CHAPTER 24
1136 Words
ADINNA’S POV
For once, I wake up with a plan to avoid Jace, Dean and drama. I’m done being the helpless one. If this school wants to keep pushing, I’ll push harder.
The training yard is cold that morning and there’s mist curling around the tall walls. The air smells like sweat and steel. I throw myself into every drill and strike, until my muscles burn and my lungs ache. Every punch feels like I’m driving it through every insult, every cruel laugh and every stupid power game that this place has thrown at me.
When the instructor calls for sparring partners, I don’t hesitate to step into the ring before anyone can volunteer me for another humiliation.
My first opponent lunges, but he’s too slow. I sidestep, twist, and use his momentum to flip him flat on his back. Gasps ripple through the crowd.
Someone mutters, “Damn, I didn’t know she could fight like that.”
I barely hear them. My blood is pounding, wild and alive.
By the time the class ends, all eyebrows are raised, the instructor included. “Impressive work, Adinna,” he says as he scribbles something on his clipboard. “Looks like someone finally found her edge.”
I don’t smile, but inside, I’m glowing. For once, I feel in control.
That feeling lasts until I return to my desk after class and see a note waiting for me.
It’s folded neatly in half and is sitting right on top of my books. I stare at it for a long second before I pick it up.
Next time, it’ll be something worse than the wolfsbane in class.
My stomach drops and the words feel cold against my fingers. I look around the classroom but everyone’s already leaving, chatting, laughing and oblivious to my current situation.
I swallow hard and crumple the paper in my palm. Whoever wrote this is obviously not done with me.
My mind goes straight to Dean before I can stop it.
He said he’d protect me and that I could trust him. But didn’t he also say I shouldn’t trust anyone here including him?
Still, I find myself heading straight to his room with the note clenched in my hand.
He opens the door, surprise flashing across his face. “Adinna?”
“Someone left this on my desk.” I shove the note at him. “Again.”
Dean takes it and his eyes scan the words. His jaw tightens. “This is getting out of hand.”
“You think?” I snap, trying to hold back the fear in my voice. “Whoever it is—”
“I’ll find out,” he cuts in firmly. “I promise.”
I want to believe him. His voice is steady and calm, as it always is when everything is falling apart. But something about the way he looks away too quickly makes my stomach twist.
“Dean,” I start slowly, “you know something, don’t you?”
He doesn’t answer right away. “Just trust me on this one, okay?”
That’s exactly what I can’t do.
Later that night, while I’m walking past the hallway that leads to the dorm wing, I hear low and tense voices.
“…you shouldn’t have interfered,” Jace’s voice is sharp and restrained.
Dean replies in a quieter. “I wasn’t about to let her die in front of everyone.”
“She wasn’t going to die,” Jace growls. “You’re making her think she’s safe. She’s not.”
A pause.
“You’re lying to her, Jace.”
My breath catches.
Jace’s answer is soft but dangerous. “Better a lie than the truth that breaks her.”
I don’t wait to hear more. My heart is pounding as I back away from the hallway. Whatever game they’re playing, I’m right in the middle of it and they both know it.
That night, Riley finds me sitting on my bed, staring blankly at the wall. She closes the door quietly behind her.
“You okay?” she asks.
I let out a laugh that sounds too thin. “Define okay.”
She sits beside me. “You’ve been spending a lot of time with them.”
“With who?” I say, feigning ignorance.
She gives me a look. “You know who. Jace and Dean. Everyone here knows what they’re like. It’s all a game to them, Adinna. You’re just the new entertainment.”
Her words sting, mostly because part of me already knows they’re true.
Riley sighs, softer now. “Just be careful. Please.”
I nod, forcing a small smile. “Yeah. I’ll try.”
She smiles back, but it doesn’t reach her eyes.
The next afternoon, we head to the library together to study for the upcoming test. The one that everyone is dreading. If you fail this particular test, you repeat the class and get detention for a week. The kind of punishment this place seems to live for.
“I can’t fail this,” I mutter, hugging my books. “I’m still catching up from… you know.”
Riley laughs. “You’ll be fine. You’ve been studying like a psycho.”
We turn the corner and stop.
The library doors are locked.
A neatly pinned note hangs on the door, written in the same slanted, mocking handwriting as before.
You’re not allowed in here for today.
I feel the world tilt. “What the hell?”
Riley frowns and tugs the handle. “It’s locked from the inside.”
I press my ear to the door and freeze.
There are voices inside. I can hear the sound of laughter, pages turning, and other students studying.
“They’re in there,” I whisper, stepping back. “They’re letting everyone except me in.”
Riley’s face hardens. “This is messed up.”
I begin to pound on the door. “Hey! Open up!”
But there’s no answer. Just muffled giggles from inside.
Riley glances around. “Let’s go get the librarian.”
“She’s probably a part of it,” I mutter bitterly.
I try the door again, harder this time, but it doesn’t budge. My hands shake as I pull at the handle like it might magically give way. Nothing.
The humiliation burns hotter than anger. I can hear them inside and they are pretending not to hear me.
“Adinna,” Riley says softly. “Come on. We’ll find another place.”
I don’t move. My chest feels tight. “They want me to fail. Whoever’s behind this is trying to break me again.”
Riley’s voice is quiet. “Then don’t let them.”
I finally let go of the handle, my knuckles white. The paper note flutters slightly in the hallway breeze, taunting me.
- Writer
