Chapter 15 The Veil
Lyra was heading toward the library where the Heavenly Pearl was kept. The night was quiet, the moon was bright, and most parts of the place were already empty. Her footsteps echoed softly on the stone ground as she walked quickly.
She didn’t even know why she felt so tense. Maybe it was because the path was too silent. Maybe because it was too late. Or maybe because of that strange feeling on her back as if someone was trailing her.
She tried to act normal, looking ahead, her heart beating fast. But when the feeling grew stronger, she gently turned her head, not too obvious, just stylishly. Her eyes widened a little when she saw him.
Xavier.
His expression was unreadable, but she could see something hard in his eyes. He was following her quietly, his pace steady. A chill crawled down her spine.
She started moving faster.
Xavier instantly increased his pace too.
Lyra turned the corner, heart pounding, trying not to make a noise as she slipped into the shadows. She pressed her back against the wall and held her breath. Xavier reached the corner then stopped. She was gone from sight.
He frowned slightly and moved forward, turning his head left and right. He was just about to turn back—
When he suddenly felt something cold press against his neck.
A silver dagger.
He froze for a second, his jaw tightening. Then he slowly turned, already knowing who it was. His anger flared the second his eyes met the Thorned Veil’s masked face.
“You don’t know how much I’ve been waiting to kill you for what you did to my sister,” Xavier growled, his voice low and sharp.
The Thorned Veil tilted her head slightly, her voice calm and cold as she replied, “I guess you will be disappointed. But… you can join your sister anyway.”
And then she attacked.
They clashed immediately, steel hitting steel. Sparks flew as their weapons collided. Xavier was strong much stronger than she expected. Every strike he made was filled with raw anger, like he had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
She dodged, spun, and twisted around him like a shadow, her movements fast and deadly. But Xavier was no ordinary fighter either. He matched her blow for blow, pushing her back at times and almost landing a strike.
Suddenly he managed to catch the edge of her hood. With one strong pull, it came off and fell to the floor.
Her long hair spilled out like a wave.
Xavier froze for a heartbeat, eyes widening. “You’re… a girl?”
It wasn’t the fact that she was an assassin that shocked him, it was how strong she was. His confusion made him lose focus for just a second, and that was all she needed.
She kicked him hard across the face.
He staggered back, blood dripping from his lip. He wiped it with the back of his hand, anger burning even brighter in his eyes.
They fought again, even harder this time. Xavier almost got her once, his blade grazing her arm, but she twisted away and leaped back.
Then something unexpected happened.
Her feet lifted from the ground.
Bright colors flashed behind her, huge, glowing wings burst out. They spread wide, shining with different colors like crystals. The whole alley lit up with their brilliance.
Xavier’s eyes almost popped out. “You are a… fae,” he muttered breathlessly.
He he had never seen fairy this powerful.
She flew straight at him, her dagger raised, her face cold and determined. She was inches away from stabbing him—
When suddenly, a hand grabbed her wrist.
Her back slammed against the wall as someone pinned her firmly, holding her dagger hand above her head.
“Easy, Little Fairy,” a familiar voice murmured with a smirk.
Kael.
Her eyes narrowed sharply. “Don’t tell me what to do,” she spat, struggling against his grip.
But Kael didn’t release her. His grip only tightened as his face came closer, his tone calm but dangerous.
“I will,” he said quietly, “because I own you now.”
She glared at him, breathing hard, her wings still glowing behind her. Xavier stared at them both, shocked and confused.
The Thorned Veil struggled again, but Kael didn’t move an inch.
Their eyes locked in a hard, burning stare.