JAXONThey are kissing.I clenched the arm of my chair, my nails digging into the leather as I stared at them. I should have left long ago when her name came up. I should have known such a thing would happen!But then, Ivy wasn't as predictable as I had thought. I had assumed she was an airhead, and there was always a pattern she followed. I thought she was going to walk away after a draw was fucking declared, but no…I expelled a breath through my nose, hissing.She allowed the kiss.My narrowed as Elijah broke it, pressing his head to hers. I tried to listen to what he was about to say, but Grace pulled me out of my thoughts.Why the fuck was she even here? I wanted to bark at her, but then, she was my fiancée. That wouldn't put me in a good light.“Poor girl,” Grace murmured. Even as she was sitting next to me, she clasped her hand around one of the poles in front of us.“What do you mean by that?” I asked. I turned my attention away from her to stare back at Elijah and Ivy, but the
RACHELI tried not to wince and flinch as I watched the fight between Clara and Brooke. With every punch, I heard the sickening crushing of bones and the blood that was now evident on both their busted lips.Both were great fighters and went all out to make their houses emerge as the winner in the end.Also, I was stunned by Clara because I never thought she'd be able to face off against Brooke that smoothly. I guessed I was the only one who was weak here. That was the reason Brooke had easily beaten me.At the end, I was right about Brooke coming out victorious.“And the winner is Brooke Maddox of Ferales' house. 20 points!”The crowd roared. I grimaced, plugging my ears at the loud noise. Brooke punched the air, her lips curved up in a wicked smile.“Better luck next time, bitch.” She said to Clara.I heaved a breath, staring at Clara as her head was bent while Brooke mocked her. As soon as Brooke left, she stood to her feet as well, leaving the arena.“How did I do?” Brooke asked m
RACHELIt was 3 pm when I went to the arena. The sun was down and there was a hint of grey clouds in the sky.There were many students in the area, which was big enough to accommodate such a large number of students. Besides, five people were chosen from each house to represent them.Brooke, Rose, Olive, Octavio, and I were the people who'd be taking part in the game from Ferales' house. I didn't want to be here, but I had no choice.Also, the first game to start the event was meant to be a showdown of strength and ability. I couldn't see myself winning, and hopefully I wouldn't be picked.“Are you nervous?” Brooke questioned as she leaned into me. She played with the pom pom in her hand, twisting and pulling it.Then her eyes flickered to mine, and she smiled. “Well, I am somewhat nervous.”“Why?” I frowned.Brooke shrugged, letting out a deep breath. “I learnt this year would be much more brutal than last year. Even if you manage to succeed in the arena by beating your opponent, wha
RACHELTurning the corner to Professor Jaxon's office. I saw the office and barely had taken two steps towards it when I was yanked backward.I opened my mouth to scream when I saw who it was as I was spun around.“Elijah!” I exclaimed, eyeing him.He had cleaned up nicely. Earlier, he looked like someone who had a heavy weight on his shoulder, his appearance unkempt, and his hair had grown longer and unruly. I had even spotted a beard on his face for the first time.But now, he looked great. As handsome as ever, he sported a slightly shaved hairdo and beard, wearing a short-sleeve blue plaid dress shirt and black jeans.“What are you doing here?” I asked him, my eyes darting around the hallway.Although this building wasn't like the Umbra, where males weren't allowed, it wasn't a good idea for someone who wasn't part of the house to be in here. I may be wrong. But I believed Brooke had brought in Kevin, and no one had said anything about it.“To make sure you don't die on me,” he mur
RACHELI was in a foul mood. Anyone would notice that. I had purposely kept my distance from everyone in the room, sitting far away from everyone else, and my mind barely on what was being said.My thoughts kept wandering to what Elijah said—mostly his last words.How the hell was he protecting me when it just felt like he was restraining me? Keeping quiet wasn't protection. It had never been in any way!The thought made me even angrier than I was, and I couldn't prevent the burning rage that quickly enveloped me. My hands were folded on my thigh, and I trembled slightly.“Ivy?”I looked up as my name was called. Everyone's eyes were on me in the room. Rose was in front of me, and I hadn't noticed her.“What?” I asked.“I called your name several times,” she answered. “Are you alright?”Her voice was etched with concern. “Are you feeling unwell?”I shook my head, trying to muster a smile. I locked gaze with Professor Jaxon, who leaned casually on the wall near the door, watching all t
RACHELI woke up, touching the side of the bed Elijah should have slept in. It was cold to my touch. I looked at the sofa, but there was no sign that he had slept there either.I sighed, sitting up on the bed, ignoring the buzzing of my device on the nightstand. I didn't need to look at it to know what the buzzing meant.Today was the inter-house competition. Headmaster Augustus had chosen today since he wanted it to be done before Halloween. Also, he said there was a change of date for the inter-academy competition.I didn't mind any of the dates; in fact, I wasn't thinking of the date or the competition, which was said always to be brutal. All my focus was on Elijah.For two days, he had met with Grace, and he had been weirdly aloof. He wouldn't engage with me as he usually did, and most times ignored me.I had tried to sit back and think about what I could have possibly done wrong to warrant such coldness from him, but I couldn't come up with anything. That made living even more un