The Lycan Princess and the Temptation of Sin
27. A Vision

SKYLA.

The next few seconds feel like minutes as we wait for her to speak.

“A servant of Apophis...” Kataleya whispers. All three of us stare at her as she gazes unblinkingly atthe centre of the table, her eyes glazed a dreamy pink.

Dad frowns, his heart beating a little louder than normal as he watches her intently.

I'm not sure if it's because of what she said or if it's because she displayed her gift in front of anArden.

“Kat.” Dad's voice is low, but I can hear the tension he is trying to mask in it and I don’t blame him.The risk that comes with Kat's gift is terrifying

Royce is watching her. There's a glimmer of curiosity in his eyes as I place a hand on Kataleya'sshoulder.

“Kat.” I say, shaking her silently.

She jerks back, inhaling sharply as she looks around, as if trying to remember where she is, herbreasts heaving as she gathers her bearings, gripping my hand.

Dad's gaze flicks to Royce and I know he didn't want anyone to learn of Kat's gift, but it's too late.However, something tells me that Royce wouldn't tell anyone, anyway.

"Apophis? Like the god of darkness?” Royce asks, sounding uncertain.

I'm surprised he didn’t question her, clearly not phased by what just happened. Maybe he mightthink she has some witchy powers.

Kataleya looks at Dad worriedly before she nods.

“Like for real? Now we have a Snake God unleashing some immortal beasts onto the planet to causehavoc?” I snicker, trying to lighten the mood. But no one joins in as all eyes turn to me.

Wait, do they actually think that? But... even though I'm trying to brush it off, I know that there issomething coming... Something huge... Something that is the reason that a demi-god walks thisearth...

My brother.

He's here for a reason and I know that whatever it is, will aim to destroy us all...

“If it's some sort of monster from another realm, that would explain why no one can see it.” Dadmurmurs, but I can sense his unease.

Why could I see it?

“Dad, have you yourself ever gone after it?” I ask curiously.

“No, I'm afraid I have had no encounter with it. It's mainly around the south side.”

Hmm, is it because I'm a Lycan then? I wonder...

Kataleya sips her juice, but her chest is still heaving, and I can sense her unease.

"Did you see something else, Kat?" I ask her quietly.

She looks at me, and it makes my stomach twist when I see the fear that taints her eyes.

“There's more than one...” She whispers before turning to Dad, who is now frowning deeply at herwords.

Her visions, if you can call them that, come randomly, and often she'd say things which might notmake sense. At other times they did, like now.

It is a little like Mama's, but not as cryptic or as clear as Dante's. Damn, I have weird siblings.

“Kat... Did they see you?’ I ask through the link, the price she pays... every time she sees something,they also see her, and that makes me sick.

We had found that out the hard way. Several years back, someone had been murdered by a rogue,and Kat had identified him. The only thing is, he also identified her and came after us. Luckily, shehas a lot of protection around her constantly.

'I don't think so.” She smiles reassuringly, but I'm not so sure...

We continue eating. The conversation between Royce and Dad is regarding the divine death-noodle.

"With what Kataleya has said, that may be something the coven could look into. I don't think it'suncommon for us to deal with things that don’t belong here.” Royce says.

Our knowledge of other supernatural beasts and species has grown, what with it becoming asubject at school. However, I don't think I have heard of Apophis being a deity that has any specieson earth.

Heck aside from those that we know of, who knows who or what else actually exists up there."Yeah, I will have a word with them. I'm fucking lucky that I have two highly efficient witches in thefamily, after all.” Dad says.

“I heard; I also know they are slated to take the position of the high witches of the coven ofEngland, aren't they?” Royce asks with a faint smile.

Dad nods. “If they accept, right now neither wants to and no one can force them.”

“It's good to hear you're not one for pushing someone into positions of extreme power for yourown benefit.” Royce replies, downing his water before placing his glass down.

He has ignored me for the majority of the dinner, almost as if I wasn't even here.

“How is he during your training sessions?’ I ask Kat.

She looks at me sheepishly. “Umm...

I narrow my eyes. “You skipped it, didn’t you?’

She blushes. “No... I was helping the special needs new year students with their herbologyhomework.’

