Page 73 of The Fractured Veil

As we moved to the center of the dance floor, Elara and James right beside us, laughing and twirling with carefree spirits, I let the music take over. The rhythm flowing through my veins, guiding my movements. The energy around us was electric—everyone dancing, laughing, lost in the moment. Nox twirled me around, his laughter echoing in my ears, and I couldn't help the joyful giggle that bubbled out of me. Zarek moved in rhythm beside us, his smile genuine and easy, his eyes never straying too far from me.

Nox and Zarek passed me between them, a playful exchange that made my head spin with delight, and with each turn, a giggle slipped past my lips. The lights flashed in vibrant colors, illuminating the joy on their faces. I felt a lightness inside me—a happiness that made me want to stay on that dance floor forever, lost in the music and the laughter, surrounded by the people who made me feel like I finally belonged. For so long, I had been carrying the weight of uncertainty, of fear, of not knowing where I fit in—wondering if I truly belonged anywhere. But here, I finally felt seen, valued, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I was simply, undeniably happy.

The music shifted then, transitioning into something slower, a romantic melody that filled the air. Nox’s arm slipped around my waist, drawing me closer, his touch sending a wave of warmth through me. Zarek stepped back slightly, giving us space, his eyes soft as he watched us, a gentle smile playing on his lips. I rested my head against Nox’s chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breath. His other hand moved to my back, his fingers tracing gentle patterns.

The world around us seemed to blur as I focused on the feeling of Nox’s arms around me, the comforting presence of Zarek nearby, the laughter of my friends echoing in the distance. It was a perfect, self-contained world—a bubble of happiness and acceptance that I never wanted to leave. Nox moved to whisper in my ear, his voice low.

"You terrify me, Thalia," he murmured, his breath warm against my skin, sending shivers down my spine.

I lifted my head from his chest, my brows knitting together in confusion, his words catching me off guard. "Why?" I asked.

His gaze searched mine, a depth of emotion swirling in his emerald-green eyes, before he let out a soft breath. His fingers brushing against my cheek—a feather-light touch that sent a jolt of electricity through me. "Because I care about you more than I ever thought I could. More than I ever thought possible. And that scares me, Thalia. It scares me because I don’t want to lose you… and you could get hurt.”

His words made my heart skip a beat, a warmth spreading through my chest that was almost overwhelming. I swallowed, my throat tight with emotion as I looked up at him, my heart aching with a mixture of love and fear. The vulnerability in his eyes, the raw honesty in his words—it was everything I hadn’t realized I needed to hear. A validation of the feelings that had been growing between us, unspoken yet undeniable.

I reached up, my fingers brushing against his cheek, my thumb tracing the line of his jaw. "You wouldn't hurt me, Nox," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the music, but filled with a conviction that surprised even myself. "I know you wouldn't."

Nox closed his eyes for a moment, as if letting my words sink in, absorbing their meaning, his long, dark lashes resting on his cheeks. He leaned down, pressing his forehead against mine, his breath mingling with mine—our bodies close enough to feel the beating of each other's hearts. "You have no idea what you do to me, Thalia," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion, his words a confession of the power I held over him, a power I hadn't even realized I possessed.

A smile tugged at my lips, "Maybe I do," I replied, my voice filled with a newfound confidence.

Nox's lips curved into a smile—a slow, tender expression that made my heart melt. He leaned in, his lips brushing against mine in a soft tender kiss. It was slow, deliberate, filled with every unspoken word, every shared glance, every stolen moment between us. It was a kiss that spoke of vulnerability, of trust, of a connection that ran deeper than either of us could have imagined. I let myself get lost in him, a wave of pleasure surging through me like a tidal wave, washing away all my doubts and fears.

He pulled away slightly, his arms tightening around me as if he never wanted to let go, and I knew in that moment that this—this connection, this feeling, this burgeoning love—was something worth fighting for, something worth holding onto, even if I wasn't entirely sure what I was doing, or where this path would lead.

"We need to leave,now," Damon growled, startling us. There was a raw urgency in his tone that made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. Zarek immediately moved behind me, a protective presence at my back, while Nox pushed me behind him, his hand never leaving mine as he pulled me forward. Damon was already leading the way through the crowd. The ground began to tremble—a sudden, violent jolt that sent ripples of panic through the revelers. The joyous laughter and upbeat music were abruptly replaced by gasps and screams, the festive atmosphere dissolving into a chaotic scramble. My heart pounded against my ribs as people rushed around us, bumping and shoving. Zarek wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me tightly against him as the crowd surged, shielding me from the frantic, desperate bodies.

