Chapter 59 † T Session
Elara stood in front of the mirror, gripping the edge of the sink like it was the only thing keeping her upright. Her eyes were swollen, slightly red, and she hated how obvious it looked. She splashed water on her face again, but it didn’t help. Nothing helped.
The bathroom door opened quietly. "You're still here?"
Elara didn’t turn. She already knew who it was.
Her new friend, Nadia, stepped beside her, leaning lightly against the counter. "You skipped half the lecture."
"I wasn't feeling well," Elara muttered.
Nadia studied her reflection. "Yeah. I can see that."
Silence stretched. The hum of the fluorescent lights filled the space.
Elara blinked hard, but her eyes still burned. The weight in her chest hadn’t eased since last night. If anything, it felt heavier now.
Suffocating.
She wanted to talk to someone, but she couldn’t. She absolutely couldn’t.
How was she supposed to tell anyone she had just found out something so devastating? That her cousin… that Aurora… Lord!
Elara swallowed, her throat tightening again.
She couldn’t say it. Not even in her head without feeling sick.
And she definitely couldn’t tell someone she barely knew.
She felt alone. Completely alone.
Nadia nudged her gently. "Laraa. You’re doing that thing again."
"What thing?" Elara asked softly.
"Zoning out like you're carrying the world on your head."
Elara let out a weak breath. "It's nothing."
"I don't believe you," Nadia said simply.
"But I also know you're not ready to talk. So I won’t push."
That somehow made Elara feel worse.
She stared at her reflection again. "I just… I don’t feel like myself today."
"Then we fix that." Nadia pushed off the counter. "Come on. Let’s go eat something before the next class."
Elara shook her head immediately. "I don’t think I want to go anywhere."
"Girl, we are going," Nadia replied without hesitation.
Elara finally looked at her.
Nadia folded her arms, giving her a playful but firm stare. "Anything to cheer you up. Why are you just looking at me like that? Come on, let’s go."
Elara hesitated.
She didn’t feel like eating. She didn’t feel like talking. She didn’t feel like doing anything. But staying alone clearly wasn’t helping either.
Nadia gently took her wrist. "Five minutes. If you still hate it, we come back. Deal?"
Elara sighed quietly. "...Fine."
"Good," Nadia smiled. "That’s the spirit."
She pulled Elara lightly toward the door, and Elara followed, still heavy.
The corridor here was quiet.
He kept walking until he reached the faculty stairwell. No students. No noise.
Just the dull hum of the building.
Then he dialed. The line rang once.
Twice.
It connected.
"Speak," the voice on the other end said.
Thorne leaned against the wall, eyes scanning the empty stairwell. "She's still here. Same routine. Same circle. Nothing out of place."
A pause.
"Good," Zane replied, voice calm, measured. "We're pausing the abduction."
Thorne didn't react. "Understood."
"I need time," Zane continued. "The Syndicate is no longer an option."
Thorne frowned slightly. "Problem?"
"Several." Zane's tone hardened. "My father has increased movement in and out. And Shadow…"
Silence stretched for a second.
"I don't trust that pest anymore."
"I want somewhere isolated," Zane continued. "Not connected to the Syndicate. Not tied to my name. Somewhere clean. Quiet. Controlled."
"A safe house," Thorne said.
"Exactly."
"You already have options?"
"I'm working on it," Zane replied. "Until then, you do nothing reckless. No grabbing her. No moving too fast. Just watch her."
Thorne nodded even though he knew Zane couldn't see him. "Surveillance only."
"Yes. I need her routine mapped properly anyway. Every class. Every break. Every person she trusts. Especially the ones closest to her."
"There's one complication," he said.
Zane went quiet.
"Leonard Grande."
The air on the other end shifted.
"I know," Zane said flatly.
"He's always around her. Watching. Interfering."
"He won't matter."
Thorne raised a brow slightly. "He already does."
"He won't," Zane repeated, colder this time. "He's just another distraction. When the time comes, he'll be handled."
Thorne didn't argue.
"Just don't underestimate him," he said instead. "He notices things."
"I notice more," Zane replied. "Focus on Aurora."
Thorne exhaled softly. "She's calmer today. But distracted.”
Zane went silent for a moment.
When he spoke again, his voice was lower. "Good."
Thorne didn't comment.
"Let her get comfortable," Zane continued.
"Let her relax. The more she drops her guard, the easier it will be."
"And when the location is ready?" Thorne asked.
"I'll call you."
Thorne nodded. "Understood."
"Until then, don't take your eyes off her."
"I won't."
"And Thorne…"
"Yes."
"If anything changes, anything, you tell me first. Not the Syndicate. Not anyone."
"Of course."
The line went dead.
Thorne lowered the phone slowly.
For a moment, he just stood there, expression unreadable.
Then he slipped the phone back into his pocket and straightened.
His face returned to its usual calm, professional mask.
He stepped out of the stairwell and blended back into the hallway like nothing had happened.
Students moved around him, laughing, arguing, scrolling through their phones.
None of them noticed the way his eyes scanned ahead.
Processing.
Leonard leaned back against the car like he owned the entire day, one arm caging her in.
