Chapter 597: Moving pieces.
Zayn came back into the hall, and everyone’s eyes widened before some of them looked away from the horror. His hands were bloodied with a dagger in his right hand, covered in blood and dripping to the carpet. His other hand was holding a red cushion with Tarek’s head on it, his eyes were wide open, his mouth was agape, the skin around his neck was cut roughly. It was a sign that he died in the most painful way possible, a warning for anyone who dared to show any disrespect in the Asghar Palace.
He stood in front of Rullein and presented the head without saying a word. His gaze was fixated on Rullein’s dark orange eyes as if he had challenged her to take it and take responsibility for what she had asked for.
"Did he beg for his life?" Rullein asked as her hand grabbed Tarek’s head by the hair and lifted it so everyone could see the rough wound on the neck.
"He did when I was halfway through beheading him," Zayn answered, his expression was calm and his voice was relaxed.
Rullein hummed as dark smoke was released from under her nails and began to wrap around Tarek’s head. Everyone watched her power for the first time, and they were petrified when they watched the skin and flesh decay, leaving only the skull clean. The moment she crushed the skull, it shattered into fine dust, blown into the air.
"Thank you, Young Master. For the offering," Rullein smiled coldly, knowing that the whole situation was fabricated, and that he fell into it the moment he involved himself in the situation.
Zayn had gathered enough information about Rullein, but he barely got anything about her unlike how easy it was to gather information about Aris and Serena. Nobody knew who Rullein was, and what kind of power she possessed. All he knew was that she was extremely dangerous just like the rest of them.
While he was deep in thought, he felt a sharp flick of air hitting his left ear, and he immediately put a distance between him and Rullein. That feeling only happened when his mother was around, and it was a sign of warning. He slowly turned around and walked away, excusing himself from the gathering for a moment to change because of his unsightly appearance.
The hall had never felt peaceful ever since Anastasha’s arrival, and everyone had been on the edge, wishing to leave but they didn’t want to disrespect the Asghar family who had allowed them to attend the gathering. Most of the guests had no idea how terrifying it was when the Asghar competed for the seat as the family head, they only heard rumors that the whole East Neva was affected by it. Some rumors said that the conflict between the two sides of East Neva was due to the battle for succession.
"Well, Aris, Rullein. I think we have to get to know the other guests since we don’t want to be seen as cold and unapproachable," Serena smiled and stood in between Aris and Rullein as she held their hands. "After all, we are going to stay here in East Neva for quite a while," she chuckled softly as she looked at both of them.
Serena’s voice was quiet, but since the hall was completely silent, everyone could hear her. Her words were interpreted differently from each guest, they interpreted it as a warning, as an opportunity, or something else entirely. But then, when they saw Aris, Rullein, and Serena suddenly move separately in different directions, they all felt anxious. They had seen what happened to Tarek, and they didn’t want to be their next victims, but at the same time, if they avoided them, that would only make them seen as enemies by Anastasha and Rasmus.
The guests were anxious, but it wasn’t just them, Zeke and Zoran were shocked when they saw Aris and Serena approach their supporters, benefactors, and allies. That was when they realized those women had been observing them and knew which guests that belonged to them. They wanted to prevent those women from approaching their allies because they didn’t want to end up like Zayn, but on the other hand, if they approached them, they might have ended up like Zayn as well.
"(So this is how you want to play, Ana...)" Zeke thought as he stared at Anastasha with Rasmus and Rullein next to her.
Zeke decided to do the unexpected, he walked toward Zoran who also had the same suspicion and uneasiness as him. When Zoran glanced to the side, he saw Zeke approaching him, and he decided to meet him halfway, to signal a temporary truce and cooperation. However, their plan was canceled the moment they heard the clacking sound of heels that approached them.
"Brothers, I hope my words earlier didn’t hurt your feelings," Anastasha said as she unfolded the fan that had been covering the lower half of her face. "Seeing you two together, it’s such a rare occasion that I can’t help to join," she smirked and stood in front of them, staring at their eyes, knowing what they were planning to do.
Zoran glanced at Rasmus and Rullein, and they had moved to the guests that belonged to Zayn. He didn’t know if he should be impressed or terrified by the scheme. Everyone knew in the family how smart Anastasha was, and she used to be the golden child of the family, the only daughter that didn’t get sold off to another family.
"Sister, you’re forcing our hands to work together if you keep doing this," Zoran said in a calm and gentle voice. "Is that your plan all along as well?" He asked.
"Oh, my dear brother, do you think I’m capable enough to handle the three of you altogether? Surely you’re not thinking I’m that foolish, aren’t you?" Anastasha chuckled as she crossed her arms and shifted her weight to her left leg. "Although, it would be nice to see all of you work together for the first time. Our family has been on the top of the food chain, just like lions unbothered by other predators but among themselves," she pointed out, pointing her folded fan at both of them and the other siblings in the background.
"What are you trying to say, Ana?" Zeke’s expression showed irritation and annoyance from the way he furrowed his brows.
"Sooner or later, an unknown force would take advantage of our arrogance, and we were so used to cutting each other’s throats that we forgot how to work together. When that happened, our family will crumble so ungracefully," Anastasha explained in a soft and quiet voice.
"Aren’t you acting like that unknown force right now, Ana? You’re the one who’s going to make this family crumble if you keep doing this," Zeke pointed out with his brows arched and stared into Anastasha’s eyes.
"If you think I’m that dangerous in your eyes, you have no idea what kind of danger that unknown force can bring into this continent. You both have been living in a pond, when the ocean has been ravaged by the storm," Anastasha sighed, she had witnessed everything from what happened in South Neva, Central Neva, and even West Neva, yet her brothers thought she was on the same level of those beings that tried to turn the world upside-down. "Dear brother, if I’m capable of destroying this family, they can do it even faster," she warned with a serious expression.
Zeke and Zoran glanced at each other, but they had no interest in listening to Anastasha.
"Ana, if we are that foolish as to not understand the situation outside East Neva, you’re wrong. You believe that you’re better than us, that we are incapable of leading the family? You’re always so arrogant," Zeke said with his arms crossed.
"Oh, brother..." Anastasha closed the distance between her and Zeke. "The fact you sent assassins to get rid of me as an only option to compete, that’s speak volume about your inability," she said with a cold expression. "I can easily kill all of you if I wanted to, but that only makes me just like him," she glanced at Zechariah. "I am better than all of you, because I will compete without having to hang your body up for our siblings to see."
Both of them didn’t have a word to say.
"Keep this in mind, dear brothers. Try to send assassin once again, make me change my mind if this family isn’t worth saving," Anastasha’s eyes were cold when she looked at both of her brothers.
