Chapter 18
Eighteen
VAUGHN
I can’t stop thinking of every worst-case scenario imaginable. Every single one involves a certain pretty purple-streaked head of hair, now that she’s awake and recovering from her injury.
I’m relieved she’s okay and returning to classes—though I’d never admit it out loud to her—but I still feel uneasy. She’s coming back into an environment that seems hell-bent on despising her.
It’s been six days since she opened her eyes, and the whispers are spreading like wildfire through the academy. Rumors swirl around her, saying she might be the next Dual—fated to bring about the end of days.
It’s a scary idea that sends chills down my spine, but what haunts me the most right now is knowing that the students are actually afraid of her, making her a villain before she even has a chance to prove she isn’t. Fear can make people do dumb and dangerous things.
Lilith is trying so hard to fit in, to get back a sense of normalcy. She laughs when she should, puts on a brave face, but I can see through it. I know my little fox. Underneath all her false bravery is a shit ton of fear and uncertainty. It’s like she’s walking a tightrope, desperately trying not to fall.
Simon’s been keeping a close watch on her, which is good. After Lilith got injured on his watch, there’s no possible way he’ll let anything else happen to her. The remorse and guilt is riding him hard.
So with her safety taken care of, I can shift my focus to dealing with those who pose a threat within these cold, stone walls. Like the assholes with misplaced bravery who think they can threaten her. But even that brings its own set of challenges. The growing tension is making the academy feel like a pressure cooker about to explode.
I can’t shake the image of her lying injured in that bed from my mind, the realization that I could’ve done more. I should’ve been there, damn it.
So now I watch from a distance, waiting for the storm to break. I’ll be damned if I stand by and let the whole academy turn against her. I’m the only one she’s allowed to be in a lust-hate relationship with.
“But yeah, I plan on contacting my father to fill him in on what’s happening here,” one of the second-year students whispers to his friend, oblivious to me standing just behind them as they quicken their pace in the direction of wherever the fuck they are going.
“And if that doesn’t work?” his friend asks, and I can see the concern etched across his face. What a fool.
“I know a guy we can pay to handle it,” the first student replies confidently. “If the headmistress won’t do anything, someone has to. I’m not going to sit back and let the damn apocalypse happen.” He pauses, shrugging nonchalantly. “Our names might not go down in the history books, but we’ll know what we did for the realm. We’ll be silent heroes—”
Before he can finish his thought, I roll my eyes and grab him by his shoulder-length hair, twisting him until his face slams into the nearby wall with a sickening crack. Blood gushes from his broken nose and he cries out in pain, his friend’s eyes widening in shock at my surprise attack. Now , they’re fully aware.
“What’s your problem?” the first student growls– I think his name is Stuart, or Steve—S something—and he wipes the blood streaming from his nose with a rough swipe of his hand. I dodge his punch, amused by how quickly he seemed to recover.
Looks like he’s back in fighting shape. Hurray. Good for you man.
I watch him scramble to shield himself with defensive spells. But today, I’m not interested in using my own magic. No, today I want to feel the warmth of his blood on my hands. Grabbing him by the back of the head, I force him down and slam my knee into his face. The satisfying sound of his groans brings me a rush of joy, better even than a good drag on a cigarette, and I savor every moment.
His friend—who was never important enough for me to remember his name–finally snaps out of his ridiculous shock and charges at me, channeling magic into his fists for extra power. That’s right, come at me, big boy.
He lands a solid punch that sends me stumbling back, but I’m fast on my feet. I send him a fierce right hook to his cheek, and it sends him reeling. But he doesn’t get a moment to recover; I follow up with a powerful shot to his ribs, and I can feel the impact actually ripple through his body.
Take that fucker.
I want to hurt them both until they’re begging for mercy. But just as I’m about to deliver another blow, the headmistress’s sharp voice cuts through the bloodthirsty haze like a whip. “Enough!” Bennett commands, and we all stop as if she had used magic to make us.
I take a step back, wiping the blood from my knuckles on my cloak, ignoring the stains. That’s the best part of wearing black—better to hide the evidence. I hear shuffling behind me and, glancing over my shoulder, I see the two idiots scrambling away down the hallway, their faces pale with shock.
