Chapter 135 CHAPTER 135
Seraphine’s dining room glowed with warm light.
Candles flickered along the long table, their flames steady, disciplined. Silver cutlery lay perfectly aligned beside porcelain plates. The scent of roasted meat and herbs filled the air, rich and comforting, the kind of meal meant to signal safety. Control. Order.
Seraphine sat at the head of the table, back straight, posture relaxed, wine glass cradled loosely in one hand. She ate slowly, savoring each bite, her expression calm - almost pleased.
The house was quiet.
Then the shadows behind her shifted.
The wall itself rippled, like fabric stirred by an unseen breeze.
A slender arm pushed through the stone as if it were water.
Seraphine smiled before she even turned around.
“You’re back,” she said gently.
The girl stepped fully into the room, pulling her arm free as the wall sealed behind her without a sound. She wore black from head to toe - a hoodie pulled low, a cap shadowing her face, movements fluid and unhurried.
“Just in time for dinner,” the girl replied, her voice light.
Seraphine rose immediately, setting her glass aside. She crossed the room and took the girl’s hands, squeezing them with genuine warmth.
“Sit,” she said. “You must be hungry.”
She waved to the servants without looking at them. “Another place.”
The girl dropped into the chair beside her, pushing her hood back slightly. Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction as a new plate was set before her.
Seraphine watched her closely, pride softening her features.
“How have you been?” she asked. “Are you settling in?”
The girl nodded, reaching for the food. “I’m getting used to it.”
“And the wolves – do they treat you well?”
“As well as they can,” the girl said with a small shrug. “They don’t suspect anything.”
Seraphine’s smile widened. “I told you the spell would work. The scent masking alone took years to perfect. To them, you are exactly what you’re meant to be.”
The girl smirked. “They think I’m just like them. They’ll never see me coming when the time is right.”
Seraphine laughed softly, pleased.
They ate in companionable silence for a moment. Then Seraphine tilted her head.
“You don’t usually come on a school night,” she said. “Something must have happened.”
The girl wiped her mouth and leaned back. “The lycan king came to the school today, he accompanied his sister.”
Seraphine stilled.
“And?”
“He must have said something to Sebastian,” the girl continued. “he started behaving weirdly towards the princess – begging her.”
Seraphine’s eyes darkened slightly. “He did?”
“I think he warned him,” the girl said. “I don’t think he intends to allow the bond between the princess and Sebastian to continue.”
Seraphine exhaled slowly. “Interesting.”
She tapped her fingers against the table. “And my daughter?”
The girl hesitated. “She’s… trying. But I wouldn’t trust her fully if I were you.”
Seraphine’s gaze sharpened. “Explain.”
“She’s softening,” the girl said. “Trying too hard to fit in. Acting like them. I think she has started forgetting why you sent her there.”
A flicker of irritation crossed Seraphine’s face - but it vanished just as quickly.
The girl frowned. “There was something odd today.”
Seraphine leaned forward. “Go on.”
“I saw Sarah heading toward the girls’ locker room during break,” the girl said. “Sebastian followed her soon after.”
Seraphine’s fingers curled slightly. “And?”
“Sebastian never returned to class,” the girl finished. “He missed the entire afternoon.”
Silence fell.
Seraphine’s voice remained smooth. “What do you think happened?”
“I’m not sure.”
That did it.
Seraphine’s smile tightened. “That,” she said softly, “is why I placed you there. You should have followed them.”
The girl lowered her eyes. “I… guess I should’ve.”
A pause.
“But I trust you,” Seraphine continued. “I trust your instincts. You’ll find out what happened.”
The girl nodded. “Of course.”
Seraphine gestured to the remaining food. “Eat. You need your strength. And continue keeping an eye on my daughter. Let me know if she becomes a liability so I can deal with her myself.”
“I will.” The girl hesitated, then spoke carefully. “What about… her? In the basement, how is she doing? Did she cough anything up?”
Seraphine’s expression cooled. “Perhaps you should bring her something to eat as you say hello.”
The girl stood, loading food onto a plastic plate. She glanced once at Seraphine.
“Make sure not to let her get into your mind like last time. You almost killed her.” Seraphine added.
The girl nodded and turned toward the stairs leading down.
The basement smelled of damp stone and iron.
The girl descended slowly, plate in hand, boots echoing softly against the steps. At the bottom, iron bars stretched across a narrow doorway.
Inside, Jocelyn lay on a thin bed, staring at the ceiling.
“Knock, knock,” the girl said lightly.
Jocelyn stirred, blinking as she sat up. Her eyes narrowed.
“Oh,” she said flatly. “It’s you.”
“Yes,” the girl replied. “And I brought food.”
Jocelyn stood and approached the bars, her movements slow, deliberate.
“I wouldn’t want you to starve before you tell us where you hid your powers,” the girl added sweetly.
Jocelyn laughed - a dry, hollow sound.
“If I were you,” she said quietly, “I’d take the chance Seraphine gave you to get out of this village and run – never to look back.”
The girl scoffed. “Why would I do that? I’m not a prisoner like you.”
Jocelyn gestured to herself. “Because this is what happens when Seraphine is done with you. You may think she cherishes you now, but my sister doesn’t know how to love.”
The girl smiled. “Is that why you ran, to hide from her? And yet here you are. I’m not going anywhere, in fact, she promised me your powers once we find them.”
Jocelyn’s expression didn’t change. “She can’t even love her own daughter. She’s using you.”
The girl stiffened.
“You think she’ll give you my power?” Jocelyn continued. “She’ll take it for herself. Then she’ll drain you dry.”
“That’s not true,” the girl snapped.
“I was you once,” Jocelyn said softly. “Once she’s done, you won’t be special. You’ll be empty. Or dead.”
The girl laughed loudly, a little too loudly. “You’re lying. This wouldn’t have happened if you stayed loyal to her. If you didn’t hide your powers. You’re here in the basement because you deserve it – you betrayed her first. And now you want to turn me against her.”
Jocelyn nodded. “I’ll be here when you find out what kind of a monster my sister is.”
The girl stepped forward, then suddenly placed the plate down - just out of Jocelyn’s reach.
“Use your powers to get it,” she said.
Jocelyn froze.
“Oh,” the girl added, mock surprise. “I forgot, you’re human now.”
She turned away.
“Sleep hungry, that ought to teach you a lesson.” she said lightly.
She left the food there and walked out, her footsteps fading.
Jocelyn sank to the floor, staring at the plate.
Above, Seraphine sipped her wine – Listening in on the conversation downstairs with a wicked smile.
You’re always right Jocelyn, she thought. You always see right through my lies.