His hand rested low on her waist, thumb drawing slow circles that made her more irritated than she wanted to admit.
Aurora glared at him. "What sick game are you about to play again?"
Leonard’s mouth curved lazily. "You really think everything I do is a game?"
"With you? Yes."
He leaned closer, voice dropping. "I ate too much the last time. I haven’t been able to get over the taste."
Aurora’s eyes widened in disbelief. "You are actually sick."
"So…" he tilted his head, studying her reaction, "you’re saying I should just do whatever I want and get this over with?"
"Yes," she snapped. "Do whatever you dragged me here for."
His smirk deepened. "Oh. So I can eat you up again and we’re good?"
"What the hell, Leonard?" She hit his chest. "What do you want?"
Instead of answering, he pushed her gently until her back met the side of his car. The metal was still warm from the sun.
He stepped closer, closing the space between them completely.
"You talk too much when you’re nervous."
"I am not nervous."
"You are," he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "And I like it."
Aurora slapped his hand away. "Stop touching me and tell me why I'm here."
Leonard tilted his head, watching her for a second. Then he said quietly, "It’s time for you to get marked."
She blinked. "…What?"
"You heard me."
Aurora let out a short laugh. "You dragged me all the way here for that? You’re insane."
"Yes, Noelle." His gaze darkened. "You’re here today to be marked as mine."
Her heart skipped in a way she immediately hated. "You don’t even hear yourself, do you? You sound ridiculous."
"And do you know how we’re going to do that?" he continued, ignoring her. "In a very fun way."
She shoved his chest. "You have to be the most pathetic person I’ve ever met."
"Really?" He leaned closer, amused.
"That’s not what you—"
She pushed him harder. "Don’t finish that sentence."
He chuckled, completely unfazed. "Relax. I’m behaving."
"You don’t know how to behave."
"I do." His hand slid back to her waist, pulling her a fraction closer. "Just not around you."
Aurora clenched her jaw. "You’re unbelievable."
"And yet you came."
"I didn’t have a choice. You basically kidnapped me."
"You walked into the car willingly."
"You threatened to carry me."
"I would’ve."
"I know." She glared. "That’s the problem."
Leonard studied her face, eyes lingering on the irritation, the tension, the way she refused to look away. Something about it pleased him.
"You’re still angry," he observed.
"No," she lied.
"You’re furious."
"I said no."
"About Kiara?"
Aurora’s fingers curled slightly at her sides. "Don’t say her name."
"So you are."
"I’m not talking about her."
"Then don’t." He shrugged. "Focus on me."
She stared at him like he’d just proven her point. "You’re impossible."
"And you’re still here."
Before she could respond, he took her wrist gently and pulled her away from the car.
"What are you planning to do again?" she demanded.
"You’ll see."
"No, I want to know now."
He glanced down at her. "You always want control."
"And you always avoid answers."
"Because you look better when you’re confused."
She yanked her hand slightly, but he didn’t let go. His grip wasn’t tight, just firm enough to guide her forward.
"Leonard," she warned.
He stopped, turned back, and leaned close
enough that his voice barely carried.
"Relax, Noelle. I told you. Today, you get marked."
Her stomach flipped in a way she refused to acknowledge.
"You’re crazy."
"Maybe." His thumb brushed her wrist once before he released it. "But you still came."
Aurora crossed her arms, trying to rebuild the wall he kept dismantling. "If this is another one of your dramatic stunts—"
"It is."
She rolled her eyes. "Of course."
"But you’ll like this one," he added.
"I doubt that."
"We’ll see."
He opened the door and gestured inside. "After you."
Aurora hesitated for half a second, then walked past him, refusing to show uncertainty.
Behind her, Leonard watched with a slow, satisfied smile.
Exactly where he wanted her.
She had barely taken six steps when he grabbed her and brought her to him. Connecting their lips hungrily.
“F?ck, I knew it!" She groaned into the kiss and he seized the opportunity to access her mouth.
" Ren—” He brought their faces closer.
He basically ate her lower lips, savouring it, while his fingers stayed tangled in her dark hair.
When he broke the kiss, he left her gasping for air.
Her head automatically dropped to his chest.
Leonard smirked. “What? Is your mind foggy now?"
“Should I fix it up with d0ggy?"
Aurora pushed him.
“Take this word play to someone else, you jerk! Now get me outta here."
“You'd kill me with a glare if you saw me with someone else, my hand on her a$$, mouth on hers. You legit slapped your fake friend for liking me." Leonard tilted his head.
" You— Ughh!!!!” She groaned out.
" That's it. I'm leaving.”
She walked past him, but… he grabbed her wrist, stopping her.
“Still have to mark you, Noelle." He muttered.
She turned slowly.
“And how are you planning to do that?" She raised a brow.
With the other hand, he pointed somewhere across the ghostly living room.
Aurora’s eyes followed. She squinted. Taking a good look at it.
Holy —
The devil wants to… tattoo her!
" What the… fuck?...” She muttered in disbelief.
" Yes baby.” Leonard drawled.
" Now take your jeans off, get on the table, spread your legs… and let's begin."
TBC...
Don't worry. I'll update tomorrow.