Chapter 26
Twenty-Six
LILITH
It’s the morning after my… encounter with Kai, and I’m still deliciously sore between my thighs. He managed to talk me into having a group discussion to clear the air among the four of us, and I’m not going to acknowledge the fact that the bond changed my resolve. Not yet anyway.
Which brings me to my proposal. “I need to go into the forest again.”
Despite the uneasy feeling churning in my gut, I know it’s our best chance to uncover any valuable information. We can’t rely on Bennett anymore, and the Darkness only communicates with me. There has to be a reason for that—a purpose we can harness, something we can use. And I can definitely use their help this time.
Simon immediately crosses his arms over his chest and shakes his head. “Absolutely not.” I knew he’d be hard to convince.
“You know it won’t be long before news of my abilities spreads throughout the realm. Besides, I highly doubt Bennett actually reached out to any of her so-called colleagues. And if she did, they wouldn’t keep it a secret for long. Soon we’ll have the Keepers on the academy’s doorstep, demanding to see me. And what then? What will they do?”
Kai hovers near the window, caught between listening to me and keeping an eye on what’s happening outside. Vaughn is comfortably seated, while Simon paces restlessly back and forth. The constant thudding of his footsteps consumes my thoughts, making it hard to think clearly.
“That’s true,” Vaughn agrees at last.
Simon’s pacing abruptly halts, his agitation obvious when he runs a hand through his hair. “So let me get this straight. We’re planning to let Lilith go into the forest again? Alone?”
Vaughn’s shoulders tense. “No, that’s not what I meant. We would all go with her. Besides, Kai has some kind of magical ability that could actually help against whatever she’s facing.”
Simon’s gaze shifts to Kai, searching for any sign of confirmation, but he remains silent, his expression unreadable. My stoic mate. A small smile forms at the corner of my mouth knowing that he’s not always wearing a mask. And that he reserves that part of himself for me only.
“Riiight,” Vaughn scoffs, rolling his eyes. “As helpful as always. Thanks, Kai.” He turns back to Simon, gesturing behind him with a jerk of his thumb. “Plus, let’s not forget that our dear friend here has threatened to murder Bennett. So we don’t have much time to waste on indecision or running in circles without a plan.”
My eyes widen, and I whip my head around to stare at Kai. “You did… what?”
Kai shrugs his shoulders like it’s not a big deal, but that’s definitely a big fucking deal.
“Oh, he didn’t tell you?” Vaughn chimes in, smirking. “Yeah, he nearly slit her throat.”
I can hardly believe what I’m hearing. “Sorry, what? Oh gods... What were you thinking?” I leap out of my seat, feeling the danger hovering over us all. “She could come after you!”
Simon shakes his head, totally unfazed. “Nothing’s wrong with him. This is classic Kai.”
“Plus, she totally deserved it for what she did,” Vaughn adds.
Simon doesn’t disagree. Instead, he turns to me. “Anyway, what exactly do you think will happen in the forest? You really think the Darkness will spill all the secrets you want? It’s tried to kill you three damn times, Lilith.”
I swallow hard. There’s something important I haven’t shared yet—something tied to my last encounter with the Darkness. I fumble for the right words, but it feels like now’s the time to let it out. We’ve cleared the air, I now know who I should trust, thanks to Kai and our bond, so not time like the present, I guess.
“I think there’s something in the Darkness, or rather, someone. I’m almost sure I saw a silhouette of a person. It could be linked to whatever’s going on with me.” I scan their faces for any hint of doubt or disbelief. “Look, I know how wild that sounds, but there was something in there.”
For once, Kai breaks the silence first. “And you’re sure about this? I’ve never seen anything that looks like a person.”
“I caught a glimpse of it before you showed up. It’s tough to say if it was real or just my imagination, but there might be someone out there. And if that’s true, then it’s not just me in danger; the whole academy could be at risk.”
Simon nods, leaning against my desk, which brings a flashback of last night that I try to smother. Now is not the time. “The Darkness is supposed to be pure since it affects the Shadows of every student at the academy…” He runs a frustrated hand through his hair. As an instructor, he’s close with most of the students, so it makes sense he’d be worried. “And you haven’t mentioned this to Bennett?”
I shake my head. “I felt like I was already in enough trouble.”
“You did the right thing keeping it to yourself. Who knows what that bitch is plotting?” Vaughn mutters under his breath, more to himself than to me.
Kai steps away from the door. “Lilith still struggles with her Shadows, but they’re connected to mine through our mate bond. If it comes down to it, I think I could help guide hers if we’re in danger. You two can keep watch around us. How does that sound?”
Finally, a plan, I think to myself.
Simon looks torn, while Vaughn nods eagerly, treating this like a casual outing instead of a potentially deadly mission.
“You, in particular,” Kai says, pointing at Vaughn, “are in charge of getting rid of that damn bird of Bennett’s. I don’t want to see it anywhere near us.”
The grin spreading across Vaughn’s face tells me everything I need to know—he’s thought about getting rid of that crow way more times than he’d ever admit. “Don’t need to tell me twice,” he says, practically buzzing with excitement. “Let’s do this tonight to get it over with. That way, if things go south and Lilith doesn’t find anything, we can still get the fuck out of here.”
