07

ELARA

No.

Not that story.

Not here.

My eyes were still wide in horror. I’ve heard that story countlessly. It had been a myth. A legend. Something I had always frowned upon when my general used it as a bonfire story everytime we had fresh meat soldiers.

The tea scorched my tongue but I kept drinking.

Damon didn’t utter a word as I drank the tea in a gulp. He simply patted my hands the moment I finished and then stood up.

“You’re rattled. Try to get your neck checked.” He pointed to my neck and without waiting for a reply, walked away.

My mind spiraled . How was it possible?

Suddenly, realization dawned on me.

Of course he knew. I had been sloppy. Too much bloodrage in the fight. It must have been a harsh reminder.

Kael saw it. He always sees too much.

A part of me felt bad for him. Another part refused to believe the story. I grew up with the generals, the soldiers. I had fought with them.

We would never attack another unless provoked. Something wasn’t adding up. Even when my general told the story, he didn’t say it like it had been an achievement. None of the old soldiers did.

Under much different circumstances, it was possible that I would have investigated but this was not my territory. The circumstances are not friendly.

I had to drop it if I wanted to live but most importantly, I had gotten sloppy.

What had I been thinking using blood rage’s signature fighting style in the first place? Kael wasn’t dumb, I should have remembered that sooner.

If this night taught me anything then it was that I could easily cease to exist and Kael was a very big problem.

I dropped the mug on the floor and stood to my feet, my hands still sliding to my neck.

I had to be careful or else there would be no next time.

I needed heat. Water or steam to burn this shame off.

I first glanced at the clock that sat on my drawer. Good. Everyone was at the mess hall. Carefully, I peeled my clothes from my body, the tape around my chest reflecting the moonlight for a minute before I wore the biggest hoodie I could find along with sweatpants.

I had to hurry. Dinner time was nearly over.

I reached the stalls and cursed.

Shit.

I turned, contemplating going back but deciding against it. I could do without the towel.

I just had to be fast. I unwrapped my body, letting the hot water from the shower heads run over my body.

My hands reached for the soap to form a lather and I started to scrub. My skin turned sore. I wanted to erase him.

My mother’s emblem necklace bounced against my chest and breasts as I moved quickly.

As the water touched my skin, a small moan left my lips.

I reached for the soap again to lather one more time when my blood froze in my veins.

The entrance doors clamped shut, the key turned.

“Anyone…here?” Nyx’s rasp cracked through the silence. My hands moved steadily towards the shower head and I slowly turned it off.

My heart was racing. My eyes flickered towards where I had hung my hoodie and sweatpants. Slowly, I crept towards the hanger.

My hands had barely grazed the clothing when it was snatched from the other side.

I gasped in horror and without thinking quickly bolted the door to my stall.

A harsh chuckle escaped his lips and fury boiled in my guts. What the actual fuck was he doing here!?

“What the fuck are you doing, Nyx?” I hissed but Nyx stepped away from the stall. I heard him throw my clothes into the bathroom sink. Water suddenly began to run and my mind shattered into chaos.

What the hell was he doing!?

“Do you know how it feels?” He suddenly asked but my brows had scrunched up in annoyance.

“To be humiliated by an undefeated?” He inquired and I threw my hands in the air.

Was that what this was fucking about!?

The fight that Kael made him swap out of?

“Cry to Kael, Nyx. Not me.” I spat but he scoffed.

“You know what I think?” He asked

“I don’t care what you think Nyx,” I answered

“I think, you sucked Kael’s dick long enough for him to let you win. Kael has been undefeated since the beginning of this school.” His voice took on a menacing tone and I scrunched my face in disgust.

“Sounds like you fancied his dick more than me yet you’re the one whining like a little bitch. You’re not the one who even lost” Then I scoffed “ or is this your own way of looking for the right time to suck his dick?” I asked and he grunted.

“Maybe I ought to teach you more than just a lesson” he suddenly said.

“Why don’t you come out?” His voice like poisoned honey.

“Let’s settle this man to man,” he said, his voice raising an octave.

“More like man to child,” I whispered and he snarled.

“Come out! Right fucking now or I swear to the gooddess!” He shrieked.

Men and their bruised stupid egos.

“I’m not coming out Nyx and you know what you’re going to do? You’re going to return my clothes and I’m going to forget that this ever happened,” I said even though my breathing was erratic.

A long pause followed and just as I thought he finally gained a few inches of wisdom, a sudden heavy thud banged against the stall door.

“The fuck!?” I shrieked in panic and shock.

Another crash. This time louder and closer. The door trembled heavily.

“What are you doing!?” I screamed as the last thud followed.

Nyx started to laugh manically and that’s when I realized what he was doing.

He was trying to kick down my door.

And I was naked.

Fuck!