I shake my head. This girl does not like fighting. Even though she is an excellent fighter, with ithaving been drilled into us for our own protection, she would rather not if she has the choice.“Next time there's a council meeting, tell your Dad, I want you there. Even better, tell him to step thefuck down.” Dad smirks mockingly.

Royce looks amused before shaking his head. “Dad has that effect on people, but I'd rather he notknow of our meeting.” He replies, his amusement vanishing.

Dad cocks a brow. “Oh? I'm sure he wouldn't fucking care. He might even approve.”

"Approval for dining with the King? Not something I want approval over.” Royce says seriously."Why? Not luxurious enough for an Arden?” Dad mocks.

Dad's trying to push him, but I've got to admit he’s not given off any suspicious vibes. Royce doesn'trespond for a second, but I see the clench in his jaw before he looks at Dad once again. His nextwords surprise me with their bluntness.

“I'm not interested in the push and pull dynamics between you and Dad. If you want a reaction...”He turns to me now, “Then you got the wrong brother.”

Those words are targeted at me...

His phone rings, and he takes it out. “Excuse me. I'll be right back.”

“I'll order the dessert in the meantime,” Kataleya says happily, picking up the menu.

Aww, she’s so cute, I want to pet her head. Maybe she was a kitty in her last life.

Royce stands up and heads towards the exit. I doubt the hum of chatter and the music is thereason... he probably doesn't want to be overheard.

“Hello?” He answers the phone. I don't miss the glances he receives from several women as hepasses their tables. I try not to look at his ass, sensing Dad watching me before he disappearsaround the bend.

"He's a buzzkill.” I state lightly.

"He's either genuinely not like his old man or he's excellent at hiding his emotions and putting on afront.” Dad mulls.

"Or he's genuinely a good person AND he just likes to hide his emotions?” Kataleya suggests.

Me and dad exchange looks.

"Yeah, and your sisters are fucking angels.” Dad remarks.

She's too pure for this damn world. Everyone has an incentive... What's Royce's?

I need to talk to him, yes I don't know what I'll say.

I mean, there's no way to justify what happened, but I need to know if he knows...

“Well, while you order a bit of everything on the dessert menu, I need to go pee.” I say, standing up."Yeah, we really needed that fucking piece of information.” Dad states, downing his drink.

I smirk. “Human nature to pee Dad, when I come back, make sure you have my 300 pounds ready.” Istand up, needing to catch Royce before he returns.

“The fuck? When did it become 300?" I hear Dad say.

I turn and wink at him.

“When you were talking, the number rose. You really need to put a filter on your mouth, Dad.”

He narrows his eyes, and I smirk smugly.

It's so satisfying to use the same words back at him. Ah, to get under Dad's skin is super fun...

I turn the bend, spotting the bathroom, and glance at the exit, just as the door opens and Roycereturns.

He glances up, holding the door open for three women who giggle and thank him as they walk out,but he simply gives them a polite nod, looking down at his phone distractedly.

I roll my eyes, annoyed at him and the dumb giggling twits with tits.

When he lets go of the door and heads my way, I take my chance, ready to block him when he spotsme as he's about to walk past.

“I need to have a word.” I say quietly before I grab him by the arm and yank him towards thebathroom

He frowns, about to say something, but I place a finger to my lips. If we speak here... Dad will surelyhear us. I pull him into the bathroom and slam the heavy wooden door shut behind us,

I breathe a sigh of relief, turning to Royce. I'm about to speak but stop in my tracks when I see thecoldness in those eyes of his as he stares down at me.

Yup, he's super pissed at me...

Oh boy.

He steps closer, and for once I don't feel so tall or powerful when he’s looking down at me withsuch power and dominance as he is now. I'm fucking twisted, because it is doing things to me...You won't replace many men who can have such a powerful effect on me as he does...

He braces his hands on the door on either side of my arms, his eyes flashing blue.

He's so close... I can see the tiny hair on his chin and above those perfect lips... but it's his wordsthat snap me from my thoughts and make unease fill me.

“Tell me, Skyla... are we a fucking game to you?” His voice is cold, and this time he doesn't mask theanger that he clearly feels towards me.

He knows.

There's no denying it... he fucking knows.