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 SEVEN
You watched Fyodor with keen interest as he leaned back in his chair, his eyes flickering to Sigma before returning to you. The atmosphere felt charged, the air thick with unsaid words and unplayed games. You perched yourself on Sigma's desk, crossing your legs casually, your attention fully on Fyodor.
"So, what exactly is the plan with Claire?" you asked, tilting your head slightly, your tone teasing. "We're not actually gonna let her in the organization, right?" You made a point to emphasize the word actually, letting your curiosity blend with a playful skepticism.
Fyodor shrugged nonchalantly, his lips curving into a slight smirk. "Just something to keep Nikolai busy. He's been getting on my nerves lately." He chuckled softly, the sound smooth and almost melodic, which made your heart flutter despite the serious nature of the conversation.
You couldn't help but giggle at his candidness. "Brutal. But honestly, can you blame him? He thrives on chaos." You leaned forward, resting your chin in your hand. "What's life without a little entertainment, right?"
"Indeed," Fyodor replied, a glimmer of mischief dancing in his eyes. "But the kind of entertainment that doesn't endanger our operations is preferable."
You glanced over at Sigma, who was observing the two of you with an amused expression. "What do you think, Sigma? Are we really just using Claire to keep Nikolai's attention?"
Sigma chuckled, shaking his head. "Nikolai is like a child with a new toy. He needs something to play with, something to distract him. Claire fits that role for now, but she won't last long. Her ignorance is amusing, but it could become problematic if she starts to believe she's important."
"Exactly," Fyodor added, tapping his fingers against the table thoughtfully. "She sees Nikolai's charm and thinks she's in control, but she's merely a pawn in our game."
You leaned back, crossing your arms and considering his words. "A pawn who thinks she's a queen," you mused. "Sounds familiar."
"Is that a reference to yourself?" Sigma teased, raising an eyebrow.
You rolled your eyes playfully, smirking. "Please, I know my worth. Unlike Claire, I'm not easily deceived."
Fyodor's expression softened slightly, as if he appreciated your confidence. "You've been through your fair share of games, Y/N. I doubt anyone could truly deceive you at this point."
His words struck a chord within you. It was true; you had learned to navigate the treacherous waters of manipulation and deceit. Joining the Decay of Angels had changed you in many ways, but it had also honed your instincts. You had become adept at reading people, at understanding their motives and desires.
But Claire was different. Her naivety was almost charming, yet it also made her dangerous. If she caught wind of the true nature of the Decay of Angels, she could cause chaos—not just for Nikolai but for all of you.
