Chapter 32: One dark figure

Rieka's heart was pounding inside her chest while her gaze darted in the dark. The disturbing feeling of unseen eyes watching her washed over her once more. She formed her hold on the dagger hidden within her gown, the hold shaky. "Show yourself," Rieka ordered, her voice steady despite the rising tension in her body. The shadows appeared to ripple in response, a low whisper, almost not audible, sounded down the corridor. "Rieka." Her breath hitched; the sound froze her in place. Unfamiliar, yet the way it coiled around her name sent prickles down her spine. "Who is this?" she exclaimed more sharply. No response came, only the echo of her voice fading into the quiet. --- Daisy appeared at the far end of the hall, carrying a lantern. She squinted at Rieka, her expression confused. "My lady? What are you doing out here?" Daisy asked, hurrying toward her. At the sight of the girl, Rieka relaxed a bit. She lowered the dagger, though her grip on it didn't loosen. "I heard something," she said, looking around. "Someone was here." Daisy looked around warily. "I don't see anyone. Maybe it was just the wind?" Rieka shook her head. "No. Someone whispered my name." Daisy's eyes went wide. "Should I fetch the guards? "No," Rieka said firmly. "If it's who I think it is, they won't show themselves to anyone else." Daisy hesitated then nodded. "Alright, but please be careful, my lady. You've had enough trouble tonight." Rieka offered a faint smile. "Thank you, Daisy. You should get some rest." Daisy tarried for a moment before backing out of the room reluctantly, leaving Rieka alone once more. Returning to her chambers, Rieka locked the door behind her and leaned against it, exhaling shakily. Her mind raced as she tried to piece together the strange occurrences of the night. Was it Araidne? She had been lurking in the hall earlier, clearly trying to provoke her. But the whisper didn't match Araidne's scornful tone. It was something else, something darker. She paced the room, her thoughts returning to the shadows outside her door. If someone or something was trying to intimidate her, they had chosen the wrong person. She would not let fear take hold. Rieka crossed to the window and looked out into the moonlit landscape. The palace grounds were still and quiet, a stark contrast to the unease swirling in her stomach. Her reflection stared back at her through the glass, determined but haunted. Suddenly, a knock came at the door. "Who is it?" Rieka called, warily. "It's me," a familiar voice replied. Recognizing the voice, she unlocked the door to find Kael standing there, his expression grim. His presence surprised her; he rarely sought her out directly. "Kael," she said, stepping aside to let him in. "What's wrong?" Kael closed the door behind him, his sharp features shadowed in the dim light. "I thought you should know. There's been an incident near the western border." Rieka stiffened. "An incident?" Our patrol was ambushed," he said in a low voice. "Five men dead, three missing. Whoever did this knew our routes. They anticipated our movements." Rieka's stomach roiled. "Do you think it's connected to Alpha Kieran?" Kael nodded grimly. "It's likely. We've already sent word to Alpha Lleus, but I wanted you to be aware. This could escalate quickly. Her mind was racing. Alpha Kieran's hostility toward Lleus was no secret, but to orchestrate such a precise attack was bold, even for him. "Do we know how he got our strategy?" Rieka asked. Kael hesitated, his gaze flickering to the floor. "Not yet. But there's a possibility someone on the inside is feeding him information." Rieka's blood ran cold. "A spy? "It's the only explanation," Kael said. "We're investigating, but it won't be easy to root them out." Rieka nodded, her resolve hardening. "Keep me informed of anything you find. And double the guards on the western border. We can't afford another ambush." Kael bowed slightly. "Of course." As he turned to leave, Rieka stopped him. "Kael." He paused, looking back at her. "Be careful," she said softly. A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Always." --- After Kael was gone, Rieka sat by the fire, her mind heavy from the weight of the events of the night: a spy among them, an ambush at the border, and that whisper in the shadows that would not leave her thoughts. She struggled to focus, to formulate some kind of plan, but her exhaustion was catching up with her. Slowly, she let herself sink into the chair as her eyes fluttered shut. --- A loud crash outside her window jolted her from sleep. She leaped to her feet, grasping her dagger and approaching cautiously. She peered out to see nothing but the swaying branches of the trees below. Her heart pounding, she stepped back, her senses high. The room was colder, as if the air itself was laced with something unnatural. A soft laugh echoed behind her, and she spun around, her dagger poised. No one was there. "Who's there?" she demanded, her voice shaking. The laugh came again, this time from the shadows near the far corner of the room. A figure began to emerge, cloaked in darkness, its face obscured. "So easy to run from your ghosts, huh, Rieka?" the figure spoke with a chilling tone of both mockery and malice. Rieka's hold on the dagger grew tight. "Who is you?" It did not say. It only took a step further forward as oppressive air filled the room. "It has been long enough for a new life to be in its place. But it would not last. The transgressions of the past return to claim their own." Rieka's jaw clenched, her fury rising. "You don't scare me. Whatever you are, whatever you want, you won't win." The figure laughed again, a cold, hollow sound. "We'll see about that." And just as suddenly as it appeared, it vanished, leaving only the chill in the air. Rieka stood there, her breathing heavy, her dagger still raised. She didn't lower it long after the room was silent once more. But one thing was clear, whatever this was, it wasn't over. And it wouldn't end without a fight.