Page 40 of Darkness and Deceit
Simon and Vaughn are right behind him, expressions pinched and frantic.
Kai doesn’t speak. He juststares.
“You felt it,” I say quietly, meeting his gaze.
He nods once.
He doesn’t say how. He doesn’t need to. We’re mates.
They reach me in a few long strides, surrounding me like a wall. Simon’s already scanning my face for injuries. Vaughn’s pacing a few feet away, raking his hands through his hair.
“She’s all right now,” Augustus says before anyone can start yelling. “But she needs rest.”
I force myself to stand, even though my legs still tremble. “We should go.”
Augustus nods. “I’ll return to the camp and report to the Elders.” He hesitates. Like he wants to say something more. But he doesn’t. He just turns and disappears back the way we came, swallowed by trees and silence.
I don’t watch him leave.
Simon falls into step beside me without a word. Vaughn and Kai flank us as we move back toward the Keeper camp, slipping along the edge of their perimeter. No one stops us. No one speaks. It’s like the forest itself has gone quiet to let us pass.
By the time the academy walls come into view, I feel the exhaustion settle in deep. Bone-deep. Magic-deep. I just want to lie down. I just want tobreathe.
We cross into the courtyard and I’m met with a sea of eyes, dozens of pairs, if not more, all staring at me, parting to clear apath like they can’t get away from me fast enough as I pass. The judgment in their gazes is clear and it makes my stomach twist into knots. Whispers ripple through the crowd, and my anxiety rises.
Gods.
Before arriving at the academy, this scenario was my worst nightmare—not fitting in and being judged by those around me. Natalie assured me that it’s normal to feel like that, but I should’ve known better.
Beyond the walkway, leaning awkwardly near one of the stone benches like he’s not sure if he should wait or leave is Tony. His eyes meet mine, wide and worried.
“Hey,” he says, voice soft and uncertain. “You okay?” That simple question tightens my chest. He doesn’t ask what’s going on or what I’ve been up to. Instead, he genuinely wants to know if I’m all right. The truth is, I don’t fully know how to answer that question.
“You look… a little pale,” Tony adds with a wince, taking a cautious step forward like he’s afraid I might shatter.
I let out something between a laugh and a sigh. “That’s probably because I collapsed in the woods.”
His face twists with alarm. “Wait—what?”
I wave him off before he can spiral. “I’m fine. Really. It’s… a long story.”
He studies me for a beat, then glances at the three boys standing a short distance behind me. “They didn’t exactly look calm walking in with you.”
I follow his gaze. Simon’s standing with his arms crossed, quietly scanning the courtyard like he’s expecting an ambush. Vaughn is perched against a pillar, trying to act casual but very obviously still wound tight. And Kai—Kai hasn’t moved more than a few feet from me since we stepped onto school grounds.
I turn back to Tony and try to offer something lighter. “I think they’re starting to realize I’m a full-time job.”
His lips twitch. “To be fair, you kind of always have been.”
That pulls a real smile from me. Tired, but real. “That’s fair.”
He nudges my shoulder gently with his own. “You don’t have to say anything. I know I’m not part of all this… whatever this is.” He gestures vaguely at the guys. “But I’m here. If you ever need to talk. Or scream. Or fake a stomach ache to get out of something.”
My throat tightens. Gods, I missed this—someone who seesmewithout needing explanations or power levels or classifications.
“Thanks, Tony. I mean it.”
A beat passes.
