Chapter 15
Fifteen
SIMON
As I stumble through the blinding light, I raise my hand to shield my eyes, but it barely helps.
My Shadow appears beside me in an instant, its protective aura wrapping around me and I race toward the source of the glow. With each step, the trees sway closer, their branches looming overhead and blocking my path.
“Lilith!” I shout, but my voice gets swallowed up by the overwhelming brightness. Every step feels like a struggle, as if something is trying to keep me from reaching her and I start to panic.
Damn it. How did she get so far away when she was right next to me moments ago?
I can’t shake the feeling that whatever happened to Lilith during her Shadowing isn’t a one-time thing like we thought. There’s something off about this forest, something that feels like it’s specifically targeting her, something tainted.
A dark presence lurks among the trees, its menacing energy pressing in on me from all sides. I grit my teeth and force one foot in front of the other, driven by the need to reach her. I’d never forgive myself if something happened when I was supposed to protect her—especially when I promised her everything would be fine.
When I finally reach Lilith, I find her surrounded by two Shadows—one is her burning fox, but the other is a deer I don’t recognize. I look to see who else is in the forest but don’t see anyone. Just the ominous dark presence closing in. What the fuck?
With a fierce growl, my bear charges toward Lilith, ready to defend her from whatever dark force is threatening her. But an invisible barrier surrounding Lilith and the two Shadows stops my bear in its tracks.
No!
Desperate to reach her, I try to push through the energy field, but it pushes me back with a force that makes my head spin.
“Lilith!” I scream, drawing my blade and slashing at the energy barrier in a frantic attempt to break through, but it holds strong.
My heart sinks as I helplessly watch the deer charge toward Lilith, sinking into her body. Moments later, her fox collides with her, releasing a bright blast that destroys everything in its path—including the trees, which are reduced to ash in seconds.
No, that can’t be possible. Can it?
Typically, a person can only summon one Shadow—either a Predator or a Prey. It’s unheard of for someone to summon both.
My own Shadow and I are thrown back by the force and land hard on the ground. The intense light fades as quickly as it appeared, and it reveals Lilith lying motionless on the ground.
Ignoring the pain coursing through my entire body, I scramble to my feet and rush toward her. Something black seeps from a deep gash on her left side, and I gently shake her, desperate for any sign of life amidst the destruction surrounding us. She can’t be dead. She’s too strong for that. I have to believe that.
“Lilith? Lilith! Fuck!”
I scoop Lilith’s fragile body into my arms, feeling her shallow breaths against me. Panic grips me and I just run. I run through the forest, weaving around tree roots and ducking under low-hanging branches. My feet move on instinct, guided by the familiar paths I've memorized over the past four years. I’ve been here a million times, there’s never been anything like this. Not the dark threatening entity, no destruction, and definitely no one able to cast two Shadows.
The weight of Lilith’s life in my arms drives home the urgency of getting her out of here and to the academy, where the healers can help her. As powerful as Predators are, teleportation isn’t one of our abilities, but I really wish it were right now.
Bursting through the edge of the forest, I nearly crash into Headmistress Bennett. Her eyes widen in shock as she takes in the sight of me carrying Lilith. “What happened?” she demands, her voice sharp. But I don’t stop or slow down to answer. Bennett, despite her age, keeps pace right behind me. “Simon Blake, answer me!”
“She was attacked!” I shout, my voice shaking with fury. I had warned against letting Lilith return into the forest without more information—until we were sure she was safe—but against my better judgment, I let myself be swayed into believing her Shadowing was an isolated incident. And now she’s paying the price. And it’s my fucking fault.
I was there! I was there to protect her and make sure everything went smoothly. It was supposed to only be training, a way for her to finally get a handle on her fears. I push all my worries aside for now, though. All that matters now is getting Lilith the help she desperately needs.
Sweat beads on my forehead as I push myself up the seemingly endless one thousand seventy-five stairs leading to the academy, leaving Headmistress Bennett far behind.
The moment I step into the healing quarters, Tanya, a skilled Prey, rushes toward me. The tall halls are eerily quiet, but the comforting scent of healing herbs hangs in the air. I finally allow myself to slow down, trying to calm down.
Lilith is still unconscious in my arms, barely breathing, her skin much paler than usual. “W-where should I take her?” I manage to stammer, struggling to keep my voice steady despite my best efforts to remain composed. I’ve heard recounts of the horrors Protectors face in battles against the Rogues, but I’ve never heard of anything like this.
I can’t keep seeing her like this, fragile, vulnerable, weak. Not the headstrong girl with the purple glint in her eyes. I was right fucking there and I let this happen on my watch. I’m not sure what to do with all the emotions running through me; all I know is someone will pay for this.
Tanya grips my shoulder, guiding me toward an empty room to our left. “This way.”
The healing quarters are stark and simple. The room holds only a clean bed, a small wooden bedside table, healing supplies stacked on the opposite side, and a wooden chair. A massive window spans one wall, with the blood moon casting a crimson glow across the room.
I gently lay Lilith down on the bed, careful not to jostle her wound. Only then do I notice that my chest is smeared with the black ooze, which feels like acid burning against my skin.
Tanya’s eyes narrow as she inspects Lilith’s unconscious body, her fingers deftly tracing over the damage. “What happened to her?”
“I don’t know exactly,” I reply, my voice shaking slightly. “She was attacked in the forest, and I—”
“Remove your shirt,” she commands, her focus still locked on Lilith.
