Page 46 of The Fractured Veil

I swallowed, my gaze flicking between the two of them, their words echoing in my mind—a chilling reminder of Professor Lorian, of the strange spiritual meeting I had interrupted, his cryptic words playing through my mind like a broken record.

I will make sure she's ready for you.

Despite my desire to be away from them—from Damon—I couldn't deny the logic of their argument. “Fine," I conceded, "but I'm not dealing with Damon's dramatic ass when he finds out I'm staying here.”

Nox’s expression softened, just a fraction, a subtle shift in his features that hinted at a deeper emotion. “Don't worry about him. Just trust us on this.”

I looked away, feeling the weight of his words settle in my chest.Trust. It was such a simple word, but it carried so much with it—a weight of expectation, of weakness. Who have I everreallytrusted? The question echoed in my mind.

Zarek gave me an encouraging smile, “We’ll make sure you’re comfortable. It’s not so bad here, you know. Besides, you don't want to be going back and forth to your dorm after training with the devil.” He finished with a wink, his grin playful as always.

I laughed at Zarek's attempt to lighten the mood, “I guess I don’t really have a choice.” My words were a surrender, but also an acceptance, a willingness to trust them, to let them guide me through this unfamiliar and dangerous territory.

Nox’s gaze lingered on me for a moment longer, his eyes searching mine as if he wanted to say more. But instead, he simply turned and left the room, his silence speaking volumes.

Zarek reached out, his fingers lightly brushing my arm—a fleeting touch that sent a shiver of awareness down my spine. “It'll be fun having you here. And hey, it's a bonus for me that you're a beautiful female,” he added, a flirtatious charm that eased the lingering tension.

I rolled my eyes, laughing again, his light hearted banter a welcome distraction from the weight of the situation. “I still need my things, you know. Can I at least get them, or am I officially a prisoner here?” I teased, giving him a mock stern look, playing along with his flirtatious banter.

"Yes, yes, on it," Zarek said with a playful grin, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Anything for my favorite prisoner." He gave me an exaggerated wink before turning and walking out of the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts—with the lingering presence of Nox, with the weight of whatever coming for me.

Chapter20

Thalia’s POV

The academy was a ghost town as Zarek, Nox, and I made our way towards my dorm. An eerie silence stretched endlessly as the cold wind swept through the empty courtyard, carrying the scent of winter and rustling the bare branches of the trees. Without the usual bustling crowds of students, the academy felt strangely exposed—the emptiness unsettling in a way that made every shadow seem deeper.

I pulled Nox's jacket tighter around me, shivering as the chill crept through the fabric. His scent was calming, wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. The air was heavy, almost oppressive, and I couldn't shake the feeling that we were being watched—even though I knew logically that we were alone. It was as if the academy itself had eyes, hidden in the dark corners and shadows.

“Kind of creepy, isn’t it?” Zarek said, breaking the silence. He looked over at me with a half-smile, his breath misting in the cold air. “I never thought I’d say this, but I actually miss the noise.”

I gave him a small smile in return, glancing around. “Yeah. It’s weird without everyone here. Like the place is... haunted or something.” My voice echoed slightly off the stone walls, emphasizing just how empty it was. “Plus, you just miss all the attention,” I teased with a small laugh.

Zarek gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. “Me? Miss the attention? How could you accuse me of such a thing?” His playful smile cutting through the cold. “But, I suppose having someone to impress makes this whole eerie walk a little more worthwhile.”

Nox walked a few paces ahead of us, his eyes scanning the surroundings. He hadn’t said much since we left, his focus seemingly elsewhere, but I could feel the tension radiating off him—as if he was prepared for something to jump out at us at any moment. His presence, though silent, was strangely comforting—like an unwavering shield between me and the unseen darkness.

The pathways, usually packed with students, were deserted, the benches empty, the training fields stretching out like barren wastelands. The academy that had once felt alive now seemed utterly lifeless, the vibrancy drained away. The emptiness felt wrong, like the academy itself was holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.

Zarek nudged me gently with his elbow, drawing my attention back to him. “Hey, don’t look so spooked,” he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “You’ve got us with you. What could possibly go wrong?”

I snorted, rolling my eyes. “Oh, I don’t know. Plenty of things, considering my track record,” I replied, raising an eyebrow.

He grinned, a welcome warmth against the cold. “Fair point. But still, you’re safe with us.” He glanced ahead. “Right, Nox?”

Nox glanced back at us, his eyes meeting mine for a heartbeat before flicking to Zarek. “Just stay close,” he said, his voice carrying a seriousness that cut through the momentary lightness.

I nodded, falling silent as we continued walking. The leaves crunched beneath our feet, the only sound breaking the silence. There was something about Nox’s tone—something that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. The academy might have been empty, but the sense of danger was still very real.

The women's dorm loomed above us, dark and quiet, the windows like empty eyes staring out into the night. I hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, the sense of unease still clinging to me like a second skin.

“Do you need us to come in with you?” Zarek asked, his voice softer now, the playful edge gone.

I shook my head, offering him a small smile. “I think I’ll be okay. It’s just grabbing a few things, right?”

Nox stepped closer. “Be quick. And if anything feels off, you call out.”

I nodded, the seriousness in his eyes making my heart skip a beat. “Got it. I’ll be quick.”

---