Page 52 of Secrets and Shadows

“We are friends,” I assure him. “Which is why I’m doing this for your own safety, before one of us decides to strangle you.”If Lilith doesn’t beat us to it.

I knock on the door and slowly push it open when she says to come in, cutting off any potential comeback. Inside, Bennett awaits us, her expression as unreadable as ever. Even with our history, she remains an enigma to me. Still, it’s not hard to guess why we’ve been summoned today.

As soon as Simon and Vaughn step inside, I quietly close the door behind us and position myself near it. This conversation is delicate, and while it may seem unlikely that anyone would eavesdrop on a meeting with the headmistress, Lilith is involved, so it’s better to be cautious. I don’t want to risk anyone overhearing something they shouldn’t—lest I have to kill them.

“I assume each of you have been handling your responsibilities regarding Lilith,” Bennett begins in her usual flat tone. Her gaze first lands on Vaughn. “You’ve been causing trouble around the academy, which is unacceptable, and I don’t appreciate it.”

Vaughn opens his mouth to respond, but Bennett’s eyes shift to Simon before he can get a word out. “You’ve been training her outside the academy grounds without supervision.”

Finally, her gaze lands on me. “And you’ve been keeping a watchful eye on her from the shadows.”

I nod in acknowledgment, but I don’t mention that I go beyond mere observation. I regularly patrol the academy and the surrounding areas to ensure whatever attacked her isn’t getting closer. The next time she enters the forest, I’ll be there, no matter what anyone else says. I don’t give a damn.

Bennett clasps her hands together, studying us with her piercing gaze. “Yet, despite all this, I rarely receive any updates on heruniquesituation.”

“Well, I can assure you that no students are spreading false information or threatening her,” Vaughn starts, but Bennett interrupts him.

“I’m not interested in trivial updates, Vaughn,” she says, her voice sharp. It’s clear she’s looking for something more substantial, but none of us are willing to give up anything.

The most significant development I’ve noticed is the bond deepening between Lilith and me, but that’s not a secret I’m ready to share—not now, and definitely not here. It’s too dangerous, and I know Bennett would exploit it without hesitation. She stops at nothing to get what she wants.

“She has remarkable power,” Simon interjects, redirecting the conversation to safer territory. “She’s struggling to summon her Predator and Prey on command, but with focused training, I truly believe we can help her. I’m fully committed to providing her with the training she needs to master her abilities. Given time and patience, she’ll become an extraordinary asset to both the academy and Operation Nightfall.”

“And what about her blackouts?” Bennett’s voice cuts through the room like a knife, her gaze locking onto Simon with an intensity that’s borderline pissed and not at all like her usual self.

The slight shift in his posture tells me everything I need to know—Bennett isn’t just speculating. Damn it. Lilith isexperiencing these blackouts, and Simon has been keeping this from us, perhaps trying to shield her from Bennett’s scrutiny.

It’s becoming painfully clear that we all harbor secrets regarding Lilith—secrets that threaten our ability to protect her effectively. We’re going to need to have a talk, the three of us.

“I believe her body becomes overwhelmed from summoning two Shadows. Let’s be realistic; managing one is already tough enough. None of us truly understands what it’s like to juggle two.”

“That may be true,” Bennett snaps back, her tone icy. “But that only underscores the need for the three of you to work together on this. I’ve always placed my trust in each of you,” she says, gesturing between us with a finger that feels like a dagger, “but lately, I’ve begun to question the very foundation of that trust. If I can’t rely on you, then I certainly can’t trust you with Operation Nightfall.”

Fuck.Her words hit hard, reverberating in the air like an ominous bell tolling. I know what has to happen now. I definitely need to talk to Simon and Vaughn. We have to align ourselves, and that means I’m going to have to reveal the bond I’ve been keeping secret—whether I want to or not. We can’t afford any fractures if we’re going to protect Lilith.

“You trust us, which is why we don’t feel the need to disclose every tiny detail,” I reply, locking eyes with Bennett. “And since you trust us, that means you trust our judgment. We all agree that Lilith poses no threat to the academy or the safety of the realm.”

Bennett’s crow stares at me, as if trying to see through my walls. Good luck with that. All it will find is darkness, blood, and sin before my snake suffocates its energy.

“I do trust your judgment,” Bennett states evenly, “but you must trust mine as well. This situation extends beyond the four of us; the stakes could impact the entire realm, and we can’tafford to repeat past mistakes. From now on, I expect regular updates, even on matters you may considerirrelevant. I want to hear everything, and I will decide what’s important.” She pauses, her fingers sliding through her long gray hair. “Dismissed.”

One simple word, yet it carries the weight of a mountain. All three of us pivot on our heels, ready to leave, when her voice cuts through the silence one more time. “Kai. Stay a moment longer, please.”

I pause mid-step, waiting for Simon and Vaughn to exit before turning back to face her. “Yes?”

Bennett’s gaze is sharp and penetrating, as if she’s searching for any hint of nerves. “Despite what I said earlier, I trust our agreement remains intact?” This exchange leaves no room for emotion, and I offer none in return. “If Lilith Knight becomes a threat, you will eliminate her.”

“Yes,” I reply, the word slipping out effortlessly. “If Lilith poses a danger, I’ll ensure she’s dealt with.”

As I reachthe end of the hallway, I expect to see Simon and Vaughn, but they’re nowhere in sight. The fuckers must be off arguing somewhere again.

Shadows rise around me as I step into them, heading toward the Predator’s quarters. But before I even get to the end of the hall, a hidden door swings open, and I’m yanked inside with such force I can’t gain my footing before a fist connects with my face.

It’s rare for anyone to catch me off guard, but this time they did.

The impact snaps me back into focus, and my Shadow instinctively unfurls in the passage. My shimmering snakeglows, casting a dim light that reveals the faces of my best friends.

Vaughn grabs my shirt and slams me against the wall before a punch to the gut. It’s the last time I’ll let him get away with it. The next time, there will be consequences.

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