Chapter 8

Zahra's POV

My alarm blares across the room and I slap it silent. Pain flares under my ribs when I roll. Zanthe is snoring in the back of my mind. She clearly worked through the night, because yesterday I could barely breathe without seeing stars. It’s way better now, but they still need more time.

I throw on a shower cap, since I don’t have time to blow out my hair this morning, then hop into the shower. Hot water wakes my skin. I’m in and out fast, as I did the main wash last night, I towel off, and pad to the mirror. I still don’t own much makeup, so it’s just the basics: a thin line of eyeliner, mascara, a touch of blusher, and a slick of gloss. I study my cheek. Thank the goddess, there’s no trace of the handprint. I don’t even have concealer if there was.

I curl my hair into loose, semi‑bouncy waves. I’ve never managed to recreate the perfect spirals Alice pulled off at the castle, but this is passable. I brush the curls through with my fingers and pin back the two front sections so my face is clear and the rest can fall down my back.

I toss my remaining toiletries and makeup into my case and zip it up. I pull on the navy lace dress and then the brown leather heeled sandals, flinching as I have to bend to buckle them. The dress skims just right; the heels lift my posture and make me feel taller than I am.

It’s too early for breakfast, as the drive will take five hours, and the ceremony starts at ten. I’ve got to be there for nine‑thirty to collect my cap and gown. I wheel my case out, lock my door, and ghost down the quiet corridor. It’s 4.15. I doubt I'll come across anyone this early, and I don’t want to wake anyone up. I settle on the bench by the front doors to wait for the driver collect me.

A figure unfolds from the shadowed armchairs and I flinch as I smell him 

Eli.

“I hope you weren’t going to sneak off without saying goodbye, babe?” His voice is smooth, too smooth, but there’s something behind it now—an echo of cold that wasn’t there before. I stiffen. “It’s early. I didn’t want to wake you. And I thought we said goodbye last night.”

“I’m not seeing you all summer.” He steps closer, mouth tipping. “Don’t you think you owe me the respect of a goodbye kiss?”. His words scrape like ice over my skin, too sharp, too cold. Something about this feels… wrong. I hesitate, we’re alone, and I don’t want him to do anything to me before the ceremony, I’ve never worn this dress before, and I don’t want to risk him ruining it. 

“You look like a frump,” he says, eyes dragging down my body and back up again. The smile that follows isn’t fond—it’s assessing. “Hope you didn’t dress up for anyone else.” His voice slips lower, and for a heartbeat, his pupils flare too wide, shadows swirling in the green.

I exhale, keeping my tone careful. “No one’s going to be there. This is the only dress that still fits me.”

He tilts his head, taking his time looking me over again. “Then burn it when you get back,” he says flatly. “It makes you look cheap.” A pause, then the final twist of the knife: “No guy’s going to look twice at you in that thing anyway.” The words hit harder than I want them to. My chest tightens, heat crawling up my neck. I hate that part of me still checks the mirror, still looks for the flaws he’s already found.

I swallow hard, pressing the air back into my lungs. “It’s just a dress,” I say softly, mostly to myself. But the lie tastes bitter. Before I can answer, his hand clamps around my bicep and yanks me forward something cold rushes under my skin—a sting that burns deeper than bruises. His mouth crashes into mine. His other hand squeezes my side so hard I swear my ribs creak.

I hiss in pain and try to pull back. but before I can the front door opens. and Henry steps in on a gust of early morning air.

Eli’s fingers bite harder into my arm, but he drops the hand on my ribs.

“Instructor Henry,” he says smoothly, like this is normal. “Fancy seeing you here so early.” His eyes glitter, as if last night’s words are suddenly justified. He cuts me a dark glance.

“Cadet Simmons. Zahra.” Henry’s nod takes us both in. His smile is warm, but smaller than usual, and his eyes aren’t missing a thing. I watch them flick to Eli’s grip on my arm and then back to my face. “I came to return your phone, Zahra, and I’m afraid I’m getting a lift with you. Delta Greg and I have some training modifications to discuss, and you had the only car and driver booked. Since you’re going on to Blood Moon this afternoon, I’ll be sharing your ride.”

Relief loosens something between my shoulder blades. Zanthe lifts her head, ears pricked.

“Of course,” I say evenly. “No problem, it’ll be nice to have the company for the long drive.” I keep it polite and try to keep the grimace out of my voice.

Eli’s hand clamps tighter around my arm. This is definitely going to bruise; I’m surprised my fingers aren’t already going blue. He tugs me in again, his fingers digging into my side. I swallow the wince, but out of the corner of my eye I catch Henry’s expression darken.

“Goodbye then, babe. See you in a few months when you’re back here, and I’m at the Task Force,” he says, voice honeyed with something that doesn’t belong to him. For a split second, the whites of his eyes look too dark. He crushes a kiss to my mouth and practically shoves me backward. I’m braced for it, so I don’t stumble. Henry already has my case in his hand, and headlights sweep across the gravel outside.

“Bye, Eli. Have a good summer,” I say, turning away and leading Henry out to the car before he can add anything. I know it’ll piss him off. I also know I won’t see him for months.

Henry holds the door while the driver loads the bags. I slide into the back seat, and pain sparks under my ribs when I twist. I’m pretty sure he cracked them again. Henry’s eyes tick to my face, then to my side, as if he knows. I turn away, busying myself with my seat belt. 

The SUV is roomy. but even so the back feels claustrophobic when Henry gets in beside me, and scans me once more, jaw tight; I can hear his teeth grinding.

I dig in my handbag for my phone, thrilled to finally be able to message Sienna and Abbe, but the screen stays black. Three years in a box will do that. for fuck sake. 

“You look beautiful, Zahra,” Henry says quietly.

I snap my gaze to him. “Thank you?”

He chuckles. “I’ve not really seen you out of uniform or training gear, before. The dress suits you.”

Warmth loosens my shoulders. “I could say the same to you, sir. I’ve never seen you in a suit.”

“Believe me, it’s a rarity. I don’t often have cause to wear one.”

“I wouldn’t have thought meeting with Delta Greg was a suit occasion,” I say, head cocked.

To my surprise, Henry actually blushes. “Well… if I’m honest, that was a little white lie. I am meeting with Greg, but I’m coming with you now because the instructors knew you didn’t expect anyone to come to your graduation, and we all agreed you shouldn’t go alone.” He looks down at his hands. “You deserve to have Someone there with you.”

I’m stunned. I like all my instructors, but I never thought any of them would do something like this for me.

“And what, you pulled the short straw?” I joke, trying to brush off the mood.

“Something like that,” he says, eyes twinkling.

Then his face goes stern again. “Has Cadet Simmons applied to the Task Force?”

The question jolts me, my gut twisting painful at the mention of Eli.  “Yes. He’s waiting to hear back any day. He’s not exactly thrilled I’ve been invited on that course before I’ve even applied, and he still hasn’t heard back yet.”

Henry nods and pulls out his phone. His thumbs move fast over the screen while I settle back into my seat for the long drive. Outside, the trees tilt and slide away as we leave Night Howlers behind.