Chapter 119: Salt, Donut, and Shadows
Jacob~
We were still in Zane’s living room, seated across from each other, but the tension in the air could have filled the entire mansion. Natalie sat with her legs tucked under her, elbows on her knees, her fingers clenched into her thick leather Jacket. The room was quiet. I stared into the fire, watching the embers burn, trying to find the right words to say.
She was lost in thought. I could almost feel her mind racing, sharp and intense.
"Natalie, this isn’t just about the coup," I finally said, voice low, my eyes still trained on the flames.
Natalie straightened. "What do you mean?"
I turned to her, watching the way the firelight caught the edge of her hair—so soft and untamed, like she was born of the wild and the stars all at once.
"This isn’t just about dethroning a king. This..." I exhaled. "This is about something ancient. A play older than politics, older than power grabs and thrones. It’s Something darker."
Natalie’s lips parted slightly. Her gaze didn’t waver, but her fingers tightened. "This god of darkness is going to be a massive problem."
I nodded. "Exactly. He’s not just stirring chaos. He’s manipulating events. Aligning himself with Darius means there’s a deeper reason—one I haven’t figured out yet. But I will."
She was silent for a beat. Then, "How long do we have?"
I leaned back on the couch and crossed one ankle over my knee. "I can’t say. I need time. I have to dig. There are... archives. Memories. Threads I need to follow."