Page 9 of The Fractured Veil

"Yes, there is," I insisted, my own irritation flaring as I turned to look—but the structure was gone. Vanished. Nothing but the endless stretch of trees stood before us.

"Don't come back here," he warned, his voice low and serious. "The protection ward only goes as far as the tree line. Beyond that, it's free game for the creatures that roam these woods." His lips curled into a faint smirk, a predator enjoying the fear in his prey's eyes.

"Well, thanks for your concern, but I can take care of myself," I snapped, rolling my eyes and attempting to brush past him.

In an instant, his hand shot out, encircling my arm in a grip that was firm but not painful. He drew me closer, the sudden warmth of his body a shock against the chill in the air. I could feel his breath on my skin, and the scent of cedar and rain—potent and intoxicating—filled my senses, making my head spin. The tingling sensation where his fingers touched me intensified, becoming a distracting heat that spread through my arm and settled in my chest. Yet it was the intensity in his eyes, a burning emerald fire, that truly stopped me in my tracks.

"Stay out of the forest, Thalia," he growled, his face inches from mine, his voice raw with barely contained anger.

I yanked my arm free, stumbling slightly as the alcohol hit me harder than I'd anticipated. He gave me one last piercing look, his eyes flashing with an emotion I couldn't quite decipher, before he turned and vanished into the shadows of the woods.

What the hell is his problem?I thought, my annoyance battling with a strange flutter in my stomach as I made my way back toward the party. But the scene that greeted me was a far cry from the lively celebration I'd left behind. The bonfire had dwindled to ashes, the once-vibrant crowd had thinned to a scattered few, and the cool night air—which had felt refreshing earlier—now seemed to bite with a lonely chill.

How long had I been gone?

Wrapping my arms around myself for warmth, I scanned the dwindling crowd for El or any familiar face, but it was as though the party had moved on without me. With a sigh, I started the trek back towards the dorms, the sound of gravel crunching underfoot a lonely counterpoint to the wind whistling through the trees. The shadows seemed to dance just beyond my vision, their whispers pulling at the corners of my mind, begging for attention.

I shook my head, trying to clear the strange thoughts. Shadows weren’t some mystical gift—unless you were a demon. And I’d know if I was a demon... right?

No, I'm just exhausted and on edge.Nothing had changed since I came to this academy—no answers about my past or why I was invited here in the first place. The Dean was always unavailable, his office perpetually locked, and nobody could tell me anything. Just more questions swirling in my mind like restless spirits and unsettling encounters with shadows that seemed to know my name. It was enough to make anyone paranoid. Maybe a hot shower and a long sleep would help. Maybe.

A sharp snap of a branch to my right brought me to a halt. My eyes darted to the dark tree line, and there—just beyond the edge of the forest—I saw two large, round emerald eyes watching me intently. I squinted, trying to make out the rest of the creature, but only its glowing eyes pierced the inky blackness.

The creature remained motionless, its gaze unwavering. An inexplicable pull drew me closer, my body moving slowly forward against my will while my mind screamed for me to stop. The beast emitted a low, deep growl, making the gravel tremble beneath me.

"Thalia! Wait up!" a voice called from behind me. My body tensed as I instinctively glanced back, hoping that whatever magical ward protected the academy grounds would keep the green-eyed creature at bay. My heart pounded against my ribs, but instead of a monstrous predator, I was met with the sight of a familiar figure jogging towards me.

I exhaled a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding and turned back towards the tree line. The glowing eyes were gone, swallowed by the impenetrable darkness. I shook my head, trying to steady my nerves, before turning my attention to the approaching figure.

A blonde tall figure, slightly out of breath as he caught up to me. His sun-kissed hair was tousled in a way that looked effortlessly perfect, and his icy blue eyes sparkled with a friendly warmth.

"I thought that was you," he said, his grin both charming and reassuring as he shoved his hands into his pockets. "I'm James. I don't think we've officially met, but we have Combat Training with Professor Lorian."

His boyish charm was disarming, a stark contrast to the fear that had gripped me moments before. "Yeah, we do," I replied, still feeling rattled as I cast one last glance at the tree line, where those piercing green eyes had been just moments ago. "What's up?"

James gestured ahead, offering a small, casual smile as he fell into step beside me. "I thought I'd walk you back. You looked... like you might want some company." His voice was gentle.

I nodded, appreciating the gesture but still a little on edge. "Thanks," I replied, my voice a bit hesitant as I tried to shake off the lingering unease.

We walked in uncomfortable silence for a moment, the crunch of gravel beneath our feet the only sound as we headed toward the girls' dormitory. In a lighthearted attempt to break the ice, James started asking me questions about class, how I was settling in at the academy, and if I'd been to any of the previous parties. I answered politely, though my mind kept wandering back to the woods.What was that creature I saw? And why did Nox seem so intent on warning me away from the forest?

James' voice broke through my thoughts. "So, how are you liking the academy? It must be... different for you, right?"

His question was innocent enough, but I could hear the underlying curiosity in his voice—he wanted to know what it was like for the powerless human at an academy for the magically gifted. It was a question that seemed to linger in the minds of everyone I met.

"It's... an adjustment," I replied, offering a wry smile. "I didn't exactly plan on being here, but I'm managing."

"I hear that," he chuckled. "It's a lot for anyone to handle, even with abilities. But hey, you've got Elara on your side, so that's something." He flashed a grin, trying to put me at ease.

"Yeah, El's been great," I agreed, my tone softening as I thought of her. "I've been lucky to have her around."

We continued to walk, the silence between us growing more comfortable as the dormitory came into view, its soft lights a welcome beacon of safety and normalcy. Still, I couldn't shake the lingering unease from my encounter in the woods—the weight of Nox's warning and the memory of those glowing eyes watching me from the darkness.

As we neared the steps, James cleared his throat, his hands still buried in his pockets. "If you ever want to talk, or you know, need someone to walk with at night... I'm around," he offered, a genuine warmth in his eyes that softened the awkwardness of the moment.

I smiled back, a genuine smile this time. "Thanks, James. I'll keep that in mind."

He gave a quick nod before turning and heading back down the path. I watched him disappear into the distance before I glanced back at the tree line one last time. Whatever had been out there, lurking in the shadows, was gone now. Or at least, it was hidden from sight. I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched—the unsettling awareness of unseen eyes on me, even now, hundreds of miles away from the bustling streets of Nyvorthia. It was a prickling sensation, like phantom fingers brushing against the back of my neck, a constant reminder that I wasn't alone, even when I appeared to be.

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