Jasmine's grip on Arthur's hand tightened as they watched her father face the impossible—betrayal wearing the face of trust itself.
"Oh? It seems like I really underestimated you...Regulus. To be able to find my energy signature, despite me hiding it so well... I must really commend you."
"You really are the number one genius of the academy; you deserve that title. But still...you are nothing more than a puppet."
Puppet?
Regulus staggered backwards, his silver eyes wide with disbelief.
"What... what are you talking about?"
"Oh, Regulus."
Nikolas tsked, shaking his head with disappointment in a mocking gesture.
"Even now, you don't understand. After all these years of pulling your strings, you still think you made your own choices."
The demon general laughed.
"The attack on the academy...runs deeper than you imagined, human."
Arthur felt Jasmine's hand tighten in his as they watched the scene unfold.
Her father's best friend. The man he trusted most.
