The Queen Who Fights Back (by Lily Hastings) novel Chapter 123

Chapter 123

Nova had always made a clear distinction between grudges and favors.

Her words were clean–cut and direct, every line delivered with striking clarity.

But her straightforwardness made Jane’s eyes go wide–she almost couldn’t believe it!

Jane, a student from an ordinary college,

56 vouchers

wasn’t anything like Maxwell and Hannah–she’d never learned how to fight, never met any mysterious experts lurking around the school. Honestly, she knew next to nothing about that world.

As far as Jane was concerned, things like this were just the kind of stories you’d catch on the evening news!

Jane clapped her hands to her head so fast it was like she’d been shocked, and the fear nearly knocked her out cold.

Getting hunted down, dodging bombers, being a wanted fugitive… Seriously, what sort of nightmare had Nova made it through?!

Jane suddenly burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably as she stammered out her apologies.

“I’m sorry… sob… I’m sorry….

“I didn’t know… sob, sob… I swear, I really didn’t know…”

Maxwell and Hannah had been about to say something, but Nova’s brutally honest words left them shaken to the core once again.

They’d always thought that before Nova returned to her family, she’d simply been through warzones or worked as a correspondent overseas.

That alone was already something totally out of reach for a regular college student.

But…

What was with nearly sixteen hundred companions betraying her–and hunting her for ten days and nights without rest?

She’d been cornered by thirty–nine bombers, with nowhere to run…

And even now, she’s wanted in twenty–nine countries–how did all that happen?

It was like, during those years she spent on the battlefield, she’d done things that sounded straight out of a nightmare.

Making it out of a massacre like that and actually coming back alive–most people wouldn’t even dream of surviving. Nova must’ve had a hell of a lot of luck and skill!

55 vouchers

14 42 Mon, Nov 17

Chapter 123

Maxwell and Hannah stared, frozen like stunned robots, completely shell–shocked.

With stiff, awkward movements, they slowly turned to look at Nova.

“Thud!”

Unable to hold herself together, Jane sat there on the ground, face buried in her hands, sobbing uncontrollably.

Nova couldn’t care less. With Maxwell and Hannah still staring at her like detectives, she just turned her back on them and strode right out the front door.

“Novie!”

Nova was almost at the gates of Green Ridge Village when Maxwell and Hannah finally managed to catch up. Maxwell never dared ask Nova about her past–he was terrified her stories would be more than he could handle.

‘But….

‘That was all back then!‘

He could always just choose to stay ignorant.

But now, hearing how Nova had been betrayed by nearly sixteen hundred people and trapped by thirty–nine bombers, Maxwell and Hannah weren’t even shocked by her strength–they were just consumed by a cold, bone–deep fear.

‘If Nova hadn’t made it through, she never would’ve come home.

And now, the biggest problem is…

“Novie, you’re wanted in twenty–nine countries? What does that even mean?” Maxwell asked, his face drained of color.

“This isn’t history–it’s still going on right now.

‘If things go south, it could turn into a total disaster.

‘Nova might be hunted down as a fugitive, captured, and maybe–even lose her life!‘

“Not just that.” Nova answered, deadpan.

Nova stood at the village edge, her eyes unyielding despite the humble surroundings.

“It’s not just twenty–nine countries hunting me.

“There’s… a lot more.”

Take Devil’s Isle, for example–the world’s most notorious and dangerous hunter in the game.

14:42 Mon, Nov 17 A

Chapter 123

EX 56 vouchere

On the global stage. Devil’s Isle stands shoulder to shoulder with the Bloodblade Mercenary Corps and the Shadow Sanctum

Why? Because inside Devil’s Isle, they’ve locked up the most vicious criminals this planet has ever produced.

Each one of them is an elite–assassins, mercenaries, underground agents, and the biggest heavyweights in

the black market.

They’re prisoners, sure–but if Devil’s Isle decides to unleash them, they’ll serve its cause and become the deadliest weapon imaginable.

With a lineup like that, Devil’s Isle could become a force that would send shockwaves across the entire world.

And on top of that, they’ve got Ray Hale watching over everything like an unstoppable legend.

That’s not even counting Devil’s Isle.

