Aria's Revenge

CHAPTER FIVE

Aria's POV

It could be said that every corner of the castle held things that were both exciting to learn, and in a way dangerous too. After my encounter with Thane the night before, I choose to stay, for now.

I wouldn't have to give up my life to find answers about Ryder’s cruelty. I would just learn the rules in this strange new world, train myself and prepare. I wouldn't remain a victim.

The days came and went having had Kael’s watchful eye next to me the entire time. He must have sensed my purpose, about being on a silent mission of my own.

He trained me, his rough hands showing me how to use my strength, how to use my speed. Ryder’s betrayal had carved some of the bitterness into my heart, but Kael’s presence was steady, grounding, and it helped ease some of it.

Some late evenings, we sparred in the courtyard and one evening Kael finally spoke to me of his past. His voice was tinted with a haunting sadness.

“I thought someone understanding would make me feel comforted when I needed her in the worst way but she just turned her back.”

I was surprised at his openness, and looked at him. His eyes were far away that they seemed to dwell on a painful memory. “What happened?” The warning I always gave myself not to get too close, but I found myself asking.

“Power replaced loyalty.” His hands clenched at his sides, his words were bitter. "No poison in this world scars better than betrayal."

I felt Kael wasn’t just a stoic, powerful Alpha for the first time. Perhaps he knew loss better than I did.

My thoughts drifted away to Ryder, to all the questions churning away at me, the secrets behind my back.

I went quietly to the castle library which was dimly lit and the room held a mix of old knowledge shelves with no end toward the ceiling.

It was a sanctuary, a sanctuary in which I could search to the hilt without interruption. I scanned the shelves, picking up scrolls and documents, hoping something might tell me why Ryder did what he did.

Hours went by, until I lost hope until I caught a certain scroll. It was tucked away behind a stack of books, but you could barely even see it, as if it had been put there on purpose.

I unrolled it and my fingers trembled. The words were in a language I could barely understand, but some of it was written in a way that I could not miss, names carved into the parchment with an almost violent intention. I saw the images of my mother and my father.

The fragments came together and a dark chill spread through me. I was confused as to why the images of my parents were here.

Have I, out of desperation for freedom, landed myself into even worse pain?

I was lost in my thoughts, and failed to hear the shift in the air until it was too late. I heard the soft creak of floorboards behind me, my fear shot through my veins. A chill presence hovered at my back and my breath hitched.

"Did you miss me, Aria?"

The same voice that had haunted my nightmares. My heart pounded so loudly I was sure he could hear it, and I stiffened. I could feel his breath, see his malicious smile without turning.

I slowly turned to face him, every nerve screaming at me to run, to scream, to do something other than stand there frozen. It was Ryder, his smirk as twisted as I remembered, his eyes gleaming with cruel satisfaction, but there he was.

I whispered, “How did you find me?”

A low menacing sound filled the quiet of the library as he laughed. “Oh, Aria, sweet, naive Aria. Did you think for a moment that there is a place you could run to in this world that I wouldn’t find you?”

Fear mixed with rage. “What?” I hissed. My palm immediately clenched to a fist. “You destroyed everything. You destroyed me.”

Dark satisfaction rested in his gaze, he leaned closer, his face inches from mine. “I’ll do it again if I have to. You’ve been so predictable, Aria. And always so quick to trust, to love… and look where it’s gotten you.”

His words felt like a splinter pricked my skin. I wanted to hit him, to make him feel every bit of pain he had caused me, but my body was frozen, frozen in his gaze as if it were a lamb in front of the s*******r.

Ryder’s smirk widened. “Don’t worry, Aria. When you least expect it, I’ll come for you again. And next time I’ll be less merciful.” he said, walking behind me and whispered.

“How dare you?” I turned as I raised my hands.

The sight of who was standing infront of me made me gasp

“Is this supposed to be a form of greeting?” Kael asked.

I immediately looked around to find no traces of Ryder. He had disappeared into the shadows.

“I thought…” I paused midway.

“What’s that you are holding?” Kael asked.

“It's nothing?” I quickly answered as I rolled back the scroll to return to where I picked it.

Kael’s hand caught up with mine which made me trip but he quickly caught a hold of me.

I looked up at him only to see a familiar mischievous smile and face “ I told you, you are too easy.”

I let myself loose immediately and darted for the door when a hand held me back.

“Let go of me, Ryder,” I screamed.

“Ryder?”

I looked up to see Kael. I turned around confused on what had happened, was it real? was it not? Even after everything Ryder still choose to hurt me regardless of where I ran to.

"Are you okay? Kael asked, seeing the stung of tears that clung to my eyes. I opened my mouth to speak but no words and I broke into tears.