Page 10 of Darkness and Deceit (Obsidian Academy #2)

Eight

VAUGHN

It doesn’t feel like the sun should be shining. Not with everything going on.

Yet it spills over the cliffs, anyway, reflecting off the academy towers and heating the black fabric of my cloak. Lately, the world feels unbalanced. The kind of calm before a storm, like it knows what’s coming and doesn’t fucking care.

Simon and I walk silently along the stone path, heading toward the perimeter where the Keepers have set up their camp. Kai and Lilith are supposed to meet us there, and I try not to think about why they’re late.

Simon’s beside me, quiet as always. His footsteps match mine, but he’s wound tighter than usual. Like every muscle’s one wrong word away from snapping. Shoulders back. Jaw clenched. That deep-thinking scowl carved into place.

Always the soldier. Always in control.

Unlike me.

“You ever think it’s weird?” I finally ask, breaking the silence. “Seeing Kai with a mate?”

Simon doesn’t answer right away. Just keeps walking like he’s weighing whether I’m serious or just poking.

“I’m happy for him,” he says at last.

“That’s not what I asked.” I smirk. “I asked if it’s weird. Because it is. Like watching your emotionally stunted little brother get engaged before you’ve had your first real kiss.”

Simon’s lips twitch. Barely. But I’ll take the win.

“It’s... surprising,” he admits. “But not bad. I think she’s good for him.”

“Good at wrecking him, maybe,” I mutter. “But yeah. You’re not wrong.”

We reach the base of the stone steps outside the academy and pause. Heat rolls off the stone, sweat already sticking my shirt to my back.

Simon exhales slowly. “I’m worried about her.”

I glance over at him. “You and me both.”

He looks surprised I said it. Hell, I’m surprised I said it.

“She acts like she’s fine,” I add, quieter this time. “Like none of it’s getting to her. But you and I both know what this kind of pressure does to people.”

Simon nods slowly, tension still carved into his jaw.

“She’s not fragile,” I say, more to myself than to him. “But she is being stretched thin. And we can’t afford to let her carry all of this alone.”

He doesn’t answer right away. Doesn’t have to. We’re already on the same page.

Again.

“Everyone wants something from her,” he mutters. “The Keepers. Bennett. The Balance.”

“You forgot Kai.”

“No,” he responds quietly. “I didn’t.”

A beat passes. Then I notice movement ahead. I glance up just in time to see Lilith appear at the edge of the path, trying to appear casual, but I know the difference between a girl out for a walk and a girl who just rolled out of someone else’s bed.

Her shirt is buttoned wrong. Hair a little too wild. Cheeks flushed like she’s been running… or sinning.

And judging by the smug shadow behind her, I’m betting on the latter.

Kai follows a few steps behind, wearing that haunted-but-sated look that makes me want to punch something.

Lilith is the picture of ruined, though trying to pretend otherwise. And gods, she wears it well.

I close the distance, step right into her path, and before she can so much as blink, I reach up and smooth a stray strand of hair behind her ear, letting my fingers linger a little too long.

“Morning, Fox,” I murmur, fingers trailing over her cheek. “Sleep well? Or just… often?”

Lilith’s eyes widen and then narrow immediately.

She swats my hand away. “You’re fucking impossible, you know that?”

“Only because you make it so easy.”

She flushes a beautiful shade of red and I have to remind my dick that we have shit to do that doesn’t involve me making Lilith that color in my bed.

Kai says nothing, but the subtle tension in his jaw speaks volumes. He steps closer to her. I wisely step back.

We start walking again. Ahead, the sound of activity grows louder.

The forest clearing where the Keepers have made camp is nothing like the academy grounds. Where Obsidian is sharp and looming and cloaked in history, this space feels… militant .

Three towering tents of deep royal blue rise like monoliths from the grass, trimmed with silver rune-stitching that glows faintly beneath the sun. The largest tent bears the symbol of the Balance—etched not in thread, but scorched directly into the canvas.

Around them, Protectors move like shadows—dressed in sleek black leathers and reinforced armor, weapons glinting at their hips.

One of the Predators steps forward, blocking our path. “Hand,” he says.

Simon doesn’t hesitate. He offers his palm. The man draws a slender, wicked-looking blade and slices. The blood drips, then vanishes in a shimmer of magic.

Kai follows, offering his hand without a word. Lilith’s gaze flicks to the blade, just for a second, before she lifts her chin and holds out her hand. Brave as ever.

Then it’s my turn.

“My, my. Such warm hospitality.” I offer my hand with a flourish.

The Predator grunts and slices me open like it’s just another fucking item on his to-do list.

Lilith looks down at her own hand. “What was that?”

“A blood ward,” I reply. “That blade kills anything that doesn't belong.”

She doesn’t reply. Just stares down at the now-healed cut like it’s still bleeding.

We take a step forward—then I hear it.

“Vaughn.”

Fuck.

Of course he’s here. Of course it’s him.

I haven’t seen my brother in three years, but that voice still triggers something in me, causing my spine to snap straight. It’s like I’m fifteen again and two seconds from either punching him or apologizing for breathing too loud.

I turn and there he is.

Kieran.

He’s clean-cut, polished, and bigger than I remember. He’s dressed to impress, arms crossed and smirking like the world owes him applause.

“Been a long time,” he says, striding forward with the confidence of someone who’s always been told he’s right.

“Kieran,” I reply flatly.

“Ah, how I’d hoped I’d run into you, brother.”

I take his hand—because what else am I gonna do?—and instantly regret it. His grip’s too polished. Like everything else about him.

He turns to the others. “Kai. Simon. And you must be Lilith Knight.”

She offers her hand cautiously.

“Be careful,” I murmur, too low for Kieran to hear. “He plays nice, but he doesn’t mean it.”

“I’m Kieran, Vaughn’s older brother. Though I’m guessing he’s failed to mention me.”

“Actually,” I cut in, “she didn’t ask for cautionary tales.”

Kieran smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes.

“You’re expected inside,” he says to Lilith. “Come with me.”

Her eyes flick to mine like she’s asking, seriously?

I shrug slightly.

She takes a step to follow and so does Kai, Simon and I just behind.

Kieran turns. “Only Lilith was invited,” he says smoothly. But his gaze lands on me as I open my mouth. “And it isn’t up for debate.”

Lilith hesitates.

And for the first time since we got here, I feel real dread start to stir.

Still, she follows.

Simon’s fists clench at his sides. Kai’s jaw ticks once. Hard.

I can’t stop watching the flap of the tent as it closes behind her.

And for once, I’ve got nothing clever to say.