Page 33 of House of Lilith

I frown. But why choosethis? It seems so random and not all that significant, messing with the outcome of the Games. Besides, even if heisup to something and even if it works, it’s not like he’d be going around boasting about it.

Maybe it’s the old grudge after all?

I let out a frustrated sigh and keep reading about what happened during the Umbrage, focused on spotting anything to do with the Schwarzes.

But the book, like every single one I’ve ever read on the topic, practically only mentions the two Kings at the time — our Peter the Great and their Cathal O’Connor — going into tiresome detail on how they led their armies against each other after the clash at the Games.

And it was a brutal war that impacted most royal families of the time, but still, not a single mention of the Schwarzes.

Desperate, I even go online to get more information on the sources used in writing the book.

It’s then that I spot something unusual. But before I let myself get excited, I rush to check if my impression is correct.

It is.

There are tons of sources for all years leading up to the war and following it. Except for the years 1865 and 1866.

Odd, I think to myself. Very, very odd.

And I look up, frowning as I fix my eyes ahead, but it’s at that exact moment that the bell sounds from the hallway.

And just like that, there’s the usual chaos all around me, Uncle giving us our next week’s assignment while everyone rushes to get their bags ready so they can dart out as soon as they can.

I write the assignment down, I throw the book in my bag, sling it over my shoulder and start marching.

I only have half an hour before Max said he’d pick me up. And he’s a busy man so he’s generally at least an hour late, but once I’m dressed, that’ll give me some more time to do my research.

I rush out of the classroom, down to the Elevator and up to my room in Lilith Tower. I don’t waste any time choosing which of the twenty one fucking dresses I’ll be putting on today. I just pick one at random and squeeze myself into it as quickly as I can.

And there’s so many buttons, l end up cursing the damn thing out loud, but I do it.

And I rush down the stairs and into the Common Room, happy to see I’ll have at least fifteen minutes to do some more reading.

But as soon as my boots hit the Common Room floor, I spot my brother seemingly waiting for someone.

And as soon as he smells me and turns around to face me, I realize that that person is me.

He throws me a huge, plaintive smile as he rushes to meet me, just like he always does when he has a ‘little favor’ to ask.

“What is it?” I ask with a frown.

“Just a little favor I need you to do for me.”

“Spit it out.”

“Meet up with my new shifter buddy and show him around a little.”

For a second, I just look at him. Then I throw my hands up in the air and say, “Bloody hell, Nikolay. Why did you sign up for the damn thing if you don’t want to do it?”

“I do,” he insists. “It’s a real honor to be picked.”

I shake my head at him. “You can’t volunteer to do something and then pressure someone else into doing it for you.”

“I have a date, Nyx,” he keeps trying to win me over with a sad voice. “And she’s the most perfect girl you’ve ever seen.”

I let out a scoff. I know exactly how things go with his ‘most perfect girls.’

But it’s puppy eyes he’s fucking giving me. Puppy eyes.

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