Chapter 127

Sophia

It was one of those night, the ones where everything felt like it was still. The cabin was quiet, save for the gentle crackling of the fire. I had a mug of tea in hand, the warmth seeping into my fingers as I stared out at the barren trees.

My cheeks were still cool from my tears, but I had clamed down thanks to someone.

Mark had gone off fishing again, that lug.

So, it was just me and the silence, and maybe that’s why I jumped out of my skin when the shadow beside the fire seemed to morph into person—the shadow stretching out like he stepped through the blackness itself.

My heart lurched in my chest, the mug in my hands almost slipping from my fingers as I nearly toppled out my chair. “Oh my god—!?”

Standing there, was the face of someone I knew I remember but I didn’t know from where—uninvited, imposing, and way too calm for my liking. I froze for a split second, eyes widening.

Wait… I did know him. When I was young, one of my father’s friends, until exile.

GrimMaw.

The damn rogue king looked like he’d just materialized out of thin air. One moment, the cabin was empty, and the next, he was standing there like he'd always been.

His grin stretched across his face, wicked and too smooth for comfort. His presence filled the room instantly, like a suffocating fog.

I shot out of my chair, almost tripping over my own feet. “GrimMaw!” I blurted, the word coming out sharp as a knife. “What the hell are you doing here? How did you—How did you get in here?! Hello!? Get out! Ever heard of using the door?!”

He leaned casually against the fireplace, like this was all a normal, everyday visit. “Nice to see you too, Sophia,” he said smoothly, his voice oozing that unsettling calm. “I could have sworn I knocked. But maybe you were too busy plotting your next move to hear me.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, still on edge. “Don’t sneak up on me, or like, anyone like that,” I snapped, trying to mask the edge of panic in my voice. “Seriously, either say what you want or get out!”

He stepped closer without an ounce of hesitation, his dark eyes glinting with amusement as he passed me, circling with an almost lazy flick of his wrist. “My how you’ve fallen. Love what you did with the place,” he remarked, his voice low and deliberate, like he was enjoying every second of my discomfort.

I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to take a breath.

“GrimMaw,” I repeated, my tone sharper now, “I don’t remember inviting you. My father won’t be happy you’re—.”

“You’re father is nothing but disappointed in you.” His attention turned instead around the cabin, like it was some sort of amusement park. “Such a humble little place you’ve got here. Really suits you, I suppose.”

I wasn’t in the mood for small talk. “Cut the crap,” I shot back, crossing my arms, keeping my guard up. “What do you want?”

He finally turned his full gaze to me, something I nearly regretted when seeing his eyes in the dark, that smug smirk never leaving his face. “Straight to the point. I like that.” He paused for a moment, as though savoring my tension. “I have a proposition for you. A deal. One you might find... appealing.”

The air in the room felt heavy suddenly, like the space between us was charged with something dangerous. A deal? I wasn’t sure if I should be curious or ready to throttle him.

I don’t care who he was now, these claws still worked.

“Spit it out, GrimMaw. I don’t have time for this,” I snapped, a little more impatient than I meant to sound.

He didn’t flinch at my tone. In fact, he seemed to enjoy it. He took a slow, deliberate step closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “I know about your little situation,” he started, his words like poison in the air. “Your exile. Your pathetic little life here with... him.”

I froze, a cold shiver creeping down my spine. Mark? I could feel the tension building in my chest, but I didn’t let it show. “Nice of you to think of me,” I bit back, sharp as glass. “But what does that have to do with you?”

He pick up a tea pot, examining it, completely unbothered. “I could give you everything back. Everything you lost. The status, the power, the wealth. I’m sure you miss it. I can offer you everything you lost. Status. Power. The world that should’ve been yours.”

I straightened before letitng out a scoff, though I felt a flicker of something I couldn’t quite place. Not yet, not until I knew his angle. “And what do you want in return, hmm?” I raised an eyebrow, the contempt seeping back into my tone. “Besides what doyou know about my world? You must be joking.”

But he wasn’t. “Everything,” he said, leaning in a little closer. “Money. Influence. Jewelry. Your jewelry. The things you’ve lost, things you deserved.”

The words hung in the air, their weight almost unbearable. I clenched my fists behind my back, trying to ignore the temptation gnawing at me. “What do you want in return?” I asked, my voice colder now. “What’s your game?”

His eyes gleamed, predatory. “All I want is for you to lead Mark straight into my hands. I’m sure you’ve noticed how big he is. Trying to take him by force would be…messy. Too messy. But you?” He gave me that look again, the one that made my skin crawl. “You’re clever. You’ll get him to walk right into our camp.”

The room seemed to close in around me. Betray Mark. My mind was already screaming at me, No, don’t do it. Don’t even think about it, but my heart… my heart was tempted. He was offering me everything I’d ever wanted, everything I had lost.

GrimMaw’s voice dropped lower, coaxing. “You’ll get it all back. Everything. All the wealth, all the influence. Just because you’re out of the pack doesn’t mean you can’t thrive in the real world. Humans are stupid, and this city… isn’t the only one in the world. Trust me. I have what you want. And I am a man of my word.”

“Why should I trust you?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, though it sounded more like a plea than a challenge.

He smirked again, like this was all a game to him. “You don’t have to trust me. You just have to decide. I’m giving you two days to think it over. And if you don’t make the right choice, well…” He shrugged, like it was nothing. “I’m sure we’ll find another way to get what we want. And you’ll die here, worthless.”

I didn’t know how to respond to that. Two days.

Before I could say anything more, he turned on his heel and strode toward the door, almost casually. “Don’t think too hard, Sophia,” he called back over his shoulder. “Two days. I’ll be waiting.”

And just like that, he was gone. Vanished, like he never even existed. My breath came in sharp, shallow gasps, my pulse pounding in my ears.

It wasn’t long before Mark returned, oblivious to the storm brewing inside me.

I heard the faint sound of his footsteps before I saw him, and I turned to face him with an almost automatic smirk. “Didn’t catch anything that big, I hope,” I teased, even though my heart was still in my throat.

He walked in with two fish in hand, holding them up triumphantlywith a grin, like he expected me to be impressed.

I blinked, shaking off the chill GrimMaw had left in me. “Ugh, seriously?” I groaned, pinching my nose. “Those things are gross. You could have cooked them outside.”

Mark chuckled and stepped forward, offering me one of the fish. “Come. Cook, together.”

I sighed, but despite myself, I followed him to the fire pit outside, a smile forming on my lips before it was gone just as quickly.

Two days.

Could I keep playing this game, pretending to be his friend while GrimMaw’s offer gnawed at me from the back of my mind?

Mark, sweet and oblivious Mark, looked over at me with that hopeful grin. “You… Okay?”

I nodded, brushing the hair from my face. “Yeah,” I lied. “Just peachy, big guy.”

Two days.