As Thadeus and I burst out of the meeting room, he grasped my shoulders, his fingers digging gently into my skin. His eyes sparkled with excitement, and he gave me a gentle shake, as if trying to rouse me from a dream. "The most powerful ruler in Numariya wants to oversee your studies! Do you realize how big this is?"

I felt a shiver run down my spine as I processed his words. Cade, the ruler of Viya, wanted to oversee my studies? It was a prospect both thrilling and terrifying. I swallowed hard, trying to find my voice. "No pressure, right?" I managed to stammer, trying to inject a bit of humor into the situation.

Thadeus chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I've never seen a human work so closely with Numariyan royalty!" he said, his voice full of awe. "You're making history, Ace."

I shook my head, feeling a bit dazed. "When were you planning on telling me the human emissary business?" I asked, trying to keep up with the whirlwind of information.

Thadeus's expression turned sheepish, and he released my shoulders. "That was my mother saving face," he admitted. "I'll probably get a lecture when the meeting is over. But it's a good idea, nonetheless. Having a human emissary living on this side of the bridge is indeed rare."

Just then, the door creaked open, and Veronika slipped out, her eyes fixed on me with a mischievous glint. "Impressive..." she drawled, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as I anticipated her next words. "For a human?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

Veronika's smile grew, and she laughed, the sound husky and seductive. "You said it, not me."

I rolled my eyes, my gaze narrowing oh her. "What are you doing here, Veronika?" My tone was neutral, but I couldn't help the hint of wariness that crept into my voice. Veronika was a force to be reckoned with, and I had only a mere taste of her capabilities with those truth farmers.

Veronika's smile was a slow, sultry curve of her lips. "I could say the same for you, Ace," she purred, her eyes glinting with amusement. "I'm just here to support my amazing sister," she added, her voice dripping with sarcasm. I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. Veronika's words were laced with venom, but there was something beneath the surface, something that hinted at a deeper complexity. "I know I've been a bitch to you, Ace," she continued, her voice taking on a slightly softer tone. "And I'm not necessarily sorry about it." I felt a flicker of surprise at her admission, but Veronika's next words took me aback. "But I have my reasons for wanting to leave The Dread as well. Anything I can do to help, I'm all yours."

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

I was taken aback by her offer, and my instincts told me to be wary. But a part of me was tempted to accept her help, to see if she was truly willing to put aside our differences for the sake of a common goal. But I pushed the thought aside, trying to sound confident. "Thanks, but I think I've got it."

Veronika's smile grew, and she let out a low, husky laugh. "You know where to find me if you change your mind," she whispered, her eyes glinting with amusement. As she spoke, she reached out and ran a finger down Thadeus' collar. “Have you been training, Thadeus?” His' eyes flashed with discomfort, and he shifted uncomfortably, but Veronika just winked at me and walked away, leaving us both staring after her.

Thadeus rolled his eyes, letting out a low groan. "Mother above, she's insufferable," he muttered, his voice full of exasperation.

I couldn't help but laugh, despite the tension that still lingered in the air. Veronika was a force to be reckoned with, and I had a feeling that our encounter was far from over.

As I watched Veronika disappear into the corridor, I turned to Thadeus, my curiosity getting the better of me. "Do you know why she's here?"

Thadeus' expression turned thoughtful, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered my question. "I don't know the details," he admitted, "but she seems to be her sister's eyes and ears."

I felt a spark of understanding ignite within me. "Her sister, Sully's fuse," I repeated, the pieces falling into place. "That was Lennon's Sully?"

Thadeus' eyes flicked to mine, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Yup, be glad you're a few centuries late for that shit show."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the hint of drama that lurked beneath Thadeus' words. But before I could press him for more information, he gestured down the hall, and we started walking back to our rooms. As we walked, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. I had a starting point, a thread to follow in the complex web of this world. And I was honored, truly honored, to be accepted by the Numariyans, to be given a chance to prove myself and help Lennon. The weight of it all settled upon me, and I felt a sense of determination rise up within me. I would do whatever it took to help Lennon, to uncover the secrets of The Dread and bring hope to the innocent people stuck there. I was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, to prove myself and earn my place in this strange and beautiful world.