Cora finally stumbled into the clearing, her breath hitching as the oppressive maze seemed to release its hold on her. She clutched the crow tightly, its glossy black feathers shimmering faintly in the light.
Kevin and Amara were waiting near the entrance, their anxious expressions softening the moment they spotted her.
"What took you so long? I almost thought you got lost," Kevin muttered, his concern poorly masked behind an exasperated tone.
Cora offered a wry smile, brushing dirt from her sleeve. "You think I'd let a maze take me out? Please."
She held up the crow, earning a spark of excitement in Amara's dark eyes.
"You actually got it!" Amara exclaimed, reaching for the bird. She barely took a moment to admire it before breaking into a sprint. "Come on, we need to get this to Slayer before anyone else tries to steal it!"
Kevin and Cora didn't need convincing. They exchanged a quick glance and bolted after her, the sound of their hurried footsteps echoing eerily in the twisted corridors of the maze. The path seemed to shift around them, the hedges casting long, claw-like shadows that reached for them as they ran.
The exit was in sight when a sharp voice shattered the air.
"Well, what do we have here?"
A red-haired boy stepped into their path, his golden eyes glinting like molten metal.
Before any of them could react, he grabbed Amara by the collar and slammed her against the thorny hedge wall.
Amara gasped, the air forced from her lungs. "Let go, you bastard!" she spat, struggling against his iron grip.
The situation escalated in an instant. Two more figures emerged from the shadows, their movements swift and coordinated. One shoved Kevin to the ground, pinning him with a knee to his back, while the other seized Cora, twisting her arms behind her as she fought to break free.
"Get your hands off me!" she growled, her voice muffled by the dirt as her face was pressed to the ground.
The red-haired boy sneered, his fangs flashing dangerously as he snatched the crow from Amara's trembling hands. "The audacity to think you could win this," he growled, his voice a low, menacing rumble that made Cora's blood run cold.
His golden gaze swept over Cora and Kevin, lingering on them with a predator's interest. For a fleeting moment, his eyes flickered between crimson and black, his pupils narrowing unnaturally. His tongue darted out to lick his lips, revealing a glint of sharp, almost animalistic fangs before they retracted as swiftly as they'd appeared.
"What—" Cora's voice caught in her throat as he turned and strode away, the crow clutched firmly in his hand. His minions released her and Kevin with a rough shove, and the trio disappeared into the shadows without another word.
Amara groaned as Cora and Kevin scrambled to their feet to help her.
"Are you okay?" Cora asked, steadying her.
Amara winced, rubbing her shoulder. "I'll live. But I swear I'm going to kill him the next time I see him."
"We need to move," Kevin said, his voice tight. He cast a wary glance toward the direction the red-haired boy had gone. "Before someone else shows up."
Together, they limped out of the maze, each step heavy with frustration and lingering fear.
The sound of a bell ringing cut through the air, signaling the end of the search. Slayer stood at the center of the clearing, his grin sharp and calculating as he surveyed the crowd of sweat-drenched students.
"We have our winner," he announced, his voice carrying easily over the murmurs of the group. "Jaffet."
The red-haired boy stepped forward, his smirk practically dripping with arrogance. The crow perched obediently on his shoulder, its beady eyes gleaming with a sinister intelligence.
The announcement was met with groans and curses, particularly from the elites who weren't accustomed to losing.
Cora, Amara, and Kevin lingered near the edge of the group, their gazes fixed on Jaffet with a mix of anger and helplessness.
"That son of a—" Amara began, her fists clenching.
"It's not worth it," Cora interrupted quietly. She held her friend's gaze, her tone firm despite the ache in her arm where she'd fallen.
She glanced down at her elbow, where blood trickled from a gash she hadn't realized she'd sustained. The sting was sharp, but she ignored it, pulling out a handkerchief to press against the wound.
Kevin noticed and frowned. "You're bleeding."
"It's fine," Cora muttered, though her voice lacked conviction.
From the shadows near the treeline, Damien watched her silently. His piercing black eyes narrowed as they fixed on the crimson drops staining her glove.
Who dared to harm his little bird?
Slayer clapped his hands, drawing attention back to him. "That concludes the first phase of the trials! Congratulations to Jaffet for claiming victory." His grin widened, a predator savoring the unease rippling through the students. "But don't get too comfortable. The real challenges are only just beginning."
A murmur of unease spread through the crowd, but Jaffet seemed unfazed. His golden eyes flicked toward Cora, locking onto hers with a smirk that made her stomach churn.
"Let's go," Amara said, breaking the tense silence as she tugged on Cora's sleeve.
They began to walk away, but Cora couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.
Night settled over the campgrounds, the once-bustling site now eerily quiet. Shadows stretched long and dark across the ground as a faint breeze stirred the leaves.
Cora sat on the edge of her cot, her mind replaying the day's events—the maze, Jaffet, the unnerving flicker in his eyes. And then there was Damien.
She glanced at the other bed in the room, empty save for a stray blanket. Amelia had gone to the bathroom a while ago, her absence giving Cora a rare moment of solitude.
A soft creak drew her attention to the window. She turned, her breath catching at the sight of a crow perched on the sill, its black feathers gleaming in the moonlight.
"What—" she whispered, rising cautiously.
Before she could take a step closer, a voice spoke from the shadows, low and commanding.
"Careful, little bird. The game isn't over yet."
Her heart stopped.
Damien stepped out from the darkness, his figure framed by the dim light spilling through the window. His expression was unreadable, but his piercing gaze locked onto hers.
"I told you," he said, his voice a velvet whisper that sent a shiver down her spine. "This is only the beginning."
The room seemed to close in as his presence filled it, and Cora's pulse thundered in her ears. What did he want? Why was he here?
And why, despite the danger radiating from him like a storm, did she feel an undeniable pull toward him?