Page 50 of Fated for Dawn

I whooped as he carried me to a tree, the cool air brushing my face and the electric thrill pulsing through my veins.

Time to embrace the electricity—figuratively and literally.

18

Evelyn

Chatter filled the air in the cafeteria as I walked towards my friends, who were already seated at our usual spot. It had almost been four weeks since I’d returned, yet everything felt like it was teetering on the edge of…well, chaos.

Ruby was mid-rant, hands flailing dramatically. “I swear, I had itperfectly planned! One smooth dodge, a well-timed counter, and—bam! Viper would finally acknowledge mydeadly grace.”

Deadly was putting it mildly. Ruby looked more like a cat fighting a paper bag.

Aurora giggled. “Let me guess. You tripped?”

Ruby groaned, flopping onto the table. “IwishI tripped. No, I somehow managed toroundhouse kick myself. My own damn foot hit me in the face!”

Maggie laughed. “You’re lucky you didn’t break your nose.”

Felix shook his head, amused. “And what did Viper do?”

Ruby sat up, looking utterly devastated. “He blinked.Once.Then went right back to sparring like I didn’t almost knock myself unconscious for his attention!”

Laughter erupted around the table, and I smiled despite the weight on my chest.

Adrien leaned back in his chair, unimpressed. “You do realize you’re obsessing over asnake shifter?”

Ruby crossed her arms. “And your point?”

Adrien rolled his eyes. “Viper doesn’tdoemotions.”

“I’ll take that as a challenge,” Ruby declared, tossing her hair.

Laughter rippled through the group.

I forced a small smile, but the weight in my chest didn’t budge.

How was I supposed to ruin this moment?

Let them eat. Let them laugh. Just five more minutes.

Adrien frowned, his sharp gaze locking onto me. “You’re quiet,” he noted. “And late. You’re never late.”

I poked at my food.

His eyes narrowed. “And you’re not eating.”

The conversation around me dimmed. They knew me too well.

I took a breath.Just say it.

“I had a vision,” I admitted, forcing the words out. “The Academy’s in danger. There’s going to be an attack.”

Silence.

The easy warmth from seconds ago evaporated, replaced by tense stares and held breaths.

“When?” Raven asked, her voice clipped.

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