Aria's POV
The hallways of Blackwood Academy were quieter than usual. Too quiet.
I hugged my books tighter, trying to ignore the feeling that someone was watching me.
And then I saw him. Kael.
He was leaning against the wall at the far end of the corridor, arms crossed, eyes sharp. He didn't smile—he never did—but the way he looked at me made my stomach tighten. I didn't like it. I refused to.
"Kael," I said cautiously. "What are you doing here?"
He stepped forward, slow, deliberate, like a predator circling. "Watching you," he said, his voice flat.
I bristled. "Why? Am I supposed to be scared?"
"You should be," he muttered. Then his eyes flicked down the hallway. "Stay close."
"Excuse me?"
Before I could argue, a shadow shifted in the corridor behind him, dark and fast. My heart nearly stopped.
Kael didn't hesitate. He grabbed my wrist and yanked me into a side hallway. His grip was firm, unyielding—annoyingly protective.
"Let go!" I hissed.
"No," he snapped, not loosening his hold. "Move."
I glared at him, my pulse racing. "You're impossible."
He gave a small, almost imperceptible smirk. "I know."
Somewhere in the school, footsteps echoed. Fast. Silent. Threatening.
I wanted to pull away, but the warmth of his hand on mine—the strength behind it—made me hesitate. He wasn't letting me go, and suddenly… I didn't want him to.
"Who are you protecting me from?" I asked, voice barely above a whisper.
"That's none of your concern," Kael said, eyes darting to the shadows. "Just trust me. For once."
I hated trusting him. But… I might have been starting to like it.