Page 60

I stood by the window, staring out into the dark expanse of the academy grounds. Tonight, the moon hung low, casting silver light over the frost-laced grass and training grounds.

It was almost midnight.

My stomach twisted with endless nerves.

Behind me, Marnie moved around my room, pulling on the last pieces of the uniform we’d been given in the morning.

“How do I look?” Her black combat boots scuffed against the floor as she struck a mock battled pose.

At least one of us was excited.

I managed a weak smile. “Like you’re about to win this entire competition.”

“Damn right, I am.” She grinned before her expression softened. “Are you... okay?”

My fingers tugged at the hem of my jacket.

“I don’t know,” I admitted. It seemed like the only answer I ever responded with.

“You’re going to be fine,” Marnie said, grabbing my arm. “You’ve trained for this. Well... sort of.” She gave me a sheepish smile. “But hey, you’re about to prove to a whole group of angels that you’re worth becoming one.”

I let out a shaky laugh. “Come on,” I said. “We’re late.”

She nodded, and soon we slipped out into the cold, boots crunching against the frostbitten ground as we made our way through the silent academy. Torches flickered as we passed corridors, and with every step closer we took toward the west wing, my stomach twisted tighter.

When we got there, the other competitors were already gathered, while others, such as Azrael and Sariel, stood in front of the towering wall of ancient paintings.

My gaze immediately landed on Hunter, and the sight of him sent a jolt through me.

He was beside Silas and Brandon with his arms crossed, eyes distant and shadowed.

He looked... far away. Not just physically but gone in a way I couldn’t explain. But before I could decide on what to do, a familiar voice spoke from behind.

“Grace.”

I turned to see Joe approaching. He looked me over, his gaze lingering on my uniform.

“Be careful,” was all he said, but his voice was tight.

I sighed. “Joe—”

“Just... be careful, please?”

My first instinct was to wrap my arms around his neck, not caring how much of a toll our relationship had taken ever since I came here. “I will be,” I whispered. “I promise.”

He hugged me back tighter, and when we separated, I saw Eden approaching us.

“Grace!” She smiled. “I just wanted to say... I’m rooting for you,” she said earnestly. “You deserve to be here.”

I believed she meant it. “Thank you, Eden, that... means a lot.”

Joe glanced at her, but Eden never even looked him in the eye. Before she could say anything more, the crowd shifted as Nadael stepped forward, standing in front of the paintings. Her presence silenced us instantly.

“Competitors,” she began as we gathered around her. “Thank you for all your patience while we prepare everything.” Her gaze swept over us. “Most of you know that this competition consists of three rounds. Each is designed to test not only your skill but also your judgment.”

My heart thundered against my chest.

“Council members will be observing from their headquarters, using Guardian magic. Which means every action you take will be watched.”

A heavy silence settled, and I glanced at Marnie, wanting that reassurance she always gave me. But she was too engrossed, too excited by everything Nadael was saying. This was her chance to make it as an Ascendant and she wanted it desperately.

“This year’s competition scenario is called the Hunt and the Hunted. For each sector, you may use your powers to showcase your skills. Warriors, however, will not be given any weapons. This is to enforce your skills in weapons crafting from natural objects.’

A chill slid down my spine.

“Now,” she said. “Your objective is simple: collect three sigil stones scattered through the glade before sunrise and make it out of there in time. Those who do not will have to wait, hide, survive until Celestials come to your aid.”

A murmur rippled through the competitors; meanwhile, my eyes widened at Nadael mentioning sunrise.

“These stones,” she continued, “are ancient, enchanted, and heavily guarded. Shadow beasts—born from the very first creations of hell—prowl the glade. They have been released from their homes, and they are merciless .”

I struggled to swallow.

“But be warned. Some stones are cursed.”

Joe stiffened from where he stood on the other side.

“Touch the wrong stone, and you will face visions of your worst fears. Loved ones in danger. Enemies begging for mercy. These lies and half-truths are designed to break your focus. You must decide whether to trust what you see or leave it behind.” Nadael turned toward the massive painting on the stone wall—a vast glade bathed in pale moonlight.

She raised a hand, her palm glowing faintly as she pressed it against the canvas.

The surface rippled like water, and the glade inside the painting seemed to sway as if alive.

Hunter shifted slightly, and his eyes finally met mine for a brief second, but there was something raw and distant in them.

“Good luck,” I mouthed, and his jaw tightened before he looked away.

Disappointment crashed into my chest, and I wanted nothing more than for him to look back at me.

“Competitors,” Nadael called, but I couldn’t physically bring myself to glance at her when I was so focused on Hunter. “Prepare yourself.”

But I couldn’t prepare myself.

“Deep breaths, deep breaths,” Marnie was muttering to herself just as everyone surrounding Nadael flexed their hands and pumped themselves up with energy. Brandon was jogging on the spot as if this were just a race and nothing more, while Silas was already tying his hair into a low ponytail.

My gaze found Hunter again. It always did, even when I didn’t mean for it to. I should have looked away.

But I didn’t.

And for the briefest moment, neither did he.

