Page 41 of Darkness and Deceit
“You need rest.”
Kai’s firm voice comes from just behind me. Like it’s not a suggestion. I turn to look at him. For once I see exhaustion behind his eyes, but he’s more concerned withmywell-being.
“I’m fine?—”
“You’re not,” he says gently.
I could argue. But I’d lose. And maybe… I don’t want to. Maybe I want someone to take care of me for once.
Tony catches the look between us and offers me a soft, crooked smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Yeah,” I nod. “Tomorrow.”
Kai doesn’t touch me. He just turns and starts walking, slow and steady, like he knows I’ll follow.
And I do.
Simon and Vaughn fall in behind us without a word, and the four of us move as one through the courtyard. The whispers grow quieter the deeper we go, but the stares linger like smoke clinging to my skin.
I keep my head down.
When we reach the arched hallway that curves around the gardens, Kai lifts his hand and shadows swirl up from the stones beneath our feet. They don’t lash or whip like they do in a fight. They wrap around us gently, like a cocoon. A shield.
And then we’re moving.
The world outside blurs. The halls vanish behind us. The whispers fade.
When we land, it’s in front of a tall, dark oak door. Kai pushes it open and gestures for me to go in first.
The room is quiet. Stark. Like it was designed for someone who doesn’t sleep much or doesn’t plan to stay long. The walls are a deep, matte black, broken only by a wide arched window that frames the storm clouds rolling in outside. A single fireplace glows low in the hearth behind us, casting soft golden light across stone floors and shadows.
The bed is surprisingly large and clean-lined, tucked beneath a canopy of dark drapes. Fourth-year perks, I guess. A dresser stands nearby, tall and unadorned. No clutter. No books. Nothing. It’s like the room was built to hold secrets and nothing else.
“This yours?” I ask softly.
Kai nods.
Of course it is.
Simon closes the door behind us and leans against it like a sentry. Vaughn takes up post near the window, watching the shifting sky.
I just stand there for a beat, taking it all in.
“You’re safe now,” Kai says, stepping a little closer. His voice is quieter than usual. “We’ll stay close.”
I glance at him. The stormlight catches in his eyes, and something sharp flickers there—worry, maybe. Or something he won’t say.
“I’m fine,” I whisper.
“You’re not,” he replies gently. “But you will be.”
I want to believe him.
Simon nods toward the bed. “Rest. Just for a little while. We’ll keep watch.”
I hesitate for a second.
Then I sit and the mattress dips beneath me, solid and grounding. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding and lean back slowly, resting against the cool fabric of the pillows.
