OPERATION WINTERSPINE (Strings Between Us Book 2)

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE - OF STORMS, THE HEART AND THE TRAITOR

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE - OF STORMS, THE HEART AND THE TRAITOR

Riyee's POV

We saved everyone from the hostage-taking yesterday. And that moment? Still fresh in everyone's mind, like the echo of a gunshot you can't quite shake off.

And today, Headmaster Antonio decided to announce a surprise general assembly in the very same place where it happened—Arista Dome, the auditorium. Because, of course, nothing says "healing and morale" like standing in the exact spot where people almost died.

Right now, I'm walking down the hallway toward the auditorium. I'm at the center, the Ardent Court moving around me like planets in orbit—each with its own pull, its own gravity, yet somehow forming the same unshakable constellation.

Xythe led, ocean-blue eyes glacial and precise, cold as a frozen tide, calculating every exit, every threat, even without glancing. Lyle walked beside him, hazel-brown eyes steady and commanding, calm yet alert, like sunlight striking through shadow—quietly assessing everything in the room. Saichel hovered at my left shoulder, lavender eyes glinting with mischief and simmering tension, storm-wrapped in silk and sarcasm, fingers twitching as if he could already hear disaster approaching.

Thres moved at the back, amber eyes warm yet unyielding, a steady tide anchoring the group, while Tofer mirrored him, dark-red eyes sharp and observant, slicing through the hallway like a blade of vigilance. Alexie flitted along the edge like she owned the space, violet eyes scanning every shadow and corner, playful yet calculating, already cataloging who might stumble under pressure. Keryn's Irish-pink eyes were steady and luminous, a quiet, magnetic force that pulled focus and kept the orbit intact—a presence that reminded me that some things, at least, wouldn't collapse no matter what.

And Seb—silver eyes glinting like shards of metal, unreadable yet piercing, reflecting every movement around him—moved like a ghost at the fringes, silently threading together the entire route to the dome.

Every step felt heavier than it should, like the echoes of yesterday were riding along with our footsteps, a quiet pulse threading us together even as the world outside waited.

The moment Xythe pushed open the doors to Arista Dome and we all stepped inside, every head turned. Stares rained down on us—fear, admiration, awe... even a flicker of amusement, like some people couldn't quite decide how they were supposed to feel.

As always, they scattered. Lyle claimed the center like it already belonged to him, steady and absolute. Xythe drifted to the farthest, highest seat—because of course he did—already mapping every possible disaster scenario in that ice-cold head of his. Saichel dropped himself directly across from him, smirk cocked, practically daring the room to combust just so he could enjoy the show.

Tofer slipped into the left corner, melting into the shadow, unseen unless he wanted otherwise. Seb hung back to the right, quiet, watchful, silver eyes slicing through people like pages in a book. Thres stationed himself near the entrance, the immovable wall, the anchor that said no one's getting past here without answering to him. Keryn and Alexie trailed behind me, moving like they had somewhere important to be—well, important to me, apparently.

We're sitting near you, Princess," Alexie announced with that grin of hers.

I raised a brow. "Not going for your usual perches?"

"Nope. We're sticking with you." Keryn looped her arms around mine, clinging like she had no intention of letting go. "Missed hanging out with you."

I scoffed. "Which part? Girl talk? Shopping? Or the Court's Angels' latest episode?"

"All of the above," Alexie giggled, promptly latching onto my other arm.

So the three of us claimed the middle row—right behind Errol and Mico, and next to Jodie and Xylia. The peace table, as Xythe liked to call them.