“Where is he?” Ina asked frustrated.
I wanted to know the same thing. Faolan should’ve been here twenty minutes ago, but there was no trace of him. The three of us were standing at the same place he left us earlier. If he didn’t show up in near future we were in deep shit considering school portals were checked around five in the morning, every morning.
“I don’t know” Ner answered equally irritated. “I’m going to kill him if they catch us because his lazy ass isn’t here on time.”
“Call him again.” I suggested. There was no way he would do this on purpose, surely there was something within the Unit he had to do. I just hoped it didn’t have anything to do with that girl in the club. The terror on her face still hadn’t left my mind.
“Nothing. I am this close to-“ Ner stopped her rant as chilling scream pierced the air. My body froze, and all hope of me being wrong about anything happening to the girl from the club evaporated.
So very slowly, we turned our heads back and watched the path we just went through. It was dark and empty, the only things moving from the wind were little red petals scattered everywhere. “What the fuck was that?” Ner asked.
“I’ve no idea. It sounded close though.” Ina’s eyes quickly raked over her surroundings, careful not to miss anything. “I think we should maybe move from the main road.”
“Where the fuck is Faolan?!” Ner whispered, a little panicky now.”We have no chance of returning to the academy by ourselves.” She picked up her phone again and probably tried calling him once again, but nothing. I had the urge to go see what happened; to make sure it was truly what my mind clearly saw. I didn’t go, though. There was no way I was leaving Ina and Ner alone.
Just then, even though I really didn’t want to do it, an idea came to my mind. “I could call Valerian and hope to God he doesn’t say anything about this.”
The two girls looked at each other weighing our options. I knew we have none else. Faolan would’ve been here by now if he could and I didn’t want to linger here if I could help it. One too many strange things happened tonight for me not to take it seriously.
After they nodded at me, we walked towards the trees on the side, trying to stay hidden. My mind went to Valerian and as if on instinct, it found and connected with him.
Valerian?
Theia. A slight relief filled me at the sound of his voice in my head. It was just as deep and calm as always.
We may or may not need your help.
Expand on we.
Ner, Ina and me. We’re at the entrance to the Bloody Passage and-
There was instant cold vibe and slight anger coming from him. Why the fuck aren’t you at the academy? Stay there and stay hidden. I’m coming.
“So? What did he say?” Ina raised her brows at me.
“To stay hidden. He’s coming.”
I didn’t speak anything more and neither did Ina and Nerine. We were all on high alert, watching every shadow and every corner. I didn’t know what happened but if Valerian’s reaction was anything to go by, it was serious.
What’s more, there was something about the owner of the club and the fact he knew me that made me beyond uncomfortable. I had to wonder if his insistence for us to leave had something to do with now dead girl. Well, I’m assuming she is.
“What is that?” Nerine whispered, pointing in the direction of a dark silhouette. It seemed quite large from where we were standing. It emerged from the passage and was standing exactly where we were earlier. I could hear pounding of my heart in my ears. The fact we were lucky enough we moved on time…
Since I couldn’t see exactly what it was, I decided to try and read its mind to see if I could find out anything. The moment I did, chills went through my bones; such darkness and hunger. It didn’t think like people did, but I could understand he was searching. For what, I didn’t know.
Seeing that Ner, being Ner, moved forward and partly out of the shadows, I jerked her by her shirt and moved her back. The slight movement unfortunately registered on its radar and deep, glowing red eyes looked right at us. My eyes closed in a sigh. Shit.
It released a dangerous rumble and I really hoped it couldn’t see in the dark. My eyes darted to Ina who was clutching my hand to the point of pain. Her eyes were wide and I could sympathize. I was also scared shitless. I had no doubt in my mind this thing was responsible for the incident that happened tonight.
I really hope you’re close because we have company. And I’m not sure I can do anything against it.
Stay where you are. I see you.
I didn’t respond. Didn’t even had time. The moment creature took a step in our direction, a whizz of light entered my vision. It was moving so fast my eyes barely managed to register what was happening. Seconds later a tall, imposing figure stood next to dead, torn body.
I just stood there unable to comprehend what the fuck just happened. One moment the creature was alive the next it was in parts. Valerian didn’t even have a drop of blood on him. It was only in that moment that I understood why he commanded so much power and respect. He was beyond lethal.