I can’t believe what Vaughn just said. “You really mean that?” I ask, searching his face for any sign that he’s joking. With him everything is always a game.
He cocks his head, that signature devilish grin spreading wider. “Why wouldn’t I? We’re in too deep now, Fox.”
The wind howls around me as I face my deepest fears once again. The forest looms ahead, looking pretty innocent on the surface, but I know better. My heart pounds against my ribs as I think about what lurks within. Those ancient trees stretch their limbs like skeletal arms, ready to drag me into the darkness.
Behind me, I can feel the guys standing close, their presence a comforting warmth against the chill. I glance back at them, all dressed in black, their eyes steady. I know I have the option to turn back, but I’m determined not to give myself the chance to second guess myself. Not this time. We need answers.
“Remember,” Kai murmurs, sensing my hesitation. “You’re not alone. We’re here with you.”
His words don’t completely chase away the fear gnawing at me, but they do help steady my nerves. I take a deep breath and step over the boundary into the forest. Again. Fourth time’s the charm, right?
This time feels different. I’m not alone, and we’ve cleared the air—no more secrets. That has to count for something, right?
“Is it here?” Vaughn asks after a brief silence while we walk slowly.
I look around. With how dark everything is, I understand that it’s difficult for them to see the difference. But I can sense it. Or I could, at least.
The Darkness that speaks to me has a specific energy, impossible to ignore. But it seems to be strangely absent.
“No,” I admit, “I can’t feel it right now.”
And that scares me. Why isn’t it here?
This is different from all the other times I’ve come here, and it feels like something is seriously wrong. I pick up my pace, trying to follow my intuition that usually leads me straight to the Darkness’ embrace. But tonight, I’m wandering aimlessly.
“Where are you?” I call out, my heart racing as I search for any trace of it. This should feel like a good thing, but it almost feels like the opposite. “Where the hell did you go?”
“Lilith, wait,” Simon’s voice calls from behind me, but I’m already sprinting, the sound of my footsteps drowning him out. I know it’s irrational, but something inside me screams to keep going.
I lose track of time and space, only focusing on the faint tug I can finally feel. It’s weak, barely there, but it’s enough to lead me forward. I refuse to look back; even a moment’s distraction could break this fragile connection.
The Darkness isn’t calling me like usual, but the pull grows stronger... until I’m yanked into something twisted and unnatural. The hazy vision I had before snaps into focus, revealing a tangled web of darkness, endless chains wrapped around something.
The energy here is thick and heavy, like a physical force trying to pin me down. I know I don’t belong in this twisted place, but I have to find out if the figure in the shadows is real or simply a figment of my imagination.
Despite the resistance, I take a step forward. My fox appears beside me, followed by my deer. Their presence eases some of the tension, pushing me forward. It drains my energy, but I don’t stop—not even for a second. I feel like the fate of the realm is hanging in the balance.
And I have to do something. I’m just not sure what or why.
“Lilith!” Fading voices call out behind me, begging me to turn back.
Their pleas get lost in the cacophony of whispers swirling around me, but I can’t seem to make out a single one. In the distance, a faint figure catches my eye, bound in chains. I squint through my distorted vision, straining to focus.
The first thing I notice is glimmering silver hair catching the dim light, framing a rugged face marked with scars. The figure’s eyes are closed, his body shackled and spread-eagle, straining against his restraints. I take a moment to study him, then…
His deep purple eyes snap open.
Suddenly, the whispers around me erupt into wails, and it feels like the underworld itself is awakening. Darkness swirls around me, swirling like a swarm of bats, hungry for my flesh.
No.
I can’t hold it in—I scream.
My deer rushes to my side, creating a protective barrier, while my fox chases away any lingering threats. I use my magic to swat at the intruders, but some still claw at me, demanding my blood. I try to ignore the pain and I focus on defending myself. But they are getting closer, suffocating.
Right when it feels like everything’s closing in, a familiar snake slithers toward my fox. They collide in a blinding flash of light that radiates for miles, swallowing us whole. Strong arms wrap around me, shielding me until the light fades into darkness again. When my eyes adjust, I see Vaughn, Simon, and Kai standing beside me. Thank the gods they’re alive and unharmed.
But the energy field? Gone. Like it was never there.
Vaughn steps closer, his voice sharp. “What the hell just happened?”
I take a step back and Kai’s hold on me loosens. I scan the area for any sign of what just occurred. But it’s only the usual darkness of the forest. A sense of dread settles in my stomach. The pain from before flares up, but I can’t focus on it.
I turn to Simon. “I think… the forest is tainted.”
“Fuck,” he mutters, running his fingers through his hair. “What did you see? One of the Rogues?”
I shake my head. “Worse.”
I can’t be certain, but deep down, I know it’s him. Saying it out loud feels ridiculous, like I’m about to alter our fates forever, but I have to. The truth demands to be spoken.
“Tell us, Fox,” Vaughn urges, his tone steady.
“I believe the Dual is trapped in this forest.”
The danger is closer and more real than we ever expected… and now I know it’s up to me to face it.