Page 31 of Awakened Destiny
I let the silence stretch, my gaze drifting to the edge of the room where Eira sits. She’s perched on a wooden chair, her posture stiff, like she’s trying to make herself invisible. Her large eyes flicker toward me, then dart away just as quickly. She’s always been like this—quiet, watchful, like she’s calculating every move before she makes it. Everyone thinks she’s a shy little wallflower, but it’s all an act. That girl’s as self-serving as the rest of us.
“Eira,” I say, my voice smooth but deliberate. All eyes shift to her, and she flinches, her fingers tightening around the edge of her seat.“You’ve been awfully quiet. What do you think?”
Her lips press into a thin line, and she hesitates, like she’s weighing her words. I don’t have time for this. I need her by my side, and I need her now. Her family’s on the Council, which means she’s my ticket in. Without her, I’m just another student with a grudge. With her, I’m someone they’ll listen to.
“I don’t know,” she says finally, her voice soft but steady. Too steady.“Brigid hasn’t done anything wrong, Laria.”
I keep my expression neutral.“You’ve seen what she’s capable of. You’ve seen the power she’s wielding. Do you really think someone like that can be trusted? Or controlled?”
Eira doesn’t answer immediately. Her gaze drops to the floor. She’s torn—between loyalty to her family, to the Council, and whatever guilt she’s carrying from being here as we discuss her friend. But I don’t care about her guilt. I care about her influence.
“Your family’s on the Council,” I press, my tone still light, almost conversational.“You know better than anyone what’s at stake here. If Brigid’s allowed to keep this power, if she’s allowed to grow stronger, what happens to the balance? To the Council? To us? What’s next, we let everyone with shadow magic in? They’ll take over. It will be the end of us.”
She looks up at me, her eyes wide, almost pleading. Like she wants me to stop. But I won’t. I can’t. This is too important.
“We need to be prepared. We need to make sure the Council knows they have our support. And you’re the only one who can make that happen, Eira. They’ll let you in.”
She doesn’t respond, just stares at me, her face pale. Good. She understands what’s at stake here. And if she’s smart, she’ll know what will happen to her if she goes against me. Even her little shadow bitch friend won’t be able to protect her if I decide to go hunting for owls.
The room is silent, and I glance around, meeting the eyes of the others. I can see the doubt creeping in. They’re scared. Scared of Brigid, scared of what’s coming, scared of me. That’s what I want. Fear is useful. Fear keeps people in line.
I turn back to Eira, my expression calm, patient.“Think about it,” I say, my voice gentle now, almost kind.“That’s all I’m asking.” I need to play this perfectly, so none of them get sympathetic towards Brigid and go running to any of her idiot bodyguards to rat me out.“But be careful. I swing my glance over the room. Who knows what Brigid would do to any of us in this room if she found out about this meeting?” I keep my eyes wide, innocent.“For your own safety, do not breathe a word of this to anyone, especially the prince and his friends.”
I lean back in my chair, allowing the silence to linger again. I can feel the others watching me, waiting for my next move. But I’m done talking. For now. I’ve said what I needed to say. The rest is up to them.
The room empties quickly after that, slipping out in twos and threes, their whispers trailing behind them. Let them spread the fear. Fear is a seed, and I’ve planted it deep.
When the last of them is gone, it’s just me and three others left. My loyalists. The ones who’ll do whatever I say without question. They’re watching me now, waiting for instructions, like dogs at their master’s feet. I don’t bother with reassurances or sweet words. They don’t need them. They’re already mine.
“Leave,” I say, my voice sharp, dismissive. They don’t argue. They never do.
Alone, I walk to the window, the cold glass pressing against my fingertips as I stare out into the night. Brigid thinks she’s a threat? She’s nothing. And I’m going to prove it.
Eira thinks she’s strong, but I know better. She’s a coward at heart. She’ll do what I tell her to do.
I step back from the window, the faint outline of a plan taking shape in my mind. It’s not enough to destroy her. I need to humiliate her, strip her of everything she holds dear. Let her feel her own failure before I crush her completely. Soon, this will all be over.
And when it is, I’ll be the one standing at the top.
Chapter Seventeen
Lochan
I knock on the door, my knuckles rapping twice against the wood. Her voice is quiet when she answers.
“Come in.”
I push the door open, stepping inside and closing it softly behind me. The room smells like her, warm and floral. She’s sitting by the window, her back to me, her silhouette sharp against the fading light outside. Her hair spills over her shoulders, dark and heavy, catching the last of the sun. She doesn’t turn around.
“Have you been in here all day again?” I ask, my voice low. It’s not an accusation, but it’s not gentle either. I don’t know how to make it gentle.
She nods, still not looking at me. Her shoulders are tense, like she’s bracing for something. I hate that she does that, like I’m someone she needs to brace for. My fault. I take a step closer, then another, moving slow. I don’t want to spook her.
“Brigid,” I say, stopping a few feet away. My hands hang at my sides, useless. I don’t know what to do with them.“I know I said sorry. I know you accepted it. But it’s not enough.”
She doesn’t answer. She just sits there, her fingers twisting in her lap. I can see the way her nails dig into her palms, leaving little marks. I want to reach out, to pull her hands apart, to make her stop hurting herself. But I don’t. I stay where I am.
“You have my heart,” I say, the words rough in my throat.“If you still want it.”
