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Chapter 64
~Spring’s POV~
I couldn’t breathe. And even though I knew he wasn’t real, the illusion was too strong. I could feel the weight of that night, pressing on my chest.
My hand reached instinctively to my ribs—where his hand had sunk before.
"Pathetic," Rael said again, just like he had all those years ago. "You were never ant to live. You were never ant to be mine."
Tears stung my eyes.
But this ti, I rembered that it wasn’t real. Even though eh had uttered teh very sa words before, that was then and this was now.
I wasn’t in the past. This wasn’t Rael but a makeshift of my fear.
This was , all .. my mory.
I clenched my fists. Slowly, painfully as I stood and let myself relive it all again.
And for the first ti since that night, I didn’t run or begged or bled.
I faced him as he reached for and with all the pain and ange within , the illusion reached for my head and I thrust my hand forward, right through his chest.
Glass shattered. Light scread. The mirror exploded around in a burst of silver shards and ash.
When I opened my eyes, I was standing on clear ground again, the maze was still shifting but this ti, I found myself at an empty space with circular ring up ahead.
Jade let out a ragged exhale. "You did it..."
I took another breath, steadier this ti and I bolted with all the strength left in .
The center of the maze wasn’t dramatic. It did not have flashing lights or applause. Instead, a silver pedestal stod within the circle, glowing.
I stopped, walked into the circle and touched it.
Another burst of light blinded as I shielded my eyes and looked away. By the ti I felt it dwindle just a little, I was back outside, blinking against the sudden sun.
The arena erupted.
Gasps. Cheers. Disbelief.
Storm stood, hands clenched on the railing. His eyes t mine, and I saw it—the fire, the pride in them.
Raphael’s voice cut through the chaos.
"Spring Kaine—winner of Round One."
Across the field, Lilith stood at the edge of the maze, still inside and probably still searching, but for once... she wasn’t smiling.
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~Author’s POV~
~Ealier On~
The maze shimred before her, twisting corridors of light and reflection, but Lilith walked in with the confidence of a reigning queen.
She had studied mirror magic. She had trained in illusion resistance. She knew how to walk through mirrors and traps and fear-constructs like they were fog.
Nothing in the maze was supposed to shake her.
At least, that was the plan.
Her heels clicked softly as she moved. The first few turns were easy—reflections of herself, distorted or bloodied, but easily ignored.
She didn’t flinch at the image of her standing alone in a pool of ash or her own mother turning away in disgust.
She’d seen all that in dreams.
But then the walls shifted. The hum deepened, turning low and guttural. She turned a corner—and froze.
The mirror didn’t reflect her at all.
It showed her on her knees in front of Storm Draven—begging.
Begging?
Not just for help, but for validation. For his gaze. His approval. His affection.
Lilith staggered back, her breath caught halfway between a curse and a scream. "No," she hissed.
She turned, ready to break the mirror apart—only to feel the world shift beneath her feet.
It started with a pulse, then a sharp jolt.
And in a blink, she was thrown backward, ejected from the maze in a ripple of harsh light and invisible force.
She landed just outside the arch, on her feet, barely keeping herself upright.
The amphitheatre gasped. Whispers spread like fire. Lilith stood stunned for a second. Her hands clenched at her sides.
She could’ve re-entered. She still had ti.
She rushed toward the entrance again, willing the door to reopen and as it did and shepassed the first mirror, a roar of applause exploded behind her.
The maze shimred—and Spring Kaine erged from the center whole and victorious.
Lilith stood frozen, eyes wide, breath shallow. It felt like a slap.
No—worse. It felt like being stripped bare in front of everyone and knowing they were already picking sides that wasn’t hers.
Her cloak dragged behind her as she turned away, face flushed but jaw clenched tight.
Lilith didn’t make eye contact with anyone for her to know. She felt the shift.
They were watching her lose. And worse—they were watching Spring win and were jubilating about it.
Her school and her students were cheering for a rogue.
By the ti she reached the changing room, Lilith yanked the door open and slamd it shut behind her. The sound echoed off the tiles. She braced herself against the wall, breathing fast. Her fists shook.
Then she turned and punched the wall hard, once. The sting rippled up her arm, but it wasn’t enough to satisfy the fury that churned beneath her skin.
She let out a shaky breath and swallowed the scream clawing its way up her throat.
She wouldn’t give them the satisfaction.
"Fine," she whispered in a venom-laced tone. "Spring. One more ga... and we’ll see who rules."
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A short distance away, in a shaded hallway where the crowd couldn’t reach, Spring sat on the cool marble floor with Eva crouched beside her, pressing a cold bottle of juice to her forehead.
"You’re burning up," Eva whispered, worried.
Spring didn’t reply. Her gaze was distant. Not unfocused—but far away. Sowhere else entirely.
Nari returned monts later, dropping to her knees beside them. "Towels," she said breathlessly, holding out a handful. "Got them from the dic’s tent. Chloe’s coming with water."
Spring blinked and accepted the towel, dabbing her forehead with shaking hands. Her muscles ached from what she’d seen inside i the maze, having to relive the worst mont of her life.
From who she’d faced.
Not the clueless Rael of Noxshade. But the one who ended her life in the last one.
The one who whispered betrayal with the sa mouth that once swore love.
Spring exhaled slowly, letting the sharp breath cleanse her thoughts. "I’m fine," she said hoarsely. "Really."
Nari frowned. "You sure? You looked like you were going to faint in there."
Spring forced a small smile. "I’ve lived worse."
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