Chapter 24 Chapter 24 ATASHA'S POV : : 80 55 vouchers " Quickly ," a low voice urged . " Tend the fire and go . I still have the east corridor to sweep . " My body froze beneath the desk , every muscle stiff and trembling as I pressed my back tighter against the wood . From the narrow gap between the base and the floor , I could see the hem of dark boots crossing the threshold , followed by another . " Shouldn't take long ," the second man muttered . " Place feels colder than usual ." Metal clinked as tools were set down . I heard the soft sound of logs being moved , the fire stirred back to life with practiced hands . Orange flickers began to dance higher on the walls . I forced myself not to move . Not to breathe . " Did you hear that ? " My heart slammed against my ribs . I instinctively gripped the paperweight tighter , holding it against my chest like it could somehow shield me . " You're hearing things , " the other replied . " There's no one here . No scent either . Maybe it's the wind outside ." The first one didn't sound convinced . His boots scraped against the wooden floor as he shifted his stance . " Still ... " The second sighed . " If you want to stay and talk to ghosts , be my guest . We're already behind schedule . The attack tonight seemed different . We need to hurry before the wounded start pouring in ." After a few tense seconds , the footsteps retreated . The door clicked shut . Only then did I exhale slowly , carefully , as if my breath might still give me away . My palms were damp . My knees ached from crouching , but I didn't dare move yet . I waited another full minute in the silence , listening , until I was sure I was alone , Then , still crouched beneath the desk , I looked down at the object I was holding . It wasn't just a paperweight . It was a puzzle . My fingers ran across the edges again , tracing the seam . I remembered now , Celeste once had this exact paperweight in her hands . We were young , and she had been turning it around curiously in the drawing room . She had laughed , saying it looked like it could unfold . But no matter how she twisted it , it never opened . 11:07 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 24 80 55 vouchers Our father had stormed in before she could figure it out . He had snatched it from her and scolded her so harshly she'd cried . At the time , I thought it was just another outburst . Now I knew better . I rotated the base gently , pressing one side inward . Something shifted . A faint click echoed against the inside of the desk . The triangular weight unlocked , unfolding like a hinge , revealing a flat , silvery plate , thin , smooth , and cool to the touch . I could barely see anything on it in the dim light , but when I ran my fingers across the surface , I felt it . Grooves and tiny ridges . Patterns carved so finely they were invisible without contrast . This was it . This was the map . I reached toward the corner of the desk where the inkpot sat , right beside a cluster of quills and broken wax seals . I dipped my finger into the ink and gently smeared it across the metal plate . But before I could finish- The door creaked open again . No. I barely had time to tuck the plate into the folds of my suit before pressing myself flat against the underside of the desk again , heart leaping into my throat . The footsteps this time were slower . Heavier . These were not the same men . Then a voice spoke . " Why did you ask to see me here of all places ? We're in the middle of a war . " My eyes widened . William . Father's Beta . Why was he here ? Then a softer voice answered . " He won't come here tonight . Not with the attack happening and ... they just tended the fire . No one would be here for a few minutes , and I turned off all 11:07 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 24 : the mechanisms . Besides ... I'm worried about you ." 80 55 vouchers My breath hitched . Genevieve . Why was Luna here ? Is she the reason why I didn't trigger any mechanism at all ? I clamped a hand over my mouth . What the hell ? " I saw your state last night ," she continued , voice dripping with concern . " You're wounded . " " I'm fine , " William said flatly . " It's a scratch . We have bigger problems . Tonight's attack , this wasn't in the plan . They were supposed to hit once as a distraction . Now they're back again . Why ? " My heart pounded so violently I feared it would echo through the floor . What the hell was he talking about ? Genevieve spoke again , this time slower , and gentler . " I don't know , but both of us know that those monsters cannot be trusted . This isn't surprising at all ." William growled . " I know , but that was only for distraction ... Tsk ... you - you shouldn't be here . If anyone sees us- " " No one will ," Genevieve cut in . " The staff is busy . He's with the council . We have a few more minutes . " " Gene ... what are you doing ? " he hissed . " I missed you , " Genevieve said in a sickly sweet voice that made me want to vomit . Genevieve ... my mother . William ... my father's most trusted man . Were they involved all along ? It seems that I just discovered another secret . I stayed frozen , unable to think , unable to move , clinging to the cold metal plate against my chest . If Alpha Collins ever found out about this , he wouldn't just punish Genevieve . He'd go after William too , and it wouldn't be quick . He'd tear him apart , piece by piece . And then William said something that made the blood drain from my face . " Stop ... Stop it ! We cannot do this now . We have to be careful . The girl's still alive . If she finds out anything- " " I already gave her the poison that you gave me , " Genevieve said . Her voice was so calm and cold it made me shiver . I have never heard her use this voice in the past . " I have seen her drink it . All of it . She won't die here , but ... I can assure you she will never reach the north . " William's voice dropped . " I have to go . We can't be seen here together . And you ... " He paused . " You need to be more careful . Especially around that Cassian . " 11:07 Wed , Sep 10 Chapter 24 : There was a shift in Genevieve's tone . Cassian ? " 80 55 vouchers " He knows something's off , " William muttered . " He was asking questions about the poison . I don't want you getting dragged into anything if he starts digging ." Genevieve let out a soft , scoffing laugh . " No one will suspect me . Everyone already thinks it's Collin . He's made so many enemies that if something happens , no one would bat an eye . You don't have to worry about me . You should worry about yourself . Stop getting yourself wounded and making me anxious . " A beat passed before William let out a low sighed . " You know the deal . " " I do , " Genevieve replied , her voice turning soft and drawn out . " Go on then . Hurry back to the chaos . " " I'm leaving first , " William said , and I heard the low creak of boots stepping away . " Stay hidden until you're sure it's clear . " " I know what I'm doing ," Genevieve said with a sigh . The door creaked again , then clicked shut . I stayed frozen , heartbeat thudding in my ears . The air in the room had turned still , but not calm . It was heavy , tense , like the space itself was holding its breath . Then , Genevieve started humming . It was soft and familiar . A lullaby from my childhood . But hearing it now , sung in that same sickly sweet voice that had just calmly spoken about murder , sent a chill racing down my spine . Every hair on the back of my neck stood up . What's going on ? Did she sense my presence ? AD Comment Send gift Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!