Hey... Hey... wake up."
The voice was soft, like a breeze. I cracked my eyes open to see Lara hovering over me, a gentle smile on her face.
"I'm sorry for disturbing your sleep," she whispered. "But I couldn't let you go to bed on an empty stomach. Come, the family is waiting."
I groaned, my body still heavy from the memory-dump of Jayden's life. I climbed out of the mountain of silk and followed her through the sprawling halls.
Lara led me into the Grand Dining Hall, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe.
The room was a cathedral of excess. The walls were made of brushed titanium and stained glass that depicted ancient wars between mages and beasts. Above us, a chandelier made of raw mana-crystals hummed with a low, blue light, casting sharp shadows across the room.
The table itself was a massive slab of petrified wood, overflowing with dishes that smelled like a five-star fever dream. Golden-crusted roasts, shimmering soups, and fruits that looked like they were carved from gemstones.
Damn, I thought, sliding into the chair Lara pulled out for me. They really do eat like gods while the rest of the world rots.
I looked up, and the temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees.
Four pairs of eyes were locked onto me. Pete sat at the head of the table, his presence like a mountain. To his side sat the "Monsters."
"Jayden," Pete's voice boomed, vibrating in my chest. "These are my sons. Your brothers."
He pointed to the oldest, Silas (18). He sat perfectly still, his suit as sharp as his gaze. Then Chris (16), who looked bored out of his mind, and finally Jamie (15), who looked like he'd just swallowed a lemon.
Silas leaned forward, a polished, practiced smile spreading across his face. "Nice to meet you, Jayden."
He sounded polite, but his eyes were like surgical lasers. He wasn't welcoming a brother; he was dissecting a specimen, looking for the exact spot to slide a knife in if I became a nuisance.
Chris didn't even bother with the act. He spared me a half-second glance before turning back to his drink, dismissing me as if I were a piece of furniture.
Jamie, however, couldn't hide his bratty streak. He slammed his silver fork down with a loud clatter. "Well," he scoffed, eyes full of disgust. "My appetite is officially gone."
I didn't flinch. I didn't tremble. I just mirrored Silas's fake-ass smile with one of my own—cool, empty, and perfectly calm.
"Nice to meet you all," I said, my voice steady. "My name is Jayden Cross. I hope we get along."
And I hope you people leave me the fuck alone, I added silently. Because if you think an F-class orphan is an easy target, you're about to find out how much of a headache a 'glitch' can be.
I picked up my spoon and took a sip of the soup. It was rich, creamy, and tasted like victory.