Chapter 10
Ten
SIMON
Headmistress Bennett leans forward in her high-backed leather chair, hands clasped together. The office is dimly lit, illuminated only by flickering candles floating around the room. “I have another task for you, Simon,” she says, her voice low and serious.
Recently, Bennett has been calling us into private meetings more frequently. It feels like every other day she has a new assignment for one or all of us. But this time, she has summoned only me, leaving Kai and Vaughn out of it. She must have a specific issue that requires my unique ability to read people and blend in when necessary.
“It’s about Lilith, isn’t it?” I ask, already suspecting the answer.
Ever since the Shadowing two days ago, Bennett has taken a keen interest in Lilith. Something happened in the forest during her Shadowing that she’s keeping to herself, but I can sense the anxiety simmering beneath the surface.
All we know for certain at this point is that Vaughn found Lilith completely shaken up, with blood splattered across her boots. And while the Shadowing is meant to test us and push us to our limits, it shouldn’t leave anyone traumatized.
So far, our investigations have turned up nothing unusual, despite Vaughn insisting he felt something was off.
Bennett’s sharp gaze flickers with curiosity as she studies me before leaning back in her chair, twirling her quill between her fingers. Her ever-present Shadow crow perches on a nearby stand, its dark feathers glinting ominously in the dim light. I suppress a shudder; there’s something about its presence that always unnerves me.
“Indeed, you chose this girl for Operation Nightfall, and now Vaughn has reported strange occurrences in the forest surrounding her. I think it’s wise to... keep an eye on her,” she says, and I know what she really means: she wants me to spy. “Something feels off, and I intend to uncover the truth.”
“It could be a coincidence, Headmistress Bennett,” I suggest, aware that her years as a Protector have made her overly cautious and suspicious.
“Coincidences do not exist, Simon,” she replies firmly.
“But—”
“Especially in these dangerous times when we’re constantly under threat. The Balance does not allow for such occurrences. Yes, I may seem overly cautious…” Her voice trails off, and I can’t help but furrow my brow in response. It wouldn’t surprise me if she had the ability to read minds; that would explain a lot. “But the last thing we need is a Rogue sneaking into our academy and putting us all in danger. Until this girl is cleared of suspicion, I need you to watch her. Get close to her. Learn her secrets.”
The thought of manipulating Lilith’s trust leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. If there is truly something dark and dangerous at play here, then I can’t turn a blind eye. But a Rogue? Could Theodore Knight’s daughter really be in league with them? If anything, I think that would make her a target.
“I want to see her true nature,” Bennett continues. “I don’t want to raise any suspicions. If she is involved with someone, I don’t want her to have any reason to reach out. She hasn’t made many friends, except for that harmless Prey of hers. Since you and she frequently spar together, your familiarity will prove useful. You’ll become her mentor and keep a watchful eye on her.”
Mentorships are an annual tradition at the academy, where fourth-year students guide and support a first-year. These relationships usually lead to friendships and lasting bonds, but I doubt that will be the case here, especially if I’m being asked to spy on her.
My expression remains neutral as I nod, my gaze shifting to the ever-watchful crow perched beside her. While I still don’t believe Lilith has any connections with the Rogues, keeping a close eye on her will ensure I can keep her safe if she becomes a target.
“Consider it done.”
An hour later, I find Lilith in the gardens, her nose buried in a book from the library. She’s seated by the Withering Oak, its bare branches casting fragmented shadows that envelop her in partial darkness. The cover of The History of Shadows is unmistakable as she flips through the pages quickly. I can’t help but wonder what she’s searching for.
I take a moment to observe her: her dark hair, streaked with purple, is pulled into a messy braid, with a few rebellious strands falling across her face. Her all-black attire and heavy boots stand out against her fair skin, while her gray eyes remain fixed on the book, completely unaware of my presence.
Finally, she glances up at me. “You know it’s impolite to stare, right?” she says, closing the book with a snap.
