"That is weird, I'll admit," El replied, a nervous laugh escaping her lips. "I felt the shift, too—which is why I pulled James away when I did. It's strange; the brothers usually partner up with each other. Professor Lorian never fights them on it."
I scrunched up my nose, a mix of bewilderment and irritation swirling within me. It was infuriating to be treated like a pawn in their twisted game, especially when I had no clue what the rules were. "Exactly!" I exclaimed, my voice laced with frustration. "It's like they're toying with me, and I have no idea why."
El nodded slowly, "Nox and his brothers can be unpredictable, and their intentions might not be clear yet. But with how Nox—out of all of them—has been acting... there's definitely something about you that's caught his attention."
"Great," I muttered, burying my face in my hands. "Just what I need—another layer of crazy on top of everything else." I let out a long sigh. "Why can't anything be simple?"
As we walked along, browsing the charming boutiques that lined Havenbrook's streets, a familiar tingling sensation prickled the back of my neck. It was a feeling I'd grown accustomed to while living in Luminaria—and hell, even at the academy—a subtle warning, like a whisper in the shadows, that something wasn't right. I paused, scanning the bustling street, my gaze flitting from the vendors pushing their goods to the groups of people absorbed in their conversations. Nothing seemed out of place… yet the unsettling feeling persisted, coiling in my stomach like a know. I tried to shake it off, chalking it up to the lingering anxiety from my recent ordeal in the forest.
"Everything okay?" El asked, her brow furrowed with concern as she noticed my sudden hesitation.
"Yeah, fine," I replied, forcing a smile, hoping to reassure her—but mostly myself. "Just a little on edge, I guess."
We continued our walk, the vibrant atmosphere of Havenbrook momentarily distracting me from the nagging unease. We stopped to admire a display of handcrafted jewelry, the designs catching the light as they swayed gently in the breeze. El pointed out a pair of earrings, their delicate silver filigree shaped like tiny dragons, their eyes sparkling with miniature gemstones.
"Those would look amazing on you," she remarked, nudging me playfully.
I laughed, the tension easing slightly. "Maybe," I replied, my fingers tracing the intricate patterns of the earrings. "But I'm not sure I can pull off the whole dragon look."
As I turned away from the display, the tingling sensation returned—stronger this time. A wave of dread washed over me, cold and suffocating, like a dark cloud descending upon my soul. I scanned the street again, my heart pounding in my chest, a sense of foreboding gripping me. The laughter and chatter of the townsfolk seemed to fade into the background, replaced by a low, ominous hum that vibrated in my bones. The bright colors of the market stalls dulled, as if a veil had been drawn over the world, casting everything in a muted, sinister light. I felt a growing sense of dread, as if something unseen was watching us, its malevolent gaze fixed upon me.
I squeezed my eyes shut, taking a deep breath as I started counting down from five, focusing on the thump of my own heart, trying to drown out the ominous hum. When I opened them, the vibrant colors of Havenbrook had returned, the laughter and noise no longer muted but ringing in the air. But the feeling—that cold, suffocating dread—was still there, clinging to me. El, thankfully, didn't notice my momentary lapse. She was engrossed in conversation with the older woman who owned the jewelry display.
"Just your imagination," I whispered to myself, the words barely audible over the bustling market sounds. But deep down, a part of me knew better than that. Something was wrong.
* * *
As the sundipped below the horizon, painting the sky in fiery hues of orange and purple, we made our way back to campus. The towering trees lining the road cast long, eerie shadows that danced and swayed in the twilight breeze. I couldn't shake the unsettling thoughts that swirled in my mind, my mind constantly replaying the encounter with the beast from the night of the party.
Those emerald eyes, sharp and piercing, haunted me. Their glint cutting through the darkness. They held an intensity I'd never encountered before, both terrifying and captivating. What was it about their eyes that drew me in, despite my fear?
The memory clung to me like a vivid dream, the chill down my spine as real now as it was then. Those eyes had seemed to pierce my soul, stripping away my carefully constructed facade. Even now, a wave of unease washes over me as I recall the sheer power radiating from that creature.
“Thalia?” El’s voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to the present. “You okay?”
I managed a shaky nod, forcing a smile despite the anxiety churning within me. The gothic spires of the academy loomed into view as the bus shuddered to a halt, signaling our arrival. A wave of relief washed over me, the familiar sight of the academy offering a sense of security, a temporary haven from the darkness that lurked beyond its walls.
As we reached the edge of the bustling courtyard, El turned to me, her eyes sparkling with an infectious enthusiasm. "I've got plans tonight," she declared, a playful sternness in her voice, "but promise me you'll be in class tomorrow."
"Yeah, yeah, I promise," I replied, rolling my eyes playfully.
With a cheerful wave, she disappeared into the crowd of students, leaving me to navigate the path towards the dorms alone. The solitude was a welcome break, allowing me to dig into the whirlwind of thoughts that plagued me. The encounter with the beast, the unsettling whispers of the shadows, the lingering unease that had taken root since as long as I could remember – all swirled within me,
Lost in the maze of my anxieties, I collided with something solid, the impact jarring me back to the present with a jolt that sent a tremor through my very core. A startled gasp escaped my lips as I stumbled, my hands grasping at empty air before finding my balance on a sturdy arm. Warmth radiated through my fingertips, I looked up, ready to offer a flustered apology, but the words evaporated before they could reach my lips.
Zarek.
But it wasn't just his presence that stole my breath. An intoxicating scent enveloped me—an unexpected blend of ocean and cedar, a fragrance that spoke of untamed wilderness and hidden depths. It filled my senses: warm and inviting, grounding yet exhilarating, a captivating blend of strength and serenity. The earthy aroma wrapped around me like a comforting embrace. It was a scent that stirred something deep within me—a primal recognition, a kindred spirit, a connection that transcended words.
"Sorry about that," a deep voice rumbled, amusement lacing his tone. "Forgot my 'Caution: May Cause Unintentional Collisions' sign." His golden-amber eyes, alight with mischief, met mine, and a faint smirk played on his lips. Zarek stood before me, his presence radiating a blend of power and playful charm. The unexpected encounter sent a jolt of surprise through me, a flutter of something unfamiliar stirring within my chest.
"Right," I retorted, folding my arms across my chest—a defensive posture that belied the flutter of something parallel to excitement in my stomach.
He chuckled, a low, harmonic sound that danced in the air between us, sending a shiver down my spine. "You know," he said, his voice a silken purr, "I'm flattered you were so lost in thought that you didn't even notice the wall of charm blocking your path."
"Charm?" I countered, arching an eyebrow, letting my sass flow freely. "I think you mean the wall of arrogance. And trust me, it's not as impressive as you think."
Zarek leaned down slightly, his expression a mixture of playful amusement and enigmatic allure. The subtle shift in his demeanor sent a ripple of awareness through me, a tingling sensation that danced across my skin. "Oh, but you're intrigued, aren't you, Firefly?" he murmured, his voice a low thrum that resonated deep within me. "There's something about me that keeps you coming back."
