"If you believe that," Theo responds, "you're even more delusional than I thought."
“It’s our road to walk upon, Theo,” Warren declares, and you can tell from his stern tone that he’s had enough of this back and forth.
He’s standing his ground…and surprisingly enough, I don’t mind his presence.
"C’mon. Why don’t I walk you out.”
“Hmph. I can walk myself.” There’s a pause as footsteps begin to fade but there’s a quiet mutter, “If this is the hill you’re dying on, don’t bother me when you’re on your last breath of life. I’m busy ravishing my Queen. I don’t entertain failures.”
The slam of the door follows, and a cheerful whistle follows.
“Oh he’s MAD mad,” Ren declares. “So you gonna fix that or you meant that loyalty shit.”
“I meant it,” Warren confesses. “Just need to wait for Verena’s validation.”
“And forgiveness,” Ares grumbles.
“Can you tame that bitterness? It’s pissing me off.”
“Make me,” Ares counters.
“Sibling rivalry at its finest,” Marcus dramatically sighs. “Please, pigtails. Wake up faster to tame these children.”
“Fuck off!” They say in unison.
Someone shifts beside the bed – Zander, I think – his warmth moving closer as fingers gently brush a strand of hair from my face. The touch feels achingly familiar, grounding me even as consciousness threatens to slip away again.
"The Blind One will pay for this," he says quietly, voice pitched for the room but carrying intimacy meant only for me.
"Get in line," Ren mutters. "I've got plans for whoever orchestrated this that would make medieval torturers queasy."
"Your bloodthirst is charming," Marcus comments dryly. "But perhaps we should focus on her recovery before planning elaborate revenge scenarios?"
"Who says we can't do both?" Ren counters. "Multitasking is an essential skill in survival. That’s how you’re going to live in the midst of a cage fight."
Their banter continues, slightly forced but attempting normalcy as I drift deeper into unconsciousness once more. Thedarkness feels less threatening now, less absolute as if their voices have illuminated paths through the void.
Before I sink completely under, one final exchange reaches me.
“Do you think we really have to prepare for the worst?” I’m surprised by Zander’s softened question, feeling a press of lips to my temple. It’s the first time the pitch of anger has subsided and been replaced with genuine worry.
“I think when it comes to pigtails, no matter what happens she’ll recover from it and it’ll just mold her and us to a renewed force for our final act.”
“Final act,” Ares whispers. “We’re gonna have to attend the rescheduled ball…”
“Yes,” Zander whispers. “We’re going to claim and prove to all those fuckers that we will finish this rise of hierarchy to the very end.
“The rise towards vengeance,” Warren declares.
Vengeance…
That’s the word that solidifies the plan forming in my plan.
Be prepared Blinded One, for the next arc of mayhem will lead to your downfall…and my resurrection.
3
AWAKEN A VILLAINESS IN THE MIDST OF SERENITY
