Noir
Chapter 29

As I scanned the room, my eyes drifted and settled on Noir. Beside him stood a woman, I didn't recall being introduced to.

Gran, noticing my gaze, murmured, "That's your cousin, Elena."

I nodded, sensing the weight of her piercing stare on me. Her beauty was captivating, her lustrous ebony locks cascading down her back and her eyes, even from afar, revealed a deep disdain towards me.

I pondered what could have caused her animosity, while the distant hum of chatter filled the air and the faint scent of lavender lingered around us.

A sudden intense fatigue claimed me, and giving my excuses to Gran that I needed a little time alone to absorb all I had learned, I found myself drawn outside, away from the crowd. I didn't feel like I belonged in the center of attention. It was as if I was an intruder, someone who didn't truly belong, but that everyone was pretending for Gran's sake, that I did.

I found a quiet spot in the garden, and sat on a stone bench beneath the moonlight. The scent of roses filled the air, and the sound of a nearby fountain created a soothing background hum. I closed my eyes, trying to make sense of everything that had happened.

Part of me still couldn't believe that my entire life had been a lie. But another part of me knew that there was something more to it all. Something that Gran and the others weren't telling me, and I couldn't help but wonder if it had something to do with why Mckayla had hidden me away.

I let out a sigh and leaned back on the bench, staring up at the stars. They twinkled brightly in the night sky, seemingly unconcerned with the turmoil within my heart. I closed my eyes, trying to quiet my thoughts, and focused on the sensation of the slight breeze brushing against my skin. It was then that I felt it; a faint tingling sensation at the nape of my neck.

Opening my eyes, I peered up at Elena where she stood before me, her silhouette outlined against the glow of the moon. The air felt tense, heavy with anticipation.

Without any pretense or form of hesitation or uncertainty, Elena spat her words out, her voice dripping with disdain. "So what was the invocation?" Her words hung in the air, filled with accusation and curiosity.

I blinked, taken aback by her sudden outburst. Then, my confusion morphed into disbelief. "Excuse me?" I stammered, wondering if I had missed something, if my mind had momentarily slipped away. Had I slipped a gear at some point and missed part of the conversation?

Elena laughed sarcastically, her laughter piercing the silence like shards of broken glass. "Oh come on, don't act as if you don't know what I'm talking about!" Her voice dripped with sarcasm, a bitter melody that filled the night air.

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"I'm not acting," I spat, my tone as hard as my expression, my words punctuated by a sharp hiss. "I'm sorry if you believe I know what you're referring to, but I can assure you I have no idea." My words came out in a rush, fueled by frustration and confusion.

Standing, I made to go around her, my movements quick and purposeful. However, before I could escape her grasp, she grabbed my upper arms with a force that sent a jolt of pain through my body. The sensation of her grip on my flesh was like a vice.

Her grip tightened, her nails digging deeper into my flesh. The pain was searing, throbbing through my veins like a fierce wildfire.

"You're lying!" she snarled, her voice filled with venom.

I winced at the pain and the sting of her nails. But I refused to show her weakness, refused to let her see that she had gotten to me. I gritted my teeth, my anger boiling within me, fueling my determination. "Then believe what you want," I hissed, my words laced with defiance. The tension was palpable, suffocating, as our gazes locked in a battle of wills.

Elena's expression twisted into an ugly sneer, her face contorting with pure hatred. It was a visceral sight, her features distorted by her intense loathing, her eyes burning with a fire that could melt steel. She finally released her grip on my arms, and shoved me hard, sending me stumbling back a step.

As I regained my balance, I watched her storm off, her footsteps thudding against the grounds of the garden.

Anger and confusion churned in my stomach, a whirlwind of emotions that left me feeling unsteady. *What had I gotten myself into? And why had she been so adamant I had done something to Noir*? There had to be something more at play here, something deeper than simple dislike. The way she had grabbed me, the way she had spat her words at me...it was as if she had some personal vendetta against me.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves, and looked around the garden. The fountain continued to burble softly in the center, the stars twinkling above like diamonds on a velvet cloth. But the peaceful atmosphere was tarnished, marred by the events that had just transpired. I knew I couldn't just stand there, lost in thought, so I began to wander aimlessly, trying to make sense of everything.

Elena didn't even know me. At first, I thought it was just me being paranoid when I had seen the dislike in her eyes, but now I didn't know what to think. Something was definitely going on, and it went beyond dislike at first sight. There was something more personal, something deeper, and I couldn't help but feel like I was at the center of it all.

I wandered aimlessly through the garden, the flowers and trees blurring together in a kaleidoscope of silver and shapes. The air was heavy with the scent of roses and the sound of insects buzzing around. But my mind was elsewhere, trying to make sense of this entire situation. I felt like I was a pawn in a game that I had no idea what the rules were.