A smile tugs at the corners of my lips at her casual greeting, and I slide my hands into my pockets as I step closer. “My apologies; I didn’t mean to intrude. But since we’ll be spending a lot of time together from now on, I thought it would be a good idea to talk and get to know each other better…”
“Wait… You’re going to be my mentor?” Lilith interrupts, a small smile tilting the corner of her lips upward. “I thought we were supposed to be paired with our mentors in a few days.”
We haven’t chatted much outside of class, and when we have, it was usually just about instructions. So the fact that she’s being so informal right now sends a small thrill through me—one that I quickly dismiss.
I shrug. “Sometimes connections happen sooner than expected. With the current tension in the realm, it’s not surprising we’d be linked early. That said, how familiar are you with the whole process?”
Lilith hesitates for a moment, her piercing gaze studying me with curiosity. Her stunning gray eyes, flecked with tiny hints of purple, are an unusual detail I’ve never seen on anyone else, and I find it hard to look away.
“I know you’ll essentially be watching my every move,” she says, her tone cautious.
A small chuckle escapes me. “That’s one way to put it. But the reality is that while the academy may provide you with all the technical and theoretical knowledge, our true power comes from how we adapt to situations that aren’t covered in textbooks. My role is to ensure you face those real-world scenarios and learn to handle them effectively. So yes, we’ll be spending a lot of time together, but I hope you don’t feel like I’m constantly hovering over you.”
“Understood,” Lilith replies, nodding as she waves a hand between us. “When do we start?”
I gesture toward her book. “As soon as you’re done reading about the Shadows. If you have any questions, I’m happy to answer them.”
With that, Lilith stands up, brushing off her black pants as she shifts her weight from one foot to the other, clearly contemplating whether to voice her thoughts. There’s a flicker of something more in her eyes, and I find myself wanting to uncover every little detail in that pretty head of hers.
“I know that everyone’s experience is different,” she begins cautiously, “but I’m curious… What was the Shadowing like for you?”
Her questions always catch me off guard, and basically confirms that something unusual did happen to her in the forest.
Memories of my own experience flood back to me, as vivid as if they were yesterday instead of almost four years ago.
“Summoning my Shadow wasn’t too difficult. Taming and controlling it, on the other hand, proved to be quite a challenge. The damn thing nearly killed me,” I say with a wry smile. “With great power comes great unpredictability. Shadows can be fickle, especially Predators, and they might even turn on you once summoned. It’s our responsibility to shape and mold them to our will. That said, there are rare cases where a bond forms immediately between a person and their Shadow, particularly in moments of danger.”
I pause to watch her reaction. Lilith listens intently, but her expression remains unreadable. Feeling a surge of curiosity, I decide to take a risk and see if she’ll open up about her own experience.
“Do you want to talk about what happened to you in the forest?” I ask gently.
Her unreadable expression finally cracks, and she swallows hard, a tight line forming at the corners of her mouth. It’s clear she isn’t ready to discuss her experience yet. “Maybe some other time,” she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper. “It was... more intense than I expected.
I can imagine. The way Vaughn said she looked when she emerged from the forest is a testament to that.
I give her a reassuring smile, knowing that trust isn’t built overnight. “At least it’s behind you now. You won’t have to go through that again. Now, come on. I want to show you something.”
We walk in silence toward the secluded training grounds just outside the academy. Nestled at the forest’s edge, it’s an ideal spot for those seeking solitude. Few students venture here, especially newcomers, as they often associate the forest with their Shadowing ceremony and tend to avoid it. This area is also beyond the academy’s protective shield.
Personally, it’s one of my favorite spots because of the privacy it offers, making it perfect for one-on-one training with Lilith.
As we reach the clearing, I notice the circular patches where the grass has long since withered, scorched from countless magic practices. The place is deserted—good. My gaze flickers to Lilith, who seems to be scanning the looming trees as if searching for something.
“Ready?” I ask, bringing her attention back to me.
She blinks, pulling her gaze from the forest and nods. “Yeah, let’s get started.”
Rolling up my sleeves, I step into the circular patch of dirt. Lilith has already shown that she’s more advanced than most students her age, so today I want to see just how far she can push herself—especially if she’s going to join Operation Nightfall. I also need to ensure she can properly defend herself if she becomes, in fact, become a target for the Rogues.
