Chapter 19 #2
I slammed my fist into the punching bag again, knuckles splitting, pain blooming sharp and hot. It kept me grounded. It kept me from thinking.
Slade moved in then — quick and sure — catching my wrist mid-swing.
“Enough,” he said, low and firm.
“No,” I snapped, trying to yank free. I might as well have tried to move a mountain.
He didn’t budge. Just stared at me with those steady, unreadable eyes, his hand still wrapped around my wrist, unyielding.
“Time to eat.”
I glared up at him, breathing hard, my body screaming to keep moving, to keep fighting. But he didn’t release me. Didn’t even flinch.
Slade didn’t need to say anything else. His patience — and his quiet, immovable strength — said it for him.
I was running myself into the ground. And he wasn’t going to let me.
“Elira,” he said, his voice low and unyielding.
“No! I don’t want to!” The words came out before I could stop them, sharp and desperate, as if I could push back the overwhelming weight of everything that had been pressing down on me.
Slade didn’t argue. He didn’t need to. Instead, he just shrugged, as if he were used to this by now. Before I could protest further, he moved. Fast. Too fast.
One moment, I was standing, fists clenched, and the next, I was thrown over his shoulder like a rag doll.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I shouted, my fists landing uselessly against his back.
It was like hitting a wall of muscle. He grunted but didn’t falter, just kept walking as though I weighed nothing.
“Put me down!” I smacked his back again, harder this time, but he barely seemed to notice.
“I’m not putting you down until you agree to eat something,” he replied, his tone calm but firm.
“Argh!” I yelled, hitting him again. I could sense his amusement.
When we entered the mess hall, everyone stared at us. He plopped me into a seat unceremoniously next to Leo, who just grinned at my discomfort.
“Nice of you to drop in, Elle.”
“Shut up!”
“Keep her there.” He grunted, before walking up to the banquet table to get me food.
I glared at them both. A girl with vibrant purple hair I didn’t recognise sat next to Leo on his other side. At my appearance, she watched me closely.
“Oh shit, you weren’t kidding,” the girl muttered. “She’s stunning.”
I spun to face her, ready to spit back any vitriol she was about to send my way, when I faltered, taken in by her the subtle friendly smile on her face. She had a long scar down one side of her face that went from her eyebrow to her chin. It was striking.
She leaned forward towards me with a conspirators glint in her deep violet eyes.
She waved at my surprised expression. “Hi. I’m Maddie. Mage, mostly plant magic. Poisons.” She waggled her eyebrows at me. “You’re the shadowmancer right?”
I sent Leo a uncertain glance. “Um… yes, I guess so.”
“That’s incredible. So, what can your shadows do? Can they pick things up? Suffocate people?”
“Mads,” Leo sighed.
“What? She’s interesting. Much more than the likes of anyone else here.” Maddie scoffed, sitting back in her seat.
“You’re a Shade?”
“In training.” She rolled her eyes. “Second year though.”
“Right,”
Before I could respond, she leaned forward again, catching me off guard when she took my hand in hers. The touch was surprisingly intimate, and I flinched, yanking my hand away.
Leo burst out laughing, his amusement clear. “Mads, can you keep it in your pants for one minute?”
She gave me an apologetic smile. “Sorry, had to give it a try. The odds of finding a hot dyke in this building are slim to none, ya know?”
I just blinked at her, unsure how to respond.
“What about Skye?” Leo asked, clearly amused by Maddie’s antics.
Maddie rolled her eyes dramatically. “Don’t talk to me about that traitor. She keeps flirting with that damn shifter wolf, third year.”
“Tom’s a good guy,” Leo countered.
“Yeah, exactly. He’s a guy,” Maddie sighed dramatically. “You know, if only I swung that way. I just can’t imagine ever liking a cock, you know?” She shuddered. “I mean, they just hang there…” she made a dangling gesture and I giggled, despite myself.
I couldn’t help the way my gaze flicked to Leo as I remembered the other night. He must have seen something in my face because his grin grew wider.
A plate piled high with creamy spaghetti was thrown in front of my face, along with some bread and water. I looked up and met Slade’s determined expression. He crossed his arms, expectant.
“Eat.”
I blinked, staring at the food with wide eyes. “There is no way I can eat all of that!” I protested, my stomach knotting just at the sight of it.
Slade didn’t budge. His gaze was steady, unyielding, as if he could stand there all day, daring me to refuse. There was no room for negotiation in his silence. He shoved a knife and fork into my hands with a soft, metallic clink.
