Chapter 8 Eyes Everywhere
CHAPTER 8: Eyes Everywhere
Seraphine’s POV
“Watch out...!”
I barely had time to turn before a sharp slap hit across my face.
My head snapped to the side and stars burst behind my eyes. Pain flared hot and sudden with my cheek burning like it had been kissed by fire. I staggered a step, catching myself before I hit the floor and then I heard laughter.
It was not soft laughter and no where near polite laughter. It was the kind of laughter that enjoyed pain.
“Oh goddess,” a woman said between laughs. “Did you see that? She didn’t even react in time.”
I slowly turned my head back.
A girl stood there with her arms crossed with dark hair pulled back and her eyes bright with cruel amusement. She looked familiar in a way that made my stomach sink. Same sharp cheekbones, same dark eyes and the same arrogant posture. She looked like Aric.
“Well,” she said, looking me up and down, “that explains everything.”
Maya gasped beside me.
“Princess Lyrin...!”
So that was her.
The Lycan King’s sister. What a bitch!
Lyrin stepped closer, tilting her head like she was inspecting a broken toy.
“That was a slap,” she said cheerfully. “Not even a hard one and you’re already wobbling.”
I swallowed, tasting blood and forced myself to relax my shoulders.
“Good morning to you too,” I said lightly. “Is this how you welcome guests?”
Her smile widened.
“Guests?” she repeated. “Oh no, little human. You’re not a guest. You’re a mistake.”
She circled me slowly with her boots clicking against the stone.
“I heard you took down one of our warriors,” she said. “I was expecting something… impressive.”
She stopped in front of me and leaned in.
“All I see is a fragile thing with slow reflexes.”
I wanted to hit her.. I wanted to break her nose and show her exactly how fragile I wasn’t but I didn’t. I smiled instead in a small, tired and polite.
“Well,” I said, rubbing my cheek, “I suppose I can’t all be as charming as you.”
Maya sucked in a breath and Lyrin blinked, then laughed nervously like she thought that would ease the tension.
“Oh, I like that,” she said. “Sarcasm. Cute. Careful though. It tends to get humans killed around here.”
She straightened and glanced at Maya.
“Keep an eye on her,” Lyrin ordered. “If she trips and falls down the stairs, I don’t want anyone saying it was my fault.”
Then she looked back at me.
“I’ve got eyes on you, human,” she said softly. “Everywhere.”
And just like that, she turned and walked out with laughter echoing behind her.
The room felt very quiet after she left and I let out a slow breath.
“Well,” I muttered, “your palace hospitality is really something.”
Maya hurried to my side with eyes wide.
“Are you alright?” she whispered.
“I’ve had worse mornings,” I said. “Usually without royalty.”
She winced.
“I’m sorry,” she said again. “Princess Lyrin… she enjoys provoking people.”
“That’s one word for it.”
Maya hesitated and then leaned closer.
“She’s not the real problem here.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Oh?”
Maya lowered her voice even more.
“Lady Vespera is.”
That name again! I kept my face neutral even though my interest sharpened instantly.
“Really?” I said. “She seems lovely.”
Maya gave a weak smile.
“Please be careful around her.”
I nodded slowly, filing that away as Maya gathered the sheets into her arms.
“I should take these to the stream.”
“Let me help,” I said quickly.
She startled.
“Oh... no, my lady, that’s not necessary.”
“I insist,” I said, already reaching for the pile. “I’m not made of glass.”
She looked torn.
“Please,” I added gently. “I could use the fresh air.”
She hesitated a moment longer and then nodded.
“Alright,” she said. “But only if you don’t mind walking.”
“I don’t,” I said. “I like walking.”
That part wasn’t a lie.
We headed out together with guards watching us pass and as soon as we stepped beyond the inner halls, I started paying attention to paths, turns, towers and guard positions.
I memorized everything, every wall and every shadow because one day, this place would burn and I would lit the torch.
I pictured it clearly… flames licking stone, screams echoing.amd a blade sliding home to cold Lycan his heart.
Aric’s face flashed in my mind.. annoyingly handsome… and infuriatingly confident.
“Stop it,” I muttered under my breath.
“What?” Maya asked.
“Nothing,” I said quickly.
I forced myself to remember Red River Village.. the smoke, the screams.. my father’s body and my mother’s eyes. The anger soon settled back where it belonged.
We reached the stream not long after where clear water flowed gently over smooth stones with sunlight breaking through the trees. It was… peaceful and I hated that I noticed.
We knelt by the water and began washing the sheets. The work was quiet at first with the sound of water filling the space between us.
“You’re really not afraid,” Maya said suddenly.
I glanced at her.
“Of what?”
“Of us.”
I shrugged.
“Fear takes energy. I don’t have much to spare.”
She smiled a little.
“What is it like?” she asked. “The human kingdom, I mean.”
“Messy,” I said. “Loud and full of people who argue about everything.”
She laughed softly.
“That sounds familiar.”
I looked at her, surprised.
“Do you like it here?” I asked.
She paused.
“It’s home,” she said carefully.
Fair enough. We worked in companionable silence for a bit longer before footsteps approached and I looked up.
A man stepped into view, tall and well-dressed with dark hair tied back neatly. He smiled like he didn’t have a care in the world.
Maya stood instantly and bowed.
“Prince Darius,” she said.
So.. Royalty. He turned his smile on me.
“You must be Seraphine,” he said warmly. “I’m Darius Draven. Aric’s cousin.”
I straightened.
“Nice to finally meet someone who doesn’t slap first.”
He laughed.
“Ah. Lyrin’s already made her mark, I see.”
“She has a strong hand.”
“I’ll apologize on her behalf,” he said easily. “Welcome to the pack.”
Before I could respond... a roar tore through the forest deeply, violently and close..
Before I could even turn around, Maya screamed out in pure fear…