“I have something more challenging in mind for today,” I say, gesturing for her to come closer. “You clearly had some training before coming here, so I want to push your limits and see what you can really do. No holding back—not like in class.”
Lilith steps forward, shedding her jacket and tossing it aside with a playful smirk. “Is this why you brought me all the way out here? To try and murder me?”
A laugh bursts out of me. There’s that sassy Pred quality I’ve come to appreciate. For a moment, I was worried it had vanished.
“I wouldn’t go as far as murder. But I won’t go easy on you, either. I expect the same from you. You need to give it your all because I need a proper assessment of your abilities. And if at any point you want to stop, just say—”
“Wow, you’re serious about this if we’re picking a safe word.” She tilts her head, her Predator instincts kicking in as we both begin to move slowly, sizing each other up, stalking one another. The atmosphere shifts, becoming charged with tension. “Renegade. If I feel I can’t continue, I’ll say ‘renegade.’”
I nod, feeling a familiar surge of energy coursing through my veins as I trace an intricate sigil in the air with my index finger. My Shadow bear responds to my call, materializing in front of me not as a solid figure, but as a shimmering barrier that wraps around me protectively like a bear cloak.
Lilith’s mouth falls open in shock at the sight. I know there’s a vast difference in our power levels, and while I don’t want to intimidate or overwhelm her, I want to show her the true strength of my abilities. My bear snarls fiercely, its glowing eyes locked onto her as if daring her to make a move. She remains frozen, uncertain of how to respond.
“Let your magic guide you,” I say, keeping my tone steady and encouraging. “Trust yourself and don’t overthink it.”
My words are the only warning I give her. With fierce determination, I slam my fist into the dirt, sending a shockwave of power rippling through the training grounds.
The exhilaration of the release washes over me, but my concern for Lilith sky rockets as the force knocks her off her feet, sending her crashing to the ground with a loud thud and a pained groan.
Shit.
But before I can rush to her side to check on her, Lilith springs back up, radiating an impressive display of power. A pale purple aura envelops her, demonstrating how quickly she can summon her abilities. Yet, I know she has even greater potential waiting to be unleashed.
I want to see her dive deeper and explore the full extent of her powers; there’s still so much more for her to discover.
Closing in on her, I see a determined glint in Lilith’s gray eyes.“Show me what you’ve got,” I taunt as she, too, moves closer.
A smirk spreads across her face, and I expect her to back away or try to dodge me. Instead, she charges at me, aiming a strike at my Shadow—a hasty move that shows she’s forgotten some of the lessons I’ve taught her. My force easily intercepts and redirects hers, sending her staggering backward again. But this time, she manages to regain her balance and land on her feet.
Maybe she’s starting to learn after all.
The aura surrounding her darkens to an inky, pitch-black color, catching me off-guard. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before.
The aura surrounding her shifts to an inky black, catching me off guard. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever encountered before. For a brief moment, I’m stunned, mesmerized by the sheer intensity of her magic. But I quickly snap back to reality, regaining my composure.
I raise my hand and cautiously step toward her, bracing myself for whatever may happen next, but also wanting to make sure she’s in control. It’s easy at the beginning to let the Predator magic take over. Less so to control it.
“Lilith, are you—” Before I can finish my question, a sudden, searing pain strikes me from behind, like a thousand needles piercing my skin. Instinctively, I raise a barrier of light to shield myself.
A blazing fox, wreathed in flames, lunges at my bear, effortlessly tearing through my protective barrier as if it were made of paper. Its fur is a vibrant orange-red, flickering and dancing with the energy of its flames. My Shadow roars in response, ready to defend me from the assailant.
I glance around, expecting to see someone else join the fight, but quickly realize Lilith is the only one here with me.
Is the fox her Shadow?
It’s unlike anything I’ve ever faced. The fox moves with a distinct, almost autonomous presence, as if it’s working in tandem with Lilith rather than being controlled by her, yet it’s undeniably connected to her. Is this what she didn’t want to discuss about her experience in the forest?
