Chapter 6
Six
LILITH
Whispers follow me everywhere I go.
“Did you hear? Her father is Theodore Knight.”
“Whoa, there she is. Apparently, Theodore Knight is her dad.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. I should’ve known this would happen. My father’s work as a Protector has made him somewhat of a celebrity. Even though most of his missions are shrouded in secrecy, his exceptional record has put our family name on everyone’s lips.
“Has your dad ever told you about his work?” Tony asks as we head to our next class. We’re a few weeks into the semester now, and I’ve already figured out which courses I enjoy most. Potions, Runes and Glyphs, and Spellcasting are at the top of my list, even if I struggle occasionally. According to my dad, those subjects will be the most valuable if I become a Predator.
“Come on, Tony. You know there’s a code Protectors have to follow,” I say, giving him a side-eye as I smooth down a stray piece of his perpetually messy hair.
We’ve heard all about the Protector’s code since we arrived here. It’s the same reason my dad never really told me much about his missions, no matter how curious I got. I understand the importance of secrecy, but that didn’t stop me from wondering.
Tony sighs but grins. “Yeah, yeah. But come on, you must’ve heard something.”
I shrug. “Not really. He was careful. He’d argue with my mom about his missions sometimes, but I never knew what he did while he was gone—and he was gone a lot when I was younger.” Sometimes for months at a time. Then, one day, he came back… different. They gave him a medal and praised his service, but no one knows exactly why.
I wave off the thought. “Anyway, enough about my dad. Did you finish the Spellcasting assignment?”
“You must have,” a familiar, irritating voice calls out from behind me. A flash of annoyance crawls up my spine. “Because you’ve clearly cast a spell on me.”
“Gods,” I mutter under my breath as I turn around slowly.
And there’s my least favorite person in the flesh. The second our eyes meet, I feel my body tense, a mix of frustration and something else that I can’t quite shake. He has that effect on people—women, especially. I can tell from the swooning looks on some of the girls behind him that I’m not the only one affected by his stupid charm.
I hate it. The arrogance, the smug smile, those piercing eyes that always seem to lock onto me.
“Hey, sweetheart,” Vaughn says with his signature arrogant smirk.
“I might actually report you for stalking,” I snap.
The amusement on his face only grows, like he’s enjoying every second of this. Of course he does. Since our first disastrous meeting, Vaughn has made it his mission to irritate me at every opportunity. Most people would have gotten the hint by now and left me alone, but not him. He’s like a leech, seeking me out with the intent of sucking the joy out of my day.
“Roaming the same halls as you is hardly considered stalking…” he points out.
“Harassment, then,” I snap. “You keep approaching me when I’ve made it very clear I want nothing to do with you.” I narrow my eyes at him. “And seriously, has your ridiculous pickup line ever worked? Because it might be the worst one I’ve ever heard.”
“Come on. Please give me one date,” he says, unbothered. “The sex will be incredible.”
For a second, I’m stunned by his boldness, but then… I laugh. And not a simple chuckle, but a full-on, uncontrollable laugh that takes over my entire body. It’s the kind of laugh that starts deep in your chest and doesn’t stop until your stomach aches, and your eyes are brimming with tears.
Vaughn watches, amused, as I double over, gasping for breath.
When the majority of my laughing fit has subsided and I’ve wiped all the evidence from my eyes, my gaze lands on a very wide eyed Tony. He’s staring at me like I’ve gone mad or something. Hell, maybe I have. That seems like the only logical explanation.
I turn back to Vaughn, my expression hardening. “You’re delusional if you think I’d touch you. And to make things crystal clear, I wouldn’t. Not even with a ten-foot pole.”
“Eleven feet, then? I could make that work…” he replies, undeterred, that infuriating smirk still plastered across his face. The asshole.
I let out an exasperated sigh, my patience wearing thin. The last thing I want is to be late for class because I’m wasting time on this ridiculous conversation.
Suddenly, a sultry voice cuts in from behind me. “I see you still enjoy pestering first-years.” I glance over my shoulder to see a stunning woman striding toward us.
When she reaches us, her dark eyes, framed by dramatic black eyeliner, quickly assess Tony before landing on me. Her jet-black curls cascade over one shoulder, reaching down to her elbows, and she wears a short pleated skirt paired with a cloak that proudly displays the Predator pin on her left side.
My eyes widen in surprise. A female Predator? Knowing there’s a female Predator actively at the academy is a reassurance I didn’t know I needed because it means I have a chance.
And as a bonus, it seems she shares my distaste for Vaughn.
Vaughn crosses his arms over his chest, glancing back and forth between us. “Mm, double tease,” he hums, leaning casually against the wall.
The tension in the air is palpable as we stand there, sizing each other up. “I’ve never met a man more desperate than you,” I all but growl, shaking my head in disbelief.
“And you likely won’t,” the woman adds, casting Vaughn a pointed look. I catch a glimpse of Tony, who stares at her like he’s seen a goddess. “Vaughn, do me a favor and leave the poor girl alone.”
I don’t really need her help, but I let her offer it anyway—mostly because I enjoy seeing Vaughn put in his place. There’s something about Savina’s aura and the way she speaks—so commanding and confident—that even he seems to back down.
“You’re bold today, Savina,” he mutters, eyeing her warily.
“Nope, I’m simply helping a fellow girl out. Though it looks like she can handle you just fine on her own,” Savina replies. I have no clue what’s going on between them, but without another word, he turns and strolls slowly down the hall.
