The Mercenary Queen Strikes Back (Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 35

Chapter 35

To Nova, killing was just another day at the office.

But the students around her all froze.

They practically jumped out of their skins, then fixed their eyes on Nova in utter disbelief.

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“What do you mean, killing? Who’s even teaching you that?” Hannah retorted, her eyes wide with disbelief.

She added, “Nova, just because you took down nearly two dozen wolves doesn’t mean you’re suddenly an expert. Do you really think you can handle killing people now?

“I’ve already told you, Saint Laurel Royal Academy is packed with hidden masters, even stronger than Max and me. They just keep to themselves and don’t show off.”

She continued, “You killed some wolves, that’s all. Killing a wolf and killing a person are totally different things. So don’t go boasting like this again.

“What if you end up provoking those hidden experts and drag Max and me into trouble, too?”

Hannah jumped in shock, sprang to her feet, and yelled straight at Nova. Her tone wasn’t kind.

Clearly, no matter how many wolves Nova killed, it still wouldn’t have been enough to change Hannah’s opinion of Nova.

Honestly, Hannah wasn’t wrong.

At Saint Laurel Royal Academy, when it came to raw strength, there was no doubt who stood at the top. Maxwell, the head of theFree Combat Club, and Zane, the leader of the Taekwondo Club.

Right behind them were Ethan, Hannah, and so on.

But that was just the ranking for the regular students at Saint Laurel Royal Academy.

These were the ones everyone knew about.

There was also a hidden crowd lurking beneath the surface.

Some students at Saint Laurel Royal Academy concealed their identities, disguising themselves as ordinary students.

Not like Zane or Maxwell, who were constantly in the limelight–these folks kept a low profile, so almost nobody even suspected their real strength.

Some of these guys were ex–international bodyguards, and some had already racked up real special forces experience before they even hit their twenties.

Maxwell and Zane couldn’t even hold a candle to this crowd.

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These were the kind of hidden legends Hannah was talking about–students playing it low–key, blending right in.

They were the ones who actually killed before–battle–hardened elites who’d seen real action, totally different from Nova, who thought she was hot stuff just because she took out some wolves and now acted like she was ready to take on anyone.

At least, that was what everyone else thought about Nova–overconfident.

Even though Saint Laurel Royal Academy was crawling with hidden elites–ex–bodyguards, former special forces–none of the students would ever lump Nova in with that crowd.

No one would ever believe she was some returning legend, either.

Because deep down, Nova only got into Saint Laurel Royal Academy thanks to the Blake family’s clout.

If Nova were really that talented, she would have earned her spot by herself.

Claire was quick to jump in, totally taking Hannah’s side. “Yeah, Nova, don’t go thinking you’re all that just because you bagged a few wolves.

“Hannie’s got a point–us and those hidden legends at school, we always keep to ourselves and never mess with each other.

“If you go poking that hornet’s nest, you’re seriously crossing a line. And if you drag all of us down with you, trust me–nothing would begin to cover it.”

Nova wasn’t even talking to them, but just one stray comment was enough for Hannah and Claire to blow things way out of proportion, building up all sorts of dramatic scenarios in their heads.

They even shouted and ranted at her like she’d crossed the ultimate line or committed some kind of mortal

sin.

Nova just let her eyes drift downward, a bored look on her face.

In Nova’s mind, Hannah and Claire were hardly worth her time.

Nova glanced over at Ethan, her voice cool and direct, “So–still want in?”

“What? Of course, I do. I’m totally in.” Ethan said immediately.

After everything that had happened–like Victor, the former owner of Frostwave Bar, bowing down to Nova- Ethan was starting to see her in a whole new light.

Her wild talk didn’t shock him anymore.

Deep down, Ethan couldn’t help but think that maybe Nova was just as badass as those hidden legends at Saint Laurel Royal Academy.

“Alright then, from now on, you’re my student,” Nova raised her eyebrow with a confident smirk and announced.

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“Huh?” Ethan just sat there dumbstruck, wolf meat halfway to his mouth. Her sudden acceptance had left him. totally flabbergasted.

He said, “Wait, Nova, weren’t you gonna see how I handled myself out here first? How did I pass before I even got the chance to prove myself?”

It wasn’t that Ethan was bummed out; he’d actually been hoping to impress Nova with some real skills.

He wanted his soon–to–be mentor to know he was more than just the guy who sweeps up around here.

‘Wait, that’s it? I passed before I could even show off?‘ Ethan thought.

“You’re in,” Nova replied.

When Ethan heard her mention killing, he didn’t call her out or act shocked like everyone else.

He just said he still wanted to learn, not even blinking.

Right then and there, Nova considered his test passed.

But Ethan would never have a clue what her standards really were.

Ethan scratched his head, still chewing on a mouthful of wolf meat, and mumbled with his cheeks puffed out, “Huh, turns out it was pretty easy after all.”

Even though Ethan was an old member of the Taekwondo Club and there’d been some history between them, Maxwell didn’t hold a grudge or use it as an excuse to kick him out of the group.

