Silent love

Chapter 24

On the previous chapter...

Normally in these kind of meetings, we would've had Seraphina with us. It had always been the three of us. But she told me she was busy planning something else.

For now, things were stable. But I knew stability in this world never lasted long. Someone would always make a move, an enemy waiting in the shadows, a shipment that could go wrong, a betrayal hiding in plain sight.

It was inevitable.

My mind flicked to Persefoni, his return. Silent, hidden for now, but always watching. I could still remember the way he moved, the way his presence filled a room without a word. There was something unsettling about him, something colder, sharper. A killer, pure and simple. And yet, there was a strange familiarity between us, as though we shared the same edge, the same understanding of this life we lived.

I leaned back slightly, exhaling quietly. The balance had shifted, just like it always did. And now, we were ready to move.

                     ʚ YAQUELINE'S POV ɞ

The training hall was already buzzing when I walked in, the air charged with energy and the faint scent of sweat lingering from earlier sessions.

Divine was sprawled on the floor, stretching lazily, while Chrysanthe and Cecilia stood near the mirrors, laughing over something on Cecilia's phone. Seraphina is standing in her corner as usual, methodically wrapping her hands.

"Finally!" Divine called out when she noticed me. "Thought you were going to ditch us".

"She was probably busy fixing her hair". Cecilia winks at me. "It always looks flawless".

"Please". I said, tossing my bag onto the bench. "I'd never leave you all unsupervised. Who knows what chaos you'd get into. Besides I was having breakfast with my brother".

Chrysanthe rolled her eyes. "We'd manage just fine".

"Uh-huh". I smirk. "Remind me again who nearly sprained their wrist last week because they were trying to spar in platform sneakers?"

"I was just walking in my Louboutins!" Chrysanthe said, her face flushing slightly.

"Sure it was".

Cecilia chuckled, nudging Chrysanthe. "She is not wrong, though. Stick to regular shoes, babe".

"Speaking of shoes". Divine chimed in, rolling onto her back and propping herself up on her elbows. "Did you see the ones I sent you yesterday? The Dolce & Gabbana heels with lace?"

"Oh, those were stunning". Chrysanthe replied. "Yaqueline, you should get them for the ball. They'd go perfectly with that black dress you showed me".

I sighed, dropping onto the mat to start my stretches. "Why is everyone suddenly so invested in what I wear to the ball?"

"Because". Cecilia said dramatically. "You are representing all of us, and you have to look amazing. It's, like, a rule".

"She's right". Chrysanthe said with a grin. "You're setting the standard, so no pressure or anything".

Seraphina finally spoke, her tone dry but amused. "Ignore them. You'll look fine in whatever you choose. Besides, it's not about the dress; it's about the attitude".

"Thank you". I said, shooting her a grateful look.

"But". She added, her lips quirking up in a small smirk. "The dress wouldn't hurt".

As we moved into our warm-ups, the conversation shifted, the teasing fading into more practical matters.

Just as I began wrapping my hands, the door opened, and Fiorenzo walked in. His expression was as calm as always but observant. A small smile is tugged at the corners of his mouth.