Rayne didn’t know how she made it through the day.
She had few hours. Maybe less than she thought.
Xavier hadn’t said where or when he would expose her. He didn’t need to. His threat echoed in her ears louder than any war drum.
“Give me what I want, and I’ll keep your secret.”
It was a cage. A cruel, calculated trap. And the worst part? He knew she couldn’t run to anyone—not Lucian, not the Council, not even Elias. Her secret was her undoing.
She’d fought too hard to get into Blackmoon Academy.
She couldn't lose everything.
She wouldn't.
----
The sun was setting in streaks of deep crimson when Rayne finally sought him out.
She found Xavier in the west tower courtyard, lounging like a king in the marble gazebo that overlooked the rest of the grounds. He always came here after trai