In fact, Maxwell even gave Ethan his space to set up his tent.

The temperature dropped as night fell.

Maxwell hustled around, setting up all sorts of animal traps near the tents before finally calling it a day.

Maxwell was quite reliable; his planning was airtight.

With those traps up, if any wild creature showed up tonight, they’d catch wind of it immediately.

So nobody had to stay up keeping watch.

Most of the students had already crawled into their tents or sleeping bags.

After finishing up his last check around camp, Maxwell strolled over to the big tree where Nova had planned to crash for the night.

He said, “It’s getting chilly out here, and I don’t want you freezing out there alone. Come on, it’s way cozier with a real roof. You can use my tent.

“I’ll just budge up with Julian for the night–no big deal. Julian’s tent is pretty roomy, so squeezing in together

works out fine.”

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“No need.” Nova shot back, lounging in the branches overhead.

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Maxwell insisted, “Whatever went down in your past, it doesn’t matter right now; you’re my little sister, and you’re family. So just listen to me and get in the tent, alright?”

Maxwell always gave off that half–cold, half–warm vibe.

Most days, though, he was nothing but gentle.

But whenever he put his foot down like this, Nova couldn’t help but feel a little warmth blooming in her chest.

From up in the branches, she stayed silent for ages, not making a sound.

Maxwell even started to wonder if maybe he’d come on too strong and ended up annoying her.

With a soft swoosh, Nova leapt down from the branches in one smooth motion.

Maxwell finally breathed a little easier. “Go on, get some sleep, Nova. I’m camped just a few steps away–call out if you need anything tonight.”

He watched her head inside the tent.

Hannah was leaning outside her tent and couldn’t help but throw a snide comment at Nova’s way.

She snapped, “Didn’t you say you weren’t ever going to use a tent? Look at you now, mooching off Max’s. Seriously, acting all high and mighty but still doing the exact opposite–could you be any more fake?”

Nova didn’t even bother to respond. She just slipped into the tent, didn’t bother changing, and curled up on her side to sleep.

Night closed in, heavy and unending. An endless cold blanketed everything, chilling to the bone.

But inside the tent, it was way cozier than shivering out on those frozen branches.

Nova was always a light sleeper, ready to snap awake at the slightest hint of danger.

But in the cozy warmth of the tent, her guard slipped a little, and she finally let herself drift towards sleep.

At that very instant, the tent flap was whipped aside.

An imposing silhouette, tall and shrouded in darkness, cast a long shadow over her.

‘Ambush, Nova’s instincts roared in her mind.

Sharp as a blade, Nova was instantly wide awake; her instincts kicked in, and her hand flew to the dagger strapped to her waist, ready to draw and strike without hesitation.

But the intruder seized her wrist before she could move.

The tent was so cramped that squeezing two people inside left almost no room to breathe; Nova couldn’t even shift her position.

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And while the sheer force of him rocked her back on her heels, the moon spilled its light across his face; suddenly, she saw him.

It was a super handsome guy who carried himself with an arrogant edge, short hair falling carelessly across his brow.

Power like that–slipping through the night close enough to touch her before she even felt the vibration of his boots–could only belong to one man.

It was Shadow Sanctum’s head, Damien Thorn.

It was the only enemy she had ever admitted, stronger than she was.

Nova’s eyes went arctic.

She’d already tasted Damien Thorn’s skills before, so this time, she didn’t even blink. Nova went straight for his throat, aiming exactly for the spot right under his super gorgeous face

She was dead set on making the first move.

Her attack was barely halfway through when, suddenly, a voice broke the silence from outside the tent.

“Nova? Did I just hear something? Is everything alright in there?” Maxwell called out, concern thick in his

voice.

He must have caught the faint noise coming from Nova’s tent and came over, genuinely worried something

was up.

Nova’s hand froze mid–swing.

She lunged too hard–what was meant as a strike at Damien Thorn became a second crash into his chest.

Tonight, he hadn’t come to kill her.

Back when they first crossed paths in the woods, he really had meant to end her life.

But when that gorgeous girl crashed straight into his arms, something inside him just snapped.

The darkness he’d locked away cracked open, and the brutal, stone–faced killer found himself drawn into her orbit, completely against his will.

He’d even signed up for Saint Laurel Royal Academy’s training.

And now, he’d come all this way just for her.

Damien Thorn had never lost his cool; not for money, not for status, nothing ever got under his skin or rattled his self–control.

Because for a killer, letting himself slip was the one thing he couldn’t afford.

But that day, she was the only one who ever shook his resolve.

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Chapter 35

That was why he showed up now to figure out what it was about her that nearly made him snap.

When Nova ended up in his arms again, Damien Thorn’s icy eyes grew deep.

On instinct, he turned his head, aiming to grab her by the shoulder to steady her.

But his elegant fingers ended up landing on her.

They pressed into the squishiest, most vulnerable spot on her body–like sinking straight into a marshmallow.

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