“Eat,” he repeated, his voice low but firm, like a command more than a suggestion.
I narrowed my eyes at him. For a moment, I thought I saw a spark of amusement in his deep, dark eyes as I finally took a few bites.
“All of it.”
I looked to Leo as if he might save me, but he just shrugged and held his hands up in surrender.
“Hey, don’t look at me.”
I took a couple more bites but was suddenly saved by the sound of sirens echoing around the mess hall.
I looked up, my mouth still half-full. “What?”
“Another attack.” He sighed, rubbing a hand down his face, then leaned down without thinking and pressed a kiss to my forehead — soft, lingering just a second too long to be casual.
I froze.
So did Maddie.
Even Slade raised an eyebrow from across the room.
Leo straightened, clearly realising what he’d done, but instead of apologising, he gave me a small, crooked smile — one that said everything he didn’t. His hand brushed my shoulder before he turned, all business now.
“Shades and Sentinels! Up. Trainees, back to your rooms.”
Maddie grabbed my arm and tugged. “Come on. You can crash in my room.”
I glanced after Leo, heart thudding faster than I liked. “Shouldn’t we try to help?”
I watched Slade and Leo moving with fluid precision, already barking orders as people jumped to obey.
Maddie just snorted. “Nope. They’ve got it. But my room has the best view of the front courtyard — we can spy from there.”
“You have a common room?” I asked, hurrying to keep up as she dragged me through the crowds.
Her grin was wicked. “Oh baby girl… You have so much to learn.”
Maddie led me to the second floor, her boots clicking against the polished floor as we walked down the long corridor.
The moment we stepped into the large room, I couldn’t help but be struck by the space.
It was luxurious, yet comfortable in a way that felt inviting.
Multiple sofas were scattered across the room, their cushions deep and plush, begging for someone to sink into them and never leave.
A few wooden games I recognised, like pool and table tennis were set up in the space. One wall had a massive bookshelf filled with books. I walked over to it to run my hands down the spines.
“Pretty nice huh,” Maddie grinned.
“So many books!” It was more than I had ever seen in my whole life.
“You like to read?” She asked.
“Well, yeah,” I said, grinning. “We found a couple on the streets, you know — just tossed out. Finn and I used to share them and laugh over the raunchy sex scenes.”
“Finn?” Maddie tilted her head.
“My friend,” I said, quieter now. “He’s the reason I’m here.”
Her brow furrowed, and I added, “He got sick. I was trying to help him when Thorne caught me.”
Maddie winced. “Yikes. Thorne’s a scary bastard. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I know he and Leo are tight, but…” She shuddered dramatically. “His ability creeps me the hell out.”
“Hah,” I let out a dry laugh. “You and me both. We’ve had a few run-ins already, but… so far, he hasn’t been too bad.”
“I guess I should expect that from a girl who just faced off with the metal slinger himself.” Maddie flopped back against the cushions with a sigh.
Then she shot up and pointed toward the window. “Ooh, look! Leo’s shifting.”
I ran to the window and watched in awe.
The transformation was nothing short of mesmerizing.
Leo’s body rippled, muscles shifting beneath his skin, as the first hints of golden fur spread across his form.
It was fast—too fast for a normal shift, but that was Leo for you.
His clothes tore away as his limbs grew in size and shape, the powerful transformation taking hold in mere seconds.
In the end, there was nothing left of the man who had stood there just moments ago, except for a massive, golden lion that now prowled in the yard with the effortless grace of a predator.
My breath caught in my throat. It was like witnessing a force of nature unfold in front of me, and there was something so primal, so raw, about the way his golden coat gleamed in the fading light.
I couldn’t help but be awestruck, even as the unease from earlier stirred once again in the pit of my stomach.
“Impressive, right?” Maddie’s voice was quiet but knowing, and I felt her eyes on me, reading my reaction.
“Yeah,” I managed, my voice a little hushed. “I didn’t know it would be like that. He’s... beautiful.” My eyes lingered on Leo’s lion form, admiring the smooth, fluid movements.
“I wanted to be a shifter you know.” Maddie sighed. “I think I would have made a great mountain lion.”
I watched Leo and Slade lead a contingent of soldiers out the gates towards what looked like more smoke in the distance.
“What do you think happened this time?” I asked.
“Probably another fire. Someone’s been going around blasting abandoned buildings in the city. Nothing like the bombing or the attack on the markets. I think they just want to keep the sentinels busy.”
“So why do the Shades have to go too?”
“Extra protection? That attack on the markets caught everyone by surprise.”
