Far from the warmth of the brothers' oath, Ellie sat in her dorm with Nikki perched nervously by the window. The moonlight painted her face pale, almost ghostly, but her eyes burned with cold fire.
"They think they can hide it from me," Ellie hissed, pacing the room like a predator in a cage. "Davon. Lucian. Devin. There's something about them, something not… human."
Nikki shifted uncomfortably, hugging her knees. "Ellie… maybe we should stop. They've already—"
Ellie snapped her head around, eyes sharp as blades. "Stop? Never. Haven't you seen it? The way Davon moves, how he saved Elise as if time bent for him. No ordinary boy does that. And his cousins—they're just like him."
She leaned close to Nikki, her whisper venomous. "If I know what they are… I can break them. I can make Elise regret ever standing against me."
Nikki's lips trembled. "And how exactly do you plan to… find out?"
Ellie smirked, finally stilling her steps. "Easy. I'll watch them. Listen. Follow their every move. Davon thinks he's so careful, but secrets slip eventually. And when I uncover it—" she clenched her fists, nails digging into her palms, "—I'll have the power to destroy them all."
Nikki looked away, guilt churning in her chest, but Ellie's words struck like chains. She knew better than to argue now.
Ellie crossed to the mirror, gazing at her reflection with a twisted smile. "You see, Nikki… Elise may have Davon's heart, but I'll have his truth. And once I do—his heart will be mine too."