen in place, my heartbeat thundering so loudly in my ears I was sure it would give me away. The air in the room had grown thick and oppressive, like the calm before a devastating storm.
Then Eileen began to hum.
It was soft and hauntingly familiar. A lullaby she used to sing to me when I was small and frightened by nightmares.
But hearing it now, sung in that same sickeningly sweet voice that had just casually discussed my
murder, sent terror racing through every nerve in my body. My skin crawled as if insects were marching across it.
Had she somehow sensed my presence?
Morh Lucia
Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.