The Mercenary Queen Strikes Back (Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 145

Chapter 145–

Chapter 145

Nobody saw the icy chill in Nova’s eyes.

Those who lived in the light could shamelessly insult people forced to crawl through the shadows.

But for those born in darkness, even wishing for a glimpse of light was a privilege they’d never get.

That was why Nova couldn’t bring herself to tell Allison the truth about Falcony’s real work.

Mercenaries were reviled by all.

She’d rather Falcony remain a sacred figure to Allison-someone forever admired, not notorious.

“Got it.”

Nova fixed her gaze on Jace.

“Play the part however you want. I don’t need to be consulted again,” she told him.

Not wanting to say another word, she turned to Sophia and said her goodbyes before leaving.

That left Sophia and the others exchanging confused looks-they honestly had no idea what Nova meant by any of that

“Sophia, your friend is… kind of weird,” Jace said, scratching his head

“Nova’s always been this way-you’ll get the hang of it,” Sophia replied, her tone gentle and protective of Nova.

*******

Days of leisure always seemed to slip away in the blink of an eye.

Nova’s month as an exchange student-transferring from Saint Laurel Royal Academy to Rena University-was coming to an end.

It had already been about three months since Nova broke free from Devil’s Isle and set foot in Ravenport.

Nova spent the last few days of her exchange back at Rena University.

On her departure day, Casey, Zack, Rhys, and a few others all came by to say goodbye.

“Nova, we’re friends now-we’ve shared a lot together.”

“Make sure you come back and hang out when you get the chance, okay?”

“Or hey, maybe we’ll come visit you instead…”

Casey wiped away a tear, trying to hide her signature playful grin-her little fang barely peeking as she bit her lip.

Rhys still looked every bit the campus heartthrob-cool, composed, and always put-together.

But ever since Nova blew everyone away at the school’s research competition, he’d started treating her a lot better

He only said a few words to Nova:

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et’s keep in touch

Life seemed to finally settle into peace and harmony, as if everything was moving toward a brighter future.

Little did anyone know-a storm was quietly brewing, drawing ever closer.

At the east gate of Saint Laurel Royal Academy.

After school, Nova had just split off from Sophia when a guy with a fresh crew cut, all brawn and energy-looked about twenty-two, maybe twenty-three-cut her off right at the entrance.

It was Andrew Timothy, Maxwell’s high school pal and long-time wingman.

He was the special ops dude who’d gone with Nova for the task force selections-a mission to the Trinova. Thanks to Nova’s scheming at the Seduction Casino, he ended up losing everything, walking out with nothing but his underwear.

“Yo, Little Sis Nova!”

Right there at the crowded school gate, Andrew, with his neat crew cut, strode right over and clapped Nova on the shoulder, catching plenty of curious glances from other students.

“Haven’t seen you in a month, huh? Still the center of attention, I see!”

Then, almost instantly, his laughter dropped off. Andrew leaned in close, his voice lowering to a hush so only she could hear.

“The task force gun permits and IDs are ready. The higher-ups told me to give you the heads-up-you gotta report to the base today.

“All the other task force members will be there too. Our team’s finally getting official!”

Once he’d passed on the secret orders, Andrew dropped the serious act and gave his boxers a proud slap.

After that last trip to the Trinova, the very first thing he did was grab himself a pair of boxers that actually fit. No more awkward moments of fishing his underwear out of his crack in public.

From now on, he was a man who’d always be rocking the right boxers.

“Haha, Nova! So, where’s your brother-Maxwell-these days?

“It’s been years since we last saw each other. I finally managed to get some rare time off from the base-think I could see him today?”

Andrew peeked past the school gate, searching for any sign of Maxwell.

Nova replied coolly, “He had something to handle, so he left early.”

Γ

Maxwell and Hannah had been heading straight to Frostwave Bar’s training base whenever they had free time, training hard

They finished classes earlier than her, so were probably already at the base.

“Oh, I see…” Andrew scratched his head, looking a little disappointed. “Guess we’ll have to catch up another time.

They followed the stream of students, heading for the entrance of a small alley.

“Who the heck is that? Did she just get beat up like crazy?” one student blurted out,

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Chapter 145

Ez that’s creepy as hell…” someone else muttered, wide-eyed.

“Her jacket’s totally soaked in blood is she even conscious? Seriously, who the hell did this to her?” another voice exclaimed, freaked out.

*****

Up ahead, a crowd of students, parents, and random bystanders had formed a tight circle around a small patch of grass by the flowerbed.

Everyone was talking at once, the air buzzing with shock and worry.

“Someone call 911! Hurry, she’s really hurt-she’ll die if nobody helps!”

Someone else called out, their voice shaky with fear.

“What’s happening? Let’s go take a look!” Andrew said. As a special ops soldier, his instincts-and his training-meant he could never just ignore trouble like this.

“Make way, make way! I’m a soldier-let me through!”

He led Nova as he pushed past the onlookers, moving right into the thick of things.

