Kairos’s POVI arrived at the dorm in silence, with only the slight hum of the building to be heard as I pushed open the door. I expected Darian to be waiting, but as our eyes locked, his anxious expression crushed me. His face was blue as he jumped up and rushed to me. He didn't have contacts on, and the gold glow in his eyes made me feel even worse. I hated myself for making him worry."Where were you?” The words spilled out before I could close the door behind me. "I was worried sick, Kairos. What’s going on with you?” he added, and I raised my hand, trying to calm him, though the effort felt feeble. "Sit down, Darian," I asked softly. "I need to speak to you." He paused for a moment, his mouth opening to say something, but he held back the words and did what I asked, his gaze never leaving mine. Inhaling deeply, I sat across from him, struggling to maintain eye contact.I had practiced this moment from the beach. I’d told myself over and over how I would start to explain, how to
Lux’s POVThe air was thick with excitement as Lake turned to face me, his eyes sparkling with anticipation. "Are you ready to go?" he asked, and I nodded, grabbing my crossbody bag and looking in the mirror one last time. "Ready." The hum of the city was subtle as we ventured out into the cool evening. Alec had offered to pick us up, but we opted for an Uber instead. When we arrived at the curb, the car was already waiting, its black exterior gleaming beneath the dorm lights. We slid inside, and as we drove away, I noticed the driver taking a different route than we had taken to get in. The dormitory buildings on this side were even more impressive, and the sheer size of the campus hit me again.“When we thought this place was big,” I murmured to Lake. “We had no idea.” And he agreed, fixing his gaze out the window. “It’s massive.” The car pulled out of the institution's gates, and we were treated to another glimpse of Silverglade. My eyes widened in wonder, just as they had on
Lux’s POVOlivia's face lit up with a not-so-shy smile as she hurried over to Becca, pulling her into an enthusiastic hug, and I stared at them, trying to reconcile the timid girl I had met earlier with the one now standing in front of me in a dress so short it was practically a top.She chuckled as they pulled away from the hug, her confidence shining through as she and Becca chatted excitedly. And I couldn’t look away. This Olivia was nothing like the one who had quietly chatted with Lake back on campus. Her once shy demeanor had transformed into something completely different, and it made me feel even more uneasy.“What are you looking at?” Lake's voice jolted me out of my trance, and I turned to see him looking at me curiously before following my gaze to Olivia. His brows rose in recognition.“I thought she was supposed to be shy or something?” I said, still in disbelief, and Lake looked back at her and then at me, a knowing look spreading across his face. He reached out and put a
Lake’s POVReed's voice boomed over the music, cutting through the chatter to get our attention. “Alright, people! It’s game time!” Cheers erupted throughout the room as he stood on one of the sofas, waving his hands dramatically in the air.He started going through all the activities they had lined up, and we were all totally on board since morning felt like ages away. “Alright, we’re kicking things off with a drinking game,” he said, gesturing toward the long table in the center of the room. “We need everyone around the table. Pick your squad and let the shenanigans begin!”We all waddled over to the table, the atmosphere crackling with giggles and the occasional splash of drinks flying about like confetti. Lux and I took our places at one end, and I did my best to pretend the tightness in my chest was just my lunch making a comeback when I spotted Kairos hanging out at the back of the room, the girl next to him playing tug-of-war with his arm. She was all grins and chuckles as she
Lux’s POVThe surrounding crowd was wild, a swirling storm of cheers and hollers, with enough energy to make you feel drunk without even touching a drink. They were losing it, shouting encouragement and hyping up the group, completely unaware of the storm brewing within me.I couldn't take my eyes off the scene in front of me. Olivia sat on Lake's lap, grinding her hips as if she were trying to set the room on fire. Her face was inches from his, their lips almost touching as his hands moved up and down her waist, guiding her movements as if they were perfectly in sync. They seemed to have forgotten there was an entire room full of people watching, and my lips parted, hanging open as I stared.I had never seen him so invested in a girl—so intense. And it wasn’t just the physicality—the way his hands moved or the way her body curled into his—but the focus—the way he seemed lost in her. I despised it, and a dark wave of possessiveness surged through me before I could control it. I want
Third Person's POV Three Minutes Earlier Kairos’s gaze burned into the scene unfolding before him, each second a fresh twist to his chest as the heat of jealousy surged through him, maddening and stifling. Every movement of Lake's hands on Olivia, her hips grinding against him, her face so close to his set Kairos' blood on fire, and merfolk blood rarely ran hot. He wanted to storm over there, yank Lake from her grip, and remind him who he belonged to. He wanted to shout it, tell everyone, and claim what was rightfully his with every ounce of power the ocean had given him. "Mine!" The word rang so loudly in his head that he could not figure out why no one else seemed to hear it, why Lake did not notice and see what he was doing to him. He had no right to let anyone else touch him like that, and no land maiden had the right to try. Merfolk didn’t sweat like humans did. Their cooler body temperature regulated such things, and only when dehydrated did they begin to show signs—a f