Nova, after over ten years working as a mercenary, has crossed and infuriated countless enemies. Hidden families, underground societies, mysterious organizations–all of them have marked her as a top–tier fugitive.

If you put all their hit lists together, there are easily more than a hundred factions chasing her down. Calling her the “Most Wanted Queen” barely scratches the surface of the danger she’s in.

“There’s no way I could ever let Maxwell and Hannah know about any of this,‘ Nova thought.

“How… how did you end up ticking off so many dangerous factions?” Maxwell stammered, his voice quivering as panic shot through his chest.

Paranoia was starting to gnaw at him–he couldn’t quite shake the feeling that something was seriously off.

No way my little sister was just a run–of–the–mill war correspondent or some grunt on the battlefield,‘ Maxwell thought, heart racing. “There’s definitely more to her story.

‘She’s hiding a secret so big, it’s almost terrifying

serious.

Seeing Maxwell and Hannah staring at her with such urgent, worried eyes, Nova’s own gaze turned cold and

Even if it’s Maxwell and Hannah themselves…

If she ever put the Blake family at risk of total ruin, she knew they’d do what’s necessary–even if it meant making the tough call.

Besides….

With half the world after her–governments, shadowy syndicates, Interpol, and even Devil’s Isle itself–more than she could ever count–if she ever ended up putting her loved ones at risk…

Her dad, Charles Blake, with his resolute and trusting gaze at her….

Her mom, Fiona Blake, with her overwhelming, unconcealable love…

14:42 Mon, Nov 17

Chapter 123

Her brother, Maxwell, and his steadfast protection…

And her sister, Hannah, finally starting to see Nova for who she truly was…

65 vouchers

Tsk. Bloodforge, Nova mused, these past few days, you’ve let yourself get swept up in all that newfound family warmth–so much that you’ve started to lose sight of your true self.‘

If she hadn’t suddenly snapped out of it, she might never have realized at all.

If she kept hanging around any longer, she was bound to bring harm to the people she loved.

Besides…

Nova knew that compared to her–a ticking time bomb–Maxwell and Hannah would make the hard call if it meant protecting the ones they loved, even if it meant pushing her out of their lives for everyone’s safety.

That’s exactly why they were so frantic to figure out the source of all this danger.

Was my dream of a quiet life with my family already falling apart–before it even got a chance to start?‘ Nova thought, forcing out a bitter smirk.

‘Yeah, go figure…

‘What a joke.

‘Maybe all that family love I spent my life craving is just a bubble–something shiny but empty, ready to pop the moment I reach for it.”

Maxwell’s urgent questioning hung in the air, and Nova couldn’t bring herself to look him in the eye.

She let her gaze drop, and in that instant, the brief glimmer of hope and renewal she’d managed to reclaim snuffed out completely.

Nova said softly, barely above a whisper, “I’m going to leave.”

“Trust me, this is something I have to deal with myself. None of this will touch you–I promise.” Nova forced herself to sound steady, but inside, she was already shutting them out for good.

As soon as the words left her lips, Nova spun around without a second glance, determined to walk away and leave everything behind.

But just as Nova was about to leave, she felt a pair of hands clamp down on her shoulders, stopping her cold.

It wasn’t Maxwell who grabbed her.

It was…

Hannah’s hands locked tightly on Nova’s shoulders, her grip firm and unyielding. Her eyes blazed with a complex, focused intensity–a fierce storm of anger, concern, and heartbreak, like she was caught between wanting to protect Nova and being furious at her.

14 42 Mon, Nov 17 A

Chapter 123

ne vouefiers

For once, Hannah showed every ounce of big sister authority–she didn’t hold back and went off, her furious rant echoing through the air. But instead of crushing Nova, those sharp words somehow lit a spark in her eyes, chasing away the shadows within.

“Relax? How am I supposed to just chill?

“Leave? Where do you think you’re even going, huh?

“What do you mean it’s your problem alone? You think handling this yourself is even an option? News flash- you’ve already pulled us into this mess!

“Listen up, Nova–ever since you walked through that front door and chose this family, you’re one of us. Where do you think you’re gonna escape to now? So you’re a most–wanted fugitive–big deal! You really think I’m some soft touch? You think I’m the type to back down or get scared? Not a chance!”