Page 15 of Secrets and Shadows

LILITH

Whispers followme everywhere I go.

“Did you hear? Her father is Theodore Knight.”

“Whoa, there she is. Apparently, Theodore Knight is her dad.”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. I should’ve known this would happen. My father’s work as a Protector has made him somewhat of a celebrity. Even though most of his missions are shrouded in secrecy, his exceptional record has put our family name on everyone’s lips.

“Has your dad ever told you about his work?” Tony asks as we head to our next class. We’re a few weeks into the semester now, and I’ve already figured out which courses I enjoy most. Potions, Runes and Glyphs, and Spellcasting are at the top of my list, even if I struggle occasionally. According to my dad, those subjects will be the most valuableifI become a Predator.

“Come on, Tony. You know there’s a code Protectors have to follow,” I say, giving him a side-eye as I smooth down a stray piece of his perpetually messy hair.

We’ve heard all about the Protector’s code since we arrived here. It’s the same reason my dad never really told me muchabout his missions, no matter how curious I got. I understand the importance of secrecy, but that didn’t stop me from wondering.

Tony sighs but grins. “Yeah, yeah. But come on, you must’ve heardsomething.”

I shrug. “Not really. He was careful. He’d argue with my mom about his missions sometimes, but I never knew what he did while he was gone—and he was gone a lot when I was younger.” Sometimes for months at a time. Then, one day, he came back… different. They gave him a medal and praised his service, but no one knows exactly why.

I wave off the thought. “Anyway, enough about my dad. Did you finish the Spellcasting assignment?”

“You must have,” a familiar, irritating voice calls out from behind me. A flash of annoyance crawls up my spine. “Because you’ve clearly cast a spell on me.”

“Gods,” I mutter under my breath as I turn around slowly.

And there’s my least favorite person in the flesh. The second our eyes meet, I feel my body tense, a mix of frustration and something else that I can’t quite shake. He has that effect on people—women, especially. I can tell from the swooning looks on some of the girls behind him that I’m not the only one affected by his stupid charm.

I hate it. The arrogance, the smug smile, those piercing eyes that always seem to lock onto me.

“Hey, sweetheart,” Vaughn says with his signature arrogant smirk.

“I might actually report you for stalking,” I snap.

The amusement on his face only grows, like he’s enjoying every second of this. Of course he does. Since our first disastrous meeting, Vaughn has made it his mission to irritate me at every opportunity. Most people would have gotten the hint by now andleft me alone, but not him. He’s like a leech, seeking me out with the intent of sucking the joy out of my day.

“Roaming the same halls as you is hardly considered stalking…” he points out.

“Harassment, then,” I snap. “You keep approaching me when I’ve made it very clear I want nothing to do with you.” I narrow my eyes at him. “And seriously, has your ridiculous pickup lineeverworked? Because it might be the worst one I’ve ever heard.”

“Come on. Please give me one date,” he says, unbothered. “The sex will be incredible.”

For a second, I’m stunned by his boldness, but then… I laugh. And not a simple chuckle, but a full-on, uncontrollable laugh that takes over my entire body. It’s the kind of laugh that starts deep in your chest and doesn’t stop until your stomach aches, and your eyes are brimming with tears.

Vaughn watches, amused, as I double over, gasping for breath.

When the majority of my laughing fit has subsided and I’ve wiped all the evidence from my eyes, my gaze lands on a very wide eyed Tony. He’s staring at me like I’ve gone mad or something. Hell, maybe I have. That seems like the only logical explanation.

I turn back to Vaughn, my expression hardening. “You’re delusional if you think I’d touch you. And to make things crystal clear, I wouldn’t. Not even with a ten-foot pole.”

“Eleven feet, then? I could make that work…” he replies, undeterred, that infuriating smirk still plastered across his face. The asshole.

I let out an exasperated sigh, my patience wearing thin. The last thing I want is to be late for class because I’m wasting time on this ridiculous conversation.

Suddenly, a sultry voice cuts in from behind me. “I see you still enjoy pestering first-years.” I glance over my shoulder to see a stunning woman striding toward us.

When she reaches us, her dark eyes, framed by dramatic black eyeliner, quickly assess Tony before landing on me. Her jet-black curls cascade over one shoulder, reaching down to her elbows, and she wears a short pleated skirt paired with a cloak that proudly displays the Predator pin on her left side.

My eyes widen in surprise. A female Predator? Knowing there’s a female Predator actively at the academy is a reassurance I didn’t know I needed because it means I have a chance.

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