Third Person’s POVReed and Darian dashed onto the balcony, coming to a halt abruptly as their gazes fell on Lake's twisted body lying against the wall. Their gaze shifted to Kairos, who stood motionless for a heartbeat before collapsing to the ground. The sight of Kairos' face, marred by dark, pulsating veins and feral golden eyes, shocked both men, and neither spoke, too stunned and horrified to process what had just happened.Reed recovered first, his instincts honed over years of training kicking in. "Darian, help me," he exclaimed, rushing to close the balcony door that separated them from the chaos of the party below. He flipped the lock with quick movements and turned back to Kairos, who was now in Darian's arms. Crouching down, they both examined his shallow breathing, and Darian's mind raced with anxiety as he looked up at Reed. "Which way to the car?" he asked urgently, but Reed had a different idea.“We can’t take him back to the dorms. It’s too far, and if someone sees h
Lux’s POVThe Dance Continued Inside Alec’s knees nudged against mine as he crouched down, getting so close that I could feel the warmth coming off him. My breath caught as he lifted his legs to straddle mine, his hands sliding down to grip my thighs firmly. With each roll of his hips, he held me captive as he pushed toward me with fluid movements. My skin burned everywhere he held me, and my arms prickled with goosebumps as my whole body trembled from his fiery touch. I clenched my fists, attempting to compose myself, but it was ineffective. I was completely at his mercy.Just when I thought I couldn’t handle it anymore, that the tension between us was about to overwhelm me, Alec pulled back. My heart stopped for a moment, then started racing as he ran his hands up and down his chest, pausing at his waistband before boldly grabbing himself. The man was blessed, and I couldn’t look anymore. My face felt on fire, and I squeezed my eyes shut."Look at me," he said, his voice cutting t
Third-Party POVLux was still frozen in the crashing waves, staring at the impossible vision in front of her, when the world was suddenly swallowed up in darkness again.The lightning was gone and Kairos, or whatever version of Kairos she had seen, vanished into the black. That was when the terror truly sank in.Her breath hitched and caught in her throat. The image of Kairos, the one with the tail suspended in the storm, burned itself into her memory like a curse. She had no idea what she had seen, but she knew one thing for certain: she needed to get out of there.Her feet pivoted before her mind could and sand kicked up behind her as she sprinted away from the shore, wild and ungraceful. Her knees buckled once, but she caught herself scrambling forward in the pitch black.The water's roar faded behind her, and her own ragged breaths became quiet, leaving only the pounding of her heart, which thrashed in her chest as if trying to claw its way out.A voice screamed in her head, "Run!
Lake's POVI watched Darian as he directed the car to pull over to the side of the road, his movements remaining eerily calm. My hands clenched in my lap as he stepped out and shut the door without saying anything, and I leaned forward, looking around for Kairos.But it was not just dark, but pitch black. There were no lights along this stretch of the beach, and no signs of life either. The only thing I could see was the ocean ahead, and the sound of it crashing and churning filled my ears, becoming louder with each passing second.I stared out, my heart racing, as Darian began walking down to the water, his steps unhurried. Pushing the door open, I stepped outside, my feet crunching into the sand as I took a step forward, but then I came to a halt.My legs would not allow me to move. "Is he over there?" I called out, pointing ahead into the darkness, hoping, needing Darian to say something that would calm my racing nerves and give me the courage to continue, and he stopped."Yes," he
Kairos's POVI lost all sense of reason and direction as Lake's phone rang and rang without an answer, and I removed my phone from my ear, checked the screen as if that would change anything before hitting redial. However, there was still nothing."Come on, come on," I muttered, pacing in a circle before coming to a complete stop. I couldn’t find my car keys. My heart slammed so hard it hurt as if it was trying to punch its way out of my chest, as I ran back to Darian's side of the dorm, still calling Lake as the phone rang again.The door was still ajar from before, and I saw his car keys immediately as I stumbled in and I snatched them without a moment’s pause. I had no shoes on. Just my pajama bottoms, but I didn’t care.My mind was too loud, my thoughts too jumbled, and I did not even try to hide my superhuman speed as I leaped down the staircase. There was no time to run like a human now. "Please help me," I begged any power that would listen, switching back to calling Darian as
