Eryx ᯓᡣ𐭩
Sitting in my apartment, the city's neon lights flickering through the large windows, I stare at the invitation in my hand. The thick, embossed paper that reeks of wealth and power- two things Hades Allis has never been short of. The invitation is to some grand business party, a celebration of his latest success. The bastard's rubbing it in my face, trying to provoke me.
The truth is, Hades has been trying to provoke me for years, ever since he took everything from me. But I'm not easy to challenge, and if he thinks sending me an invitation to his little party is going to throw me off, he's dead wrong.
I read over the gold-embossed words again, the formality of it, is almost laughable. It's an open invitation for me to walk right into his world, where he thinks he's untouchable. But I'm not the same kid who watched helplessly as his father's empire crumbled. I've been waiting for the right moment, and maybe this is it.
I'm pulled out of my thoughts by the sound of the door opening. Cassian walks in, a smirk already on his face as he notices the invitation in my hand.
"So, you got one too?" he asks, tossing his jacket onto the back of a chair.
I nod, holding the card between two fingers as if it's a piece of garbage. "Yeah. Looks like Hades is feeling generous, inviting everyone who matters."
Cassian chuckles, leaning against the counter. "Including us, apparently. My family got an invite as well. It's going to be quite the gathering."
I toss the invitation onto the table, leaning back in my chair. "He's trying to get under my skin. He thinks by flaunting his success, he can shake me."
Cassian raises an eyebrow. "And is it working?"
I give him a sidelong glance. "Not in the slightest. But it's definitely interesting. We're not going to let this opportunity pass, are we?"
I shake my head, a dark smile tugging at the corner of my lips. "Not a chance. If he wants me there, I'll be there. But I'm not going to play the role he expects."
Cassian nods, his expression turning serious. "Good"
I stand up, the weight of the moment settling in. "He's been testing me for years. And soon enough, he'll see exactly how far I'm willing to go."
Cassian watches me closely, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What's the plan, then? You know he's going to have every eye in the room on you. Including hers."
I don't have to ask who he means. Evelia. The thought of seeing her again, in the same room as Hades, stirs something in me. Something I'm not entirely comfortable with. But I push it aside, focusing on the bigger picture.
"I'll go, play nice, and see what Hades has up his sleeve," I say, my voice steady.
Cassian nodded in agreement, but there's a glint in his eye that tells me he's thinking of more than just the party. "And Evelia? What's the plan there?"
I glanced at him, my jaw tightening slightly.
The thought echoes in my mind, heavy and unshakable: *Evelia is a part of this... she's his daughter.*
I stared at the glass in my hand, watching as the amber liquid swirls slowly. The realization isn't new, but tonight it feels more unavoidable. She's Hades Allis's daughter. The man who destroyed my family. The man I'm going to take down.
I try to tell myself that Evelia doesn't matter, that she's just another obstacle in the path I've chosen. But deep down, I know that's a lie. She's more than that. She's the one connection to my past that I haven't been able to sever, no matter how much I've tried.
Cassian, sitting across from me, noticed the shift in my mood. He didn't say anything, but he's watching me closely, like he's waiting for me to say something. He's always been able to read me better than anyone else.
I finally set the glass down, the ice clinking softly as it hits the bottom. "This changes nothing," I said, my voice flat, more to convince myself than him.
Cassian leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms. "You keep saying that, but I'm not sure you believe it."
I looked up at him, my eyes narrowing. "It doesn't matter what I believe. What matters is that I do what needs to be done."
He nodded slowly, his expressions unreadable. "And what exactly needs to be done, Eryx?"
I know what he's getting at, the question hangs in the air between us, demanding an answer. I took a breath, trying to keep my voice steady.
"Hades has to pay for what he did," I said quietly, my eyes locking onto Cassian's. "For everything he took from me. And if Evelia gets caught in the crossfire" I stopped for a moment "that's on her."
Cassian didn't say anything at first, he watched me with his sharp eyes. Then, after a moment, he nods, as if he's come to a decision.
"Alright," he said, his tone lighter now, almost casual. "But just remember, Eryx. Whatever happens, you need to be sure. Because once you start down this path, there's no going back."
I nodded, the weight of his words settling on me "I know."
He reached across the table and grabed his own drink, taking a long sip before setting it down. "Good. Because if this is about more than just revenge, if there's still something there between you and Evelia... you need to figure it out before it's too late."
Shaking my head I replied. "There's nothing left between us. That was a long time ago."
Cassian didn't argue, but there's a knowing look in his eyes that I don't like. He stood up, finishing off his drink and grabbing his jacket.
"Alright, man. I'll let you stew on that. But remember, we're in this together. Whatever happens at that party, I've got your back."
I nod "Where are you going?" He smirked, a playful glint in his eyes. "Nothing just going to spy on someone" I know who exactly he's pointing at. Rhea. "Oh, so finally she got you interested."
"Maybe" He gave me a wink as he headed for the door. Before he could leave, I said "Be careful, Looks like she's under someone's protection." My tone lacing with sarcasm. "Don't worry man, you know how good I am at this"
With this he's gone, leaving me alone with my thoughts. The room feels heavier now, the silence more oppressive. I don't want to admit it, but Cassian's words have stirred something in me. Something I've been trying to bury for a long time.
I let out a slow breath, rubbing a hand over my face. It doesn't matter. I can't afford to get distracted by old feelings, by memories that should have died a long time ago. Evelia may be a part of this, but she doesn't change the endgame.
Hades will fall, and I'll be the one to make it happen. Evelia... she's just another casualty in a war that started long before either of us had a say in it.
But even as I think it, I can't shake the image of her smiling earlier today, a rare moment of warmth that I haven't seen in years. And for just a second, I wonder if things could have been different. If we could have been different.