When she turns to me, Savina offers a smile that seems oddly out of place given her stern, almost ethereal appearance. “He’s annoying, but he’s harmless for the most part,” she says, extending her hand toward me. “Savina. I hear you have the potential to become a Predator, so I figured we should meet officially.”
“Lilith,” I respond, momentarily stunned by the encounter. Most older students pretend we don’t exist, so it’s certainly unusual for Savina to actively seek me out to introduce herself. “It’s nice to meet you. Hopefully, we’ll share the same dorm sometime, but you never know…”
As I speak, I can’t shake the nagging thought of the Shadowing looming ahead—the night when our sections will be decided. The possibility of being separated from Tony weighs heavily on my mind, making it increasingly difficult to push aside my worries. But at the same I want it to be over already.
“I have a good feeling we will…” Savina says, amusement glinting in her eyes. “Anyway, I’ve got to go now, but it’s been lovely meeting you,” she adds before strolling down the hall, all confidence and grace, then disappearing from view. I wonder for a moment what shape her Shadow takes. I bet it’s beautiful but deadly. Maybe something like a panther.
Without another word, I hook my arm around Tony’s and march toward the classroom.
“What… was that?” he stammers, glancing around as if he woke up from a dream. Thankfully, Vaughn is nowhere in sight.
“Don’t ask,” I shake my head. “He’s literally such an asshole.”
“I’m not talking about him,” Tony insists. “I’m talking about that goddess in red lipstick…”
“She was only being nice,” I say, quickening our pace. “Maybe we should start a club. I doubt we’re the only ones he harasses.”
“Don’t kill me for bringing this up, but I have to say it…” Tony trails off. “I mean, technically, Vaughn did ask you out on a date, albeit in the worst way possible. Could his behavior be because he likes you?”
“Don’t kill me for bringing this up, but I have to say it…” Tony trails off. “I mean, technically, Vaughn did ask you out on a date, albeit in the worst way possible. Could his behavior actually mean he likes you?”
I shoot him a glance, and my expression says it all. There’s no way in hell I’m falling for that.
“That’s a terrible way for a guy to show interest in a girl. I promise you, nine times out of ten, it only makes her want to punch him in the face.”
Tony raises an eyebrow. “And what about the tenth time?”
A small smile tugs at my lips. “The girl might actually kill the guy, and his body will never be found.”
Tony swallows hard. “Cool. Good to know, I guess…”
I’m desperate to focus on anything other than Vaughn. The sight of him alone makes my blood boil, and I’m pointedly ignoring the reasons why that might be. I am not attracted to the insufferable prick. Not one bit.
“Anyway, back to my original question—did you do your assignment?”
Tony nods. “I did. To be honest, it’s not looking good. I’d say I’m better at nurturing and healing spells… and if old tales are anything to go by, that probably means I’ll end up as Prey,” he grumbles as we step into the classroom.
Thick curtains cover every window, blending seamlessly with the dark stone walls and wooden desks. The only source of light is the glowing orb hovering in the center of the room. Its luminescence casts a warm, pulsating light that dances across the walls.
The orb seems to resonate with a gentle hum, a reminder of the ancient magic that fills the space. It feels alive, almost as if it is aware of the students surrounding it.
We settle into our assigned seats, thankfully right next to one another.
“What about you?” Tony asks quietly.
As more students trickle into the classroom, anticipation thickens in the air. I’m uncertain about my own performance on the assignment. I experimented with both types of spells, hoping to determine which path might suit me better, but I didn’t fully excel at either.
Frustration bubbles beneath the surface, mingling with anxiety. What does it mean? Am I destined to be a terrible Protector because of it?
Will I even become a Protector at all?
“I’ve had less luck than you, I’m afraid,” I admit. “I managed to cast both types of spells, but neither felt right. That can’t be a good sign…”
Tony’s expression tightens as he searches for the right words to comfort me. “Well… it was only one assignment. No one expects us to know everything right away. And let’s not forget you’re excelling in other classes—like self-defense.”
Self-defense is important, but I know I can’t rely solely on it to get through the academy. Before I can voice my concerns, heavy footsteps resonate through the classroom, their echoes silencing all conversation.
Professor Nox strides to his desk, embodying the room’s dark tone. His long black hair falls in countless braids to his waist, and his gray eyes narrow as they sweep over us, as if assessing our very souls.
I swallow hard.
“I wish to know how your assignments went.” He skips the pleasantries and dives right in. “Those of you who found the nurturing spells easier, please rise.” Most of the class stands up—as expected. Tony is among them. “And now, those who successfully cast the protective spells.”
Seven students rise to their feet. I want to join them, but I can’t. These spells are supposed to fit like a glove, yet I feel adrift in both categories. So, I remain seated, and when Professor Nox’s gaze lands on me, a knot tightens in my stomach.
“Have you not completed your assignment, Lilith?” he asks, his voice slicing through the room. Instantly, all eyes shift to me, and I wish I could melt into the floor. Is it too much to hope for a sinkhole to open up and swallow me whole?
“I have, Professor. It’s just that… neither spell really resonated with me,” I respond, shifting uncomfortably in my seat. “I managed to cast both types, but I don’t feel like I’ve tapped into my full potential with either.”
I look into his eyes, searching for reassurance, hoping he might say this is normal. But instead, his gray gaze offers only pity, and he doesn’t even have to say a word. I can already feel I’m doomed.