Elora's POV
The Next Morning
Darcey watched me closely while I packed my books into my bag. Her stare wasn't just normal curiosity. It felt sharp, almost like she was trying to read my mind. It made my skin itch.
"You do not seem like someone bad." She stood from her bed and moved a little closer, still studying me.
Darcey. My roommate. I only figured out her name late last night.
"You came in really late. You were panting and mumbling. I could not hear anything you said."
"Can you just go straight to the point?" I snapped, letting my bag drop harder than I intended. My hands went to my waist as I faced her.
"Hmm. I only wanted to ask if you would be in the same team with me. It is rare to see a lady going out at night on this campus. Not with the rate at which students are being killed by random creatures."
"How am I supposed to believe you? Students are being killed in a school as huge as this?"
I chuckled at the thought of it.
"There has been a lot of history behind this, it is being covered up. I know it sounds unbelievable, but a few of us have been doing research. This school is not what you think…"
"I know how dangerous things can be for me. That is why I am doing everything in my best not to get into trouble. It sounds like you might want to use me as a scape goat just because I'm a human." I cut her off quickly.
I already knew where she was going. And I did not want to hear it.
She rushed to her locker and pulled out an old book. "You might want to look at this with me."
"I am sorry. I have training sessions today. I will check it later." I grabbed my backpack tightly and rushed out of the room before she could say anything else.
In as much as im trying so hard not to give a fuck about what she was going to say, curiousity was beginning to get to me.
The book might actually help me. Especially with the prophecy the moon goddess showed me. But I needed to move carefully. Every detail mattered. One mistake and the entire world could fall apart.
The thought of what I saw yesterday crept back in, heavy and unwanted. I had pushed it away for hours, but it found me again.
One of my mates kissing my professor.
I still felt that strange twist in my stomach whenever the memory flashed. Confusion. Anger. Shock. And something else I didn't want to name.
I stood in front of the training room. My hand hovered near the door. My pulse was loud in my ears. For a second, I almost turned back.
But I forced myself to breathe. My fingers trembled slightly as I pushed the door open before fear stopped me again.
I wasn't late today, but Professor Daren was already inside.
His eyes locked onto mine the instant I stepped in. The intensity of his stare pressed against me, almost physical. My chest tightened, and I looked away quickly. If I met his gaze too long, I wasn't sure what would happen to me.
Would this make him hate me more? Would he push me harder just to punish me? All because I knew their secrets already?
I walked toward Liam, my sparring partner from last time.
"Hello, Elora. It is unbelievable you came to me again. I enjoy beating you."
"I feel like sparring with someone stronger pushes me harder. I hate losing." I said calmly, walking past him. He definitely heard me.
I placed my backpack where the others put theirs. Even without looking, I felt Daren watching me. His gaze followed me like a shadow. I pretended not to notice. I was good at that.
I picked up a wooden sword, matching the others.
"I love your determination," Liam said. "It makes me want to go easy on you, but I will not risk it."
"One of my goals right now is to beat you, Liam. You should be careful. Once I set my mind to something, I do everything in my power to reach it."
"Gather around," Daren said. "We will continue from where we stopped last night. You should be better already. Try beating your opponent. That is your goal. Switch opponents if you feel they are too weak."
Students murmured loudly.
"Do not worry. I am not going anywhere," Liam said when I glanced at him.
"Quiet!" Daren's voice thundered through the room. Silence fell immediately.
Then the door opened.
We all turned.
Lys stood there.
My heart skipped. His muscles pushed against his shirt in that same intimidating way.
He was more muscular than Daren. My mind drifted to yesterday again. Their kiss. Their bodies. And then the stupidest question flashed in my head: Who was the bottom between them? Was it Lys? Who leaned in first?
What the hell was wrong with me?
"Can everyone give us a moment please?" Lys said. His voice surprised me. It wasn't as deep as I thought it would be. Somehow, that disappointed me. I had expected something different.
"Today's class is cancelled. Train on your own," Daren said.
He cancelled class for Lys. His partner. My mate. The whole situation still felt unreal.
"I guess we will practice another day," Liam said.
Everyone grabbed their bags and started leaving. I was almost out too when Lys grabbed my arm.
"Where do you think you are going?"
Oh shit.
How did I forget he came here for me?
Soon, the room was empty except for the three of us. My heartbeat thudded painfully. Being alone with them made the room feel smaller. The air thicker. Thoughts I did not want started creeping in again, unwanted and embarrassing.
Lys locked the door.
His hand was still gripping my arm. "Your grip is too stiff. Let me go. Why are you holding me like I did something wrong?" I yanked my arm away, anger flaring through me.
"About what happened yesterday."
"There is no one I will tell. I do not care about your relationship. Do you understand?"
I did care. Too much. But he did not need to know that. I tried to walk past him, but he pulled me back.
"I am here to warn you. Any rumors about us will get you killed. Women are the last thing I will ever show interest in. I am different from you and the likes of you disgust me."
"The first time you talked to me, you chose to talk rubbish. It is better if you stay silent. It seems your father did a bad job raising you. Very clear none of you have a mother fig…"
I bit down on my words too late. Fear stabbed through me immediately.
He raised his hand.
My whole body tensed. My breath stumbled. I lowered my face, bracing myself. Waiting for the pain.
But nothing touched me.
I slowly lifted my head.
Daren held Lys's wrist midair, stopping him.
Of course. They understood each other's anger better than anyone.
"I will make sure you regret what you just said," Lys said, his voice sharp and cold. "You will walk into your death. Just wait and see."
His words slid into my bones like a dark promise. He said it like he meant it. I guess I was already on his bad side.
Let's see how many days it wilk take for me to survive in this hell hole