guilded secrets :the unmasked queen

Chapter -8 The hunder and the hunted

The next morning, Tanisha walked into the dining hall to find Nathan sitting at the head of the table, flipping through documents while drinking coffee.

He looked up when he saw her.

"You're up early," he remarked.

"I could say the same for you."

Nathan smirked, setting his papers aside. "I run a billion-dollar empire, Tanisha. No rest for the wicked."

She took a seat across from him. "You sure you're not just avoiding me after losing last night?"

Nathan let out a deep chuckle. "Oh, so you're cocky too?"

She picked up a piece of toast. "Confidence is key."

Nathan studied her for a moment before leaning back. "You're a lot like me when I was younger."

Tanisha arched a brow. "Is that a compliment?"

He smirked. "It's a warning."

Before she could reply, their father walked in.

"Good, you two are finally bonding," lucas said, clearly pleased.

Nathan sighed. "She destroyed me in chess. How do you think that makes me feel?"

Lucas chuckled. "That my daughter is brilliant?"

Nathan groaned dramatically, while Tanisha just smirked.

For the first time, she felt like she truly belonged.

Later that morning, Tanisha walked into the Agnihotri estate's private training room—a sleek, high-tech space filled with boxing equipment, weights, and a glass-enclosed dojo.

She had been planning to spend some time alone when she noticed Nathan standing inside, wrapping his hands in boxing tape.

He smirked when he saw her. "Morning, little sister. Thought you might join me."

She leaned against the doorway, arms crossed. "You inviting me for a workout or a fight?"

Nathan chuckled, rolling his shoulders. "Both."

Tanisha tilted her head. "You sure you can handle it? You already lost once."

His eyes glinted with amusement. "Chess and hand-to-hand combat are different things."

She stepped forward. "Let's test that theory."

Nathan tossed her a pair of gloves, and within minutes, they were in the ring.

The match began.

Nathan came at her first—fast, powerful, controlled.

But Tanisha was faster.

She dodged his first punch with ease, countering with a sharp kick that made him stumble back.

Nathan's eyes widened slightly. "You've been trained."

She smirked. "You didn't think I survived on luck, did you?"

The fight continued, an intense back-and-forth exchange of strikes and counters.

Then, in one swift move, Tanisha feigned left—only to sweep Nathan's legs from under him.

He hit the mat with a grunt.

Silence.

Then—

Nathan laughed. "Okay. I officially respect you."

She held out a hand to help him up. "Took you long enough."

Nathan gripped her hand, pulling himself to his feet. "You're full of surprises, sis."

For the first time, he called her 'sis.'

And for some reason, that meant more to her than she expected.

---

Just as Tanisha was about to leave the training room, a butler entered.

"Miss Tanisha, there is someone waiting for you in the garden."

She raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

The butler hesitated. "Mr. Adrian Blackwood."

Nathan, who had just taken a sip of water, choked. "Blackwood? That Blackwood?"

Tanisha blinked. "You know him?"

Nathan wiped his mouth, looking incredulous. "Of course, I do. Adrian Blackwood is not just the richest man in the world—he's ruthless in business. He doesn't get close to people unless there's a reason."

Tanisha smirked. "Maybe I'm his reason."

Nathan's expression darkened slightly, a protective edge surfacing. "Be careful with him, Tanisha. He's not someone you can play around with."

She met his gaze, her expression unreadable. "Who said I was the one being played?"

Nathan sighed. "Fine. Go see him. But don't forget—you have a family now. We'll always have your back."

For the first time, she truly felt like someone was looking out for her.

---

Tanisha stepped into the lush Agnihotri gardens, where Adrian Blackwood stood waiting.

Dressed in a black suit, hands in his pockets, he looked every bit the untouchable billionaire.

But when he saw her, his gaze softened—just a little.

"You took your time," he said.

She smirked. "Had to finish beating my brother first."

Adrian raised an eyebrow. "You fought Nathan?"

"And won."

His lips twitched. "Interesting."

She walked beside him as they strolled down the pathway, the scent of roses filling the air.

After a few moments, Adrian spoke. "You fit in here better than I expected."

Tanisha glanced at him. "Disappointed?"

"Not at all," he murmured, watching her intently. "But I liked the idea of you being a little untamed."

She chuckled. "I don't belong to anyone, Adrian."

He stepped closer. "Not yet."

The air between them shifted.

For the first time, Tanisha felt something dangerous—an undeniable pull toward him.

But before she could reply, her phone rang.

She checked the screen. An unknown number.

She hesitated before answering.

"Tanisha Agnihotri?" a distorted voice said. "You don't know me yet, but I know you. And I know your secrets."

Her grip on the phone tightened.

Adrian's gaze sharpened. "What's wrong?"

She ended the call, her expression turning cold.

"Nothing. Just another game to play."

Tanisha stood still, gripping her phone as the call ended.

Someone was watching her. Someone who thought they knew her secrets.

She glanced at Adrian, who was watching her too closely.

"You look like you just heard something interesting," he said, voice smooth yet unreadable.

Tanisha slipped her phone into her pocket. "Nothing I can't handle."

Adrian tilted his head slightly, studying her. "You don't trust easily."

"I don't trust at all."

Adrian smirked. "Yet, here you are, walking with me."

She met his gaze. "That doesn't mean I trust you."

The silence stretched between them, charged with something neither acknowledged.

Then, Adrian spoke. "Do you want to know something, Tanisha?"

She raised an eyebrow. "What?"

He took a step closer, his voice low. "I don't trust easily either. But you… you interest me."

Tanisha's heartbeat quickened—not in fear, but in something far more dangerous.

But before either of them could say more, a voice interrupted.

"Tanisha."

She turned to see Nathan standing at the garden entrance, his eyes flicking between her and Adrian.

The warmth in his expression from earlier? Gone.

---

Nathan waited until Adrian left before speaking.

"You need to be careful," he said, his tone firm.

Tanisha folded her arms. "You don't trust him?"

Nathan exhaled. "Blackwood is the kind of man who gets what he wants. Always."

She smirked. "And what if I'm not something to be 'gotten'?"

Nathan frowned. "Tanisha, listen to me—"

"Why?" she interrupted. "Because I'm your sister? Or because you don't think I can handle myself?"

Nathan's jaw tightened. "Because I know men like him. And I don't want you getting hurt."

Something about his words made her pause.

For so long, she had fought alone. Had relied on no one but herself.

But now… someone cared.

Even if she didn't say it aloud, it mattered.

She sighed. "I'll be careful."

Nathan studied her, then nodded. "Good."

But something told her Adrian Blackwood wasn't a man she could simply avoid.

---

Later that night, Tanisha sat on her bed, her laptop open.

The unknown caller had rattled her—but she wasn't the type to wait for answers.

She would find them herself.

Her fingers flew across the keyboard as she hacked into the number's source.

A few firewalls. A rerouted signal. But nothing she couldn't break.

Then—she hit something.

A name.

Or rather, a codename.

ShadowByte.

Her eyes narrowed. Whoever this was… they weren't just some low-level stalker.

They were skilled. And that meant they were dangerous.

Her screen suddenly went black.

Then—

A single message appeared.

"Nice try, Tanisha Agnihotri. Let's see who finds the truth first—you or me."

Tanisha's pulse quickened.

This wasn't just a warning.

This was a challenge.

And if there was one thing she never backed down from…

It was a game.