Page 64 of The Fractured Veil

"You can take my room," Zarek offered as we reached a set of double doors. "Or, you know, we could share." He gave me a playful wink, a smirk playing on his lips, earning an eye roll from Nox.

"She's staying where she's comfortable," Nox said firmly, giving Zarek a warning look that clearly told him to drop it. I bit back a smile at the scene before me.

"Thank you. Both of you. I really appreciate it," I said sincerely. This was all so unexpected, and honestly a little overwhelming.

Zarek gave me a mock salute. "Anything for our favorite troublemaker."

"We'll go get some food. Make yourself at home," Nox said, his emerald-green eyes meeting mine for a moment before he pulled Zarek with him back towards the entrance, leaving me alone in the hallway.

As they left, I stepped further into Zarek's room, the door clicking softly behind me. It was the exact opposite of his room back at their house. The high arched window stretched almost from floor to ceiling, framing a breathtaking view of the academy and the mountains beyond. The sky outside was painted in the last colors of dusk, soft blues and greys blending together.

A large bed, draped in black and silver, boasted a gothic headboard carved with twisting vines and mythical creatures. The room echoed Zarek's personality: elegant, darkly beautiful, powerful yet refined. Against one wall, a dark oak desk held neat stacks of books and papers.

Moving to the window seat that was built into the alcove beneath the window, I settled into the seat, the plush cushions sinking beneath my weight. The world beyond seemed peaceful—the complete opposite to everything that had happened in the last couple days. The attack, the revelations about my powers, the growing connection with Nox, Zarek, and Damon—well, not really Damon. But even with his constant hostility, there was a flicker ofsomethingthere. It was all a whirlwind of emotions that I was still trying to process.

It was strange being here. Just a few months ago, I wouldn’t have imagined myself sitting in the room of someone like Zarek, feeling this sense of... belonging. My life had changed in ways I was still struggling to understand, but here, I could almost believe that I was exactly where I was meant to be.

A soft knock on the door broke me from my thoughts. Zarek peeked in, his amber eyes catching mine. "Comfortable?"

I nodded, a small smile playing on my lips. "Yeah, it's... really nice here."

He stepped in, leaning against the doorframe. "Glad you think so. It's got a certain charm, right? Dark, mysterious—just like me." He winked.

I laughed, shaking my head. "Cocky much?"

"But you love it," he teased, his grin widening, revealing a flash of white teeth against his tanned skin.

I didn’t reply, just rolled my eyes playfully and looked back out the window. He didn’t need an answer, and we both knew it. Even though he was teasing, a part of me couldn't deny the truth in his statement. There was an undeniably pull I felt towards him—his confidence, his playful nature, and the way his eyes seemed to hold a thousand secrets.

"Anyway," Zarek said after a moment, his voice a little more serious. "If you need anything, just let me or Nox know, alright? You're safe here."

I turned back to him, meeting his gaze. The sincerity in his amber eyes made my chest tighten with an unexpected warmth. "You can stay, if you want." The words slipped out before I could process them, surprising even me. "But I thought you were going with Nox?" I added, suddenly feeling self-conscious about the invitation.

He gave me a reassuring nod, his lips softening into something more genuine. "And miss getting some more time with you? Nah, he's fine. Besides," he added with a wink, "he's probably off brooding somewhere anyway."

I leaned back against the window seat, looking out at the darkening sky as Zarek took a seat across from me. The fading light cast long shadows across the room, giving the already gothic architecture an even more mysterious feel.

The silence between us wasn't awkward, but charged with an unspoken understanding that was both exhilarating and a little terrifying. A strange sense of peace settled over me—a feeling I hadn't experienced in a long time. I found myself glancing at Zarek, taking in his relaxed posture and the way his expression softened when he wasn't trying to keep up his charming facade. There was a vulnerability in his eyes that I hadn't noticed before, a quiet strength that drew me in.

"You really mean it, don't you?" I finally said, breaking the silence. "That I'm safe here. With you and Nox."

He nodded slowly, his gaze intense as he looked at me. "Yeah, I do. I know we might not be the easiest to trust, or understand—especially Damon," he added. "But one thing you should know, Thalia, is that we take care of our own. And you're one of us now."

An unexpected swell of emotion rose in my chest, making me swallow hard. It was a feeling of belonging, a sense of connection that I craved but never thought I'd find. I looked away, my gaze returning to the window. "And why am I one of you now?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Zarek smiled, a genuine one this time, free of his usual mischief. "Because whether you like it or not, you're stuck with us."

I let out a laugh, shaking my head. "You'll get sick of me eventually," I teased, but a part of me hoped he wouldn't.

He leaned back, crossing his arms behind his head. "You say that now. Wait until Nox starts training with you. He's relentless." He paused, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "You'll get sick of us before we do you."

I groaned, rolling my eyes. "Please tell me you're exaggerating. Damon's bad enough."

Zarek laughed, the sound echoing softly in the quiet room. "You'll see. But hey," he winked, "I'll be right there with you, making it all a bit more bearable. Besides, someone needs to make sure they don't work you too hard."

"Come in!" Zarek called as we heard a knock at the door. The wood creaked open revealing Nox.

"The food's here. For the love of the gods, Zarek, can you give the girl some space?" Nox sighed, his emerald eyes meeting mine briefly before returning to Zarek.

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