Chapter 234 - 233: Unaware of what’s coming for her
Chapter 234 - 233: Unaware of what’s coming for her
What is this place?" she asked, her voice low as she kept looking around.
She was supposed to be scared at this place, but instead she found the place beautiful and somewhat relaxing. She didn’t know where these ridiculous thoughts were coming from but she doesn’t give a shit.
Pa watched her closely before answering.
"Home," he said.
Athena nodded and walked up to the wall, her fingers brushing against the cold marble. It was smooth.
"How much did you spend on this?" she asked, glancing back at the man.
Pa smiled faintly. "What if I say I didn’t spend a dime?"
Athena turned fully to him, brows lifting. "Don’t tell me this place isn’t real."
He laughed, soft and amused. "It is for us. Not just for humans."
"Us? Humans?" Athena scoffed lightly. "I’m a human."
Pa shook his head slowly, his gaze steady, almost pitying. "No, you’re not," he said. "Don’t deceive yourself."
The words settled heavily in the air, echoing louder than their footsteps ever had.
Athena’s smile faded as her hand dropped from the wall. "...What do you mean?" she asked, her voice quieter now, careful, like she was afraid of the answer.
Pa took a step closer. "You know what I’m talking about... you’ve felt it your whole life," he said calmly. "The way the world never fit you quite right. The way you survive things you were never meant to."
Her chest tightened. "That’s not being not human," she snapped. "That’s just pain."
Pa’s lips curved, slightly. "No," he said. "That’s inheritance."
The statues seemed to loom closer, the shadows stretching along the walls as Athena stared at him, her reflection warping in the polished black marble.
"...Then tell me," she said finally, her voice steady despite the storm rising inside her. "If I’m not human—what am I? Tell me I want to know. You said I’ll if I follow you right? I’m here now."
Pa chuckled under his breath, shaking his head slightly. "Patience, girl," he said, voice smooth and unhurried. "All answers come in time. And trust me—you’ll find out soon enough."
Athena’s jaw tightened. She hated that calm tone, hated how sure he sounded, like her life was already a story he’d finished reading. "I don’t like games," she said flatly. "Especially when I’m the one being played."
Pa turned and began to walk, his footsteps echoing through the vast hall. "This isn’t a game," he replied over his shoulder. "It’s an awakening. Games have winners and losers. This?" He glanced back at her, eyes glinting. "This has survivors."
Athena hesitated, then followed him anyway.
"Just so you know," she muttered, "if this turns out to be some sick trick."
Pa laughed softly. "You’ll do what?" he asked gently. "Run back to the life that’s already tearing you apart?"
Her silence answered him.
He slowed his pace, letting her walk beside him. "You came here because a part of you already knows," he continued. "That the pain you feel isn’t random. That loss keeps circling you for a reason."
Her fingers curled into fists. "And what reason is that?"
Pa stopped before a massive black door etched with deep crimson markings that pulsed faintly, almost like they were breathing. "Because," he said quietly, placing a hand on the door, "you were never meant to live an ordinary life."
The door began to open."Come with me," he said, and Athena followed him silently.
They stepped into a living room, and for the first time since she’d arrived, some light touched the space. Most of it was still shadowed in deep black. But the chandelier casted soft white patterns across the floor.
"Have your seat. Feel comfortable," he said, his tone casual, almost inviting.
"I’m not here to rest or feel comfortable," Athena snapped, her shoulders stiff.
He didn’t flinch. "But you’re already here," he said calmly. "Might as well sit, eat, and rest a little. Your situation... it’s not something to be rushed."
Athena hesitated, then let herself sit on the black couch."
He smiled faintly, a small curve of amusement tugging at his lips. "I’ll grab you a coffee."
"I prefer tea," Athena said immediately.
He raised an eyebrow, but nodded. "Okay. Tea it is."
The room was silent for a moment. Athena’s heart still thumped, her mind racing, but she found herself sinking slightly into her seat.
After a while, the man returned with two glasses in his hands and handed one to Athena before taking a seat opposite her.
Athena took a small sip, and froze. The tea was sweet. It tasted like honey, warm and rich, sliding down her throat so smoothly that before she realized it, she’d finished the entire cup.
The man chuckled softly. "You really seem to like tea. I can get you some more."
Athena shook her head. "No, I’m good."
"Okay."
Silence settled between them. Slowly, Athena adjusted herself properly on the couch. Her body felt heavier than before, her eyelids drooping despite her effort to stay alert. She blinked once. Twice. Then her eyes finally closed.
The man placed his untouched cup on the table and stood. He walked to her, slipped an arm beneath her knees and another behind her back, and lifted her easily.
He carried her into a room and laid her gently on the bed, careful. Sitting beside her, he smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.
"Finally," he murmured. "You’re here."
His smile deepened into something dark and possessive. "I’ll kill before I let anyone take my Belith away from me. This is where you’re meant to be. To rule beside me... and to make Pa stronger."
Athena slept on, unaware of what’s coming for her.
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At the cafeteria, Alaric, Armand, Levi, and Leo sat at a table, talking and eating.
"You’ve no idea, man," Levi said, eyes wide as he mimicked the moment. "The girl literally walked up to me and was like, ’I like you and I want you to be my boyfriend.’"
Everybody burst into laughter, the sound bouncing off the busy room.
Leo doubled over, slapping the table with his hand. "What? She just said that out of nowhere?"
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