Page 24 of The Fractured Veil

I rolled my eyes, refusing to give them the satisfaction of a response. Zarek simply winked at me before turning away with his brothers. Damon looked relieved to escape my presence, but Nox lingered for a moment, his eyes still locked on mine, something unreadable flickering in their depths. Then, without a word, he turned and followed after Damon and Zarek.

I let out a breath, turning back to El and James. "They are going to drive me crazy," I muttered under my breath. "I don't know why they have to make my life so complicated."

El laughed, her amber eyes sparkling with mirth. "Because they enjoy it, obviously. And I have to say, you’re handling it pretty well. Most people would’ve cracked by now."

I snorted, feeling a hysterical edge creeping into my laughter. "I'm pretty damn close, El."

Professor Lorian's normally rigid structure seemed to crumble today, allowing us some freedom. We were expected to use the time to hone our skills, but beyond that, the field was ours. Still, even as I moved through the motions, practicing the techniques El and James were teaching me, I could feel the brothers' eyes on me—tracking my movements, their gazes as evident as the chill in the autumn air.

El demonstrated a defensive stance, her body fluid and graceful as she explained the nuances of balance and leverage. "Remember, it's not just about strength," she said, her voice steady and reassuring. "It's about using what you have to your advantage."

James took his turn, his approach more hands-on as he guided me through the steps of a takedown. His presence was calming, a relief against the relentless attention from the Shadow Brothers. With each successful move, my confidence grew. I was getting better, and for the first time since arriving here, I allowed myself to feel a flicker of hope.

"Alright, now try it on me," James challenged, his blue eyes alight with excitement. I squared my shoulders, mirroring the stance he had just demonstrated, my focus narrowing to the space between us.

With a burst of energy, I lunged forward, wrapping my arm around James and throwing my weight into his. The next thing I knew, he was on the ground, looking up at me with a surprised yet impressed grin.

"See? You're a natural," he said, his words igniting a spark of pride within me.

El clapped her hands enthusiastically. "Nice one, Thalia!" she exclaimed, crossing the distance between us to give me a high-five.

As I caught my breath, my gaze inadvertently drifted to where the brothers were sparring amongst themselves. Nox moved with a predatory grace, his strikes precise and lethal. Damon's shadows swirled around him, adding an extra layer of danger to his already formidable skill. Zarek, ever the show-off, was a blur of speed and agility. They were a sight to behold, a trio of power and controlled chaos. Despite everything, I couldn't deny the pull I felt. They were like magnets for my attention, an enigma I couldn't quite solve.

And that fact irritated me to no end. What was it about them that made them so impossible to ignore?

I hated that I wanted to figure it out—that I couldn’t seem to stop myself from analyzing their every move, trying to piece together the puzzle they represented. Nox's quiet intensity. Damon's simmering hostility. Zarek's playful arrogance. Each so different, yet somehow connected. My jaw tightened as frustration bubbled beneath the surface. Why did it matter? Why didtheymatter? They were just distractions—obstacles in my path.

I need to focus on myself, not get caught up in the enigmatic aura of the psycho brothers. But no matter how much I tried to push it aside, the pull remained—a quiet, infuriating hum in the back of my mind.

Taking some of frustration out on James, I brushed the grass off my pants, trying to regain some semblance of composure. He didn't deserve my misplaced annoyance, but he was the closest target. I glanced at him, offering a small, apologetic smile.

"Not bad for a human," Zarek called out, his voice carrying across the training field. I couldn't tell if it was a compliment or another one of his teasing remarks, but I decided to ignore him as I turned my attention back to James, offering him a hand to help him up.

"Oh, he's just doing it to get in her pants. I'm sure it's not that hard, James!" Mira yelled, her pack of hyenas erupting in laughter around her.

"I've heard it's easy! Just be careful not to catch anything!" one of her hyenas shouted.

I stiffened at the sound of their voices. The laughter that followed felt like a swarm of wasps, stinging and relentless. I clenched my fists at my sides, fighting the urge to let the hurt show on my face. My cheeks burned with a mixture of embarrassment and anger. James' body tensed beside me, his earlier amusement gone as he stood up.

"Ignore them," El muttered, shooting Mira a glare that could've set the grass on fire. "They're just looking for a reaction."

I nodded, but could feel my temper was wearing thin. James' hand found my shoulder, squeezing gently in a silent show of support. "They're not worth it," he said quietly, his eyes meeting mine with understanding.

My gaze snagged on Mira, who stood by Zarek's side with that ever-present smirk playing on her lips. Her eyes locked onto mine, a challenge simmering in their depths. She leaned closer to Zarek, whispering something in his ear, her hand covering her mouth as if they were sharing a private joke at my expense. Her other arm snaked around his bicep, fingers playfully tracing the lines of his sweatshirt. She had to stand on her toes to press her body against his, and the possessive way she clung to him made my blood boil. I could feel my heart pounding, each beat a drum against my ribs.

There she was—all smiles and flirty gestures, flaunting her closeness to Zarek—while he just watched me, his eyes never leaving my face, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. It was like a silent taunt, a game they were playing.

"Fucking playboy," I mumbled under my breath as the whistle blew, signaling the end of our training session. My gaze drifted to Professor Lorian, who was already looking at me. His eyes, sharp and discerning. It seemed like he was evaluating more than just my performance on the field.

I broke eye contact first, turning away to gather my things. Zarek's laughter echoed in my ears, a reminder of his little display with Mira. It was a performance. I knew that much. But it didn't make the sting of rejection any less painful.

El approached me, her expression a mix of concern and irritation. "Don't let them get to you, Thalia," she said, her voice low so only I could hear. "They're just trying to throw you off your game."

I forced a smile, appreciating her attempt to lift my spirits. "I know, El. It's just... frustrating."

James joined us, his arm brushing against mine in a comforting gesture. "You did great today," he reassured me, his blue eyes sincere. "Don't let Mira and her cronies distract you from that."

I nodded, taking their words to heart.

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