Page 16 of Secrets and Shadows

And as a bonus, it seems she shares my distaste for Vaughn.

Vaughn crosses his arms over his chest, glancing back and forth between us. “Mm, double tease,” he hums, leaning casually against the wall.

The tension in the air is palpable as we stand there, sizing each other up. “I’ve never met a man more desperate than you,” I all but growl, shaking my head in disbelief.

“And you likely won’t,” the woman adds, casting Vaughn a pointed look. I catch a glimpse of Tony, who stares at her like he’s seen a goddess. “Vaughn, do me a favor and leave the poor girl alone.”

I don’t really need her help, but I let her offer it anyway—mostly because I enjoy seeing Vaughn put in his place. There’s something about Savina’s aura and the way she speaks—so commanding and confident—that even he seems to back down.

“You’re bold today, Savina,” he mutters, eyeing her warily.

“Nope, I’m simply helping a fellow girl out. Though it looks like she can handle you just fine on her own,” Savina replies. I have no clue what’s going on between them, but without another word, he turns and strolls slowly down the hall.

When she turns to me, Savina offers a smile that seems oddly out of place given her stern, almost ethereal appearance. “He’s annoying, but he’s harmless for the most part,” she says, extending her hand toward me. “Savina. I hear you have the potential to become a Predator, so I figured we should meet officially.”

“Lilith,” I respond, momentarily stunned by the encounter. Most older students pretend we don’t exist, so it’s certainly unusual for Savina to actively seek me out to introduce herself. “It’s nice to meet you. Hopefully, we’ll share the same dorm sometime, but you never know…”

As I speak, I can’t shake the nagging thought of the Shadowing looming ahead—the night when our sections will be decided. The possibility of being separated from Tony weighs heavily on my mind, making it increasingly difficult to push aside my worries. But at the same I want it to be over already.

“I have a good feeling we will…” Savina says, amusement glinting in her eyes. “Anyway, I’ve got to go now, but it’s been lovely meeting you,” she adds before strolling down the hall, all confidence and grace, then disappearing from view. I wonder for a moment what shape her Shadow takes. I bet it’s beautiful but deadly. Maybe something like a panther.

Without another word, I hook my arm around Tony’s and march toward the classroom.

“What… was that?” he stammers, glancing around as if he woke up from a dream. Thankfully, Vaughn is nowhere in sight.

“Don’t ask,” I shake my head. “He’s literally such an asshole.”

“I’m not talking about him,” Tony insists. “I’m talking about that goddess in red lipstick…”

“She was only being nice,” I say, quickening our pace. “Maybe we should start a club. I doubt we’re the only ones he harasses.”

“Don’t kill me for bringing this up, but I have to say it…” Tony trails off. “I mean, technically, Vaughn did ask you out on a date, albeit in the worst way possible. Could his behavior be because he likes you?”

“Don’t kill me for bringing this up, but I have to say it…” Tony trails off. “I mean, technically, Vaughn did ask you out on a date, albeit in the worst way possible. Could his behavior actually mean he likes you?”

I shoot him a glance, and my expression says it all. There’s no way in hell I’m falling for that.

“That’s a terrible way for a guy to show interest in a girl. I promise you, nine times out of ten, it only makes her want to punch him in the face.”

Tony raises an eyebrow. “And what about the tenth time?”

A small smile tugs at my lips. “The girl might actually kill the guy, and his body will never be found.”

Tony swallows hard. “Cool. Good to know, I guess…”

I’m desperate to focus on anything other than Vaughn. The sight of him alone makes my blood boil, and I’m pointedly ignoring the reasons why that might be. I amnotattracted to the insufferable prick. Not one bit.

“Anyway, back to my original question—did you do your assignment?”

Tony nods. “I did. To be honest, it’s not looking good. I’d say I’m better at nurturing and healing spells… and if old tales are anything to go by, that probably means I’ll end up as Prey,” he grumbles as we step into the classroom.

Thick curtains cover every window, blending seamlessly with the dark stone walls and wooden desks. The only source of light is the glowing orb hovering in the center of the room. Its luminescence casts a warm, pulsating light that dances across the walls.

The orb seems to resonate with a gentle hum, a reminder of the ancient magic that fills the space. It feels alive, almost as if it is aware of the students surrounding it.

We settle into our assigned seats, thankfully right next to one another.

“What about you?” Tony asks quietly.

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