My eyes locked onto Lena's, defiance burning within. "More than you do, apparently," I shot back, voice low and even.
Lena's smile twisted, revealing sharp canines."Bold for a..."She paused, eyes narrowing –
"Human." The word hung like a death sentence.
Lena's eyes seemed to burn with an inner fire as she stepped closer. "You shouldn't be here, little girl," her voice dropped to a menacing whisper.
"My brother, Cassius, will be interested to know a... fragile thing like you dared enter our domain." Suddenly, a low growl echoed from behind me.
Lena's eyes flicked behind me, her expression twisted in surprise and fear. "Kael," she whispered, voice trembling slightly.I turned to face him – tall, brooding, piercing emerald eyes fixed on Lena before shifting to mine. His low voice sent shivers down my spine:
"Leave her alone, Lena."
Lena's eyes narrowed at Kael, then back to me, venom in her voice: "Interesting. You're already under his protection... how quickly you've spread your charms. "Kael stepped closer, his presence looming large behind me. "My protection isn't charm-induced, Lena," he said low and deadly. "Ask her what she's really doing here."
Lena's gaze snapped back to mine, eyes blazing with intensity. "I'm waiting..." she hissed. My heart racing, I stood taller and said: "Midnight Academy accepted me. No explanation needed... or given."Kael's low chuckle sent shivers down my spine as he added: "Except to me, apparently. You owe me answers, newcomer."
My eyes locked onto Kael's piercing greens, voice barely above a whisper: "What makes you think I'd give them, willingly or otherwise?" A hint of surprise flickered across his face before his expression hardened. "Because, newcomer," he stepped closer, voice low and menacingly sweet, "I can make you want to."
My heart skipped a beat as his breath whispered against my ear. "I doubt that," I lied, voice trembling slightly. Kael's lips brushed my skin, sending shivers down my spine. "We'll see," he whispered, then pulled back to gaze at me intensely. Suddenly, a loud bell tolled – Lena spoke up, voice laced with malice: "Orientation starts now. How convenient for you... Kael's escorting you."
Kael offered his arm, eyes glinting with amusement. "Shall we, newcomer? Lena's already fading away... disappointed." Lena's glare lingered before she turned to vanish into the crowd.I placed my hand on his arm, sparks flying at the touch. "Why are you doing this?" I asked low, walking beside him. Kael leaned in, a voice whispering against my ear: "Because I want to know your secrets... and you want me to."
My heart racing, I pulled back slightly, eyes locking onto his. "You're wrong," I said, voice barely audible over the crowd noise. Kael's smile grew wider, his eyes crinkling at corners. "Am I?" he whispered, his hand covering mine on his arm. "We're arriving... at Orientation. Shall we see if you lie to everyone else too?"
We stepped into a grand hall filled with eerie silence and watching eyes. A figure emerged from shadows – Dean Cassius, Lena's brother, Kael's gaze narrowed. "Welcome, freshmen... especially our unexpected guest," Cassius's eyes fixed on me.Kael's hand tightened slightly over mine still on his arm. Cassius's voice dropped to a menacing tone: "Let us begin with introductions... and confessions. What brings you to Midnight Academy?"
My voice firm, I replied: "An acceptance letter... with no explanation. Yours to give, Dean Cassius." The hall fell silent, eyes widening – Cassius's face twisted in rage. Kael's low laugh rumbled beside me, angering Cassius further. Cassius slammed his fist on the podium: "Enough games. Guards – search her. We'll uncover the truth... and her secrets."
We stepped out of the car, and Kael's eyes locked intensely on mine: "My parents will test you. Want to know what they'll discover... if you pass?" His voice dropped to a whisper, sending shivers down my spine. "That you're drawn to me... almost as strongly as I'm drawn to you."
My cheeks burned as I whispered back: "Maybe they'll discover why I'm drawn... is it because you're dangerous or because you like me?" Kael's eyes sparkled with delight, his voice low and husky: "Both. But honestly... I think it's because I've wanted you from the moment you stepped into my shadows."
My heart raced like crazy as I asked softly: "Stepped into your shadows... or into your life?"
Kael's eyes burned intensely as he whispered: "Both. But honestly... I think it's forever changed – because I want you to stay."
My lips parted softly as I asked: "Stay... with you?" Kael nodded slowly, his face inches from mine: "Always. As my guest... or something more?"
My heart fluttered wildly as I whispered: "Something more... scares me less than losing you." Kael's eyes flashed with surprise, then softened – his lips brushed mine. "A first kiss... from curiosity or admission?" he whispered against my lips. Suddenly, footsteps echoed behind us – Kael pulled back, eyes locking onto mine: "My parents. Shall we give them a reason to worry... about us?"
I smiled slyly and whispered back: "Give them a reason... to wonder if I'm claiming you too?" Kael's eyes sparkled with delight, he offered his arm again – this time his fingers brushed mine."My mother will faint," he chuckled low, then called out: "Parents, our guest has... already made me hers."
His parents emerged from the shadows – stunned faces turned pale. His mother, a beautiful woman with piercing green eyes, whispered: "Kael, what sorcery is this... she bears no mark of our kind?" Kael smiled softly, his hand covering mine: "None, Mother. Only the mark of my interest... and possibly my heart."
His mother's eyes widened, then fixed on me with intense curiosity: "Fascinating. Kael's heart... has never been accessible. What's your name, girl?" I smiled softly, feeling Kael's hand squeeze mine: "My name is... the one Kael whispers in his sleep. "Kael's face turned bright red – his parents gasped in shock.
Kael's father, a towering figure with piercing yellow eyes like Kael's, boomed: "Enough astonishment. Girl, you've bewitched our son – tell us... how did you capture Kael?"
I leaned in close to Kael, whispering loudly enough for them to hear: "He was easy. I only had to look at him... and he stumbled into my heart." Kael's eyes locked onto mine, his face inches away, lips barely parted – as if waiting for my next word... or kiss.
Kael's parents exchanged stunned glances – then his mother whispered: "This is impossible... yet Kael's eyes say it's true: he's bonded to you." Kael nodded slowly, voice low and husky: "Yes. The Lunar Shadow's heart... now beats for her alone." My hand still touched his, I felt his heart racing – I looked up at him and asked softly: "Does that mean... you're mine now?"
Kael's eyes burned intensely, his voice barely audible: "Forever mine was impossible... until you. Now, yes – I am utterly yours."His lips brushed against mine softly, sparks flying – his parents whispered in unison: "The bond is sealed... what do you claim as your right, girl – his heart, his power, or his eternity?" My lips still touching Kael's, I whispered: "All three?"
Kael's eyes flashed with delight, his lips curving into a sly smile against mine. His parents bowed their heads slightly, his mother whispering: "The Lunar Shadow's mate has been chosen... by him, and now by her claim."Kael pulled back, eyes burning intensely, voice low and husky: "By our laws, you're now my promised – shall I seal this promise... with a formal kiss, my future wife?" My heart stopped. Wife.
Kael's eyes searched mine, his voice whispering: "Say yes, and Midnight Academy, my family, my heart – everything becomes yours." I swallowed hard, my lips barely moving: "Yes..."Kael's mouth crashed onto mine – passion ignited – until he whispered: "Forever starts now. Will you seal our bond tonight?"