23. Evelyn
23
Evelyn
I woke up Monday morning with a knot in my gut. An unshakable sense of dread followed me as I walked toward the Academy.
Whether it was paranoia or instinct, I wasn’t about to ignore it.
Grabbing my phone, I typed a quick message to our group chat: Guys, something feels off today. Be ready for anything.
Almost instantly, my phone buzzed with replies. Lucien’s came first: I’ll inform the dean.
Then he quickly added: xx.
Alister’s response followed: I’ll alert the Supernatural Law Enforcement Agents. Stay safe, my love.
Rafe mentioned he and Zade would patrol the skies. Ryker replied with a thumbs-up emoji followed by a thumbs-down, and Chad wrote that he was coming over to act as my ‘bodyguard’.
The morning crawled by, each tick of the clock tightening the knot in my stomach. By lunchtime, I couldn’t even look at food. My friends exchanged worried glances as I pushed my tray away.
“Eve, you need to eat something,” Raven urged.
“I agree. You need to fuel up in case we need to kick some Goddess ass,” Chad added, squeezing my arm affectionately.
I shook my head. “Can’t. My stomach’s in knots.”
The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Students began to file out of the cafeteria, heading to their next classes.
“Come on,” Chad said, gently pulling me by the hand. “I’ll walk you to class.”
I let him lead me out of the cafeteria and into the bustling hallways. Posters for the upcoming end-of-year ball lined the walls, and students talked excitedly about their plans.
“Chad,” I said as we reached my next class. “Thank you.”
He ruffled my hair, making me smile. “That’s what mates are for.”
The first three afternoon classes passed without incident, making me question whether my gut feeling was just paranoia. Maybe I was psyching myself out for no reason.
By the time the afternoon break rolled around, I was almost starting to relax. I had just sat down with the others when a cold, clear voice sliced through my mind: Ready or not, here I come.
I jolted upright, my chair scraping against the floor with an earsplitting screech.
My friends were startled, eyes wide.
“Evelyn? What’s wrong?” Adrien asked, his voice tight.
Before I could answer, a deafening bang shook the Academy. The walls trembled, and I heard the sharp sound of shattering glass. Screams erupted, and chaos exploded around us.
I bolted toward the sound, adrenaline kicking in as I sprinted down the hallway. The shouts and cries around me faded into background noise as I burst through the Academy’s front doors and skidded to a halt on the lawn.
Elders and shifters sprawled across the grass, but they looked…different. Stronger. Younger. The shifters were massive, as if they’d been hitting the supernatural gym. Hard.
And there, at the center of it all, stood Lia—or rather, Eris. Lia’s familiar face had taken on an unnerving quality. She’d always been beautiful, but now, something was mesmerizing and deadly in her aura. Her gray eyes glowed faintly, and I saw an icy, calculating edge beneath that beauty. A slow, knowing smile spread across her lips.
“Ah, Evelyn.” Eris’s smooth, rich voice rang out with a strange undertone that resonated within my bones. She lifted a hand in a graceful, almost mocking gesture, beckoning me closer. “I’m so happy to see you.”
I looked around me. Students were spilling out of the Academy, their eyes wide with shock. Others followed the blaring alarms and headed for the designated escape routes. Still, the majority clung to doorframes, peered through shattered windows, or huddled in small groups, too curious or paralyzed to look away from the goddess of chaos on our Academy laws.
Meanwhile, Supernatural Law Enforcement Agency officers swarmed the grounds, their voices booming.
“Get inside! Move to the safe zones!” the officers commanded.
Above the chaos, I saw Rafe and Zade circling overhead, their wings slicing cleanly through the air. The other guys were likely close by, unseen but ready for whatever was coming.
My focus returned to Eris, and my legs carried me forward without hesitation as if they had a mind of their own.
“Don’t go, little witch!” Chad’s voice called from behind me.
Halting and glancing at my surroundings, I offered Chad a reassuring smile. “I have to. It’ll be okay.”
Eris tilted her head as if assessing what was happening around us. “Come now, my dear,” she said, her tone gentle yet laced with mockery, like a parent humoring a stubborn child. “After everything you’ve been through, surely you’re not afraid to greet an old friend?”
I sneered at her. “You’re not my friend. You’re just wearing her face.”
Eris’s smile widened. “Oh, but I am so much more than that, Evelyn. This face and body are merely tools, vessels for a potential your friend could never have imagined.”
She swept her gaze over the gathered crowd.
Raising a hand theatrically, she rambled, “You might have heard rumors about me. Now that I stand before you, I invite those bold enough to seize it.” She gestured toward her small army of Elders and shifters.“My subjects have become more powerful, younger, and faster through their devotion to me. That same power is yours—if you are brave enough to take it.” Her voice rang out, unwavering. “A new era is upon us—one of true power, unshackled from petty laws and the limits of this world. No more hiding in the shadows. No more pretending we are equal to humans. It is time to rule as we were meant to.”
I nearly rolled my eyes as I inhaled sharply.
Of course, she expected us to worship her. In her mind, we weren’t just beneath her—we existed to kneel.
Guess she didn’t really see me as a threat.
Raising her arms in a grand, sweeping gesture, she continued, “I am Goddess Eris, your new ruler. Embrace me, and I will grant you power beyond imagination.”
Still, this was an academy. What did she expect the students to do—raise their hands and ask if they needed parental consent?
Once again, I scanned the crowd. Some students stood frozen, wide-eyed with fear, while others whispered in hushed, uncertain tones. Even a few law enforcement guards had stalled in their efforts to herd students to safety, too captivated by the chaos unfolding before them.
I had no idea if I should attack her or let her finish her recruitment speech.