But then I push the thought away. There's no room for what-ifs anymore. I've chosen my path, and I'll see it through to the end. No matter what or who gets in my way.
꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦
I felt a twinge of concern when Rhea didn't pick up my call. Her phone was switched off, which was unusual. It wasn't like her to be unreachable, and something about it didn't sit right with me. I quickly called one of my men, instructing him to track her down. If there was one thing I couldn't tolerate, her being away from my eyes.
It didn't take long for him to locate her. She was at the university, I found Rhea sitting alone on a bench in the university courtyard, her head down. As soon as she saw me, she quickly wiped her eyes, attempting to hide any trace of distress. "I'm fine," she said before I could ask, but the tremor in her voice betrayed her.
I didn't buy it for a second. "Don't lie, tell me the truth?"
She looked away, hesitating. I could see the battle in her eyes, the struggle to keep whatever was bothering her. But I wasn't going to let her shut me out.
"Talk to me," I repeated, my tone leaving no room for argument.
Finally, she sighed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "It's... after what happened with Cassian and after I started hanging out with you... people have been talking."
My eyes narrowed. "Talking? About what?"
She bit her lip, her eyes flicking up to meet mine, full of uncertainty. "They're saying bad things. That I'm just doing all of this for attention. For fame. That I'm using you to get something. And... that I'm not worth your time."
My jaw tightened with anger. The idea that anyone would think so little of her, that they would question her intentions, made my blood boil. But more than that, the fact that she was starting to believe those lies-that she was letting those cruel words get to her-infuriated me.
"Rhea," I said, my voice firm, "look at me."
She hesitated but eventually raised her gaze to meet mine.
"Those people don't know anything about you," I continued, my tone leaving no room for doubt. "They're insignificant, and their opinions don't matter. If you're in my circle, know that you're worth a lot. I wouldn't have you here if I didn't see that."
She looked up at me, her eyes wide and filled with uncertainty. "But... why? I don't understand why you're being so kind to me."
"Because you matter, to me. We're friends anyways. Aren't we?" I replied gently holding my hand on hers. Mostly I don't let people touch me. But with her it's different. She's my other half, my twin.
Her eyes filled with tears again, but this time she didn't try to hide them. Instead, she gave a small nod, as if my words were slowly sinking in.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly.
I gave her a rare smile, something I hadn't done much around her before. "You don't need to thank me. Just remember what I said. You're more than what those people think."
She nodded again, more firmly this time, wiping away the last of her tears. There was a strength in her eyes that I hadn't seen before, and it reassured me. She wasn't broken, just bruised. And bruises healed.
"Let's get out of here," I suggested. She nodded. "Yeah let's go eat something I'm feeling a little hungry. Oh wait weren't we supposed to be in the class right now" She stopped in her tracks.
"Forget it, The only thing that matters right now is that you're hungry and we're going to get some food" Without any thought I replied. Her eyes widened with worry.
"But-"
Before she could continue I stopped her. "Don't worry, I'll handle it"
She hesitated at first but then she subconsciously nodded.
꒷꒦︶꒷꒦︶ ๋ ࣭ ⭑꒷꒦
Eryx ᯓᡣ𐭩
Cassian and I made our way to the cafeteria, the idea of sitting through another dull lecture sounding less and less appealing by the minute. He was the one who convinced me to skip, saying we deserved a break. And honestly, he was right.
We grabbed some food, but before we could even take a seat, Rhea appeared out of nowhere, her head down as she rushed past us and she bumped again, into Cass.
He looked down at her, his smirk widening as he took in her flustered expression. "Well, well, if it isn't the little klutz from before," he said, his tone dripping with mockery.
Rhea's face turned bright red as she quickly tried to steady herself, mumbling an apology. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you-"
Cassian stepped closer, lowering his voice so that no one around could hear.
"You've got a habit of bumping into me, don't you?"
Rhea's face turned crimson as she stammered an apology, clearly flustered. She looked up at Cassian, then around, as if searching for an escape route. Her eyes briefly met mine, before she quickly looked away.
Cassian, ever the opportunist, didn't miss a beat. "No harm done," he said smoothly, handing her tray back to her. "But you might want to watch where you're going next time. Unless, of course, you're trying to get my attention."
Rhea's blush deepened, and she mumbled another apology, clearly mortified.
Rhea glanced at me for a split second before hurrying away, her face flushed with embarrassment. I watched her retreating figure for a moment, then turned back to Cassian, who hadn't taken his eyes off her.
Just as I was about to comment, I heard him mumble under his breath, almost like he didn't mean to say it out loud. "I think I'm in love..."
I raised an eyebrow, trying to make sense of what he just said. "What did you just say?"
Cassian blinked, snapping out of whatever trance he was in. "Huh? Oh, nothing. Just... thinking out loud."
"Sure didn't sound like nothing," I muttered, narrowing my eyes at him.
He shrugged, but his gaze was still locked on the spot where Rhea had disappeared. "I don't know, man. There's just something about her. She's different."
I let out a short, humorless laugh. "You've barely spoken to her."
"Doesn't matter," Cassian said, his voice unusually serious. "I just feel something, you know?" As I looked the direction where Rhea went, to my surprise she stopped by a table. A girl was already sitting there with her back facing us. Evelia...
I shook my head, trying to hide my surprise. I'd never seen Cass like this, not about any girl. Cassian was always the one who kept things light, never getting too attached. But now, seeing him like this... it was different.
"Just don't do anything stupid," I warned, trying to keep my voice casual. "You barely know her."
"Yeah, yeah," he muttered, finally turning his attention back to his food. But I could tell his thoughts were still on Rhea and mine on the girl beside Rhea.
And if Cassian is serious about Rhea, things are about to get a lot more complicated around here.