We moved as quickly as we could, Damon clearing a path, his eyes sharp and alert as he scanned our surroundings. We pushed our way towards the nearest exit, and as we rushed through the doors, we found ourselves in a part of the academy I'd never seen before. Lanterns lined the winding paths stretching far into the distance, and delicate fairy lights twinkled, wrapped around the branches of ancient trees. I looked up to see the sky above us twisting and churning, the clouds swirling in an unnatural, menacing pattern. Dark purples and blacks blended together, illuminated by flashes of violet lightning that crackled through the air. It was as if the heavens themselves were tearing apart.

"Arethax," Damon said, his voice grim, confirming my unspoken fear. His eyes were locked on the turbulent sky, his jaw clenched tight. There was no doubt in my mind—this was an attack. Nox’s grip on my hand tightened, his eyes narrowing as he looked up at the brewing storm. "We need to get her somewhere safe," he said, his voice surprisingly steady even with all the chaos erupting around us.

Damon's shadows began to swirl around him, restless and eager to escape. But Elara and James were still inside. I couldn't just abandon them—not when they were completely unaware of who was coming, of what they were up against. Hell,Iwasn't even entirely sure.

"No," I said, my voice firm. "We can't just leave them." Damon’s gaze shifted to me, his eyes narrowing, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features.

"Thalia, weneedto leave.Youcannot be here," Nox said, turning to me, his eyes pleading, a mixture of fear and concern etched on his face.

"No, I'm not running," I snapped, my voice laced with frustration. "You guys can either help me or just leave." I pulled away from them, turning towards the door—determined to go back—but Damon moved with lightning speed, a blur of darkness, blocking my path.

"Now is not the time, Thalia. Stop being a fucking brat," he growled, crossing his arms.

A screeching scream echoed through the air, shattering the tense standoff. Emerging from the shadows were twisted, grotesque monstrosities that seemed to be woven out of death itself. They were truly horrifying. Eight of them moved in unsettling unison, their long, jagged limbs carrying them with an unnatural, almost gliding grace. Their skeletal bodies were thin and wiry, bones protruding through their taut skin. Their eyes—multiple, glowing red eyes—were fixed on me, burning with a chilling hunger and malice. Their mouths were filled with rows of long, serrated fangs, dripping with a viscous mixture of saliva and foam. All of them seemed laser-focused on me, as if I was the only thing they could see, the only thing that mattered.

Zarek stepped in front of me without hesitation, his shoulders squared, his entire posture rigid. Damon moved into position beside him, the two of them forming a wall between me and the immediate threat.

Nox, however, took off towards the creatures. His body twisting and contorting as he moved. I watched in stunned shock as his bones cracked and shifted, his form expanding, muscles rippling and bulging beneath his skin. His clothes tore away, and in their place, sleek, midnight-black fur erupted, covering his growing frame. A massive panther emerged from the remnants of Nox’s human form. Its long, sharp claws scraped against the stone path, sending sparks flying. The panther's eyes—Nox'seyes—were a vivid, piercing green, glowing intensely against the encroaching darkness.

His growl was deep, resonant—shaking the very ground beneath us. I felt my entire body vibrate with the force of it, and the shocking realization struck me like a lightning bolt.Nox was the panther—the one from the night after the party, the one that had chased me into their home, the one that had saved me during the Wonders of Nexara. It was him, all along. Everything clicked into place, making perfect sense now. Nox had been there, silently guarding me, even when I didn’t know who or what he was.

Thatwas Nox. TherealNox. The Nox who went to get help and pretended he’d just found me.

I was still reeling from this revelation when Damon’s sharp voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "Thalia! Stay focused!"

I nodded, swallowing hard as I took a step back, forcing myself to get into position—to prepare for what was coming. The creatures were closing in fast, their limbs clicking against the ground with an unnerving rhythm, their multiple eyes unblinking as they closed the distance between us. The open area that had seemed so enchanting just moments before was now about to become a battlefield—and I was at the center of it.

The creatures lunged, their screeches piercing the night air, and the brothers sprang into action with a practiced synchronicity. Damon’s shadows surged forward, wrapping around the legs of one of the creatures, pulling it to the ground with a sickening thud. Zarek was a blur of motion, his agility unmatched as he darted between the creatures, striking them with quick, powerful blows. The creatures fought back with a ferociousness that made my blood run cold, their serrated claws swiping through the air, aiming for any exposed flesh.

Nox, in his panther form, moved with a lethal grace I found both terrifying and beautiful. He leaped at one of the creatures, his powerful jaws clamping down on it with a sickening crunch. I could see the raw strength in every movement he made—the effortless power with which he tore into the creature, ripping it apart with an ease.

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