Soon enough, they spotted a woman sprawled on the ground, covered in blood and so messed up you couldn’t even tell what kind of wounds she had.

Her pale yellow jacket was stained red, the whole scene downright terrifying.

Nova’s eyes flickered with shock.

She wasn’t shaken by the injuries-it was the woman’s face that hit her.

The girl had that classic Eastern beauty vibe-striking features, high nose bridge, skin pale as porcelain. She was gorgeous, but so fragile, like a doll about to shatter. Honestly, she looked like someone who’d just barely escaped from hell, hanging on by a thread.

“Yellowcat!” Nova murmured, her lips barely moving as the name slipped out.

The word drifted through the air, spilling from her lips like a whispered secret.

The woman lying there was none other than Yellowcat-one of the legendary leaders of the Bloodblade. Mercenary Corps, equal in rank to Ghost-Hammer and Snowfang.

She was also Dorken’s direct boss-the one the infamous traitor had betrayed.

“Yellowcat?” Andrew froze for a second, feeling a chill run down his spine. “Wait-Nova, you actually know her??”

He barely got the words out before Nova was already striding forward.

With surprising strength, Nova scooped the bloodied woman into her arms, hoisting her up like it was nothing. All eyes locked on her-students, parents, random passersby-everyone too shocked to speak as she dashed straight toward Ravenport General Hospital.

Nova’s strength was insane.

All while sprinting, Nova kept her cool and patched up Yellowcat’s worst wounds on the fly-doing whatever it took to keep

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Chapter 145-

alive until they made it to the hospital

She didn’t let up until Yellowcat

wheeled straight into emergency surgery.

Yellowcat was one of the Bloodblade Mercenary Corps high-ranking leaders. After Marlie and Falcony died. Chow Har personally brought her into the team

She’d followed Nova for around four or five yea-never breaking the rules. never betraying anyone. She’d away bee loyal subordinate.

Why would Yellowcat show up here? Nova wondered. Especially with all the Bloodblade traitors running loone

The answer isn’t hard to guess.

Someone’s trying to kill her.

Yellowcat showing up here was no coincidence. It had to be Ghost-Hammer Who tipped her off that shed be at Saint Laurel Royal Academy in Ravenport, Zoria

*****

The operation took six hours to complete.

Maybe it was Yellowcat’s extraordinary resilience, but by three in the morning, she had already regained conscio

“Nova, kiddo, she’s finally awake, and the docs say she’s in the clear. How about you grab some rest? I’ll sit here and keep watch.” Andrew said softly, trying to reassure her.

Neither Nova nor Andrew had reported in to the task force like they were supposed to today-they had no clue what was happening back at the war zone.

Andrew’s eyes were bloodshot from pulling an all-nighter, but even half-dead with exhaustion, he still found the energy to look out for Nova

With a curt gesture, Nova stopped Andrew mid-sentence and strode right into the hospital room.

Andrew had asked before, “So, what’s Yellowcat to you, Nova? She’d just shrugged and said. “Just a friend.”

He hurried after her, anxious not to be left behind.

Andrew thought for sure Nova would play it safe, maybe ask a few careful questions about Yellowcat’s health

f

But nope-Nova walked right up to her, all cold confidence, like she was in charge and wasn’t here to play nice

“What happened?” Nova asked, her tone frosty and direct.

Yellowcat was leaning back against the hospital bed when she spotted Nova-her eyes flashed instantly with recognition and surprise. With that doll-like, fragik: beauty, she looked almost ethereal in the pale hospital light.

“Boss: It’s really you!”

Her face instantly lit up with delight.

When Yellowcat called Nova Boss, Andrew, who’d followed them in almost slipped and tell right ther

Hold up-weren’t they supposed to be just friends?

delete

that and of as he wondered

115 seat amend it. Yellowcat sat up straight, all business, cutting the shock short.

jale out hoodied the with fat battle-hardened roughness, she still kept together, voice steady as ever.

e unten ter ne My eam-head, or the abbed me in the back.

int me that we here in Zona

any traded you dive a rack you down and they’ve been chasing me every step of the way, right up to now.”

The ex my belowna tat collapsed right at the school gates, her entire body tort, up and covered in wounds-she’d used

sength she had just make in there.

* a suddenly weed You’s hand her voice trembling with panic. “Two days ago, Ghost-Hammer disappeared

et seinas them Boss please, you’ve got to save him!”

Men Jela beat the sonors inside Bloodblade.

Meine sady sensates to quessed that even during her quiet, peaceful days, the traitors never stopped searching for her-not

ver & for any sex sans the open, they’d gotten brazen enough to hunt down Yellowcat in broad daylight, and even made a

(

Being my wardre Hose could your Nova raged inwardly, her anger burning beneath the surface.

D’s decay do Vale at Ferny Shed sworn a blood cath: never again-she would not let another loyal comrade be

Booked quietly.

the we deem envirve nature made out, understood better than anyone-faced with this sudden upheaval, fesyen me to the teratas to Verature her own peace and ordinary life. Nova was ready to cast aside her quiet

yurred mod carryic

insert

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