Chapter 16
Sixteen
KAI
Headmistress Bennett never requests meetings with me outside her office, so whatever she’s summoned me for must be troubling her deeply.
And I have a feeling I know why; she needs someone to do her dirty work, and she knows I can’t refuse.
As she strides through the withering gardens, her long black cloak billows behind her, stark against the dying foliage. Her expression is taut as she gestures for me to follow, and the students quickly step aside, casting wary glances our way.
Bennett may command respect as a leader at the academy, but she isn’t exactly beloved by everyone. It’s one of the things I appreciate about her—fear can be more potent than affection.
“I’m sure you’ve heard about what happened with Lilith and Simon,” she says as we walk.
I keep my hands clasped behind my back, trailing in her wake, trying not to show any reaction. She expects our loyalty to her to come before our personal desires. But inside I’m reeling.
What the fuck happened to my fated mate? If she got injured on Simon’s watch I might have to show him a thing or two about fucking with what’s mine.
“I know Lilith was supposed to do some training in the forest today, and Simon was going to accompany her as her mentor, ” I say quietly, keeping my voice low. “But I haven’t had a chance to check on Simon yet.” Please tell me Lilith is okay.
Honestly, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Lilith since the masquerade. Her beauty, charm, and intelligence have captivated me in ways I never imagined possible. I’ve trailed everywhere I could, left my Shadow to watch her while she sleeps.
She occupies my thoughts and stirs emotions within me that both excite and scare me—feelings I never thought I’d experience. And I can only surrender to this fascination, this… obsession. But from a distance. For now. Hence why I was in complete confidence that Simon would watch her back when I couldn’t. His sense of duty wouldn’t let him do anything else. So if something happened to her…
“There has indeed been an attack,” Headmistress Bennett continues. “I have Vaughn and the remaining Nightfall fourth-years combing through the forest for any sign of the culprit.” Her sharp gaze locks onto mine, and I can feel the weight of her unspoken request hanging heavily in the air. That fucker. They will pay.
But I remain silent until she’s ready to speak, not offering anything.
“There’s another task I need you to handle—one that I trust you’ll keep confidential.”
“Of course,” I reply, already sensing this would be the case, given that she kept me here instead of sending me out to search as well. But now I’m beginning to dread what she might say.
“It’s also about Lilith.”
Lilith—a swirl of curiosity and chaos. Causing trouble ever since she set foot in the academy. Nothing about her is simple and her complexity captivates me. My fated mate.
“Tell me what you need, Headmistress.”
Bennett glides her fingers along the edge of the wall, tracing a delicate pattern of runes that unlocks a hidden passage. As we step inside, the torches embedded in the walls ignite, casting a warm, flickering glow that illuminates a winding staircase leading down into the darkness.
The academy is filled with secret corridors like this one, so I’m not surprised by its existence. However, it does suggest that whatever Bennett needs to share with me is of the utmost secrecy.
As we enter the chamber, a chill envelops me, and the familiar scent of leather-bound books fills the air, emanating from the towering shelves that line the walls.
A small window allows a subtle red glow from the moon to filter in, while flickering candles provide dim lighting, casting dancing shadows on the floor as we make our way to the desk in the center. Sprawled across it is a map of the academy that appears to highlight the hidden passageways as well.
“I’m sharing this with you because I trust you with this information,” Headmistress Bennett begins. “Lilith has managed to summon both a Predator and a Prey.”
My eyebrows shoot up in surprise before I can stop them, cracking my usual unreadable mask. It’s extremely rare for someone to possess the ability to summon both types of Shadows, save for one other individual whose existence is still a matter of debate.
I stay silent, allowing Bennett to continue. “As you know, this is highly unusual, and it concerns me greatly. Simon, however, seems more enraged by the situation than genuinely worried.” She sighs heavily. “If Lilith truly does come from a bloodline with such an ability, there’s little we can do once she reaches her full potential...”
With a swift flick of her wrist, Bennett sends one of the dusty books from the shelves flying onto the desk with a thud. The pages flutter open to reveal a detailed illustration of a man flanked by two shadows—a lion and a bison.
Both are rare creatures in terms of Shadows, but especially paired together. As with all the other illustrations, the man’s face is obscured, shrouding his identity in mystery.
Beneath the image, two words are written— The Dual.