What’s the protocol for these things?
“Did you come here to fight me or to talk?” I called, making sure my voice carried over the hushed tension.
Eris smirked. “Did you know I was coming?”
I shrugged, inspecting my nails. “Maybe.”
Her lips curled in distaste. “Yet you come to face me alone. Do you not see the might of my army?”
I tilted my head, deliberately unimpressed. “I see you brought a bit of backup. Does that mean you’re not as powerful as you claim?”
A flicker of irritation crossed her face. “You are but an ant before a mountain,” she sneered. “What can you and a handful of children possibly do against me—a Goddess? Chaos incarnate!”
I arched a brow. “Oh, was that a real question, or just more monologue?”
Her expression darkened. “Insolence!”
With a flick of her wrist, a wave of raw power erupted from her, tearing across the courtyard, aimed straight at me.
Instinct took over—I threw up my hands and summoned a barrier of flames, deflecting the brunt of her attack. The force still sent a shockwave through the ground, knocking some students to their knees. Others scrambled for cover, bolting toward the academy doors.
A few teachers rushed in, reinforcing their own protective wards around the students.
I clenched my fists, the static from my magic humming through my fingertips.
Alright, Eris. If it’s a fight you want…
I smirked. “Well, that wasn’t very welcoming. And here I thought you were trying to make a good first impression.”
“You should fear me,” she snapped. “I am Goddess Eris, chaos—”
I cut her off. “Incarnate, yeah, yeah. I think we’ve been over this already.” I crossed my arms. “Still, I wasn’t the one hiding for over a year before declaring myself ruler of the world.”
She arched an eyebrow before composing herself, tilting her chin up. “Timing is everything, my dear.” She shook her head as if indulging a child’s na?ve question. “But you wouldn’t understand. I can teach you. That’s why I’m here. We don’t need to be enemies. You could join my cause and be one of my generals. Together, we’ll enslave the humans and punish the gods—and anyone who stands in our way.”
“Tempting…” I drawled. “But let’s say we conquer the world—then what?”
“Don’t you wish to be powerful, invincible?”
“Not on my bucket list,” I replied nonchalantly.
“You’re just Hecate’s little pet project. A pawn. And when she’s done with you? She’ll toss you aside like all the others. Tell me, do you truly want to die for her?”
“Done that. Came back,” I declared with a shrug.
Eris’s expression barely flickered. “Once you live as long as I have, you’ll understand.”
“You’re bored. I get it. But hijacking someone else’s body and throwing the world into chaos? Bit dramatic, don’t you think?”
She laughed, the sound ringing through the courtyard. “Bored? Bored? You think I’m bored? That’s hilarious, my child.” But then, just as suddenly, the laughter died. Her face darkened. “I’m Chaos. Destruction. I don’t get bored.”
“Yet you fail to understand that it’s all about balance,” I told her. “Chaos can’t exist without order.”
“I didn’t come here for a philosophical lecture.” Her voice was laced with irritation. “You’re Hecate’s warrior. That makes us enemies. But we don’t have to be. I can offer you everything you desire. Protect those you love. All you have to do is join me.” She extended a hand, her lips curling into a sly smile. “Together, we’ll face the gods and take over this world—and the Underworld. No more dying. No more pain. No more hiding in the shadows.” Her gaze flickered across the crowd. “This offer extends to anyone willing to stand at my side. I will grant you power beyond your wildest dreams.”
Her smile was scary as fuck. Yet, she wielded her charm like a weapon, her voice a siren’s call, promising salvation.
I had to wonder—would anyone take it?
Jealousy was a powerful thing. The desire for strength wasn’t uncommon among supernaturals. Strength meant security, power meant survival. But power also corrupted. Some used it to protect. Others used it to crush those beneath them.
I exhaled, gripping my sword hilt as I drew it from its sheath. “I promised the gods, and I intend to keep it. You won’t spread your chaos here. And your followers will regret every ounce of dark magic they used to bring you back.”
Eris barely glanced at my weapon, waving a hand in dismissal. Was she truly unbothered or just pretending to be? I didn’t know. Gods were unpredictable. And Eris was used to getting what she wanted.
Maybe I really was an ant before a mountain.
But history has proven that even the mighty fall when they believe themselves untouchable.
Eris had revealed herself, and I refused to be intimidated.
I shifted into a stance, my grip tightening around the hilt of my sword.
Around me, Lucien stood at the ready, potions in hand. Professors had taken a position beside him, with Adrien and Raven among them. Alister and Ryker were nowhere to be seen.
A rustle of wings drew my attention upward—Rafe and Zade still circled above, poised to strike.
Eris’s gaze followed mine to the sky, and her smile deepened. “Your allies are impressive, but can they save you? Do you think they can stand against a goddess?”
Before I could tell her to drop dead, her voice rang out across the lawn, cutting through the charged air like a blade. “For those who wish to see what true power looks like, stay. Witness the beginning of something greater than you ever imagined.”
With a flick of her wrist, she sent a ripple of energy through the air. The hum of magic vibrated in my bones.
At first, I thought it was another shockwave.
Then I heard it.
A low, rhythmic thrum. The sound of marching.
Eris’s smile widened. “I want them all to witness.” She gestured to the scattered students, the officers, and even my friends. “I want everyone to understand the futility of resistance. To see that my power is limitless.”
My pulse stuttered, an icy dread coiling in my stomach.
Figures appeared at the far edge of the lawn—thousands of them, flanked by hulking shifters. As they drew closer, something felt… off.
Their movements were jerky. Unnatural. Their faces slack. Vacant.
My breath caught.
They weren’t alive.
Eris’s army was made of corpses.
She had revived the dead.