HIS POSSESSION

CHAPTER FOUR: Shadow of is attention

The next morning, the whole academy seemed to know what had happened the night before.

Whispers followed Isla through the corridors like smoke.

“Drake stepped in for her.”

“She’s his new project.”

“She’s lucky she’s still here.”

She kept her head down, pretending not to hear, but every word stung.

When she reached her locker, a folded note slipped out.

Stay in the west hall today. –L

She stared at the initials, heart racing. How did he even know which classes she had?

Still, she listened — and when she passed the east hall later, she saw a crowd gathered around. Someone’s bag had been slashed open, books scattered. Her bag looked exactly the same as that student’s.

She shivered. Coincidence… or warning?

---

Lucien didn’t approach her again until the weekend. He found her in the library, her usual spot by the tall window, sunlight spilling over her notebooks.

“You listen well,” he said, dropping into the seat across from her.

“I don’t take orders,” she said, not looking up.

“You just follow them out of instinct?”

She sighed. “What do you want, Lucien?”

He leaned back, eyes half-lidded. “To understand why you interest me.”

“I’m not a puzzle.”

“You are.” His voice lowered. “Everyone here pretends. You don’t. You make me wonder if I’ve spent my whole life surrounded by glass instead of people.”

She looked up, surprised by the honesty in his tone. For a moment, the arrogance was gone.

“Maybe you should stop breaking things to see what they’re made of,” she said softly.

His mouth curved. “Careful, scholarship girl. You’re starting to sound brave.”

He stood and walked away, leaving her flushed and confused.

---

Over the next days, small things kept happening.

Someone who mocked her in class was suddenly transferred to another section. The cafeteria staff began saving her a seat in the quieter corner. Her missing assignments reappeared, marked submitted on time.

Lucien never mentioned any of it. But every time she saw him, his eyes held the same silent message:

I’m watching. You’re safe.

And she didn’t know whether to feel protected… or trapped.