Offered to the Triplet Alphas

Chapter-96. Deception

[Asher]

Deception was one of the most fundamental strategies of warfare. In fact, deception was warfare where one used camouflage, misled the enemy, and manipulated the situation to bend the victory on their side with the least potential conflict. A part of deception was feigning weakness to make the enemy confident and arrogant enough to walk into the trap of his own comfort.

Something as complicated as a layered deception was so deftly executed by my wife against my brother, who obviously had an upper hand until... he walked into her trap.

Xanthea was a resourceful woman. From a shampoo bottle to tiny seeds, she truly could use anything at her disposal. And right now, she had an entire pouch of things she could use against us in ways unfathomable.

I squinted, peering at the tiny silver blue seeds stuck all across Pheles' smooth midnight black fur that flashed with a tealish glow, each strand catching the light like dark silk.

"Look at all those voltthorn seeds stuck in your fur, Pheles." I tilted my head, inspecting his furry tails. "How did you not notice them?"

Pheles growled low, his fur bristling as he shook himself, trying to get rid off of the stubborn seeds. Then he glanced at Xanthea who hugged herself soothingly as she sat stiffly on my chair.

Her heart thundered so loudly; I could hear it pound across the room.

After separating them, I took Raven aside, creating enough distance between the two.

The kids in question remained hidden behind her chair.

Xanthea had secretly scattered voltthorn seeds all across Pheles' fur while feigning a reckless stabbing attempt with the thin blackthorn branch. The seeds, small and scentless, were perfect for slipping by unnoticed in the heat of adrenaline- fueled fight.

No wonder Raven didn't pick up on her deception - he'd have dismissed her fumbling strikes as a typical omega incompetence.

While in reality, with each dodge and slash, Pheles was basically getting more and more entangled in her actual trap.

'I am not as well-versed in herbology as you, Raven, but you know what voltthorn seeds do when they come in contact with a nutrition medium, right?' I asked through the mindlink.

'They grow exponentially. Small seeds shoot out into creepers that discharge electric currents strong enough to cause neural damage that could lead to irreversible impairments in an immortal. While voltthorn seeds are harmless anesthetics, their creeper form has a strong affinity for immortality genes.'

Raven's contemplative tone was passive with warning and caution as he peered at Xanthea's hand.

'But the vial she cracked in her hand couldn't have enough nutrition medium to sprout more than one or two seeds.'

'True. But she wasn't going for the medium in the vial, she was going for the medium in her veins. What could be a better nutrition medium than blood?'

Pheles looked at me, his eyes widening slightly as he scowled at Xanthea.

'Her blood? That's sick!' Raven grumbled.

'That's the thing I like about mortals. They neither have to be as good as celestials nor as evil as infernals. They swing in the gray area.'

'I can't believe this.' Raven's tone was humbled with incredulity. 'She really wasn't holding back... risking her life for some kids she picked up from the streets?'

not her life. You see, had her plan unfolded

genes, so the voltthorn creepers wouldn't have done much harm to

shrugged and Pheles

at Xanthea, caressing the scratch on her palm. Her eyes met mine, but she quickly averted

her throw the broken vial in the dustbin. Because at this point forget about thorns, she could even use rose petals as a

it would be foolish to think this is all she's capable of. Her knowledge is her biggest weapon, and we have

Xanthea before

needs

up and... cool your head down. Or do you want me to

off! Just get rid of that boy before Ezra shows up.' He entered the bathroom,

already too late for that because Ezra had already shown up. He had arrived in the Aile castle minutes after Xanthea did,

while the other held his phone. He heard our conversations, but his eyes were fixed on the waves the winds created. With his back towards the world and his eyes lost in oblivion, he was trying not to intervene. By not looking at his phone screen, he was distancing himself from the situation, hoping not to get too

Xanthea and Raven clashed, there had been a lot of things that would have usually triggered him, but so far he hadn't relapsed and there

couldn't help but wonder how much he had healed since the last time - or if he had healed at all. I wanted to believe

they quickly hid behind it. Although the reluctance of standing against me was clear in Xanthea's eyes, it didn't stop her from

I walked to the table, poured four glasses of

body as

worry. You have invoked Ezra's protection on them. I respect that. I won't interfere," I said, handing her the tray. "This is for you

sat on the edge of her bed, keeping a comfortable distance from the kids

busied myself with wiping

sincerest apologies for my rude appearance. I was in the middle of something. Didn't really get enough time to take a bath or

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down water as though they had

the silence. "You

she could finish. "I just want to say - listen to your heart. If it says what you are doing is right, then stand by it. But if you have even the slightest of doubts, I request you to reconsider and let the kids go." Xanthea lowered her gaze at

me honestly, Xanthea... are these kids worth

that what is happening here is wrong. I'm

shaky breath and

at such a tender age when they don't know life from death... it's cruel. They are perfectly healthy in all other ways. Who are we to decide who

but her words had reached loud and clear to their rightful owner. Ezra raked back his hair, his breathlessness dissolving in the war of winds that whipped around him, tugging harshly at his clothes as they

"Xanthea..." I began.

know... I can't win against

on your mind, isn't it?" I asked, and she looked at me. "What is it? Saving these kids has become more personal to you than it should be. You

I was getting myself into, but I couldn't just unsee the obvious and ignore their cries. I know my actions have put everything at

"Why?" I asked.

lip, pausing for a moment. In those few seconds, the heavy silence between us was interrupted by the distant sound

do, I want to know what it might

peered at her, allowing her words

we win or

a visible reaction on his impassive face, but he gripped his phone tighter at Xanthea's words. He might have

I didn't want you or