Page 63 of Secrets and Shadows

Hiding in the shadows,I wait for Bennett to step into her study. I can hear her confident footsteps echoing down the hallway, which tells me my moment to strike is almost here. She turns the ornate key in the lock, and the heavy door creaks open.

Without a hint of suspicion, Bennett strolls into her study, her ever-watchful crow trailing behind her. I should’ve figured that damn bird would be around, keeping tabs on everything that went down in the forest.

Any respect I once had for Bennett evaporated the moment she tried to turn my mate against me. Lilith and I share a mate bond, and I’d do whatever it takes to protect her—even if it means threatening Bennett. She’s underestimating me and it’s time for the headmistress to face the music for her actions.

As the crow flutters toward the window, my Shadow slips out of the darkness. In an instant, it lunges upward and snatches the bird in its jaws with deadly accuracy. My snake, way bigger than its prey, overpowers it easily, even as it struggles to break free. I can feel its energy already weakening.

Bennett has barely a second to react before I step out of the shadows, grabbing her and spinning her around to slamher against the cold stone wall. The impact shakes the room as she cries out in pain. I grip her shoulders tightly, pressing the wickedly sharp edge of my katana against her throat.

There’s no hesitation or mercy in my actions—my stance is solid and unwavering.

“One wrong move, and I’ll slit your throat,” I warn, my voice low and lethal. Bennett knows better than most what I’m capable of. I’d sever her head from her shoulders without a second thought. My loyalty—and her safety—disappeared the moment she targeted Lilith.

Bennett scoffs, gritting her teeth as she tries to challenge me. “You wouldn’t dare,” she hisses through clenched teeth. “You’d never make it out alive if you killed the headmistress of the most prestigious academy. You’d be a wanted man across the entire realm.”

I keep my gaze locked on hers, making sure she understands the gravity of what I’m about to say. “Don’t mistake this momentary mercy for hesitation or fear. I will kill you without a second thought. I don’t care if the Balance itself hunts me down to the depths of hell.”

This is the first time Bennett has seen this side of me aimed directly at her. For so long, she held power over me, commanding me to do her bidding without question. But that power is gone now, and she’s beginning to realize that I’m capable of ending her life as easily as I draw breath. History or not, her saving my life years ago doesn’t mean she can threaten what’smine.

“What the fuck did you tell Lilith?” I press my katana firmly against Bennett’s throat, its sharp edge glinting in the moonlight streaming through the open window. One wrong move, and it’d slice through with ease.

She replies without hesitation. “The truth. I told Lilith that the three of you have been watching her for me, that I hold allthe power, and that I’ve been reaching out to some colleagues for information,” Bennett replies, her gaze never leaving mine. “If there are any disputes or disagreements, it falls on the three of you, not me. I told her nothing but the truth. Although, it seems that you’re closer than you led me to believe...”

My muscles ache to strike, to release the frustration and anger building inside me by slicing my katana clean through her neck. But I resist, keeping perfectly still. Bennett knows better than to call upon her magic; my blade would be faster, and she’d be dead before she could blink.

A tense silence hangs between us as we engage in a silent battle of wills, neither of us willing to back down.

“I suppose our deal is off,” she finally concedes. “You won’t kill Lilith Knight if she proves to be a problem.”

“Lilith isnota problem,” I snarl. “And you’re right. I won’t kill her. But here’s a new deal for you.” I press my blade harder against her skin, drawing a thin line of blood. Bennett flinches but remains motionless. “If you so much as look at her the wrong way, Iwillkill you. Are we clear?”

She nods, wincing from the pain as I retract my blade. Vaughn and Simon would’ve tried to talk me out of threatening her. They would’ve said it’s not worth it, that Bennett will be more careful or may even retaliate against me.

But this is necessary. A message needs to be sent. I want her to know without a doubt that I won’t hesitate to end her life if she poses any threat to Lilith, my fated fucking mate, again.

I’ve always beenone to respect boundaries and avoid invading other people’s spaces. I prefer to keep to myself, valuing my own privacy above everything else. But I have totalk to Lilith, especially after both Simon and Vaughn failed to explain their sides today. Keeping my distance from her is nearly fucking impossible, anyway.

The mate bond between us gives me hope that she’ll at least hear me out—or she might kick me out on my ass, which I’d frankly deserve.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Lilith enters her room, and the door clicks shut behind her. Her long hair is braided down her back, each strand of purple shimmering in the dim light. She’s dressed in black leather pants and a scarlet blouse that reminds me of blood. It’s my favorite color, and I can’t help but feel a surge of affection for how stunning it looks on her.

Without thinking, I take a step closer, drawn in by her beauty. But she flinches away from me, fear flashing across her face. I notice the purple sparks of magic crackling around her hands, ready for a fight at any moment.

Good girl.

Always ready.

Her guard doesn’t drop until she focuses on my face and recognition dawns on her. The magic in her palms dissipates, replaced by annoyance. “Get out,” she says, pointing toward the door. But I don’t budge. “Get out, or I will kick you out, Kai. I don’t care how badass you think you are.”

“No.”

She lets out a sarcastic laugh. “You have some fucking nerve coming here and refusing to leave after being Bennett’s little stalker. I didn’t think anyone in this world could annoy me more than Vaughn, but you’ve managed to surpass him.” She claps mockingly. “Well done.”

My lips twitch with the urge to smile, a feeling I’m not used to, but I suppress it. I came here to clear things up, and I won’t leave until I’ve done so.

“I’m not Bennett’s stalker. I was watching over you because I realized you’re my mate. And you’re lucky I did. Bennett wanted to kill you if you turned out to be a threat, and you could’ve died at my hands. Trust me when I say there’s no fate worse than that. But she didn’t tell you that, did she? She only shared what suited her narrative.”

Lilith’s face drains of color as she processes my words. She seems speechless, shaking her head and covering her face with her hand. As fucked up as it is, the fear lingering in the room ignites something inside me.

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