Lux's POVThe cool air forced me to pull my robe tighter around me as I went outside. Reed's car was parked right in front of the building, just as he had said. He stepped out as soon as I appeared, and our gazes met in the orange glow of the streetlamp.He smiled, and I found myself returning it instinctively as we walked toward each other. Meeting halfway, we shared a quick hug."Sorry for bothering you so late," he said, pulling back.“It’s not a bother,” I quickly replied. “If it was, I wouldn’t be out here.” My voice came out sharper than I expected, but that was not the only thing that surprised me. The statement also surprised me, and I wondered if I was telling him or myself. He didn't seem to mind it, though, as he opened the car door for me. I slid inside, adjusting my robe and tucking my slippers under the seat.He took his seat on the driver's side. "So, did everything go well with what you needed to do earlier?" I asked, hoping to quickly relieve the tension that only I c
Lake's POVLux yawned softly and stretched her arms above her head before suggesting we call it a night. I glanced at the clock and realized how late it had become. I had finished my meal a while ago, and for the past hour, we had been sitting in the kitchen, talking about everything and nothing.I didn't think I had the energy to discuss what happened between me and Kairos. But despite my best efforts to avoid it, it came up, and I told Lux what had happened, how I wanted to talk to Kairos, what we said, and how we decided to be friends.She asked if it was not better to cut ties and avoid each other rather than hang out. But I told her that we would make it work.Lux did not press it; she was dealing with her own issues, such as Alec. The way he treated her still irritated me, and I didn't want to break my promise to Lux, but I was not going to let it slide. I planned to see my cousin first thing in the morning and talk to him.Getting up, I took my plate and mug to the sink for a q
Third-Party POV "I'm stupid for being heartbroken," Lux said. And Lake froze before the eggs in the pan sizzled and popped forgotten. He walked around the counter and wrapped his arms around Lux, engulfing her in a firm, protective hug that she fell into. Something twisted deep inside his chest. He was familiar with Alec and his friends' operations, having heard their stories when Alec returned home during breaks, the bravado, the casual bragging, the way girls were reduced to themes and moments. But he had hoped Alec would not pull such a stunt with Lux, knowing how much Lake cared for her. Lake's jaw tightened, and Lux gently drew back, just enough to look up at him, as she told him everything that had happened, including how Alec behaved as if he had never seen her before, how it broke her heart, and finally about Charlotte. She told Lake everything Charlotte said about Alec and his friends. But she paused as Lake's face turned red, and his eyes hardened with each word she s
Lux's POVReed looked at me as he ended the call, his expression changing to apologetic in a matter of seconds. “Hey, I'm really sorry… I need to go somewhere. Right now.”“It’s okay. I understand.”"I promise to make it up to you," he said quickly, and I nodded again, smiling slightly. One of the guys nearby must have overheard and chimed in, "She could hang with us; I will drop her off later—""–Absolutely not," Reed interrupted before the guy could finish, giving him one of those long, knowing stares that made me look between them both.Charlotte's words returned to my mind. They are all players. I shook the thought away as he gently touched my arm and motioned for us to leave. We turned and walked away, back towards his car. I could sense the tension in the air, as if he was half in his head and half trying to hold it together.“I really am sorry,” he said again as we reached the car. “It’s fine,” I replied. I was actually getting into the racing thing, but whatever was pulling hi
Lux's POVThe ride through Silverglade was breathtaking. After leaving the stadium and the chaos behind us, Reed suggested we stop for ice cream, which we did. There was this cute little roadside stand with the aroma of sugar and waffle cones dancing in the air. He chose mint chocolate chips, while I went with salted caramel.We talked as we drove, and the blur of streetlights and people faded, leaving only the quiet edges of town. Silverglade looked stunning in the evening light. And I stared out the window, watching everything pass by.Reed followed a winding road up a hill surrounded by trees that arched slightly over the road. The way the light hit them made them appear almost enchanted, and I pointed out the trees with curiosity. “What kind are those?” I asked, leaning forward to take in the long trunks and far-reaching branches.“Those..” he said, his eyes flicking between the road and me. “Jacarandas. You’ll see them bloom soon, purple flowers everywhere. My father refers to th
Lux's POVI took a step back and narrowed my eyes at the girl, trying to make sense of what was going on. "Excuse me?" I asked firmly, while the voice inside me snapped at the audacity. Whatever was or was not going on between me and Reed was none of this girl's damn business.Who even was she?The girl blinked like she’d only just realized how far she’d gone, and her expression softened slightly as she ran a hand through her tangled curls.“I’m Charlotte,” she said, sticking out her hand like that would fix the weird vibe she’d just dropped into my lap. I didn’t take the hand; I didn’t know where that had been. Furthermore, I did not go around shaking strangers' hands.Withdrawing her hand awkwardly, she sniffled, her eyes darting around as if she was trying to gather herself, and I watched her fingers tremble as they swept through her hair again, confirming what I had already suspected—she was on something.“I didn’t mean to come off rude,” she went on. "I just—I saw you and Reed ou