guilded secrets :the unmasked queen

Chapter -11

Tanisha sat at her desk, fingers steepled as she replayed the footage from ShadowByte.

Sinnea was getting reckless.

Her cousin wasn't just scheming in the shadows anymore—she was actively trying to ruin Tanisha's reputation.

Tanisha exhaled slowly. Fine. If Sinnea wanted to play, then Tanisha would end this before it even began.

Tanisha stared at the screen, reading the message again.

"I underestimated you. Let's see if you can keep up."

A set of coordinates followed.

Her heart didn't race—because she had already pieced it together.

ShadowByte wasn't a stranger.

He was family.

A slow smirk curled on her lips.

"I was wondering when you'd show up, brother."

A new message appeared instantly.

ShadowByte: "Took you long enough, little sister. I thought you were smarter than this."

Tanisha exhaled, shaking her head. Of course.

The infamous hacker who had the government on edge, the one manipulating digital strings behind the scenes—was her fourth brother.

She had spent years searching for him without realizing he had been watching her all along.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard.

Tanisha: "Why reveal yourself now?"

A pause.

Then—

ShadowByte: "Because I don't like your cousin. And I really don't like how she's trying to ruin you."

Tanisha's smirk deepened. So he had been watching Sinnea, too.

---

A new message flashed on the screen.

ShadowByte: "Sinnea isn't just scheming. She's gathering allies."

Tanisha's fingers tightened around the keyboard.

She had expected Sinnea to fight back, but she hadn't expected her to pull in outside forces.

Tanisha: "Who?"

ShadowByte: "Lucien. And possibly others."

Her eyes darkened. That snake.

Tanisha: "So what's your game? You clearly enjoy teasing me, but are you actually going to help?"

ShadowByte: "I'll help. But only from the shadows. This is your battle, little sister. Don't disappoint me."

Tanisha leaned back, exhaling slowly.

Her own brother had been testing her. Watching how she handled herself.

And now?

Now, he was giving her a silent nod of ap

Her screen flickered again.

One final message.

ShadowByte: "I'll meet you soon. But not yet. You still have work to do."

Tanisha smirked.

Tanisha: "Then don't keep me waiting, brother."

The screen shut off.

She leaned back, her mind whirring.

Her brother was back.

Sinnea was gathering allies.

And Lucien?

Lucien had just become her next target.

Tanisha woke up to a notification on her laptop.

A new file sat on her desktop.

[Open Me, Little Sister.]

Her lips twitched. ShadowByte was enjoying this too much.

She clicked it.

A list of names appeared—students, faculty, and even some external contacts.

At the top?

Lucien Graves.

And beneath his name?

Known associates:

Sinnea Agnihotri (Primary)

Oliver Westwood (Son of a senator, rumored to have connections with illegal betting rings.)

Lydia Cheng (Heiress to a media empire, specializes in PR manipulation.)

Tanisha's expression turned cold.

So Sinnea wasn't just gathering random allies—she was building a network.

A new message popped up.

ShadowByte: "I'd be careful if I were you. Lucien doesn't just play for fun."

Tanisha leaned back, considering her options.

Lucien was powerful. Dangerous. But if he thought she was going to back down?

He was in for a surprise.

---

Later that day, Tanisha found an elegant envelope on her desk.

She opened it and scanned the words.

"Formal gathering at The Silver Club. Private guest list. Invitation only."

She recognized the venue. It was a place where the elite met to negotiate behind closed doors.

And at the bottom of the invitation?

Lucien's signature.

A challenge.

A smirk played on her lips.

She had two choices. Ignore it and let Lucien think she was weak. Or attend and face him head-on.

The choice was obvious.

She was going.

---

That night, Tanisha stepped into The Silver Club.

The moment she walked in, conversations paused.

People turned to look at her, some with amusement, others with calculated interest.

And at the far end of the room?

Lucien Graves.

Tall. Composed. Dangerous.

