Page 12 of The Fractured Veil

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, trying to shrink into the background, to become invisible. But it was impossible to ignore the weight of their presence, the way the very air thrummed with their power.

Damon's eyes flicked in my direction, his sharp gaze piercing me like a laser. There was no warmth, no amusement in his stare—only cold calculation, as if he were dissecting me, assessing my every flaw and vulnerability. I quickly averted my gaze, hoping he wouldn't notice the tremor in my hands.

Zarek, on the other hand, seemed to relish the tension. His lips curled into a slow, knowing smirk as his eyes lingered on me, a silent challenge in their depths. It was as if he were privy to some inside joke, some elaborate game I was unknowingly playing. His smirk tightened the knot in my stomach—a blunt reminder that I was caught in a web I didn't understand.

Perfect,I thought, sinking lower in my seat, wishing I could disappear. El shot me a knowing glance, one eyebrow arched, as if she could practically see the waves of tension radiating off me.

Why did I have this uncanny knack for attracting the worst kind of attention?Damon's chilling stare still lingered in my mind, a silent promise of something I couldn't quite grasp. And Zarek's playful smirk was a clear indication that whatever their next move was, I wouldn't be ready for it.

But it was Nox who truly unsettled me. Even though he didn't look my way, I could feel his presence like a suffocating weight pressing down on me. It was as though the shadows themselves emanated from him, reaching out with icy fingers to brush against my skin. His aura was that of a gathering storm—a silent tempest of power held in check, waiting to be unleashed.

I risked a glance in his direction, but his hood remained stubbornly in place, obscuring his face in shadow. He sat with an almost casual detachment, yet I couldn't shake the feeling that he was acutely aware of my every move. It was as if he didn't need to acknowledge me directly for me to feel the intensity of his attention, the way his mere presence could bend the atmosphere to his will.

El shifted beside me, her gaze flitting between me and the brothers as if trying to decipher the silent communication passing between us. She didn't say a word, but her red-tinted eyes held a mixture of concern and curiosity.

It was absurd. I felt like a fly caught in a spiderweb, dangling precariously on the edge of some unseen danger. I clenched my fists beneath the table, my nails digging into my palms, trying to ground myself—to focus on anything but the three men who held the room captive.

Why did they have this effect on me? Why did their mere presence evoke so much within me—a swirling vortex of emotions I couldn't decipher? And why, of all the students in this academy, did they seem to fixate onme? What had I done—what was I—that made me such a threat in their eyes? Was it my lineage, something hidden within me that they could sense?

The questions churned within me, a constant nagging hum beneath the surface of my thoughts. I desperately wanted to understand the strange, almost magnetic pull they had on me—the way they could make me feel so utterly vulnerable and exposed with a single glance, as if they were peeling back layers I hadn't even known existed. I wanted to know why they watched me with such intensity, why they toyed with me, why they seemed to be everywhere I turned, their shadows lurking just beyond my peripheral vision. Were they testing me? Taunting me?

But most of all, I wanted to know what they wanted from me. What dark purpose did I serve in their intricate, unspoken game?

Chapter5

Thalia’s POV

The weekend vanished in the blink of an eye. I was stretching with El, preparing for Combat Training, when James approached. His boyish smile was charming—a welcome change from the intense stares I had grown used to. He settled beside me, casually joining in our stretches, his presence bringing a lighter energy to the morning.

James and El were exchanging playful banter about today's challenge, teasing each other about who would emerge victorious. His blond hair gleamed in the sunlight, and every so often, he'd flash that charming smile—the kind that could easily put anyone at ease. He casually mentioned being a wolf shifter and, almost as an afterthought, that he was next in line to become alpha of his pack. His confidence was subtle, yet I still couldn't decipher whether he was flirting or simply being friendly.

Lost in my own thoughts, I nearly missed El's sharp whisper. "Uh-oh, they look extra pissy today. Even Zarek looks like he wants to kill you," she warned, her gaze darting behind me.

Dread coiled in my gut, a serpent tightening its grip with every inch I turned my head. And sure enough, there they were—arms crossed, their gazes laser-focused, each glare a venomous strike that made my skin prickle. Zarek's, especially, hit me with the force of a physical blow.

"Fuck this," I mumbled, a wave of bitterness washing over me. Weeks of this silent intimidation—enough icy stares to freeze over hell itself. My patience had reached its breaking point. I was done being a character in their silent, psychological thriller.

Without a second thought, I raised my middle finger in their direction, a surge of reckless satisfaction coursing through me.

Their reaction was instantaneous. Their hardened masks shattered. For a fleeting second, shock registered in their eyes—a flicker of disbelief that vanished as quickly as it appeared. A laugh escaped me, sharp and unexpected, the satisfaction of catching them off guard exhilarating.

"Gods, I'm so fucking sick of them," I muttered, the words laced with a bitter frustration.

El snorted beside me, a lazy stretch rippling through her body. "Their problem, not yours," she drawled, amusement lacing her voice. "Besides," she added, a grin spreading across her face, "that was absolutely priceless."

Professor Lorian's booming voice echoed across the training field, his hands clapping together to command attention. "Today's task will take place in the forest." He paused, letting the words hang in the air as he surveyed the students. I couldn't help the ironic chuckle that escaped my lips.

The forest?I thought.Isn't that their territory?

Professor Lorian finished outlining the rules with another sharp clap, signaling the start of the exercise. The challenge was simple: pairs race to locate a hidden flag. Before I could even turn to survey my options, James appeared beside me, his grin bright and infectious. He took a step forward, hand outstretched in invitation. But the smile faltered, his eyes darting above me, his expression hardening. A frown creased my brow as I followed his gaze, curious what had caused such an abrupt shift.

A shadow fell over me as Nox stepped behind me, his presence suffocating, his hooded face obscuring any readable expression. "She's already got a partner," he stated flatly, his voice a chilling blade that cut through the air.

"Yeah, no, I don't," I retorted, not bothering to hide my frustration. Nox might have a penchant for lurking and a desire to see me dead, but that didn't give him the right to dictate my partnerships. I turned back to James, ready to solidify our alliance, when I felt a shift in the air.

El stepped in beside us, a tight smile plastered on her face. Before I could utter another word, she seized James's arm, her grip firm. "James," she chirped, "you can be my partner, right?" The forced sweetness of her tone and the tug on his arm betrayed her true intentions. As they walked away, El cast a knowing glance over her shoulder, her eyes pleading with me to let it go.

I sighed, turning to face Nox, who stood rooted in place, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on the departing pair. His expression was a mask of icy fury, the air around him thick with simmering rage.

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