“The Dual has brought great imbalance to our realm,” she explains. “Many dismiss his existence as a myth, but I know for certain that he exists. I’ve witnessed the extent of his power and the havoc it can wreak. Now, with a potential source of that power right here in the academy… it’s both a blessing and a curse.”
I bite my tongue, resisting the urge to question her sources or challenge her authority. She counts on my loyalty, which is why I’m her go-to person in situations like this. That trust is working in my favor right now. I may be able to use it to protect my Lilith.
“So what’s the real problem with the Dual?” I ask, my curiosity piqued.
“Darkness has a grip on them, using them for its own ends. Or maybe they’re complicit in it. We can’t be sure at this point, and I’d rather not discover the truth the hard way,” Bennett replies, her expression grave.
I shift my focus from the aging drawing to the headmistress, trying to decipher her intentions. If I’m going to stay one step ahead, I need to anticipate her next move. My mate’s life depends on it.
Bennett’s calculating gaze lingers on me, as if assessing me. “If she truly is the second Dual to walk this realm, then her powers are still undeveloped,” she muses. “That could work in our favor if we need to… eliminate her.”
Fuck. And she wants me to be the one to do it.
The idea makes my stomach twist, dread spreading, but I keep my expression neutral and nod in understanding. I need to play the part if I want any chance to keep Lilith safe.
“And you want me to be the executioner?” I confirm.
“For now, I just need you to keep an eye on her,” she clarifies. “I trust your objectivity and your ability to remain unbiased. You understand the need for Balance, more than anyone else. Simon has become too attached to her, so I can’t rely on him for this task.” Her gaze locks onto mine, searching for any sign of disloyalty. “Can I count on you?”
I don’t hesitate, even though I know the words I’m about to say are a lie. My loyalties have now completely pivoted. “Of course, Headmistress.”
Later that night, I move through the shadows toward the healing quarters. I glide through the darkness, silent and swift. I reach the room where Lilith is resting, slipping in unnoticed while the healer on duty tends to her other patients. She doesn’t even glance my way.
Earlier, I cornered Simon to demand answers and ask why he let anything happen to her, prepared to use force if necessary, but he willingly filled me in on what happened with him and Lilith, how she got injured, his words echoing those of Headmistress Bennett. Except he pleaded for my help with desperate eyes, and even if Lilith weren’t my mate, I couldn’t turn him down.
Simon and Vaughn, despite their quirks, are the only ones I truly trust in this world. My loyalty lies with them—and now with Lilith—and I’ll stand by them until my last breath.
Despite the horror Simon described in the forest, Lilith appears serene in her sleep. Her long hair spills around her like a dark halo, framing her face, while her gray eyes remain closed. The memory of her taste haunts me, lingering since our encounter at the masquerade. I yearn to draw closer to her, even though I know it may not be what’s best for her. The attraction is inescapable, pulling me toward her like a magnet.
As I approach the hospital bed, my eyes scan over her battered body, taking note of every bruise and cut, making a mental map of them to return the favor once we finally catch whoever did this.
I will make them pay. For you, Lilith.
A large bandage is wrapped around her left side, and a pang of guilt hits me in the chest. Even though it wasn’t my call, I regret not being there to protect her. While I trust Simon and his abilities, our powers are different. Perhaps I could’ve done a better job at keeping her safe.
My fingers gently trace over her hand, hoping she can somehow sense my presence and know that I’ll always keep her safe. We may not be able to speak or touch properly yet, but I make a silent promise to protect her from the shadows where my twisted soul belongs.
“Never again,” I vow silently.
My fingertips linger on her skin, reluctant to break the connection. But as the door creaks open slowly, I retreat into the shadows once more. Watching. Protecting. Guarding.
My Lilith.
I’m slightly taken aback when Vaughn enters the room. His usual confident posture is slumped, and concern etches itself across his face at the sight of her injuries. “Oh, Fox. Who did this to you?” he murmurs softly.
He settles onto the edge of her bed, careful not to disturb her bandaged wounds. It’s no secret that these two can’t stand each other, but I can see what’s really going on—Vaughn has strong feelings for her. It shows in the way he looks at her, the way he seems to miss her when she’s not around. He hides his affection with a tough-guy act, but deep down, he really cares.
In a rare moment of tenderness,Vaughn reaches out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind Lilith’s ear. She shifts a bit in her sleep but stays blissfully unaware, lost in her dreams. Watching him gently stroke her cheek, I feel a sense of comfort knowing that the three of us will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.