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“Yes, Commander Macanthos.” I plastered a polite smile on my face and stood, pushing the rest of my food in Ashlani’s direction with a warning glare.

Every single pair of eyes locked on us—on me—as I followed Commander Macanthos out of the room and into the mostly empty hallway. My head barely met his shoulder as I fell into step beside him, clasping my hands behind my back so they wouldn’t shake.

Hells, this male was massive.

“I’ve been watching you,” he started.

My stomach sank. Fear screamed at me to run, to get as far away from this place as possible. But that wasn’t an option. Lord made my mission very clear: Succeed, or die trying.

He paused. “The way you fight is… surprising.”

“How so?” I tilted my head to the side in thought while I fought to keep my voice steady.

We took a few more steps in silence before the commander halted, turning to face me at the end of the hallway. With the light filtering through the tall glass window, I could see a thin scar on his face, narrowly missing his eye.

“You are calculated. Strategic.” He reached out to grip my shoulder, surveying the muscle he found there. “Strong.”

I swallowed. “Thank you. I suppose these are all good things?”

Commander Macanthos pulled his hand away and rolled his shoulders back, taking on a soldier-like stance that sent a chill down my spine. “I know what you’re doing.”

The corners of my mouth twitched upward, though I felt as exposed as ever standing before him. “And what’s that?”

“You’re hiding your true strength. You’re losing fights on purpose.”

My smile faded as I glanced over my shoulder, ensuring we were alone. Commander Macanthos did not seem like the male to lie to. “I’m sure you can understand why.”

For the first time since I met him, his features softened. “Yes, actually, I can. But this place is vicious, Huntyr. You’re only just beginning to see the dangers. Showing others you are strong may help you more than you think.”

“Thank you, but I’ll be fine.”

“I hope so,” he replied. “But do not think that you are the only one in this academy with masked intentions, Huntyr. You’ll be forced to show your strengths eventually.”

With that, he walked away, leaving me gaping after his massive figure as he disappeared into the hall.

Hells.If Commander Macanthos noticed my fighting, who else did?

And why would he care enough to warn me?

I made my way back to the dining room, trying to clear my head of the entire interaction.

But when I turned the corner and entered, my stomach sank.

All conversations in the dining hall ceased. Everyone stared in horror at the far end of the room, where Ryder pinned one of the students against the wall, a knife to his throat.

This student was one of the quiet ones. His name was Maekus, if I remembered correctly. He hardly got in anyone’s way and surely didn’t do anything to deservethis. His eyes were wide in terror as he struggled against Ryder, but it was no use. He was half Ryder’s size.

I jogged over to Ashlani and Voiler. “What’s going on?”

Ashlani only shrugged and watched in horror. Voiler didn’t even notice my presence.

Ryder sneered, “Do you think we want weaklings fighting beside us in The Golden City? Do you really think a coward like you will get in?”

Hells.

Maekus whimpered, still squirming as Ryder’s knife pulled the smallest line of blood from his skin.

“Is anybody going to do anything?” I whispered.