Not feeling too brave now, hey, boys? Assholes.
But I stay where I am, savoring every second of the moment. I expect to be punished for the chaos I’ve caused, but the headmistress only throws me a side glance before saying, “Clean yourself up.” Then she turns on her heel and walks away, her crow flapping after her.
Well, shit.
The crowd that had gathered around us quickly disperses, leaving me standing alone in the hallway. Right as I’m about to turn and leave, my eyes catch sight of Lilith at the far end of the corridor, her arms tightly folded across her chest. And I drink her up like I’m dying of thirst in a desert.
She looks surprisingly well, considering everything that’s happened to her. But there’s a noticeable shift in her gaze. It’s not the same burning hatred I’ve grown used to—or at least, I don’t think it is. I make my way toward her, using my black shirt to wipe the blood off my face, trying to play it cool, and if I happen to flash a bit of abs she happens to notice while I do it, even better.
“Looking good, Fox. It’s nice to have you back on your feet.”
Her nose scrunches up adorably. Fuck, she’s cute when she does that. “I wish I could say the same. Why are you causing trouble?”
I’m not about to spill the truth and risk making things awkward between us. I like our relationship the way it is now—filled with hate, but also an undeniable sexual tension that I want nothing more than to explore. Again and again. Several times in a row even.
“If you haven’t noticed, that’s sort of my default setting…”
She shakes her head, her expression an interesting mix of concern and frustration. Awww, she’s worried about me?
“Not like this. I think you broke his nose and his jaw. And you took a punch to the face too,” she says. She reaches a hand out to wipe the blood from the corner of my mouth, and I let her. Her touch is surprisingly gentle, and I’d lie if I didn’t admit I lean into it a bit, craving more of her warmth. I’m completely addicted. “I can’t say it wasn’t deserved, but I still feel a twinge of pity for you…”
“Is that so?” I raise an eyebrow, an amused smirk tugging at my lips. “In that case, I don’t suppose you’d be open to fucking me out of pity?”
Her gorgeous purple-flecked gaze hardens for a second before softening slightly. “No. I will not fuck you out of pity.”
“Oh? Then out of sexual attraction, then?” I push, craving more of her banter and wanting, no, needing her to go back to her earlier fierce confidence.
She rolls her eyes with an exasperated sigh. “You’re making this really fucking difficult, Vaughn. I won’t fuck you, but I will help you clean that nasty cut on your face. Unless you’d prefer to go to the healing quarters and file a report, which will definitely land you in Bennett’s office.”
I tilt my head, studying her with a smirk. “And when did you become so caring, Fox?”
“When I almost died,” she admits, and I lose my smirk. “And when I saw you stand up for me.” I tense at that, wanting to downplay it, but she continues quickly, “But don’t get any ideas. I still can’t stand the damn sight of you.”
Now that’s exactly what I need to hear.
Even though the cut on my face is minor, I’ll take any excuse to spend more time with Lilith. Watching her get riled up is one of my favorite pastimes. Surprisingly, with her usual fiery defiance dialed down, I find myself simply enjoying her company.
We retreat to her bedroom for some privacy, and the moment feels strangely intimate, being in her personal space like that, but I try not to overthink it. The room looks like the rest of the Predators’ quarters but surprisingly bare, with no personal touches that usually tell a story.
She comes out of the bathroom carrying gauze, alcohol, and herbs, and sets them on the wooden desk next to where I’m sitting.
“You know, if you wanted me in your bedroom, all you had to do was ask. I would’ve come willingly,” I tease.
She fights the urge to roll her eyes at my comment—I can tell, I know her that well—but she doesn’t let me off easily. With a little more force than is really necessary, she presses the alcohol-soaked gauze against my face. The sharp sting makes me wince, but it quickly fades into something bearable.
“Consider this your welcome party,” she says, a hint of a smile creeping onto her lips as she meets my gaze. There she is, my fox.
“Ouch.”
