CHAPTER TWO
1421 Words
Azure's Room
Azure stormed into her room and slammed the heavy mahogany door behind her with a loud bang that echoed through the corridor.
The anger burning inside her refused to settle.
A second later, the door creaked open again.
Raven walked in with her usual calm expression before shutting it quietly behind her.
"You really need to calm down," she said, leaning against the wall.
Azure scoffed as she yanked off her leather jacket and tossed it carelessly onto the sofa.
"Don't start."
"I'm serious."
Raven folded her arms.
"You know exactly how Nyra is."
"Oh, trust me, I know."
Azure's lips curled into a sarcastic smile.
"She walks around this place like she owns the Syndicate."
"And?"
"And one of these days..." Azure's icy blue eyes flashed dangerously. "...I'm going to wipe that smug smile off her face."
Raven sighed.
"You know she'll report everything to Lord Azrael."
Azure rolled her eyes dramatically.
"She always does."
"And you know what happens when someone gives Lord Azrael a reason to be angry."
For the first time...
Azure fell silent.
A strange tension settled in the room.
Even she couldn't joke about him.
Lord Azrael wasn't someone anyone wanted to provoke.
Not even the Commanders.
Seeing the change in her expression, Raven smiled faintly.
"I thought so."
Azure clicked her tongue.
"I still don't like her."
"I know."
"And I never will."
Raven pushed herself away from the wall.
"Anyway..."
"We've got a mission tonight."
Azure groaned.
"Please don't tell me..."
"Nyra's leading."
Azure threw her head back dramatically.
"You've got to be kidding me."
"I'm afraid not."
A slow mischievous grin spread across Azure's face.
"Then tonight is going to be interesting."
Raven immediately recognized that smile.
"Oh no..."
"Oh yes."
"Azure..."
"I'm just going to have a little fun."
"The last time you said that, half the training ground ended up frozen."
Azure shrugged innocently.
"They deserved it."
Raven laughed.
"You are impossible."
"So I've been told."
She turned toward the door.
"Get ready."
"We leave in an hour."
The door clicked shut behind her.
Silence returned.
Azure stood in the middle of her room before letting out a long breath.
"So much unnecessary drama..."
She disappeared into the bathroom.
Warm water cascaded from the marble shower above.
The instant it touched her skin, every muscle in her body relaxed.
A peaceful smile spread across her lips.
"Now this..."
"...is what I call therapy."
She stretched out her hand beneath the flowing water.
Tiny crystals of ice formed in her palm before melting into shimmering blue water.
"Hello, old friend."
The clear water surrounding her instantly transformed into a brilliant sapphire blue, glowing softly against the white marble walls.
Her silver-blonde hair slowly changed into the very same shade.
Azure admired the reflection staring back at her.
Evelyn's Room
The door creaked open.
A woman who looked to be in her late thirties stepped inside carrying a neatly folded bundle of clothes. The moment her eyes landed on the girl sitting silently on the cold floor, she stopped.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke.
"You must be the new arrival," the woman said at last, her voice calm but unreadable.
Selene slowly lifted her head.
Her once-beautiful dress was torn and stained with dust. Her hair was tangled, and dried tears marked her pale cheeks. She looked exhausted, as though the weight of the world had been placed on her shoulders overnight.
Before Selene could answer, another knock echoed through the room.
A guard entered and bowed respectfully.
"A message from Lord Azrael."
The woman accepted the folded note, dismissed the guard with a nod, and waited until the door closed before opening it.
She read it silently.
When she finished, she folded the paper and slipped it into her sleeve.
A faint smile crossed her lips, though it never reached her eyes.
"So..."
She looked at Selene once more.
"You're the girl everyone has been whispering about."
Selene's heartbeat quickened.
She didn't understand what was happening.
She didn't understand where she was.
And she certainly didn't understand why everyone seemed to know who she was.
The woman turned toward the door.
"My name is Evelyn."
"Come with me."
