Page 36 of Darkness and Deceit
“Headmistress Bennett has requested your return to the academy,” Kieran announces smoothly.
“We’re staying,” Vaughn growls. “She said we were assigned to assist with the perimeter.”
“She’s since amended the directive,” Kieran replies. “You’re to return. I’ll have someone notify you when yourfriendcomes back.”
Friend.
The word hits me wrong. Lilith is not simply a friend to me. Not anymore.
There’s something about her that threads through me like a fuse waiting to be lit. Something I don’t understand, and Ihatenot understanding. It terrifies me in ways I don’t have words for.
Vaughn steps forward, jaw clenched. “Yeah, no. I think we’ll stay.”
Kieran’s eyes harden. “Then I’ll have you removed.”
Vaughn’s grin turns feral. “Fucking try me.”
I step between them before they can come to blows.
“Vaughn,” I say, loud enough to cut through the tension. “Stand down.”
He stares at me like I’ve lost my mind.
Then I turn to Kieran, keeping my tone steady. “You’re right. We should head back.”
His eyebrows rise slightly. He didn’t expect me to fold that easily.
“We’ll be on our way,” I add. “No trouble.”
A long pause.
Then he nods once. “See that you don’t disobey direct orders again.”
Without another word, Kieran turns and walks away. The silence he leaves behind is louder than any yell.
We don’t speak until he’s gone.
And then Vaughn explodes. “You’re seriously just going toroll overfor that smug bastard?”
I glance back toward the tree line.
“No,” I say. “I’m going to wait until he’s out of range. And then we’re circling back.”
Vaughn and Kai both go still.
Kai tilts his head slightly, considering.
Vaughn raises a brow. “You’re serious?”
“Completely,” I reply. “We stay close. Hidden. We don’t interfere—unless we have to. That way, we’re not locked out. We’re not lockedup.And if something happens? We’re there.”
The pause stretches between us.
Then Kai nods once. The shadows around his feet settle, and for once, he doesn’t look like he’s seconds from vanishing.
And Vaughn exhales a quiet laugh. “I’ll be damned.” He doesn’t argue. Doesn’t deflect. Just stands there, watching me like he’s seeing me for the first time.
“You actually thought this through,” he mutters. “Used your brain and didn’t completely ruin my day in the process.”
