Chereads / Bloodline of the damned / Chapter 77 - Chapter 79: Siena plan

Chapter 77 - Chapter 79: Siena plan

Siena Avaros sat in the quiet solitude of her study, her sharp eyes focused on the papers in front of her. The shadows of the evening had begun to stretch across the large room, but the flickering candlelight only seemed to emphasize her intense focus. The scent of ink and parchment lingered in the air, but Siena was hardly aware of her surroundings. Her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of Noah.

Noah. The enigmatic young man she had met by chance on one of her hunts.

It had been a random encounter, or so it seemed at first. She had been tracking game in the forest, following the faint traces of movement through the dense woods. But then she'd stumbled upon him—Noah—deep in the heart of the forest, his presence unsettling in a way she hadn't expected. He wasn't just a simple hunter or some wandering adventurer. There was something about him that drew her in, a quiet power that radiated from him even as he stalked through the shadows.

What intrigued her most, however, was the ease with which he had navigated the wilds. There had been no hesitation in his movements, no uncertainty. He had struck down a monstrous creature without breaking a sweat, his precision and strength startling to behold.

And then there was the sparring match.

They had exchanged a few blows on impulse, just to test one another. She had been cautious at first, unsure of how much of his power he'd reveal. But Noah, as she had quickly realized, didn't hold back. Their fight had been brief but telling. His speed and technique were unlike anything she had encountered in years of training. Even with her own lineage's strength, he had pushed her to her limits.

He wasn't just strong—he was… different.

Siena couldn't help but see the potential. He was raw, unrefined, but with the right guidance, he could become something incredible. A powerful ally who could help her cement her place as the true heir to the Avaros clan. She had no doubts about his power—he was more than capable of carrying out her desires, if she could just control him. But first, she had to ensure that he saw the value in aligning himself with her.

---

Her plan had come to her in a flash of insight, as her thoughts turned over the encounter in the forest. If she could make Noah see that his potential was bound by a need for someone to guide him—someone who understood the weight of the world—then perhaps she could bring him under her influence. She would offer him more than just power. She would offer him **purpose**.

But it wouldn't be easy.

Noah wasn't like others. She could sense it in the way he held himself, in the way he regarded her when they fought. He wasn't swayed by easy flattery or the common temptations that most young men fell prey to. He was calculating, detached, and there was an air of mystery surrounding him that made him unpredictable. She would need to approach him carefully.

The first step, she decided, was to reconnect with him. It would be subtle, at first. She would ensure their paths crossed again, but she wouldn't rush him. No, this would be a game of patience. She would prove her worthiness to him, let him see the strength she commanded, and in time, he would come to realize that she was the only ally worth having.

But there was a danger in her plan. She wasn't the only one watching Noah. The rumors of his abilities were already spreading throughout the Academy, and if she wasn't careful, someone else might notice him first. The thought made her uneasy, but she quickly pushed it aside. She had the patience, and she had the skill. Noah would be hers to control—whether he realized it or not.

---

The day after her reflections, Siena sought out Noah once more. She had arranged for their paths to cross—no accident this time. She had known where he would be: out hunting, far from the prying eyes of the Academy. She followed his trail through the dense trees, her footsteps light as she approached the clearing where she knew he would be. The air was thick with the scent of fresh blood and earth, the echoes of her own heartbeat quickening in anticipation.

As she stepped into the clearing, she saw him.

Noah was crouched over the body of a monstrous beast, his expression calm, almost detached as he worked. His sword, *Abyssal Night*, gleamed with an unnatural edge, the bloodied blade a testament to the lethal precision he possessed. Siena's gaze lingered on the sword for a moment, a strange feeling twisting in her stomach. There was something about it that felt familiar, something dangerous.

He hadn't noticed her yet.

Siena allowed herself a moment to observe him. The way he moved, the way he cleaned his weapon, so meticulous—it was like watching a predator at ease, hunting not out of necessity but out of sheer mastery.

She stepped forward, her voice cutting through the stillness of the woods. "Quite the impressive kill," she said, her tone smooth but deliberate.

Noah's head snapped up, and for a brief moment, she saw the flash of recognition in his eyes. He had remembered her, of course. He wasn't someone who easily forgot.

Siena didn't wait for him to respond. Instead, she continued, stepping closer with confidence. "I've been thinking about you since our last encounter," she said, her voice light but laced with an edge of authority. "You're strong. But I sense something deeper in you. Something that's untapped."

Noah remained silent, watching her carefully, but he said nothing. His gaze was unreadable.

She took another step closer, lowering her voice so that it became almost a whisper. "I could help you unlock your true potential, Noah. I can show you what lies beyond this world's limits." She paused, watching him closely. "Allies are powerful in this world. But sometimes, you need someone with real strength to help you navigate it."

Siena watched him for any sign of weakness, any hint that he might relent. But he remained unmoved, almost unnervingly so. Her heart raced for a moment, but she didn't show it. She kept her composure, though inside, she felt a nagging uncertainty. She needed him, but she wasn't sure if he understood that yet.

Noah finally spoke, his voice low but steady. "I don't need allies," he said, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I don't need anyone."

Siena's smile didn't falter. She had expected the rejection, but it wasn't over yet. She stepped back, letting the silence hang between them.

"You will," she said softly. "In time, you will."

---

The encounter ended on that note, with Siena departing as quickly as she had arrived. But inside, she knew something had shifted. She had planted the seed.

Now, it was only a matter of time before Noah saw the value in her proposition. He would realize that she was the key to unlocking his power.

The game had begun, and Siena Avaros wasn't one to lose.