Chapter 90

Chapter 90


Amelia’s POV

The house was suffocating. Not because the air was heavy, but because every corner seemed to whisper the chaos of the last few days. I sat at the kitchen table, staring at the chipped edge of my coffee mug, though I hadn’t taken a sip. The steam had long since faded, leaving the liquid cold and bitter—like me.

Venessa’s words wouldn’t stop replaying in my head, slicing deeper every time. You think this is about you? You’ve no idea what Kael’s capable of.

The worst part wasn’t the threat; it was the way she’d said it—quiet, steady, like she wasn’t warning me but condemning me. I pressed my palms flat against the wood, willing myself to breathe.

The door creaked, snapping me out of my spiral. Elena stepped inside, her face pale, her hair pulled into a messy knot that looked like she hadn’t slept either. Our eyes met, and for a second, there was nothing but silence. Heavy. Awkward. Charged.

“You’re still here,” she muttered, like she hadn’t expected me to last the night.

I arched a brow. “Should I have run?”

Her lips twitched, almost a smirk. “If you had any sense, yes.” She walked past me, grabbed a glass, and filled it with water. Her hands shook slightly. Not enough for most to notice, but I caught it. Elena was unraveling, whether she wanted to admit it or not.

“You don’t trust him either,” I said softly, watching her freeze mid-sip.

The glass clinked against the counter as she set it down. “Don’t start, Amelia.”

“I’m not starting anything. I’m just… connecting dots. You’re scared. So am I. So why are we pretending?”

Elena let out a short laugh, sharp and humorless. “Because pretending keeps us alive. Haven’t you figured that out yet?”

I swallowed hard. She was right. That was the game. Smile when you wanted to scream. Obey when you wanted to fight. Pretend until pretending became survival.

Still, I pushed. “What did Venessa mean? When she said Kael—”

Her glare sliced through me, shutting me up before I could finish. “You don’t want the answer to that question.”

“Yes, I do.” My voice cracked, betraying me. “I need to know what I’m up against. I need—”

“You need to stop asking questions that will get you buried.” Her tone was cold, final.

I bit my lip, the metallic tang of blood grounding me. “You think I can just sit here, blind, while everyone else knows something I don’t? That’s not who I am, Elena.”

Her eyes softened, but only for a heartbeat. “That’s exactly why you won’t survive here.”

The sting hit harder than I expected. I wanted to snap back, to remind her I wasn’t some fragile thing she could write off. But before I could, footsteps echoed down the hall. Heavy. Intentional. Kael.

Elena’s expression shuttered instantly, the flicker of vulnerability replaced with steel. She picked up her glass, as if nothing had happened, and leaned against the counter. I straightened in my chair, my pulse hammering.

The door swung open, and there he was. Kael filled the space like he owned it—like he owned the air we breathed. His eyes landed on me first, a dangerous spark glinting in them, before sliding to Elena.

“Ladies,” he drawled, voice smooth, deceptive. “I trust the morning hasn’t been too… dull.”

Neither of us answered. That seemed to amuse him more. He stepped closer, his gaze never leaving me. “Amelia, I was hoping you’d join me for a drive. There’s something I’d like you to see.”

Every instinct screamed don’t go. But I forced a calm smile, masking the storm inside. “And if I say no?”

His smirk widened. “Then I’ll simply make it less of a request.”

Elena’s hand tightened around her glass. She didn’t say a word, but the warning in her eyes was loud enough.

I rose slowly, my chair scraping the floor. “Fine. Let’s go.”

\---

The car ride was suffocating, the silence louder than words. Kael drove with one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually on the gearshift, like we were on some carefree outing. My fingers twisted in my lap, nails digging into my skin just to keep myself steady.

Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. “Where are we going?”

His lips curled. “You’ll see.”

I hated that answer. The way it dangled like bait, daring me to push harder. But I swallowed my questions, because Elena’s warning still echoed in my head. Pretending keeps us alive.

The car veered off the main road, down a narrow path lined with towering trees. My stomach knotted tighter with every turn. When he finally stopped, I realized where we were—an old training ground, long abandoned. Rusted weapons littered the shed nearby, and the dirt was scarred with faded marks of battles fought years ago.

He killed the engine and turned to me. “Get out.”

I hesitated. “Why?”

“Because,” he said, leaning closer, his breath warm against my cheek, “you wanted to know what you’re up against. Consider this… a demonstration.”

My throat went dry. Still, I stepped out, the cool air biting at my skin. He circled the car, moving like a predator, every step deliberate.

“Fight me,” he said simply.

I blinked. “What?”

“You heard me. Fight. Or stand there and prove to me you’re as useless as everyone thinks.”

Anger flared in my chest, burning hotter than my fear. “You think this is some kind of game?”

His grin was lethal. “Everything’s a game, Amelia. The trick is figuring out the rules before you lose.”

I clenched my fists. Fine. If he wanted a fight, he’d get one.

I lunged first, aiming for his ribs, but he sidestepped effortlessly, his hand brushing my arm in a mocking touch. “Too slow.”

I swung again, harder this time, but he caught my wrist mid-air, twisting until pain shot up my arm. I bit back a scream, refusing to give him the satisfaction.

“Better,” he murmured, releasing me suddenly, sending me stumbling back. “But not good enough.”

The next few minutes were a blur of motion—me striking, him dodging, every failure fueling my rage. I was out of breath, sweat dripping down my spine, while he barely looked winded.

Finally, I collapsed to my knees, chest heaving. He stood over me, his shadow swallowing me whole.

“Lesson one,” he said, crouching to meet my eyes. “Never show weakness. Not to me. Not to anyone.”

I glared up at him, fury trembling in my bones. “Then maybe you should stop mistaking kindness for weakness.”

For the first time, his smirk faltered. Just slightly. Enough to make my chest tighten.

He stood, offering me his hand. I refused it, pushing myself up on my own. His laughter followed me, low and dangerous.

“Good,” he said. “You’re learning.”

But as we drove back, I knew one thing for certain: whatever game Kael was playing, I was already tangled in it. And the only way out was to win.

\---

By the time we returned, the sun was dipping, painting the house in shades of orange and gold. Elena was waiting on the porch, her arms crossed, eyes sharp as they flicked between us.

Kael didn’t even slow down. He tossed the keys to a guard and strode inside, leaving me standing there, shaky and bruised.

Elena’s gaze softened the moment he disappeared. She rushed forward, grabbing my wrist, wincing at the angry red marks on my skin.

“What did he do?” she whispered.

“Nothing I couldn’t handle,” I lied, though my body ached with every breath.

She shook her head, disbelief etched into her features. “You don’t understand, Amelia. This isn’t just about survival. Kael—he doesn’t break people with violence. He breaks them with control. With games. Once you’re in them, you never get out.”

I swallowed hard, my voice barely above a whisper. “Then I’ll have to play smarter.”

Elena’s eyes widened, fear flashing in them. “No. You’ll lose. Everyone loses.”

But as I stood there, my body screaming in pain, my heart pounding with defiance, I made myself a promise.