Chapter 17 #2
Seria dances in the centre of the room, surrounded by Knox and Anders, her hand trailing down Knox’s side as she dances between the two.
Their eyes are hooded and consumed by her presence between them.
She pulls them in closer as they grind against each other, lost to the slow rhythm of the music thrumming around them.
Her red slip of a dress pulls up higher, as Anders hand slides up her thigh.
She pulls her gaze from them to look over to a spot across the room, to where Xander and Kane stand.
Their eyes are fixated solely on her and filled with a heated look.
And they’re not the only ones.
Most of the guys in the room glance back and forth watching her, a slight wistful look on their faces.
I turn away, a thick knot in my throat and a heavy ache burning at my chest. My gaze meets a pair of blue eyes, her red lips curving up into a sweet crescent as she smiles at me.
She leans back into Knox's embrace as she pulls Anders closer again.
Their lips gently graze one another before they deepen the kiss.
I’m frozen to the spot as I watch her move from Anders to Knox, and I feel as if the air has been knocked from my lungs in one swift punch.
I close my eyes tight.
Knox and Anders, Kane and Xander…they weren’t mine anymore. What we had or were as kids was gone, it was different now. They were with Seria. They chose her.
And why wouldn’t they? She was amazing in every way; smart, talented, kind and beautiful. And…she would take over the family line, too. She was the most powerful witch in our clan. Even if she was younger, with her power, she would become the head in the future.
And me…I had nothing.
No power, no talent…she even resembles father more, taking on his bright blue eyes and golden blonde locks. Whereas I looked…like this.
I brush a hand across my long, curly rose-gold strands before my shoulders drop.
Suddenly the room tilts and I have to catch myself on the table beside me, knocking over a small web-shaped candy bowl. My head spins as I try to steady myself again.
Maybe I hadn’t eaten enough today? Or maybe there wasn’t enough air in here, it sure felt like it.
I shakily make my way toward the door. I know Adam said to stay there, but we were planning on going outside anyway. And with how dizzy I feel, the fresh air could help.
I head outside, the cold air instantly hitting me and a nice respite from my spinning head and turbulent thoughts.
There's a small group formed at the bottom of the steps, whispering and pointing toward the forest treeline in the distance.
I squint, trying to see what they're all looking at, and make out a smaller group of people, who look like a few of the faculty members.
They’re surrounding something on the ground…a student I think.
I shakily make my way down the steps, holding onto the wall nearest me, and make my way through the crowd, able to see a bit better from here.
A loud gasp rings from beside me. The student near me–dressed as a sexy devil–points a shaky hand toward the forestline and the faculty members there.
One of the teachers had shifted around the student. A girl with raven black hair lays on the ground unmoving, her hair sprawled out around her head as blood pools around her body. My breath gets caught in my chest with the scene.
Who was she? Was she alive? Who or what had hurt her like this?
The doors burst open behind me as the large crowd dancing inside makes their way out.
I get jostled and shoved as they move forward, trying to move their way closer toward the accident.
Suddenly a large magical barrier is erected over the area and near the forest, one of the teachers' voices booming above us and around the academy.
“Make your way back to your dormitories and rooms!”
Groans and shouts ring out around the crowd.
The teacher sends a loud alarm throughout the area, demanding students follow orders or the alarm wouldn’t stop. Its volume rises higher and higher, as I cover my ears and try to make my way toward the girls dormitory.
As I cover my ears, another bout of dizziness hits me and I almost fall forward. But the crowd pushes me onward and thankfully toward the dorms.
I turn back, hoping I can spot Adam in the crowd, but instead catch another glimpse of the raven-haired girl in the distance.
The forest was a restricted zone in the academy. And there were wild magical beasts the further in you went. But it wasn’t unusual for students to hang out around the treeline, especially on nights like these. But for an attack to happen…it was unheard of.
Whoever she was…I hope she’s okay.
My vision begins to blur and dim as I slowly make my way to my room, everything turning completely dark before I make it to my bed.
A loud laugh from a group of boys in the courtyard pulls me from the memory and back to the present.
Adam had drugged me. The asshole had spiked my drink.
Back then I didn’t realise, but after a few rumours at the end of the year about how he had assaulted a first year girl, I pieced it all together.
I was lucky I had gotten away. I was too naive and stupid falling for his tricks. I should have realised instantly when he gave out to me the next day for not staying put. And then joined in on humiliating me with the other boys for the rest of the year.
I quickly head up to my room and take off my hoodie.
I pull off my shoes and change, remembering rumours of the girl who was injured. They said her face and body had been badly maimed by some wild beast in the forest. She left the academy that night and never came back. Rumours say she passed away later that year.
I look out toward the forest in the distance from my window.
Was it the beast I had fought? Did he attack that girl?
I narrow my eyes at the shadowy treeline. I won’t let that happen this time. I won't let another person get hurt or die.
No Adam Manser, no drugging, and no deaths.
The only attack would be me against the beast, and this time I wouldn’t lose.
I clench my fist. I had grown stronger and quicker, what better way to test my growth?
I look back at the stars rising in the sky…I’ll need a strong weapon.
A dark grin stretches my lips as I flicker my gaze toward the training ground in the distance.
And I’ve already seen the perfect pair.