Chapter 5 Game of shadows

Nyx stepped out of the cafeteria, her eyes scanning the crowd of students milling around, chatting in their usual cliques. The academy, as always, was a stage-one where she would soon take center stage. She'd played this game before. It was just a matter of biding her time until her moment arrived.

Her phone buzzed again, snapping her out of her thoughts. Another anonymous message: "Meet me at the usual spot. It's urgent."

Her lips quirked into a smile. Perfect timing. Secrets were the currency she dealt in, and this would be no different. The stakes were high, and so was the thrill of being the one who held the power.

She made her way down the corridor, her boots clicking against the marble floor, the sound echoing as she walked. With each step, the tension in her chest seemed to rise, but there was no fear. Only excitement. This game was hers to play, and she was ready to make her move.

The back courtyard of the school was secluded, an oasis of quiet in the middle of the storm of student life. The sun was dipping below the horizon, casting long shadows that stretched like fingers across the stone paths. Nyx found her place by the old bench, her posture relaxed, arms crossed, waiting for the person who would help her take the next step toward her goal.

A figure stepped from the shadows, but Nyx wasn't startled. She'd known he'd be there.

"You're late," she said with a casual glance, though the smile she wore told him it wasn't something to be taken too seriously.

Theo, his nervous energy practically radiating off him, gave an awkward chuckle. "Sorry, wasn't sure if you'd show up. You know how it is-people are starting to notice you."

Nyx's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Let them."

She could already feel the ripple of curiosity spreading through the academy. Everyone was watching her. Everyone was wondering what Nyx An's next move would be. But she was already two steps ahead.

Theo reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out an envelope with the An family crest stamped in gold. Nyx accepted it without hesitation, her fingers brushing against his as she did.

"Thank you," she said, her voice smooth and controlled. She broke the seal with deliberate care, unfolding the letter inside and scanning its contents. Her eyes narrowed as she read, the weight of the message settling in.

An invitation.

A gathering.

A chance to meet the real players behind the scenes-those who controlled the power, the information, the very pulse of the academy. Nyx's heart picked up pace, not from excitement but from the cold, calculating knowledge that she was about to step into the lion's den.

Theo's voice broke through her thoughts. "I didn't think you'd actually go. You're not just going to walk in there and take control, are you?"

Nyx's lips twisted into a wicked smile. "Watch me."

Theo's breath caught in his throat. "You mean...?"

Nyx stepped back, her hand brushing the stone bench as she turned to leave, her steps measured and calm. "I'll be there. And when I show up, I'll make it clear that Nyx An is back to take what's rightfully hers."

Theo watched her retreating figure, his expression a mix of awe and unease. Nyx didn't care. She knew what she was capable of, and soon, the entire academy would know, too.

---

Nyx's heart beat in a steady rhythm as she walked through the school's main hall, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor. The halls were almost deserted now, save for a few students who hurried past, eyes glued to their phones. She paid them no mind, her focus entirely on the path ahead. Tonight, everything would change.

She had a plan. And it was perfect.

The invitation in her hand wasn't just an invite; it was a challenge. The kind that whispered of power, of alliances waiting to be forged, of enemies waiting to be crushed underfoot. The gathering was going to be the perfect opportunity to plant her flag, to remind everyone that Nyx An was no longer a shadow in the background. She was going to stand at the front, poised to claim her throne once more.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, pulling her from her thoughts. Another message.

"Are you sure about this?"

The words were from Olivia, sent just minutes ago. Nyx couldn't help the soft chuckle that escaped her lips. Olivia had always been the cautious one-the girl who calculated every move. Nyx, on the other hand, thrived in chaos. And in the chaos, she found her control.

"Don't worry, Liv. I've got this."

She typed the response and hit send, slipping her phone back into her pocket. Nyx didn't need reassurance. She needed action.

The courtyard was already dark when she reached the back entrance of the building, where the gathering was set to take place. Her mind was sharp, focused. She didn't care that she had no idea what to expect inside. She didn't care about the people who would be there. They were all pawns, and Nyx was the queen.

As she approached the door, a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Do you really think you're ready for this, Nyx?"

Liya. Of course.

Nyx turned slowly, her expression unreadable. Liya stood a few paces away, arms crossed, her eyes narrowed in challenge. It was clear she'd been waiting for this moment, just as much as Nyx had.

"I'm always ready," Nyx replied smoothly. "More than you'll ever be."

Liya's lips curled into a tight smile, but there was no humor behind it. "You think you can just waltz in here and take everything I've worked for? This isn't some game, Nyx."

"I don't play games," Nyx said, her tone sharp and final. "I win them."

The two girls stood facing each other in a tense silence, the air between them thick with animosity. It wasn't a rivalry born of petty jealousy or spite. No, this was something far deeper, something that ran like poison through their veins. Nyx had been betrayed by Liya once before, and she'd never forgotten it. In this world, trust was a currency, and Liya had spent it foolishly.

Liya took a step forward, her eyes burning with quiet fury. "You may have come back, but you've got a lot to learn. This world isn't kind to people who think they can waltz in and take what they want."

"And yet, here I am," Nyx said, her lips curling into a smirk. "And I'm taking it."

Liya's eyes flickered to the side for a moment, as though considering something. Then, with a glance back at Nyx, she turned and began walking toward the door, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.

"You'll regret this, Nyx," she called over her shoulder, her voice laced with venom.

Nyx watched her go, her gaze cold and calculating. She didn't care what Liya said or thought. She was here for one thing only: power.

With a deep breath, Nyx pushed open the door and stepped into the dimly lit room beyond. The air inside was heavy with the scent of expensive cologne and the soft murmur of voices. It was a gathering of the elite-the ones who pulled the strings behind the scenes, the ones who held the real power. And tonight, Nyx was here to claim her piece.

The moment she stepped inside, all eyes turned toward her. She could feel the weight of their gazes, but she didn't flinch. Let them stare. Let them whisper. This was her moment.

Slowly, she walked into the center of the room, her gaze scanning the crowd. The whispers grew louder, but Nyx didn't care. She was the storm, and they were just the first raindrops.

A figure at the far end of the room caught her attention. Alec Ji. The enigmatic heir to the Ji family's fortune. His piercing gaze locked onto hers, and for the first time tonight, Nyx felt a flicker of something-something dangerous, something thrilling.

He was watching her closely, his expression unreadable. Nyx felt a surge of excitement rise within her. Alec Ji was a player in this game, and he'd just found his opponent.

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