“Wow.” Nerine said staring at him openmouthed. Yeah, I felt the same way. I just hoped we weren’t in deep shit now.
Turning around, Valerian’s eyes were blazing. There was so much controlled anger in them that it took everything in me not to step back. Ina and Nerine, however, did just that. I watched him, waiting for the inevitable outburst…but it didn’t come. It was way worse. He was cold, calm and silent.
Valerian’s rigid gaze raked over me for a moment, then he raised his hand and waved us over. Without a word.
“I think we had better chances with that thing.” Ina whispered to me. “This won’t end well.”
I nodded in agreement. Honestly, there was nothing else to say. He was livid but he didn’t shout, didn’t show his anger. I wish he did, it would be less unnerving.
“Theia.” It was low and it told me to just do whatever he said. “Move. I don’t have all night.”
The three of us glanced at each other and darted to where he stood. I looked at him apologetically. I’m sorry.
I know. We’ll talk.
When we got to him, he teleported us straight to the upper levels of the White Tower. “Wait, how is it possible you just bypassed the portal in the lobby?” I asked.
An arrogant smirk appeared on his lips as he looked at me. “I have my ways. You two,” he pointed to Ner and Ina, “go to your rooms and we’ll forget this happened. Theia, you’re coming with me.”
168Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDue4JE5KJK
And so, ten minutes later, we were sitting in what I could only assume were Valerian’s quarters. I was sitting on the loveseat , waiting for him to begin. I had many questions myself, but wanted first for him to say what he had.
“Are you going to say something?” he asked from across the room, leaning against the wall. He looked so relaxed yet I knew he was far from it.
“Me?” my brows went up in surprise. “I thought you said we needed to talk. Why don’t you tell me what you have to say so you can calm down and I can ask what I have to ask.”
“Alright. Why were you there earlier?”
Oh come on, that part at least, I would say, was obvious. “Really? My dress and location aren’t saying anything? We went to a club, so what?”
“So…” he pushed off the wall and walked in my direction. My eyes involuntarily went down his body and stuck on delicious way his muscles buckled against his shirt. Was that…was that a nipple piercing I see? No way. Fucking shit. He just gave me new things to fantasize about. “You want to tell me you didn’t hear the warning today explicitly forbidding the students to go to the Club Mortem?”
Warning? What warning? Wait…that’s what professors talked about? I needed to start listening during the day. “Uh, no. I was otherwise occupied.” More like I was daydreaming about him. Thank God he wasn’t the one who could read minds.
He sighed, exasperated. “Fucking hell, Theia. You were lucky I was near tonight.”
“Yeah,” my eyes turning to slits, suspicious. “Why were you there?”
My reaction took him by surprise and he watched me with wide, almost amused eyes. “I do have a life outside these walls. But alas, I had some things to do.”
“Which reminds me. The owner of the Club Mortem requested me to tell you that you need to do a better job from now on. Want to explain that? Along with the fact he knew my name, of course?”
If I expected him to be taken by surprise or to feel guilty about keeping secrets, he wasn’t. He stayed collected and completely unsurprised. “It’s not something you need to know Theia. I’m not sure why Reaper mentioned that to you but it’s not for you to meddle in.”
I snorted. “Reaper? Fitting. And as much as I want to probe further into this, there’s something more important.”
“What?” there was concern in his tone, probably because he felt waves of emotion coming off me. Nearing, he lifted my head to look him into those electric blues.
“I saw her die and I didn’t say anything.” I whispered, guilt once more trying to eat me up whole.
“Saw who die?” it was his time to be confused. “Theia?”
“What do you mean who? A blonde girl in the club. There was a scream moments before I called you the first time. I thought you already knew about it.”
Valerian’s eyes widened. But I continued before he could speak. “ I didn’t see it when it actually happened, I saw it when I accidentally touched her arm in the club. But I thought I was just losing my mind. We heard a scream about twenty minutes after that.”
Without a word he jumped on his feet and his face had that faraway expression that said he wasn’t in this room at the moment. Slow panic began to rise in me once again. I hated when I didn’t know what was going on.
“I need to leave. You stay here and don’t move.” Valerian’s tone was clipped, inviting no argument.
My body was instantly next to him. “Hell, no. What is going on? What just happened?” I demanded.