Selene hesitated before struggling to her feet. Her legs trembled from exhaustion, and she nearly lost her balance.
Evelyn noticed but said nothing.
She simply slowed her pace.
Together, they entered a spacious washroom where warm steam filled the air.
"This place is safe," Evelyn said quietly.
"You should clean yourself up."
Selene looked around the unfamiliar room with uncertainty.
Everything felt strange.
Everything reminded her that she was far from home.
Evelyn placed a fresh towel and a clean set of clothes on a nearby bench.
"When you're finished, put these on."
Selene stared at the neatly folded outfit.
"...Thank you."
The words were barely audible.
For the first time since arriving at the Syndicate, someone had spoken to her without shouting or threatening her.
As Evelyn turned to leave, she paused at the doorway.
"You've been through something terrible."
Her voice softened.
"But if you want to survive here..."
"...you'll have to find your strength."
The door closed gently behind her.
Left alone, Selene sank onto the edge of the bench.
She covered her face with both hands.
The tears she had been holding back finally escaped.
"I miss you, Grandma..."
Her broken whisper disappeared into the silent room.
Evelyn placed a neatly folded uniform on the bed before turning back to Selene.
"Here. Change into this once you've finished eating."
Selene barely heard her.
She sat on the edge of the bed, holding the warm bowl with both hands as she ate in hurried mouthfuls.
Every spoonful disappeared almost as quickly as the last.
She hadn't realized how desperately hungry she was.
Evelyn watched quietly before a faint smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
"Slow down, child," she said gently. "No one is going to take it away from you."
Selene nodded, though her hands continued to tremble as she ate.
Only when the bowl was empty did she stop.
She glanced at it longingly.
Her stomach still wasn't full.
But she couldn't bring herself to ask for more.
Evelyn seemed to understand.
Without a word, she poured her another cup of water.
Selene accepted it with both hands.
"Thank you..."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Evelyn gestured toward the folded clothes.
"Put those on."
Selene picked up the uniform and examined it carefully.
"What... is this?"
"It is the uniform worn by everyone who serves within the Syndicate."
Selene looked up.
"...Serves?"
Evelyn sighed.
"I'm not going to lie to you."
"Your old life is gone."
The words struck harder than any blow.
Selene lowered her eyes.
She had hoped...
Even if it was foolish...
That someone would tell her everything had been a terrible mistake.
Instead...
Reality stood before her.
"You'll work here," Evelyn continued quietly. "Follow the rules, do as you're told, and keep your head down."
Selene clutched the uniform tightly.
"...Will I ever go home?"
Evelyn didn't answer.
Sometimes silence was kinder than false hope.
After changing into the uniform, Selene stood awkwardly beside the bed.
It fit well enough, but it didn't feel like her.
She no longer looked like the cheerful girl who sold handmade bracelets in her little village.
She looked like someone who belonged to a place she had never chosen.
A sharp knock echoed through the room.
Before Evelyn could respond, the door swung open.
Nyra entered.
Her sharp gaze landed on Selene immediately.
"So..."
"This is the new girl."
Selene instinctively lowered her head.
She remembered those cold eyes.
The same eyes that had watched her arrive without a trace of sympathy.
Nyra walked around her slowly, studying her in silence.
Then she looked at Evelyn.
"Why are you wasting so much time with her?"
"She's frightened," Evelyn replied calmly.
"She's also under Lord Azrael's orders."
At the mention of his name, Nyra's expression changed almost imperceptibly.
"I see."
Her eyes returned to Selene.
"Then listen carefully."
"This place doesn't reward kindness."
"It rewards obedience."
"If you value your life..."
"Don't wander these halls."
"And never stand in Lord Azrael's way."
Without waiting for a reply, Nyra turned and walked out.
The room fell silent once again.
Selene released the breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
Evelyn looked toward the closed door before turning back to the frightened girl.
"You should get some rest."
"Tomorrow..."
"Your new life begins."
- Writer
