Chapter 17
17
Raze
D ivina Ellery has gone to great lengths to keep her family life separated from the Syndicate’s business. Only a few short appearances at events disguised as charity galas or holiday brunches have given us a small insight into what matters to her, and everyone was too focused on masking their own families to bother with anyone else’s.
Well, everyone but me.
Makes sense, considering her role in the suffering of so many innocent people. How many lives have been ended on her command? Can’t imagine what her husband or daughter would think if they were to find out she’s a malicious goblin. All the Carmichaels are. I’ll be sure to be present when that day comes.
In due time.
For now, I plan to satiate my appetite for revenge with her spoiled kin.
I hadn’t planned on starting tonight. I thought I’d torture her on the first day of class. Start by embarrassing her a little, then progressively nick at that ironclad shield she’s likely worked years to create. The moment I saw her name on that attendance paperwork, I walked straight to the admissions office and insisted they transfer her to my lecture hour. It was just an added bonus that the change completely turned her schedule around.
But when the girl walked through the small courtyard outside of Devlin as I was finishing my nightly run, I knew it was her the instant I saw the mess of red hair piled on top of her head.
Penelope “Poppy” Ellery.
A force to be reckoned with, if her school records are anything to go off. She’s got quite the mouth on her that has marred her permanent record with an array of black marks. I’d expect nothing less from Divina’s spawn. Her mother doesn’t know when to quit, either.
I can’t wait to break her.
I was only going to watch from afar. Stick to the plan, with the additional benefit of identifying her ahead of time. But she ended her call and gazed at the moon as if it was something she’d never seen before, and I found myself speaking before I’d even realized I moved out of the shadows.
Naturally, she got away as quickly as possible, and I went back to my apartment for a cold shower. The rest of the evening was dedicated to preparations.
Something about the girl I met last night doesn’t match the one I’ve been studying on paper, nor the small, fleeting glimpses I’ve gotten in the past.
I’ll have to be careful around her, though—whomever she may be. I won’t be taken off guard by her again. The Valeria bloodline is potent and cunning. Anyone raised by someone like Divina is surely more adept at using their gifts than any average student I’ve had the displeasure of working with through my years in the Psychology Department. Growing up in Nocturne Valley and being raised by the Syndicate’s own personal weapon, I was taught some of the strongest shielding techniques.
Even still, I don’t trust the Carmichaels.