Um, yeah, good idea. As I peel off my shirt, I wince at the burns marking my chest. “Fucking hell,” I mutter under my breath, stealing a glance at Lilith and feeling a wave of worry wash over me. If this stuff is burning my chest, what’s it doing to her insides?
“Close the door,” Tanya says, her expression unreadable. I quickly do, anxiety tightening in my chest with every passing second. “Take some marigold from the shelf and apply it to your chest,” she instructs, pointing to a stand filled with various herbs. “I’ve infused it with my magic; it should help speed up the healing process.”
I scan the bottles and spot the marigold, uncorking it and pressing the orange petals against my bare chest, a sharp sting spreading through me like wildfire. I let out a soft groan—fuck that hurts—but I try to push my own pain aside. Lilith is in far worse shape.
“Is she going to be okay?” I ask, nodding toward the black ooze seeping from her wound. “What the hell is that?”
Tanya’s fiery red hair falls around her face as she leans in closer to examine the injury. “It looks like some kind of infection,” she explains, her fingers glowing faintly green as she probes the area. “But this is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. Do you have any idea what might have caused it?”
I shake my head., I’m not going to talk about what I witnessed until I fully understand it and can ensure Lilith’s safety. And even then…
Tanya’s fingers slip into the wound, causing Lilith to flinch even though she is still unconscious. The healer’s face contorts with effort as she works to draw out the black ooze that has infiltrated Lilith’s body. An awful sizzling sound fills the air, and faint tendrils of stinky smoke curl up from the wound. My stomach churns at the sight, but I force myself to keep watching. I need to know she’s going to be okay.
After a few moments, Tanya finally pulls back, and I see relief washing over her face. Is that good?
The stand beside her is cluttered with an array of herbs—some dried, others still fresh—along with dozens of vials filled with liquids of varying shades and intensities. She moves around the stand with practiced ease, selecting different items and mixing them together in a small bowl. And I just stand there, still watching. Feeling fucking useless.
“Sit,” Tanya commands without looking up from her work. “You look like you’re about to pass out.”
I hesitate, reluctant to leave Lilith’s side, but eventually give in and collapse into a nearby chair. Tanya manages to split her focus between Lilith and me, tending to both without missing a beat. I try to push through the exhaustion threatening to pull me under; Lilith needs me. I need to know she’s going to be okay.
“Will she be all right?” I ask again, my voice barely above a whisper. It was my job to protect her—and I fucking failed—miserably.
Tanya pauses, meeting my gaze with her cautious green eyes. “I can’t make any promises, but I’ll do everything in my power to—”
Before she can finish her sentence, the door swings open to reveal Headmistress Bennett, her expression as unreadable as ever. She fixes her icy gaze on me and speaks one word, her tone leaving no room for argument. “Out.”
“Headmistress Bennett, I must advise against that,” Tanya interjects quickly. “We’re dealing with something foreign here, and I don’t know if it has the potential to spread to others.” But the headmistress seems unfazed, her focus unwavering. And I know better than to defy orders when she gives them.
I glance at Tanya, who is still pressing the herbs against my chest, before rising to my feet with a small grunt.
Reluctantly, I follow Bennett out of Lilith’s room. As soon as the door clicks shut behind us, Headmistress Bennett’s magic seals it closed, providing us with a moment of privacy.
“What happened in the forest?” she demands, cutting straight to the heart of the matter.
I tense at her question, my chest throbbing painfully as the memories of the day replay in my mind. I was right there. “She was attacked,” I reply tersely. It’s all my fault.
Bennett’s brow furrows with concern, but beneath it lies a hint of irritation and… something else. “And you came straight to the academy without knowing whether what she’s experiencing could endanger others or if it was a deliberate attack against us,” she scolds, her voice rising slightly. Ah shit, I’m in trouble. She never gets worked up like this.
“It wasn’t intentional,” I counter, frustration seeping into my words. “I saw it with my own eyes. Something attacked her, and she nearly lost her damn life trying to protect herself.” I lose any formality in my anger at having to explain why I reacted the way I did. Haven’t the last four years been enough to prove my loyalty?
Bennett’s expression tightens, her gaze turning icy. “I don’t appreciate your tone.”
“And I don’t appreciate your lack of urgency in keeping your students safe,” I fire back before I can think better of it. But I stand by my words—Lilith’s safety should’ve been our top priority. It should’ve been my top priority.
As soon as my words leave my mouth, I see her jaw clench and her eyes narrow with suspicion. “She summoned a Prey Shadow as well,” she continues, her voice sharp. “When exactly were you planning to inform me of that ?”
I open my mouth, then close it again, baffled by how she knows this. But when her crow lets out a squawk and lands on her shoulder, the answer becomes clear.
Of course. The damn bird has eyes everywhere.
“With all due respect, Headmistress Bennett, I’ve just come from bringing Lilith to the healing quarters. I’ve also been injured myself,” I say, gesturing toward my chest where the burns are visible. Thankfully, they seem to be healing, but they’re still a nasty shade of red. “I haven’t even had a moment to process everything to give a full report. But rest assured, you’ll have one as soon as I’m able.”
Her eyes bore into mine, searching for any hint of deception. I stand my ground, determined not to cower under her scrutiny. I have nothing to hide and I’ve proven my loyalty over and over. If that doesn’t count for anything…
“Very well,” she concedes, “but you would be wise not to leave anything out in your report.”
With those words, she pivots sharply and strides down the long hallway, her footsteps echoing against the stone floor until they fade into silence. I’m left standing there, the air thick with tension, the weight of my responsibilities bearing down on me like a heavy cloak. But one thing is clearer now, I’m never letting Lillith out of my sight again.