“I talked to Reaper, he found the girl. I need to go.” Seeing my determination, his eyes narrowed. “You’re staying. End of discussion.”
I wanted to argue but then I remembered something and my lips widened in patronizing smile. “Sure. Go ahead.”
There was something he saw in me in that moment that made him stop in his tracks, studying me. “Go ahead?” he repeated warily.
I plastered my most innocent look and nodded. I knew he didn’t trust that I didn’t argue and he was right to be suspicious. However, he wasn’t even aware that while he stood there staring at me, my mind slowly slipped in his and I was now watching world through his eyes.
With a nod, he turned and left. Or should I say I did, leaving my body to sit in a chair as before.
***
Valerian was standing next to a familiar female body. Same one I saw on the staircases of the club. The one I bumped into. One I didn’t warn in time.
“It was a tracker.” Valerian said. “I killed one earlier outside the Bloody Passage.”
“Now why would a tracker kill?” Valerian’s eyes turned to look at the person speaking to him. A person with the same voice I heard earlier in my head. The Reaper, I presume he was, was frightening. Beautiful, yet something about him wasn’t quite right. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with dirty blonde hair and dark eyes. But, again, something was just…not right.
“She must’ve been the wrong one. It was searching for someone else.”
Reaper’s head suddenly cocked to the side while he watched Valerian as if he only now noticed something. I couldn’t be quite sure, it was something akin to amusement in those wrong eyes of his. “How are you feeling Valerian?” he asked out of nowhere.
I sensed it took Valerian by surprise but he didn’t show it. He was as indifferent as always. “I’m good.”
“Are you sure? You seem a little off tonight. “
“I’m not.” The smirk widened and it honestly began to arouse my suspicion.
As if ignoring the brush-off, he continued, “I’m surprised the little one isn’t here. Keeping secrets Valerian?” that made him stiffen a little and at the same time pick my curiosity.
“You should’ve kept your mouth shut. It has nothing to do with her and I want it to stay that way.”
Reaper chuckled. “Doesn’t it? I didn’t say a word. Well, aloud.”
Valerian grunted. “You said enough. Now,” he nodded in the direction of the body, “ do we know who she is?”
“Yes.” Reaper’s tone suddenly turning serious. “Marisol Lake, demon descendant. I’ll need to look a little deeper into this later to gather more information. I only found her a little before you contacted me.”
Valerian was silent for a while, observing the scene, trying to figure out why would they kill her. Trackers were always under someone’s thumb and they weren’t used to kill. They were used for their sensitive senses and one-track mind. When you told them to find something, they wouldn’t stop until they did. Or until they were killed.
Unless…”Do you think it may be possible this wasn’t done by a tracker? That they were just used as a bait, for us to suspect them right away?”
The Reaper stopped to think about it and then, casually turned to Valerian. But he didn’t actually look at him, he was looking beyond. At…me. He knew. I couldn’t tell how, but he knew.
“It’s possible. What do you think little one? What do you remember?” I felt Valerian stiffen and the moment I felt understanding in his mind, I knew he would be pissed.
“I should’ve known.” Valerian gritted through his teeth. Reaper only smiled a cryptic smile and neared Valerian. With one touch of his hand to Valerian’s forehead, I felt a magnetic pull. A force trying to extract me from Valerian’s mind and out in the open. The next thing, I was standing next to them in flesh.
“How the fuck is this possible?” I whispered to myself as I looked with wide eyes at my body. Then, my gaze turned to Reaper, glaring. “How did you do this?”
He seemed hypnotized for a moment. Watching me so intently that I felt a little uncomfortable. It wasn’t in sexual way, but just… I don’t know. It was weird. Shaking his head, he smirked. “I thought you’d be of help to us. Thought it was time to tell Valerian he wasn’t alone in his own head.”
At the mention of his name, my head whirled to him and saw he was looking at me with disapproval. I really didn’t care much, he should’ve brought me with him. “What? I thought it would be a waste of time arguing with you.” I shrugged.
A low chuckle went through Reaper’s lips as he watched my unapologetic behavior. “I like her, Valerian.” He only grunted in response but his eyes continued to fix me in place. I would hear about this later, I’m sure.
“Now,” Reaper’s tone turned commanding. “Let’s talk about your visions, little one.”
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