***************
~Valerie's POV~
My lips parted, but no sound ca out.
He tilted his head slightly, eyes glinting like he already knew the answer. Then, with the sa quiet confidence that always drove insane, he hooked a finger under my chin, forcing to et his gaze fully.
"You think I didn't notice the look on your face?" he murmured. "The way you froze when she kissed him?"
"I didn't—" I paused. How did he see it? Dristan wasn't even in the classroom when it happened.
He must have read my mind as his next response gave all I needed. "I saw you from the window outside."
"I…"
"And don't think of lying to , Valerie. You did." His voice softened, not accusing, just certain. "You don't have to lie to , Val."
Astra snorted in my head. "He's enjoying this way too much."
I swallowed hard. "You wouldn't understand."
"Try ." His thumb brushed against my jaw, the gesture too gentle for soone like him. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like the girl who claims she doesn't care is bleeding jealousy all over the hallway."
My pulse spiked. "You done psychoanalyzing ?"
"Not even close."
"Dristan—"
He leaned in slightly, his breath warm against my ear. "Let him see what he's missing," he whispered.
I stiffened. "What?"
He smirked. "You're wasting all that fire glaring at walls, princess. Aim it where it hurts."
I glared up at him, but my voice ca out quieter than I ant. "You're infuriating."
"Maybe," he said with a faint smile. "But I'm right and you know it."
For a long second, neither of us moved. His hand was still at my waist, my pulse still racing against his touch. Then he slowly let go, stepping back, though his eyes never left mine.
"Don't let Serena think she's got the upper hand," he said finally. "You're Valerie Nightshade. Act like it."
And with that, Dristan walked past , his shoulder brushing mine as he went.
I stood there, breath uneven, trying to steady the storm in my chest.
Astra purred faintly in my head. "You're blushing."
"I am not," I muttered.
"Sure. Keep lying to yourself, princess."
*****
For the better part of the day, I tried to avoid Kai as much as possible. Ace and the others weren't exempted either.
People whispered that I was jealous, but I just didn't care, and soon Serena found her little fan club: the fae princess Titania and her minions, Astraea and Brielle.
Sohow, it was funny how Lucy wasn't hovering around their hive anymore. But to say I was angry about it was an understatent. It ant one less trouble.
And thanks to the Dragon King, Principal Whitmore did not push or bother all seven of us for now, but I knew she would soon make her move.
Before I knew it, it was ti for training after classes. The training grounds buzzed with energy.
Afternoon sunlight poured through the glass do above, painting streaks of gold across the sand pit and sparring rings.
The faint scent of sweat, and iron hung in the air.
I tightened the straps on my gloves, ignoring the chatter around . Serena's laughter rang out from the other side, light and lodic in that annoyingly perfect way.
Of course, she'd made herself comfortable already — standing beside Kai, tossing her auburn hair as if she owned the place.
Astra grumbled in my head. "If she flips that hair one more ti, I'm ripping it off myself."
"Focus," I muttered under my breath.
"Talking to yourself now?" Isla's voice ca from behind , teasing but concerned. She tossed a water bottle. "You sure you're okay, bestie?"
"Peachy."
"Uh-huh. And I'm the Goddess of Luck."
Before I could answer, the instructor — Professor Theron, one of the strictest combat trainers in the Middle Belt region and Academy, a guest lecturer — asked to train us in preparation for the Alpha gas, blew his whistle.
"Pair up!" he barked. "Today, we're testing reflex and focus. No magic enhancent, no power boosts. Pure strength and skill. Understood?"
Everyone responded with a loud, "Yes, sir!"
I was already stepping toward Isla when Theron's voice cut through the air. "Valerie Nightshade, you'll be sparring with… Serena Dominic."
I froze. "Excuse ?"
Serena's delighted tone followed. "Perfect. I was hoping for that."
Oh, for the love of…
The rest of the class backed up imdiately, forming a circle around us. I felt the gazes of those around and glanced around to see Kai's worried face, Axel's calm expression, Xade and Dristan's firm gazes, and Ace and Ash's confident expressions in the crowd.
Whispers began before the match even started.
Serena approached, her expression calm but her eyes sharp. She tilted her head slightly. "Hope you don't take it too personally if I hit you a little harder than necessary."
I gave her a slow smile. "Don't worry. I plan to return the favour."
Theron nodded at us. "Begin."
The first few seconds were a blur of movent — Serena moved fast, faster than I expected. She ducked low, spinning with surprising agility, her leg sweeping toward my ankles.
I jumped back, catching her wrist and twisting, forcing her to pivot to keep balance.
She grinned. "Not bad."
"Likewise," I muttered, throwing a jab.
Ever since my fight with Dominic, I felt my body getting accustod to faster targets, and right now, though Serena was good, I could read her moves.
Astra growled within . She was getting ready to pounce on the auburn-haired but I had to keep her in check.
She blocked, spun again, then aid for my ribs. Her strikes were clean but predictable. I dodged, let her montum carry her forward, then used it against her — grabbed her arm, twisted, and slamd her lightly into the sand.
The crowd gasped.
Serena's smirk never faded. "Didn't think you had it in you."
"Oh, I've got plenty," I said, stepping back. "You'll see."
She sprang up quickly, brushing the sand from her uniform, and this ti her movents were sharper, almost feral. She was done playing nice.
The next blow grazed my cheek. I felt the sting before I registered the movent.
A thin line of blood trickled down my skin. She had the audacity to wink. "Oops."
Astra growled low. Hit her.
Theron called out, "Control your aggression, Miss Dominic."
Serena barely acknowledged him. "You're slower than I expected, Valerie. Maybe that's why your mates need a backup plan."
The crowd went silent.
My chest tightened, the words hitting where they weren't supposed to. But instead of snapping, I smiled — slow and dangerous.
"Cute," I said softly. "But you talk too much."
Before she could blink, I lunged. My knee hit her midsection just enough to knock her breath out. She staggered, and in that instant, I hooked her leg, flipped her, and pinned her flat on her back.
Gasps erupted again.
Serena struggled, but my grip didn't budge. "Lesson one," I said, voice calm, almost a whisper. "Don't underestimate soone just because they don't need an audience."
Her eyes flashed — anger, humiliation, sothing darker.
Theron raised a hand. "Enough! Match over."
I released her and stood, brushing sand off my palms. My pulse still thundered, but I didn't let it show.
As I turned to walk away, Serena's voice stopped . "This isn't over."
I glanced back. "Good. I'd hate for it to end so easily."
Her glare followed as I left the ring. I didn't look back — but I could feel Kai's eyes on the whole ti.
Astra humd, satisfied. "That's my girl."
"Yeah," I whispered under my breath, feeling a small, fierce smile tug at my lips.
Reviews
All reviews (0)