All Chapters of Eclipse Academy: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

Silas’s POVThe suite door clicked shut behind Xavier and Steph, and for several long seconds, I didn’t move. My hand still rested on the doorknob while I listened to their footsteps disappear down the hallway. Somewhere beyond the academy walls, parents were already arriving, suitcases were being loaded into cars, and students who’d spent months counting down to break were finally going home.“Take care of our girl.” Xavier hadn’t hesitated when he’d said it. He hadn’t looked at me like a rival. He’d looked at me like someone he trusted.A slow smile tugged at the corner of my mouth before I finally turned around. Angela had wandered into the sitting room without a word. She stood near the large window, watching the courtyard below. Students hurried across the sidewalks carrying duffel bags over their shoulders while others laughed with friends they hadn’t seen since arriving at the academy months ago. Parents wrapped their children in hugs, loading trunks with enough luggage to last

Angela’s POV Silas… The name was a whisper in my mind as I surfaced from the depths of sleep. I turned my head, seeking the solid warmth that had been there when I’d drifted off, my hand reaching out across the mattress. It was… Empty. The space beside me was cool, the blanket thrown back in a messy heap. A faint, lingering trace of his scent clung to the sheets. A smile touched my lips. He couldn’t have been gone long. Another chime sounded from the nightstand. Lifting my phone, I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face when Xavier’s name appeared. The screen glowed with his message. Xavier: Happy Birthday, Princess. I’m still mad you kept this from us. Don’t make me come back there and punish you. 😉 Ps. I definitely won’t forget your birthday smacks. A laugh escaped me, loud and unbidden in the quiet room. Heat crept into my cheeks as I reread his words, a perfect blend of possessive threat and playful charm. My face was probably bright red, a ridiculous reaction c

Silas’s POV The first thing I noticed was the warmth that was missing from beside me. My eyes remained closed for another moment as I reached across the bed, expecting to find Angela curled against my side the way she’d fallen asleep the night before. Instead, my hand met an empty blanket. I frowned slightly before opening my eyes. Morning sunlight spilled through the curtains, bathing the suite in a soft golden glow. The bedroom door stood partially open, and from somewhere beyond it came the faint clatter of a mixing bowl followed by a quiet mutter. “No… that’s not right.” I smiled to myself. Curious, I climbed out of bed and quietly made my way toward the kitchen. The sight waiting for me stopped me in the doorway. Angela stood with her back to me, completely focused on the counter in front of her. She wore one of my oversized T-shirts with an apron tied around her waist. A light dusting of flour covered the front of the shirt, while a tiny streak of white icing rested against

Xavier’s POV I stood outside the suite door for a moment, my hand resting against the strap of my duffel bag. I hadn’t planned any of this. When I’d left my Territory yesterday, I’d only been thinking about getting away. I hadn’t cared where I stopped or how long the drive took. I’d slept for a few hours at a roadside motel, started driving again before sunrise, and before I knew it, the academy gates were in front of me. Somehow… I’d ended up exactly where I wanted to be. Home. Taking a slow breath, I lifted my hand and knocked. Footsteps hurried toward the door. The handle turned. The instant the door swung open, bright green eyes met mine. Angela froze. “Xavier?” For one moment she simply stared. Then she squealed. She threw herself at me so fast I barely had time to brace myself before catching her. A laugh escaped me as I wrapped my arms around her waist. “Easy, Princess.” “I can’t believe you’re here!” She squeezed me so tightly I wondered if she planned on letting go any

Angela’s POV I couldn’t believe what I’d just heard. For a moment, the words refused to make sense. ‘Archivist Aldren passed away years ago.’ It felt as though someone had reached into my chest and pulled every ounce of hope right out of it. We’d finally found a lead. It was our first real lead. And just like that… it was gone. Beside me, Xavier let out a slow breath while Silas lowered his gaze to the floor. Nobody spoke. What was there to say? I swallowed the lump forming in my throat and forced a small smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “I guess…” I whispered. “We were too late.” I turned, ready to leave. “Miss?” The librarian’s gentle voice stopped me before I’d taken more than two steps. I looked back over my shoulder. She offered me an apologetic smile. “I wasn’t finished.” Heat crept into my cheeks. “Oh…” She stepped around the front desk, folding her hands neatly in front of her as she approached us. “When Archivist Aldren passed away, his family donated his life’s work t