“You deserve worse for being so damn irritating,” she retorts, her gray eyes focused intently on the wound. The pain almost fades into the background as I watch her. The way the faint sunlight catches her features makes her look almost otherworldly. She’s beautiful in a way that seems unreal, and I don’t even bother hiding the fact that I can’t take my eyes off her. I drink up every little detail, desperate to memorize all of it so I can overanalyze it all later.
“Yet, here you are, enjoying my company regardless,” I say, unable to resist another jab.
She sighs, the sound exaggerated and annoyed. “Beggars can’t be choosers, I guess. It’s not like I have a lot of people to hang out with. I’m stuck with you if I don’t want to isolate myself completely.”
“Stuck, huh?” I raise an eyebrow, feigning surprise. “That sounds like a real hardship.”
She doesn’t hold back this time, and rolls her eyes, but the smile on her lips is definitely amused. “You’re impossible.”
“Impossible to resist, impossible to live without, impossible to forget,” I counter, and I lean in to gauge her reaction. I can’t help it. I’m a man obsessed. Her fingers brush against my skin, leaving a tingling sensation behind. I hate the way she has that effect on me, yet I find myself craving more—wanting her even closer, even though I know it’s a bad idea. But in the privacy of her room like this, just the two of us, I’m starting to forget why.
“Excuses, excuses...” I murmur, reaching up to tuck a stray strand of her hair behind her ear. Her breath catches, and she freezes, her eyes locking onto mine. The unspoken tension that’s been simmering between us since the moment we met hangs in the air, thick and palpable. “I don’t think you hate me half as much as you claim, Fox.”
“Then you don’t know anything about me…” she retorts, her voice soft but steady, her gaze unwavering even as she continues to dab at my wound.
“Maybe I want to know more,” I reply, my heart pounding in my chest as I lean closer. The air feels charged, electric, as if the very space between us is alive with possibility.
Her gaze flickers, uncertainty dancing in her gray depths. “You really think you can just charm your way into my good graces?”
I chuckle, the sound low and playful. “Charm? Is that what you call this?” I gesture between us, letting the moment linger, a playful challenge in my tone. “I thought it was more like a cosmic force drawing us together.”
She snorts softly, shaking her head, but the smile creeping back onto her face suggests I’m getting to her. That’s it, fox. Play with me. “Cosmic force, huh? More like a cosmic headache.”
My eyes betray me, constantly drawn to her lips—those full, tempting lips that seem to call me closer. She stands over me while I sit in her chair, completely at her mercy. Before I can overthink my next move, my hands act on their own, gripping her hips and pulling her down onto my lap.
Suddenly, my lips are on hers, and the world around us narrows to the two of us. The kiss is hard, demanding, hungry—an intoxicating blend of frustration and longing. It conveys everything I want her to know but can’t put into words. I slide my tongue between her lips, wanting to taste her fully, completely, claiming her as I go.
I brace myself for her to pull back, to push me away, or even to hit me, but instead, she gives in with a soft moan that drives me completely out of my mind.
She does retain some control, exactly how I would expect her to, her fingers tangling in my hair, yanking the dark strands as she tilts my head back. The bite of pain drives me wild and I groan. It’s only then that she breaks the kiss, her breath warm against my lips, leaving me craving more. So much more. It will never be enough.
“You think you can just do whatever the hell you want without facing any consequences, don’t you?” she murmurs, a hint of challenge in her voice. Fuck, that challenge makes my dick hard. Something I’m pretty sure she has now noticed since she’s pressed against it.
And she’s not entirely wrong. I hate to admit it, but when it comes to her, I’d jump into any crazy situation without a second thought about the fallout. But there’s no way in hell I’m saying that out loud.
A wicked smirk creeps onto my lips as I lean in a bit closer. “So, what are you going to do about it, Fox?”
Lilith hesitates, still perched on my lap, and for a moment, I’m sure she will pull away. But instead, she surprises me again. With a slow, deliberate movement, she shifts on my lap, her fingers finding the zipper of my pants.
My jaw nearly drops at the sight—whatever’s gotten into her, I’m all in for this game she’s decided to play. Fuck yes, bring it on my little fox.
“I’m going to show you that actions have consequences,” she says.
The urge to touch her, to claim every inch of her, consumes me then, entirely. But just as I’m about to act on that impulse, she unleashes her magic. I feel it wrap around my wrists, restraining my hands behind the chair with a tight binding.