“I know, I was there.” I said, my voice flat.
“You were?” Maddie asked. “Holy shit, what was it like?”
I closed my eyes and shuddered, remembering the way my body had fought like a master. It had felt like muscle memory and it scared me, because there was so much of my past I didn’t know.
“It was intense, to say the least. A lot of people got hurt.”
“The fucking resistance man. I wish they would all drop dead.” Maddie growled.
I smiled. “I hear that. But I’m not sure here is much better.”
She grinned at me, “True that,” she said carefully. “Although, I have nothing but faith and support in our lord and master.” She said loudly, like she hoped to be heard.
“Oh yeah. Me too.” I replied. “Totally.” I rolled my eyes.
She nudged my shoulder. “I knew I liked you,” she whispered her voice warm but laced with an edge of mischief.
I couldn’t help but laugh quietly, despite the tension that still simmered beneath the surface. She was blunt, honest in her own way, and I appreciated that—at least, it was a refreshing change from the constant mind games I’d been dealing with lately.
I heard a knock on the common room door, and there was Everly, ducking her soft grey-haired head inside.
“Miss Elira? Are you in here?”
“Evs!” Maddie chirped, springing to her feet. “How are you, my love? Ready to score me some more of those cookies you made the other day?” she asked hopefully, her violet eyes alight.
Everly smiled, the expression softening the fine lines on her face. She looked genuinely pleased. “Maybe later, Miss Maddie. But I’m sorry, Elira, it’s time to come and get ready.”
“Now? It's mid-afternoon!” I complained, groaning.
She shook her head at me, her expression patient but firm. “It will take a while to ready you for His Majesty, sorry child,” she said, her voice gentle, like she hated being the bearer of bad news.
“No shit, you have to dine with the king tonight?” Maddie hissed under her breath, her face a mix of awe and horror.
“Not by choice,” I muttered back, gritting my teeth.
Maddie pulled a dramatic face, mouthing good luck as Everly ushered me toward the door. I threw her a look over my shoulder, part amused, part panicked, before following Everly into the hall.
We walked in silence for a few minutes, my boots clicking softly against the polished floors. The deeper we went into the keep, the heavier the air seemed to get. I could feel it settling over my skin like a second layer, prickling, unwelcome.
That damn dress was laid out on the bed in my new room the moment I walked in. I glared at it, like it might bite me.
“I don’t need help to put a dress on,” I grumbled, reaching for it.
But Everly batted my hand away, firm but still somehow gentle.
“You’ve been training today,” she said, wrinkling her nose slightly.
“So?” I crossed my arms, scowling.
“So, you need to bathe first,” she said primly, already steering me toward the adjoining bathroom as if the matter was settled.
The bath had already been drawn and the heady aroma of bath salt and roses surrounded me. The water itself was tinted pink and full of bubbles. I grumbled and undressed, before sliding under.
Before I could stop her, Everly had set up behind me to wash my hair. When she touched me, I flinched.
“What are you doing?” I demanded. She firmly pressed my shoulder down.
“It’s ok. I’m just helping you get ready.”
Her firm and warm fingers were soon massaging my scalp as she washed the dirt from my hair.
“You need to cut this.” She said, holding the heavy weight of hair in her palm. “There is too much here.”
“I haven’t had a haircut in six years. What do you expect.”
“I could help with that too.” She said.
“I’ll think about it,” I mumbled.
Soon, once declared clean enough, Everly had me sit on a stool in front of the mirror while she fussed over me.
By the time Everly was finished, my makeup was flawless, my hair was damp and gleaming.
She sat me down in front of a mirror and began braiding with careful, skilled fingers, pulling and weaving the strands into something intricate.
I watched, stunned, as my wild hair was tamed into a thick crown braid that circled my head like something out of an old painting.
Loose tendrils framed my face, softening the sharpness of my cheekbones and the hard line of my jaw.
When Everly was done, she stepped back, nodding once with satisfaction.
"Beautiful," she murmured.
I stood, hesitantly, and reached for the dress again. This time, Everly helped me into it.
The gown fell elegantly down my body, the midnight fabric brushing my skin with every breath. It skimmed my shape without clinging, powerful in its simplicity.
I swallowed hard, shifting my weight.
This wasn’t me. This was an illusion.
But still — even knowing that — there was a small, traitorous part of me that marvelled at the way I looked.
"Perfect," Everly said, her voice warm behind me.
I squared my shoulders, hiding the twist of unease in my gut, and gave a tight nod.
"Let’s get this over with."