Darkness coils around her arms like living tendrils, creeping toward me with an unsettling purpose. It seems to have a mind of its own, latching onto my legs with an iron grip and threatening to climb up my body, rendering me immobile. While she’s impressively strong, my physical strength and mastery of magic allow me to break free before it can wrap around me completely.
“Lilith!” I call out urgently, but it’s as if she’s not fully present; my words seem to have no effect. Shit. This is not good.
A trickle of blood runs down her nose, a clear sign that she’s pushing herself too hard. She’s putting herself in danger.
Definitely not good.
Sweat drips down her forehead, mixing with the blood as the darkness continues to swirl around her.
Without hesitation, I raise my voice and call her name again, this time with an edge of desperation. “Lilith!”
Still nothing. Fuck. Anger bubbles up inside me, mixing with fear for her safety. My heart pounds in my chest as panic rises within me. I was supposed to help her explore the limits of her newfound magic, not make her lose herself to it.
I go to call her name again and remember our safe word.
“RENEGADE!” The word erupts from my mouth and in an instant, her magic dissipates into thin air.
Lilith blinks rapidly, confusion etched on her face as if she’s coming back to reality after being lost in a trance. What the hell was that? Was the Headmistress right to find her suspicious? And if not, does that make her an even bigger target?
Before I can begin to process it all, I sense a shift in the energy at the edge of the forest. Every nerve in my body tingles with warning, telling me that danger is nearby. The ground beneath my feet rumbles ominously. Shit. Shit.
Fuck.
“S-simon?” Lilith’s soft voice cuts through the tension, but I quickly put a finger to my lips, signaling her to stay silent.
We may be far from the northern shore, but the recent Rogue attacks have made them unpredictable. Having Lilith by my side only adds to the complexity of the situation. Every muscle in my body is tense with the need to protect her.
Though her powers are impressive, they’re still new and uncontrolled, and I can sense that she’s likely depleted after the earlier display. She’s not ready for a real fight yet.
“Lilith, listen to me,” I whisper urgently. “You need to run back to the academy. Once you reach the stairs, you’ll be safe inside its protective shield, okay?” I glance back at her and see her lips part as if she wants to argue. “This is for your own safety. I can’t do my job if I have to protect you, too.”
The rumbling intensifies, and I can almost taste the tainted energy in the air. In an instant, my bear form materializes beside me, instinct kicking in.
With a quick hand gesture, I urge Lilith to go. She takes off immediately, and I sprint toward the forest, adrenaline coursing through my veins. It doesn’t take long to spot the figure lurking near the academy. As I suspected, his bald head is marked with Rogue symbols—thin, stick-like markings we’ve yet to decipher.
Our eyes lock for a fleeting moment, his almost-white orbs reflecting a wild determination. He’s quick and agile, staying a step ahead of me for a short while, but it doesn’t last long. It never lasts long. The Rogues are no match on their own.
In one swift motion, I detach from my bear, which charges at him, closing the distance in seconds. With a fierce snarl, it lunges, its razor-sharp paws slashing at the Rogue. He stumbles, attempting to conjure a protective spell, but it’s futile. My bear’s claws rip through him, and he collapses to the ground, desperately trying to save himself. But it’s too late—his strength is rapidly draining away along with his life.
In an instant, I’m on top of him, my hands wrapping around his throat. I tighten my grip, cutting off his air supply. Anger and frustration surge through me as I demand answers.
“Why are you here?” I growl, my voice low and deadly, not unlike the bear my Shadow emulates. “Answer me, and I’ll grant you a merciful death.”
A sickening smile spreads across his face, as if he relishes being caught and is thrilled by how close he came to the academy—how close he was to harming us.
“He’s here,” he rasps, blood spraying from his lips with each strained breath.
I loosen my hold slightly, “Who? Who is here?” I demand, but it’s too late. The damage to his lungs by my bear must’ve been severe.
There’s no response except for the eerie silence of the forest around us. I watch the life fade from him, leaving my question unanswered.