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~Valerie's POV~
"Ace."
He'd been quiet for the past minute, eyes trained on the way our hands were linked between us. The breeze carried the faint scent of pine from the west woods, brushing against my face, and for a brief second, everything almost felt… calm. Almost.
Then his voice broke through. "Valerie."
The sound of my na from his lips sent an involuntary shudder through . It wasn't fear; more like my body reacting before my mind caught up. His tone had that steady warmth I'd grown too comfortable with.
"What?" I asked, trying to sound normal, though my heart gave away.
Ace smiled faintly. "You spaced out."
I blinked and looked away, realising I had. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay," he said softly. His thumb slowly brushed the back of my hand in a reassuring way. "You've had a lot on your mind lately."
That was an understatent. Between Principal Whitmore's accusations, Dristan's storm of emotions, and everything else I was trying to hold together, my head was a ss.
"I didn't an to make things worse," I muttered, my eyes dropping to our hands again.
Ace's grip tightened, just a little. "Valerie, you don't make things worse. You just… attract chaos." His smile didn't reach his eyes this ti.
"Funny," I said weakly. "That's what Dristan said, too."
That na shifted the air instantly. Ace's smile faltered, replaced by quiet tension. "Right. Dristan." He released a breath through his nose, looking away for a mont before turning back to . "You've been around him a lot lately," he said, too calmly.
"It's complicated," I admitted. "He's just… trying to make things right."
Ace huffed quietly. "Is that what you think he's doing?"
"I know it doesn't look that way, but yes." My tone ca out softer than I ant. "He's trying, Ace."
He looked at for a long mont, his gaze searching mine as if he wanted to believe but couldn't quite allow himself to. "You keep trying to fix people who are already breaking you," he said at last.
I swallowed hard. "Soone has to."
"Not you," he said firmly. "Not always you."
I didn't know how to respond. The tension between us wasn't anger; it was sothing heavier, more dangerous.
"I told you about the deal," I said quietly, breaking the silence. "Two weeks with each of you… to understand, to choose."
Ace's jaw flexed. "And how's that working out so far?"
"I don't know," I admitted. "Every ti I think I understand one of you, sothing changes."
He gave a humourless laugh. "You think you can balance six people, Val. But you can't even balance yourself right now."
The words hit harder than I expected. Because deep down, I knew he was right.
He sighed, voice dropping low. "You're going to break if you keep this up. And when you do, you'll take all of us down with you."
My throat tightened. "I'm trying, Ace."
"I know you are," he said, softer now. "That's the problem."
Silence settled again.
Finally, Ace turned to , his gaze steady, almost pleading. "Pick a side, Valerie. Before the bond makes that choice for you."
His words lingered long after he walked away, burning like a truth I couldn't escape.
And deep within, I felt Astra stir restlessly. Because she already knew what I didn't want to admit… the choice had already started making itself.
*****
By the ti I got back to my room, after the day's activities—class, training for the Alpha Forge, then just relaxing in the field alone—Ace's words were still echoing in my head like an unwanted rhythm.
I did not want to head to my room on ti to give myself ti to think and avoid my roommates guessing what was wrong with , even though I knew that not being there was enough to draw attention.
Pick a side, Valerie.
I dropped my bag onto the chair and leaned against the door for a second, breathing out slowly. My thoughts were a tangled ss: Ace's disappointnt, Dristan's temper, and Principal Whitmore's suspicion.
It all felt like too much, and I hadn't even begun to process half of it.
When I finally pushed myself to move, my gaze caught sothing on the desk.
A thick envelope… the sa deep purple colour I'd co to dread and recognize like the back of my palm.
My stomach tightened. Nightshade.
I crossed the room, my fingers brushing over the seal.
It wasn't addressed to anyone as usual, but I already knew it was ant for . That specific shade of purple, the faint tallic scent of ink, the heavy parchnt; it was impossible to mistake.
I sat down, pulling the letter closer. For a mont, I just stared at it. I hated how familiar it felt, how my hands didn't even tremble anymore before opening one. Then I tore it open.
