Angela felt the ground underneath her change drastically. Not only did a storm rage in the skies, but also in her heart. Each day seemed like a struggle to maintain her composure as everything surrounding her loomed to tear her apart. She stood on the outskirts of the forest, feeling the blend of moisture and pine scent in the air, combined with the stress that had been lingering with her for days. The silence became too thick and too still, reminiscent of a familiar feeling, as if the world was anticipating something dreadful to occur.
Her blue eyes scanned the trees as she tucked a stray lock of her black hair behind her ear. There was something present outside. She sensed it under her skin, like a second heartbeat, pulsing quietly and consistently. Since her altercation with Devin , she couldn't shake the sense of impending danger. His gray eyes had penetrated her defenses, and his words lingered in her mind like a haunting presence.
However, this was no longer concerning him. This concerned the escalating conflict that simmered just below the surface of the familiar world she had always lived in.
She hunched down, attentive, every part of her body on high alert. The breeze murmured among the branches, caressing her skin like a phantom touch. The sensation caused her to tense up, bringing back memories of the evening her family was ripped away from her - the evening when everything had shifted.
She gasped for breath and made herself concentrate. There was no space for vulnerability in this place. Not at this moment. It was crucial for her to be strong in that moment.
Her attention was caught by a rustling of leaves. Although her heart was racing, she managed to keep a calm and controlled expression. She was prepared.
A tall, lean, and familiar figure emerged from the shadows. As soon as she saw him, her muscles immediately tensed. The person in question was Nikolai. He wasn't only a vampire; he was a mystery, a tempest cloaked in shadows.
"Angela ," he spoke with a smooth voice, reminiscent of velvet with a touch of danger. "It's difficult to locate you."
She stood upright but maintained her defenses. "Perhaps you simply haven't searched thoroughly."
His lips showed a faint smile, but his expression lacked warmth. "I have heard that you have been occupied."
Angela tightened her jaw. "That could be your interpretation."
Aligning yourself with Devin is a risky move that could have consequences.
When she heard his name, her chest became constricted. Devin . Her mate for the second opportunity. Her foe, her friend. The person causing her distress.
She shrugged while maintaining a steady voice. "We share common interests."
Nikolai approached, his eyes shining in the faint light. "Shared interests," he repeated, speaking in a lower tone. "You are aware that he cannot be relied upon, aren't you? His extreme loathing for werewolves goes beyond what you can comprehend.
"I don't want your advice, Nikolai," she retorted, her voice more cutting than she had meant. "I am capable of managing Devin ."
His eyes grew darker, and briefly, the tension between them increased in intensity. Perhaps.
4 words. Can you deal with what is about to happen?
Angela felt her heart rate increase, but she kept her composure. "What are you trying to say?"
Nikolai's smile had a secretive and mysterious quality. The balance is changing, Angela . The distinction between friend and enemy is becoming less clear. War is inevitable - whether you are prepared for it or not.
Conflict. The heavy word lingered in the air, full of weight. Angela was aware that it was true. For weeks, she had sensed it deep in her bones. The world was on the brink, and once it tipped over, no one would be protected.
"I've experienced more difficult situations," she whispered softly, though the reality of her own words reverberated emptily in her heart.
Nikolai's eyes briefly became gentler, causing her to feel unsettled. "I trust you," he whispered as he disappeared into the shadows, leaving her by herself again.
Angela took a shaky breath and closed her eyes briefly, allowing the chilly night air to enter her lungs. She couldn't afford to lose concentration at this moment, especially with so much on the line.
While the wind murmured among the trees once more, she questioned how much time she could remain on the edge without tumbling into the chasm.
Below the cracking surface, something dark and ancient was starting to move.