Beside him sat Sinnea, her expression smug.

Tanisha walked over slowly, her presence demanding attention.

Lucien smirked. "I was wondering if you'd come."

Tanisha tilted her head. "Did you think I'd run away?"

He chuckled, swirling the drink in his hand. "Not at all. I just wanted to see how bold you really are."

Sinnea leaned in, her voice sweet but sharp. "This isn't your kind of place, cousin. You don't belong here."

Tanisha met her gaze, then turned back to Lucien, ignoring Sinnea completely.

"Are we going to keep talking in circles, or do you actually have something interesting to say?"

Lucien's smirk widened. "Oh, I like you."

He gestured to the seat across from him.

"Sit, Tanisha. Let's talk."

---

Tanisha lowered herself into the seat across from Lucien, exuding confidence.

Sinnea watched, her smirk widening like she had already won.

But Tanisha wasn't here to play their game.

She was here to control it.

Lucien leaned forward, amusement flickering in his sharp gaze. "You're full of surprises, Tanisha."

She met his gaze, unimpressed. "And you're full of empty words. If you have something to say, say it."

Lucien chuckled. "Direct. I like that."

His fingers tapped against the table. "You intrigue me, Tanisha. But I have to wonder—do you really understand what kind of battlefield you've stepped into?"

Tanisha's lips curled into a slight smirk. "Lucien, I was born in a battlefield."

Sinnea laughed lightly. "Cousin, don't overestimate yourself. Connections are everything here. And I have more than you."

Tanisha finally turned to Sinnea, her eyes unreadable. "Connections mean nothing if you can't keep them."

Sinnea's smile twitched.

Lucien chuckled again, clearly enjoying the exchange. "Ladies, let's not fight before dinner."

He swirled his drink before setting it down.

"Tell me, Tanisha. Do you believe in alliances?"

---

Tanisha tilted her head. "That depends. Alliances with whom?"

Lucien smiled. "Me."

Sinnea stiffened beside him, but Tanisha didn't react.

"I assume there's a catch."

Lucien leaned in, his voice dropping slightly. "I don't make enemies without reason. But you? You've gained attention. Some see you as a threat. Others see you as… a wild card."

Tanisha remained silent, waiting.

Lucien continued, "I don't want to be your enemy, Tanisha. In fact, I'd rather help you."

She raised an eyebrow. "Help me? Or control me?"

Lucien grinned. "Smart girl. Let's just say… I like having strong people on my side."

Sinnea's nails dug into her glass, her irritation barely concealed.

Tanisha let the tension build before speaking.

"I don't do alliances based on flattery. If you want something from me, be direct."

Lucien's smirk deepened. "Fair enough. I want you to work with me."

Silence settled over the table.

Tanisha finally spoke.

"And what do I get in return?"

Lucien leaned back, eyes gleaming. "Protection. Power. Influence."

Tanisha smiled.

"How interesting."

---

Sinnea finally spoke, her voice saccharine. "Cousin, are you sure you're ready for this world? It's a little… beyond you."

Tanisha exhaled softly, then pulled out her phone.

She placed it on the table, the screen lighting up.

A video played.

Sinnea's face paled.

It was footage of her forging emails—the very evidence she had planned to use against Tanisha.

The same footage ShadowByte had sent earlier.

Tanisha smiled, but her eyes were ice.

"You were saying?"

Lucien watched with interest, his expression unreadable.

Sinnea forced a laugh. "That's fake."

Tanisha shrugged. "Then you won't mind if I send it to the school board."

Sinnea's breath hitched.

Lucien chuckled lowly. "You're colder than I thought."

Tanisha turned to him. "Do you still think I need protection?"

Lucien smirked. "No. Now I just want to see what you do next."

Tanisha picked up her phone, standing.

"This has been fun, but I don't take orders. If you want an alliance, Lucien, you'll have to do better than that."

She turned, walking away as Sinnea fumed in silence.

And Lucien?

He was watching her with growing interest.