Ava pressed her hand against the cold stone wall, steadying herself as her heart raced. Footsteps echoed in the empty corridor, getting closer. Her eyes darted to the corner where Damon had vanished moments ago. She couldn't follow him—not with Selene's piercing glare still burning into her memory.
The footsteps stopped.
"You're out late, Montclair," Lucas said, his voice smooth but laced with amusement.
Ava turned slowly, masking her unease. "I could say the same about you."
He stepped closer, the dim light catching the sharp curve of his jaw. "I was curious. It's not every day I see someone sneaking into places they don't belong." His eyes flicked to the wall she'd been leaning against, and a small smirk tugged at his lips. "What were you looking for?"
She didn't answer, her thoughts racing. The last thing she needed was Lucas meddling, especially after what Damon had told her about Nathaniel's scheming.
He took another step forward. "You know, secrets don't stay hidden for long here. You should be careful who you trust."
Ava folded her arms, tilting her head. "Is that advice or a threat?"
Lucas chuckled, the sound low and mocking. "Just a friendly observation."
"Funny," she shot back. "I didn't think you had any friends."
For a moment, something flickered in his eyes, a shadow of pain, but it was gone as quickly as it came. He stepped back, gesturing to the hallway behind her. "If you're smart, you'll walk away now. Some doors shouldn't be opened."
She didn't move, her instincts screaming that Lucas knew more than he let on. Before she could push further, the faint sound of voices reached them. Lucas's expression darkened.
"Go," he muttered, his tone sharp.
Ava hesitated, but the urgency in his eyes left no room for argument. She slipped into the shadows, her footsteps silent as she moved toward the back staircase.
The voices grew louder as she descended. Damon and Orion. Their conversation was heated, the words carrying through the stone walls.
"You should have told me sooner," Damon snapped.
"And risk the entire academy falling apart?" Orion's voice was calm but firm. "You know what's at stake."
"You're risking Ava's life!" Damon growled, his protective fury unmistakable.
Ava froze on the staircase, her breath hitching. She leaned closer, her heart pounding.
"She has to know the truth," Damon continued. "If Nathaniel finds out before she does—"
"She's not ready," Orion interrupted. "You've seen what she can do, but she doesn't understand it yet. If we push her too soon, we'll lose her."
Ava clenched her fists, her nails biting into her palms. What didn't she understand? What were they hiding from her?
Suddenly, a cold hand gripped her wrist. She spun around, stifling a gasp as Selene's icy blue eyes locked onto hers.
"Eavesdropping, are we?" Selene whispered, her voice dripping with malice.
Ava yanked her arm away, narrowing her eyes. "You're one to talk."
Selene's lips curled into a smirk. "Careful, Montclair. You're playing a dangerous game."
Ava stepped forward, her voice low and steady. "Maybe I am, but I'm not the only one with secrets."
For a moment, Selene faltered, her confident façade cracking. Then, with a huff, she turned and stalked away, her heels clicking against the stone floor.
Ava leaned against the wall, her chest heaving. She needed answers, and she needed them now.
***
The next morning, the tension in the dining hall was palpable. Whispers followed Ava as she walked past the tables, her head held high despite the weight of the previous night. Damon sat alone at the far end, his expression unreadable. Lucas was nowhere to be seen.
Lila slid into the seat beside Ava, her brow furrowed. "You look like you didn't sleep."
"I didn't," Ava admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lila glanced around, her voice dropping. "Did you find out anything?"
"Not enough." Ava's eyes flicked to Damon, who was now watching her with a gaze that sent shivers down her spine. "But something's happening, and they're keeping me in the dark."
Lila hesitated, her fingers twisting a strand of her auburn hair. "Ava, maybe it's better if you don't know. Whatever this is…it's dangerous."
"Exactly," Ava said, her voice firm. "And that's why I need to figure it out."
Before Lila could respond, a loud crash echoed through the hall. Everyone turned as Nathaniel strode in, flanked by two of his enforcers. His presence was a storm, commanding and suffocating.
He stopped in front of Damon's table, his voice ringing out. "Brother, we need to talk."
Damon stood slowly, his movements deliberate. The room fell silent, the tension thick enough to cut.
Nathaniel's gaze shifted to Ava, a cruel smile spreading across his face. "And bring your little friend. I think she'll want to hear this too."
Ava's stomach dropped, but she didn't flinch. She met Nathaniel's gaze head-on, refusing to show fear.
As Damon walked past her, he murmured, "Stay close."
Ava followed, her heart pounding as they left the hall. Whatever was coming, she knew it would change everything.
Nathaniel led them to a locked chamber deep beneath the academy. He turned to Damon, his smile fading into something colder, more calculating.
"It's time she learns the truth," Nathaniel said, his eyes gleaming with malice.
Damon's jaw tightened. "This isn't your call."
Nathaniel stepped aside, revealing a hidden door. "Isn't it? After all, you've been hiding this from her for far too long."
Ava stared at the door, dread pooling in her stomach. "What's in there?" she asked, her voice barely audible.
Nathaniel's smile returned, sharp as a blade. "Why don't you find out?"