Well, well ,well.
“Nice trick,” I whisper, a hint of admiration in my voice. I could easily break free from her magic; she’s only scratched the surface when it comes to her abilities, and most of it is still untapped. But for now, I let her think she’s in control.
Really though, I’m intrigued by this little game she’s playing, and I’m desperate to see how far she’ll take it.
As my cock springs free, she wraps her hand around it, stroking it in slow, teasing movements that have my entire body tensing.
Fuck.
Her lips find my neck, trailing heated kisses across my skin, each one drawn out just enough to drive me closer to the edge.
Damn it. She’s really good at this game.
A loud grunt escapes me, my head tipping back and I struggle to keep control.
“Fuck, Fox. If this is how you tend to my wounds every time, maybe I should get injured more often…” I murmur, my eyes shutting and I let myself surrender to the sensation.
Her thumb brushes over the tip of my cock with every pass, the slow pace driving me insane. Each second of her touch weakens me, and I hate how completely she has me enthralled. I’m a total goner.
“Don’t flatter yourself,” she whispers beneath my ear, her hot breath sending a shiver down my spine. The teasing in her voice only stokes the fire inside me, making it nearly impossible to resist the urge to break free from her magic, toss her onto the bed, and bury myself so deep inside her that I never have to leave.
But somehow, with a level of self-control I didn’t even know I possessed, I hold back. I let her keep control, even if it’s only for a little while. My entire body pulses with the need for release, aching to reach that peak she’s driving me toward.
She knows exactly what she’s doing, from twisting her palm around my shaft, to the perfect, steady rhythm she keeps up, making it feel like we were made for each other. My fox. Mine.
My breathing grows heavier, each second pushing me closer to the edge, where bliss is waiting within reach. Almost there.
Finally, Lilith’s lips graze against mine in a brief, sexy touch that sends a jolt of electricity through me. My entire body is buzzing. She’s right there, so close that I can feel her warmth, and I want that tight wet pussy I haven’t been able to stop thinking about closer, on me, preferably sliding down my cock. I eagerly lean in, craving the taste of her. But she pulls back, teasing me playfully.
You little minx.
A grin tugs at the corners of my mouth, but I resist the urge to smile, fully aware that she’s enjoying this little game and I’m determined to play it.
Our gazes lock, the intensity amplifying the pleasure coursing through me. She doesn’t slow down, keeping the movements steady, in control, and it’s driving me completely wild. I lift my hips, panting, the only part of me still able to reach her, silently begging for her to move faster. But she maintains that maddeningly slow pace, drawing out every second of torture and making me pant harder. She wasn’t kidding when she said she’d show me consequences.
And still, I’m close. My lips part as I get to the edge, ready to warn her, but right as I’m about to come… she releases my cock.
Damn it, woman.
It’s like she read my body perfectly, knowing exactly when to stop. The pleasure I was chasing evaporates in an instant, leaving me on the brink, every nerve in my body aching for more. I’m shaking, gasping, and all Ican do is stare at her with my mouth open.
She hops off my lap with a mischievous glint in her eyes. I’m restrained, wanting, and utterly undone. And I’m not sure if I’m angry or impressed.
The magic around my wrists tightens. Lilith leans over me again, her lips brushing against mine. “You didn’t really think I’d let you do whatever you wanted without consequences, did you? That’s not how things work around here. Not with me, anyway.”
Fuck. I thought the consequence was her maddeningly slow but delicious pace. Not her giving me the worst case of blue balls I’ve ever experienced.
Touché.
She reaches for the small pot on her table, applying a mixture of herbs to my face to tend to the wound with the hand she wasn’t just using to fuck me with—thankfully.
I stay silent, absorbing every detail of her. And fuck she looks even more beautiful now, more than ever.
When she’s finished, she steps back, her expression pleased, before she turns on her heels and heads for the door, leaving me on my own—aching for more.
The thrill of our game lingers now that I know my Fox is more than ready to continue this dance. All the possibilities hang in the air, possibilities she just opened up by trying to teach me a lesson.
And I can’t wait to see where that takes us.