Nikolai had always been captivated by birds. Their elegant wings, the way they soared effortlessly through the sky-it was a kind of beauty that never ceased to amaze him.
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He often watched them from his window, imagining what i...
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TWENTY FIVE
It was the next morning, and you moved through your routine mechanically, slipping on your boots and draping your coat over your shoulders. Your feathers swayed slightly as you moved, one of them gently gliding through the air to hand you a mug of steaming coffee. You took a sip, savoring the warmth before setting it aside.
Nikolai had already been up and bustling with his usual energy, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Ready to meet her, dove?" he teased as he twirled his cane. "You remember the girl I manipulated last night? Claire. She's... well, let's just say, she's going to be quite the asset for us."
You didn't bat an eye at his mention of manipulation. After all, you had done the same thing countless times, especially to men since you'd joined the Decay of Angels. It was part of the game, a survival tactic that you had grown skilled at. There was no guilt in it, only the satisfaction of knowing you could bend people to your will when necessary.
Nikolai, with his usual flair, reached for your wrist, pulling you close to him. His coat wrapped around you both as he spun his cane in the air. In a blink, the familiar sensation of his teleportation enveloped you, whisking you away from the apartment and into the hidden headquarters of the Decay of Angels.
The hideout was dimly lit as usual, but you could already sense that something was different. Nikolai's steps were light as he led you further into the room, his voice a hum of excitement. "Now, don't be too hard on her, dove. She's still... adjusting."
As you entered the main area, you spotted her—Claire. She was sitting on the edge of a chair, her arms crossed tightly against her chest. Her expression was cold, her eyes narrowing slightly when she caught sight of you and Nikolai. The tension was instant.
"Ah, Claire!" Nikolai exclaimed, throwing his arms out in his usual dramatic fashion. "This is Y/N, one of my dearest companions."
You caught the way her eyes flickered with something—resentment, perhaps?—as she glanced between you and Nikolai. It wasn't surprising. From what Nikolai had mentioned, Claire had been easily charmed by him, and now here she was, realizing she wasn't the only one in his circle.
"Nice to meet you," you said, your voice neutral but firm. You weren't about to play nice just because she felt slighted. If anything, her hostility barely registered with you.
Claire, however, wasn't as subtle. She stood up, smoothing out her dress as she gave you a once-over. "I wasn't aware there were other girls involved in this." Her tone was sharp, the hostility practically dripping from her words.
You raised an eyebrow, catching the edge in her voice. A smirk tugged at your lips as you crossed your arms. "Other girls?" you repeated, amusement lacing your voice. "You thought you were the only one?"
Nikolai chuckled from behind you, clearly enjoying the tension. He leaned on his cane, watching the interaction unfold like it was some grand performance. "Oh, Claire, my dear. I did mention we're a group, didn't I? Y/N here is very much a part of that."
