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The ground beneath Violet’s feet was uneven, and with the bag over her head, it meant her steps were blind and uncertain. Hence it wasn’t surprising when she stumbled, her foot catching on what felt like a root or a rock.

"Easy," Alaric whispered into her ear, his breath warm against her skin as he caught her.

As if she wanted the hands of that betrayer on her body.

Nonetheless, that proximity was all she needed. Violet drove her elbow into his gut with all the force she could muster.

Alaric let out a sharp oof, the sound of air forcibly leaving his lungs. Pain lanced through his stomach, and for a moment, he doubled over, cursing under his breath. Damn it, she was quite strong for a human!

"Okay, I deserved that," he admitted, voice strained as he straightened, trying to catch his breath.

Violet wasn’t done with him. Following the direction of his voice, she twisted, aiming another strike, but this time, her boyfriend was ready.

He caught her easily, his grip firm as he halted her struggles. "That’s enough, little minx, before you hurt yourself." He called her with his usual endearment.

Violet went still for a split seconds before raw, blistering rage ignited like an explosion inside of her.

"Don’t you dare call me minx!" she spat, her breath hot against his face even through the fabric of the bag.

The sheer hatred in her tone sent a feeling of unease through Alaric, not because he feared her, but because of the shift in their relationship. Right now, Violet sounded like she’d tear his throat out if she had the chance.

Violet’s mind burned with his betrayal.

How dare he? How dare he use that name!

She just couldn’t believe that the same hands that had made her tremble with pleasure moments ago were now dragging her away into some twisted, sadistic hazing event.

It made her sick.

His grip easing just slightly and rested on her shoulder. "I did give you a hint about the game." Alaric defended himself.

Violet twisted against his hold, wishing she could see his face and gauge his expression.

But despite the darkness shrouding her vision, she injected every ounce of venom she had into her voice as she snarled, "Yeah, I just didn’t expect you to be part of it."

Alaric’s fingers tightened, just for a moment. "I have no choice."

"Everyone has a choice," she hissed. "You could have let me escape."

A dry scoff left Alaric’s lips. "Is that what you think?" His voice dropped lower, an edge to it. "This plan has been in motion since before you were admitted to Lunaris Academy. You were never going to make it out of here. Not with wolves hiding in the dark, waiting to pick off the stragglers."

Violet’s breath caught. The way he said it, so matter-of-fact, sent an icy chill through her.

"To think I thought Asher was the worst," she said, voice dripping with acid. "But you’re no different."

Alaric hesitated for a beat.

And damn it, she wished she could see his face to see if her words had struck something in him. Did he even care? Did he feel an ounce of guilt?

Then, he exhaled. "This is tradition, Violet. It’s not as bad as you think."

Not as bad? Not as bad?!

He continued, "You just have to prove yourself. And no matter what you think of me, I’m still on your side. I won’t let you end up with Asher."

His words were vague, heavy with something he was telling her. Another secret, she bet. A part of Violet wanted to demand what he meant by that, but her hot and unforgiving temper got the better of her.

"Get lost," she snapped.

Then, louder, fiercer, meaner, she said, "No, go fuck yourself!"

"What’s going on here?"

Violet froze upon hearing that voice.

Even with the bag over her head, she felt his oppressive presence like a shadow creeping over her skin.

The one and only, Asher Nightshade.

Asher said with mockery, each syllable dripping with cruel amusement. "Are you struggling to handle your girlfriend, Alaric? Or should I take over?"

Even blind, Violet could feel the added meaning beneath those words.

Alaric’s entire body tensed, a low, dangerous snarl ripping from his throat. "Get lost."

Asher laughed.

The sound was haunting, a deep, taunting thing that coiled around her like a phantom touch.

Goosebumps erupted along Violet’s arms because she knew that whatever this initiation was, Asher was at the heart of it. And that terrified her more than anything.

So when Alaric resumed guiding her forward, she let him. Not because she trusted him or that her fury had dulled.

But because between him and Asher, Alaric was the lesser evil.

They walked for what felt like an eternity, dragging Violet deeper into the unknown. The only sounds being the rustling of leaves underfoot and the occasional distant howl of wolves echoing through the night

Then, without warning, Alaric pulled her to a stop. "Stay here," he commanded her.

And then, as if sensing the defiance brimming beneath her skin, he added, "Don’t do anything stupid."

His grip lingered for a fraction of a second longer, as if he was debating saying more, but then, he was gone.

The absence of his presence left a hollow sort of silence in its wake. Violet stood as still as a statue, her senses straining against the suffocating darkness.

But what were they doing? Where had Alaric gone?

A prickling sensation crept up her spine. She had no idea how many people were around her, or if she was entirely alone now. For a moment, the temptation to rip the bag from her head was overwhelming, but she hesitated at Alaric’s warning.

Suddenly, a hand grabbed the bag and yanked it off. The motion was rough, unceremonious, and the sudden intrusion of light seared her eyes.

Violet winced, pain stabbing behind her eyes. The shift from darkness to the bright overhead light was jarring, and she blinked rapidly, forcing her sight to adjust.

As her vision cleared, her surroundings sharpened and a cold sense of recognition settled into her bones.

They were in a clearing, one that was in the middle of a forest. Towering trees loomed on all sides, their trunks stretching high into the night sky. The night air was heavy, damp, carrying the distant scent of moss — and trouble.

It was the Silver Glade.

The infamous, haunted woodland of Lunaris Academy, and the very place she had once tried to escape through.

But she hadn’t escaped then.

Now, the initiation was going to take place here.