I needed a change of topic, something to shift the focus away from the strange tension in the air and the unsettling thoughts that had started to swirl in my head. It was a way to protect myself—both my sanity and my safety.
Boyd turned to me, his gaze steady, almost calculating. His lips parted, and he responded in a manner that surprised me. "I think the better way to understand us is to see us in action when the time comes," he said, his tone calm but carrying a subtle edge. "You opted to make a mystery around your name, right? So, let us make the same around our wraths."
I blinked, taken aback by his answer. Boyd wasn't one for riddles, at least not that I knew of. This new approach from him caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but feel a little thrown off.
Maelli, standing next to him, chimed in almost immediately. "This will make things interesting," she said with a sly grin, her voice filled with an unmistakable mischievousness. "It'll be funny, don't you think?"
I looked at her, then back to Boyd, before answering. "It's okay for you, Ava?" she asked, turning her attention to me with that same playful tone in her voice, as though everything was some sort of game I was supposed to be a part of.
"Of course," I replied, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of thoughts racing through my head. I had no idea what they were up to, but I wasn't about to show any sign of hesitation. They were trying to be mysterious, just as I had. If they were playing games, I'd play along, at least for now.
"So, it's settled then," Kai spoke finally, his voice cutting through the air like a dagger, sharp and direct. There was a smile playing at the edges of his lips, as if he was enjoying the entire situation. "What do you want to do first? A tour of the castle? Go straight to your room? Want to know the surroundings? Or maybe eat something?"
His voice was light, casual, and yet there was something beneath it all—a sense of expectation, as if he was watching me closely, gauging my every reaction.
I couldn't help but smile at his energy. "I see that you still have a ton of energy, huh? I do too," I replied, my tone matching his casual demeanor. "But I think I'm just going to go to my room for now. I need to process everything that's happened so far. I need some time to think, and I could really use a cold, relaxing bath to clear my mind."
Kai didn't seem disappointed or surprised by my decision. If anything, he seemed to approve, his expression softening a bit. "Okay then, if you need anything, just say it," he said, his tone more reassuring now. "Come with me, I'll show you to your room."
I raised an eyebrow at him, scrutinizing his offer. His eyes met mine with an unreadable expression, but there was a slight smile on his lips. He extended his hand toward me, a simple gesture, but one that made me hesitate. I studied his hand for a moment before looking back into his eyes. For a second, I thought about taking it, but then the rational part of my brain kicked in, reminding me to be cautious. I didn't need anyone's help right now—not unless I trusted them fully, and I wasn't quite there yet.
"Thanks, but no," I said, not wanting to make it awkward but needing to protect myself. It was out of pure precaution, a small act of self-preservation. I wasn't ready to let my guard down just yet.
Kai didn't seem bothered by my refusal. He merely rolled his eyes, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his lips, and turned toward the stairs without a word. It was as if he had expected it, and the nonchalance with which he shrugged off my refusal only added to the strange sense of calm that settled over me. I followed him up the stairs, my feet light on the steps, but my mind heavy with questions I couldn't quite form into words.
Before I ascended the stairs, though, I turned back to the six members of his inner circle. They were all watching me with various expressions on their faces. Some were amused, others curious, and one or two were unreadable, their eyes lingering on me as though trying to decipher my every move. It was both comforting and unnerving, the way they observed me with such intensity.
"Bye, guys. We'll talk later," I said, giving a half-hearted wave. "It was a pleasure to meet all of you, even you, Samantha."
Samantha's eyes locked with mine, and for a moment, I thought I saw something dark flicker in her gaze. But then she flashed me a wicked smile, the kind that usually sent chills down my spine. Strangely, this time, it didn't. Instead, I felt a sense of calm wash over me. It was confusing, to say the least.
"Same, little one," she replied, her voice smooth and almost teasing. Her tone wasn't as threatening as I would've expected, and for the briefest of moments, I found myself wondering why.
I turned back toward Kai, who was waiting at the top of the stairs, his eyes on me, but this time with something more contemplative in them. It was a look that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I didn't like it. There was something about the way he was watching me that felt... off.
I opened my mouth to say something, but the words caught in my throat. Instead, I tried to distract myself. "You don't feel pain in your legs for climbing all these steps every day?" I asked, trying to shift the focus away from whatever thoughts were running through his head—and my own.
Kai looked at me, his expression unreadable for a moment, and then he chuckled softly, the sound rich and smooth. "Don't worry about my legs," he said, his voice dismissive but not unkind. "They're stronger than you could think." He gave me a sideways glance, as if daring me to challenge him on it. "And I like climbing those steps every day, to be honest."
I blinked, trying to process his words. "Really?" I asked, genuinely curious. It wasn't often that people enjoyed something as grueling as climbing a flight of stairs multiple times a day.
Kai gave a small nod, his eyes meeting mine with a strange intensity. "You know the saying, what can't kill me, makes me stronger," he said, a slight smile creeping up at the edges of his lips. There was something about the way he said it that made me pause. It wasn't just a saying to him. It was a philosophy, a belief he lived by. And, as strange as it sounded, I had to admit that he had a point. He seemed to be the type of person who thrived in challenges, who grew stronger in adversity.
I didn't respond immediately. Instead, I stood there, considering his words, the weight of them settling on my shoulders. For a brief moment, I felt like I understood him a little better—though I wasn't sure whether that was a good or a bad thing.
With a final glance in his direction, I followed him up the stairs, my mind swirling with more questions than answers. What was I really getting myself into here? And how long could I keep pretending like I wasn't starting to feel the pull of whatever this place—and these people—represented?
For now, I just needed to focus on the next step. Getting to my room. Getting a bath. Getting some space to breathe. The rest would come later.