Chapter 174
Chapter 175 A Room Full of Animals
They arrived just as the pair stepped out of the cell.
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Hadrien shot them a cutting remark. “Your Oversight Council lets just anyone join its ranks p>
With that, he stepped around the men and walked onward.
The Sentinels glanced at Lyra, perched on his back with a triumphant grin, then quietly shifted their gaze inside the cell.
Zev lay curled on the floor, his consciousness blurred.
“Captain p>
Hadrien spoke softly to Lyra on his back. “It is time to rest p>
Lyra tapped her forehead lightly against his shoulder to signal she understood.
She pointed toward Cell 120 on the first floor to show him where she planned to settle.
“All right. I will send someone to bring blankets,” Hadrien said.
Lyra lowered her eyes and locked gazes with the crow tucked against her. A faint smile tugged at her lips.
Hadrien ordered fresh, clean bedding delivered. Lyra had wanted to say there was no need to go through the trouble, yet she did not want strangers setting foot inside her dorm room, so she did not stop him.
Black Spire’s guards worked quickly. They returned with the supplies shortly afterward.
Just then, Zev was helped down the corridor, barely recovered from his earlier strain.
At the sound of approaching footsteps, Lyra hastily hid the crow behind her back.
Hadrien, who was arranging bedding, smoothly blocked the view with a pillow.
Zev had lowered his helmet once more.
He stood in the doorway of Cell 120 and stared intently at Lyra.
His unwavering stare made her uneasy; she feared their scheme had been uncovered.
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Chapter 175 A Room Full of Animals
In the end, he said nothing and turned to leave.
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Lyra blinked in confusion and glanced toward Hadrien. Her eyes asked, What was that about?
“Pay him no mind. Just rest,” Hadrien told her.
Lyra nodded and gestured toward the hallway outside.
Hadrien straightened. “You want the other spirit animals to come in p>
Lyra brightened and nodded happily, relieved he understood her wordless
request.
Hadrien turned to head out, then paused mid–step.
“Would you like to wash up first p>
Lyra glanced down at her feet, then at the crow wrapped in the bedding beside her.
She tilted her head toward the bird, set it alone on the mattress, and stepped backward.
The crow saw her move away, tossed the covers aside, and scrambled to its feet.
Lyra pushed it gently back down and looked over at Hadrien.
Hadrien nodded. “I see p>
He stepped out of the room.
Moments later, the rapid tapping of claws echoed down the hall as streams of spirit animals filed inside one after another.
Light sparked in Lyra’s eyes.
A room stuffed full of fluffy creatures.
It was paradise.
Seeing how cramped the space quickly became, Hadrien remained near the doorway.
“Some are too far away, and some felt it wasn’t appropriate, so they didn’t come. I noted them down for you p>
Lyra pressed her palms together and looked at him with sincere gratitude.
He thought of everything.
Almost immediately, another idea formed in her mind.
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Chapter 175 A Room Full of Animals
She pointed at the bed and looked up at him pleadingly, gesturing for the mattress to be moved out.
She wanted to sleep on the floor. That way, she could reach more of the spirit animals.
Staying up on the bed would leave many out of reach.
Hadrien agreed. “I will take care of it p>
A broad smile spread across Lyra’s face.
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Finned
She wrapped the crow in a towel, carried it to an open patch of floor, and sat down. The spirit animals crowded gently around her.
Lyra set the crow on her lap and ran her hands over each creature’s head, one after another.
Meanwhile, Zev had regained most of his strength. Watching Hadrien move back and forth, he guessed Lyra was giving the orders.
He thought back to how she had tricked him into the cell earlier, leaving him tangled in complicated feelings.
Only high–ranked Guides could purify Sentinels merely through physical contact.
He had previously guessed she was most likely a Guide below Tier–3S.
He had badly misjudged her.
When Zev stood and walked toward the cell, Hadrien blocked the doorway.
Noticing the standoff, Lyra quickly tucked the crow further behind her.
Zev reached the threshold and saw her surrounded by dozens of spirit animals.
No wonder she wanted to stay here.
No wonder she had been here constantly making contact with these spirit animals.
He studied her with undisguised curiosity.
“Step aside p>
He turned toward the voice to see Hadrien returning, after carrying the bed frame outside.
Hadrien herded the spirit animals slightly to one side and began spreading blankets across the
hard floor.
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Finated
Zev frowned at once. “A Guide cannot sleep on such hard flooring p>
Here he went again…
Lyra waved him closer.
Zev hesitated briefly before stepping forward.
Because the sole of her foot was still injured, and she was afraid the many spirit animals around. her might accidentally touch it, she rested it directly on the back of the white bear.
She lounged lazily, encircled by animals of every kind.
The spirit animals that had been seeking her affection instantly shifted. Their and sharp, fixed firmly on Zev.
The scene struck him like a vision: a queen guarded by her loyal retinue.
gazes turned cold
“Why do you talk so much?” Lyra’s synthesized Star Brain voice questioned him.
Faced with her rebuke, Zev replied evenly, “It falls within my official duties p>
Lyra tilted her head. “Your will crumbles so easily. How can you speak of duty p>
This unexpected counteraccusation silenced Zev.
He glanced toward Hadrien, who continued arranging bedding with steady focus.
Could Hadrien remain clear–headed when exposed to her proximity?
Lyra clapped her hands to draw his attention back.
“And you get distracted so easily. The standard for oversight officers leaves much to be desired p>
“You weren’t speaking to me,” Zev said.
Lyra narrowed her eyes. “Now you’re twisting words. I’m mute. How am I supposed to speak p>
Zev fell quiet, glancing toward her Star Brain screen.
Seeing him run out of retorts lifted Lyra’s mood a little.
Hadrien hid a quiet smile.
See? Do not provoke the quiet ones.
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Finished
“Mr. Vale. ”
Black Spire’s guards arrived with extra blankets.
Hadrien took them and layered them thickly over the floor for cushioning.
“It is ready p>
Lyra nodded and issued her dismissal to Zev via her Star Brain.
“I need to rest. Please leave p>
Zev had walked in only to be barraged with criticism.
His tone held no trace of anger, still that infuriating flat neutrality.
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.