Inside, I found a folded piece of paper. It was straightforward; no greetings, just a clear ssage.
"Final instruction. Co to the east courtyard. 9:20 p.m. sharp. Last test."
That was it. No na, no signature. Just those three short sentences.
I glanced at the clock, 8:50 PM.
"Perfect," I muttered under my breath, dragging a hand through my hair.
Because, of course, I already had plans at ten with Dristan.
My chest tightened again as I rembered. He'd been the one who'd asked that we et. Said we needed to talk. And knowing Dristan, that probably ant another round of tension and probably half-truths.
Still, I couldn't skip this. The Nightshade trials weren't optional. If you ignore one summons, you don't get a second. You disappeared.
"Just don't take too long," I whispered to myself.
I took a quick shower, trying to wash away the unease, but it clung to like damp air. I dressed simply: black hoodie, leggings, and boots. Nothing flashy. I braided my hair loosely and slipped my knife into my pocket.
At 9:05 p.m., I was out the door.
The school grounds were quieter than usual. The night carried a soft chill, the kind that hinted at rain, and the faint glow of the moon stretched thin shadows across the courtyard.
I followed the path past the old fountains until I reached the east courtyard. When I got there at 9:19 p.m., it was empty.
For a few seconds, I stood there, scanning my surroundings. The air was still, too still.
"Hello?" I called out softly.
No answer.
A crow screeched sowhere on the roof, and I almost laughed at how cliché it sounded. I turned, eyes sweeping over the tall hedges and stone archways. My pulse started to quicken. Maybe this was part of the test… patience.
Then I sensed sothing, a subtle shift behind , like a presence that made the air feel heavier and thicker. I turned sharply to see three figures standing there, cloaked in deep purple robes, hoods drawn over their faces.
My breath caught.
Even without seeing their features, I knew they were Nightshade mbers. The aura they carried was unmistakable: cold, controlled, and dangerous.
One of them stepped forward, the leader judging by the way the others held back. He extended a gloved hand, holding out another envelope.
"Your final test," he said. His voice was low, distorted slightly, like he was speaking through a spell.
I hesitated before stepping forward and taking the envelope. The parchnt was warm, like it had just been sealed.
I turned it over in my hands. "Can I…?"
The man gave a short nod.
I swallowed, tore it open, and pulled out a single photograph.
A man's face stared back at .
The na was written neatly on the back.
Target: Eliminate.
For a mont, I just stood there, staring. The air seed to thin around . My pulse pounded in my ears.
Eliminate. That word had never hit like this before. It wasn't a test anymore; it was a command… a death order.
I forced myself to keep my face calm, even though my stomach twisted. Subconsciously, I found myself checking my watch.
9:26 P.M.
"Have a better place to be?" one of them asked, jolting from my thought.
I shook my head once, keeping my expression neutral and exhaled. "No."
"Good."
I slid the photo back into the envelope. "How long do I have?"
The leader's head tilted slightly, eyes unseen beneath the hood. "Three days. When it's done, burn the picture. Soone will confirm and collect the body."
Three days to kill.
That was the standard ti. But it still made my throat feel tight.
"Understood," I said quietly.
"Dismissed."
The word felt heavy, final, and cold. I hesitated. "Wait—"
Before I could finish, one of them stepped closer and blew sothing into my face.
A fine, silver-grey, and faintly sweet-slling powder.
I coughed, stumbling back as my vision blurred.
"What…"
The world around spun, and my knees gave out. Darkness crept in at the edges of my vision. I fought to stay awake, but my body felt heavier with each passing mont.
And then nothing.
When I ca to, the night was colder. My cheek was pressed against the damp stone floor of the courtyard. I blinked hard, pushing myself upright.
My head throbbed faintly. The place was empty again: no purple cloaks, no trace of anyone, just the envelope lying near my hand.
I groaned, rubbing at my temples before glancing at my watch.
9:50 PM.
My heart jumped.
"Oh, shit," I hissed, scrambling to my feet.
Dristan.
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