The space between us seemed to stretch and shrink at once as we slowly moved closer towards one another until we stood side by side.

Nadael kept talking, but it was a distant hum to me.

Then, barely noticeable, Hunter’s hand shifted—ever so slightly, so deliberately that I might have thought I imagined it if not for the warmth that brushed my skin.

Our pinkies touched, and the world stopped turning.

Neither of us pulled away.

Neither of us breathed.

Neither of us looked at each other.

His fingers twitched, like he wanted to grab my hand, but he knew he shouldn’t. Knew he couldn’t.

I should have pulled away. I should have stepped back and created distance before it swallowed me whole. But... I stayed.

And so did he.

Until the moment shattered, and Nadael’s hand lifted toward the painting. “Competitors,” she said as the glade shimmered brighter. “You may begin.”

I could no longer feel Hunter’s touch as everyone went for it, all running towards the painting and letting it swallow them whole.

Marnie tugged at me, and my legs barely moved as I stumbled forward, letting the cold air of the glade slam into my face.

I was no longer staring at a painting.

I was inside of it.

It was real. Just like the day I went to the Council’s headquarters.

The wind howled through the dark trees and the moon was covered by fog as the scent of damp earth filled my lungs.

I didn’t have time to think because everyone was already running, and I was right behind them.

As I sprinted forward, branches clawed at my arms, weaving through the dense trees. The cold air stung my face, but thankfully, it kept me awake and alert.

The glade was massive, stretching endlessly in every direction as shadows shifted between the trees.

Marnie was ahead of me, her slim, shadowed figure slipping through the underbrush easily while others had scattered in different directions, disappearing into the dark.

Hunter was nowhere near in sight. Of course, he wouldn’t be. He was always too fast and agile.

I pushed the thought away and focused on the path ahead when a flicker of movement to my left caught my eye. I turned sharply, body tensed, but it was just another competitor darting between the trees.

But something was wrong.

I could tell.

I could sense it.

That was when I heard it.

A low guttural growl curled through the dark.

Shadow beasts.

The hairs on the back of my neck rose, and I didn’t even think before I ran with every fibre of my being.

I kept running until I couldn’t breathe anymore, and only then did I slow down.

Pressing my palm against the trunk of a tree, I tried keeping my breath shallow, but it was impossible. “Come on, Grace, come on,” I whispered. “Find the stones and—”

The branches above creaked.

I froze.

Slowly, I looked up.

Eyes.

Glowing, pale eyes stared down at me from the branches, unblinking.

Before I could scream, it lunged.

Instinct took over.

I threw myself to the ground as claws swiped through the air where my throat had been a second before.

It hit the earth hard, snarling—a beast made of shadows and bone, limbs too long and its mouth full of jagged dark teeth.

I scrambled backwards, heart pounding in my throat.

How were we supposed to outrun these with no weapons?

The creature slowly moved towards me, its movements unnatural, as if its bones were constantly stiff and breaking.

My breaths came in ragged gasps, cold air burning my lungs.

Move, Grace. Move!

The creature’s head tilted in slow motion; those glowing eyes fixed on me as it stalked forward.

Run!

My body finally listened to my mind as I scrambled to my feet, boots slipping on the damp forest floor, and bolted.

Branches whipped at my face as I tore through the trees, but the beast was faster. I could hear it crashing through the undergrowth behind me, snarling low and closer with every second.

I spotted a thick fallen tree ahead, its trunk half rotted and split open. Without thinking, I dove behind it, landing hard on the cold ground.

I clamped a hand over my mouth, chest heaving as it all went silent.

Then—I heard the sound of heavy footfalls.

My eyes darted around the dark forest floor, searching for anything to defend myself with before my fingers brushed against something cold.

A rock.

Not much, but better than nothing.

I tightened my grip on it, muscles coiled.

But right when I was about to fight back, something slammed into the creature with a sickening crack.

I rose to my feet, and that was when I saw Hunter, with a spear made of wood, standing between me and the beast.

“Grace, run!” He barked, digging the spear further into the creature.

But I didn’t move.

I couldn’t.

The beast lunged, and Hunter met it head-on, slamming his spear through its shoulder.

A shriek tore from its throat, and it reared back. Shadows rippled across its skin before it vanished into the dark like smoke drawn into a vacuum. Gone. As if it had never been there in the first place.

Silence fell except for the sharp sound of Hunter’s breathing.

He stumbled back a step, blood dripping from a shallow cut on his arm. The spear clattered to the ground beside him.

I blinked. My body finally unlocked, and my lungs caught air in one desperate gasp.

“You didn’t run,” he said, turning toward me. There was no anger in his voice—just disbelief.

“I—” My voice broke. “I couldn’t.”

His eyes met mine. “You can’t freeze like that again, Grace. Next time, I might not be fast enough.”

He reached out, brushing his fingers over my sleeve before they dropped away. The contact was brief, but it grounded me.

“I know,” I whispered.

He shook his head, jaw tight. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a blade made of stone and tossing it over to me. “Just stay alive.”

I stared at the blade, then back at Hunter as he turned to retrieve the spear, leaving my heart hammering in my chest before he disappeared into the woods.