Nystrix sat on the edge of her bed, the phone still warm in her hand, Luthien's chuckle echoing in her ears. She rolled her eyes, but the way her heart skipped betrayed her.
"Hmph, you're so full of yourself," she muttered, though she didn't cut the call.
"Oh?" Luthien's smooth voice came again, low and teasing, like he had all the time in the world. "Would you prefer me to be humble, little witch?"
"Don't call me that," she said quickly, standing and reaching for the robe thrown lazily over the chair.
"Why not? That's what you are."
"Not yours to call," she shot back, tightening the belt.
Silence hummed between them for a second, then Luthien's voice dropped lower, softer, almost thoughtful. "One day, Nystrix, you'll stop drawing lines between us. One day."
Her throat tightened, but before she could reply, the line went dead. She stared at the black screen, scoffing under her breath. "Handsome devil, my foot." Yet she couldn't stop the ghost of a smile tugging her lips.
~~~~~~~~~~
By the time she stepped into the courtyard, the air was buzzing with heat and energy. Training grounds always carried the smell of herbs and iron mixed together, sharp enough to sting the nose. Gadmyne was waiting, arms folded, her hair tied back in a neat braid. Her golden eyes locked on her instantly.
"You're late," she said, her curious eyes staring at her with a hint of sterness and probe.
"I had a… distraction," Nystrix muttered.
"Excuses," Gadmyne replied, tossing her a staff. The polished wood hummed faintly in her hands. "Today, you learn focus. Your power is overflowing—you'll destroy yourself before Jamyd ever gets the chance if you can't control it."
She grimaced. "Always so dramatic."
She raised a brow, not rising to her bait. "Begin."
The training was harsher than yesterday. Gadmyne pushed her until her hands trembled and her breath came sharp and ragged. Spells flared and fizzled in her palms, sometimes too strong, other times breaking apart before they even left her fingers. She tried to weave a fire rune, but it burst prematurely, singeing the ground.
"Again," Gadmyne said.
"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" she snapped, sweat running down her temples.
"Enjoying? No. Preparing you? Yes. You don't want pity from me, Nystrix. You want survival." Her words cut deep, leaving her both furious and… motivated.
By midday, when the sun tilted high, she finally waved her off. "Eat. You'll need strength for the second half."
Nystrix trudged toward the lunch hall, her whole body buzzing from power exhaustion. Koisar was already there, lounging with a cup in hand, his wolfish grin spreading wide as she sat heavily across from him.
"Still alive, little spark," he teased, sliding a plate toward her. "I thought Gadmyne would've burned you to ashes by now."
She shot him a glare but dug into the food anyway. "She's trying."
Nystrix and Koisar had become quite close, in a way that he could tease her.
Koisar chuckled. "Good. If you can survive her training, you can survive anyone."
It was then the room cooled. A shadow loomed by the entrance. Knox.
He strolled in casually, but the way his gaze pinned her felt sharp, dangerous. Nystrix stiffened. Gadmyne wasn't here. Only Koisar, who leaned back in his chair, jaw tight but silent.
"Well, well," Knox drawled, stopping beside her table. "The Archwitch's precious guest. I've heard you're getting stronger. A shame strength doesn't save everyone."
Nystrix narrowed her eyes. "What do you want?"
His smile didn't reach his eyes. "Nothing. Just… wondering how long you'll last when the real storm comes."
"Storm?"
Knox leaned closer, voice dropping. "The king's wife and children are returning soon. When they do, you'll see what true chaos looks like." His words were venom, dripping with quiet threat.
Nystrix clenched her fists, refusing to flinch. "I don't care about his family."
"You should," Knox murmured. "Because they'll care about you."
Koisar growled low in his throat, his vampire aura which seemed quite overwhelming for a General bristling, but Knox only straightened with a smug grin. "Enjoy your meal, runt." He left, his boots echoing against the stone floor. But he didn't get far.
A rough hand grabbed him by the collar and threw him to the floor.
Knox was quite suprised. Thinking he had the upper hand as they wouldn't dare lay a hand on him but he was damn wrong.
He quickly brought himself to his feet but was sent back down by Koisar who punched him hard on the mouth.
"That's to clean that mouth of yours." He said, his voice cold and worthy of making a low rank from any realm tremble but Knox was not grand advisor for only providing advice, he was strong, at least enough for his rank.
He muttered a spell very quickly, he seemed he was rapping. A green light quickly sped to his palm and he aimed it at Koisar who seemed not to mind but the light missed and went another way, Koisar suprised and Knox a little irritated, turned around and saw Nystrix fore and middle finger pointing at them, a calm look on her face and when her eyes jammed Knox's, they had a trace of derision and Knox suddenly felt stupid.
"Koisar, no need to make yourself stupid." She said slowly and all the superior air that Knox had displayed vanished.
Koisar looked at Knox and nodded but said, "The King said I should protect you, till death and get even for every grievance you face, and I will."
She nodded, but inside, her chest was tight. Jamyd's wife and children? What kind of new mess was waiting to swallow her?
The afternoon training was worse. Gadmyne made her duel illusions of herself, each one faster and stronger than before. She fell, rose, bled, healed, and kept going. By the time the sun dipped lower, her body screamed for rest.
When Gadmyne finally dismissed her, she dragged herself back to her quarters. The moment she stepped inside, the phone on her desk buzzed. Her heart skipped before she even saw the name.
Handsome devil.
She picked it up, trying to sound annoyed though her voice was tired. "What now?"
"I felt your energy spike earlier," Luthien said calmly, like he had been watching from afar. "You almost lost control."
"I didn't," she argued. "I handled it."
"Barely," he replied, amusement hidden under his tone. "But… you're improving."
"Was that a compliment?" she asked, smirking despite herself.
"Don't get used to it," he said smoothly.
Nystrix flopped on her bed, staring at the ceiling. "Why do you keep checking on me?"
There was silence for a beat, then his voice, low and unreadable: "Because if you fall, I fall too."
Her breath caught. She turned her face to the side, clutching the phone tighter. "You're so cryptic, Luthien."
"And you're so stubborn," he replied softly.
The line clicked, leaving her alone in the quiet. Nystrix let out a long breath, pressing the phone to her chest. Training, Knox's threat, Jamyd's family returning—it all swirled inside her.
Tomorrow would be harder. She could feel it.
But tonight… she allowed herself one small, reckless thought.
Maybe she wasn't as alone as she thought.