Page 65 of The Scars Within (Twisted Thorn #1)

It took every ounce of willpower not to defy the War Chief’s orders and escape to the rooftop. The moment I stepped into the dorm, I slammed the door behind me, leaning my back against it as my chest heaved, struggling to steady my breath.

I am pissed.

No—more than pissed. I am done being pushed around, as if my thoughts, my choices, don’t matter. As if I am not a person in my own right—capable of deciding, capable of fighting for myself.

Fighting for my freedom.

Fighting to be left the hell alone.

Heat flared in my fingertips as the fire element threatened to take over. My palms pressed against the wooden door, and the faint scent of smoke hit my nose. I quickly stepped forward. I may be angry, but I’m not about to burn this place down.

Despite what the faculty thinks, I’d never hurt anyone.

Other than myself.

“ You’re okay, Scarlet, ” Lakota’s voice echoed softly in my mind, trying to calm me.

I ignored him, clenching my fists and forcing in a deep, shaky breath. I held it for a beat, then let it go. Again, and again, until the heat in my fingers dulled, the fire receding. I crossed the room, threw open the window, and channeled the air element to sweep the lingering smoke outside.

The potted plants on the windowsill caught my eye, reminding me to check on Jeffery.

I crouched down, peering at him with mounting confusion.

I had meticulously followed every care instruction for my plant, yet while the others on the windowsill thrived, Jeffery now sported two stems that had turned black and rotten.

That’s when I heard a knock at the door.

“Please,” I murmured, pressing my forehead against the cool glass window, “I just need some space.”

“Can I see you?” The voice on the other side wasn’t who I was expecting. I thought it would be one of my roommates, frustrated because I had locked the door.

But when I walked to the door and opened it slowly, Shayde was there, leaning against the doorframe, a solemn expression etched on his face. The wound on his arm had been properly stitched up while we were in the infirmary. And he had dark circles under his eyes.

I just don’t understand why he cut me out after the Burn Trials. He went from being someone I thought I was safe with. Someone I could find myself with. To the one who abandoned me. After making me pinky promise to let him save me— he was the one to drown me.

And that does not sit well with me.

Maybe it was fear—fear of what others thought I might become. Or perhaps he was just trying to protect himself, not wanting to be associated with me or seen as an accomplice to whatever Kalluri believes I’m up to.

Whatever his reasons, I will never forget what happened in the courtyard. He stood in the shadows while I was publicly humiliated in front of everybody.

I pulled the curtain over my emotions, reminding myself that I don’t need anyone to fight my battles for me. I stepped back, keeping enough distance so Shayde could read the room.

I stood tall, chin up, shoulders back.

Shayde’s brows furrowed in confusion as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him. “I came to see if you were ready to explain what’s been going on between us,” he said, his tone dismissive.

His words hit me like a poisoned arrow. “Excuse me?”

Shayde shifted from one foot to the other, then began to pace slowly. “You pulled that stunt during the Burn Trials, knowing it would stir trouble with the War Chief—” He tried to continue, but I cut him off.

“I pulled that stunt? You mean trying to save my friend while running for my life?” My voice rose in frustration.

“Would you let me finish?” Shayde threw his hands out in an aggravated gesture.

I fell silent, anger burning through my veins.

“I called out for you to stop, Scar. You weren’t supposed to enter the pit. You are already an air wielder. Why did you do that?” His voice began to rise, though he kept his distance.

Did he hit his head too hard in the cave?

Where the hell was this coming from? He had all the time in the world to talk to me when we were stuck in that freezing cavern, sharing warmth under his cloak.

What changed between then and now? Just a day ago, he was quiet, maybe even guarded, but now—this sudden shift?

I can’t wrap my mind around it. Why, after everything, is he glaring at me like I am the enemy?

Shayde ran his hands through his hair, then down his face. “Is it true?”

“Is what true, Shayde?” I asked, my voice laced with anger.

“Are you behind the murders?” His whisper was either an attempt to keep the question private or a sign of his inner turmoil.

Sparks ignited from my fingertips, falling to the stone floor. Thankfully, there is no rug in the room.

“ Scarlet? ” Lakota’s voice raised in question .

Shayde flinched, taking a step back. “Are you the crimson wraith?” He asked breathlessly.

I clenched my hands, extinguishing the flames. “How dare you accuse me of that!”

His fear quickly shifted to anger. He stepped closer, and I took a step back until my back was nearly against the wall.

“Tell me the truth, Scar,” he demanded.

“I am telling the truth!” I shouted, my voice trembling with emotion.

“Nobody believes my truth! I don’t understand what’s happening at this college or with my magic.

I rushed into the pit to save one of my closest friends, and this is what happened to me.

I didn’t make it happen. I am not a murderer.

I am not this so-called wraith. I’m just a normal girl who’s been dealt a shitty hand, and all I want is to live my life and be left alone!

I let you in because I thought you’d be ready to apologize! ”

He scoffed. “Apologize for what? You sought me out and tried to drag me into whatever damn scheme this is. Then you trapped my brother into your schemes—”

“The fuck did you just say?” I am tearing at the seams. My heart is one beat from breaking out of my chest.

Shayde pursed his lips; his body was trembling.

“You don’t think I’ve seen you spending so much time with Rhodes?

I tried to overlook it at first, telling myself you were trying to be civil since you were stuck in your work assignment with him.

But you two just kept disappearing at the same time.

And I followed you in the hall after the simulation.

I was worried about you after you ran out of the infirmary.

I saw you tending to his wounds.” He shook his head incredulously.

“I lied to myself for too long. But then he all but ran into the pit after you. How long were you playing me?”

A spark ignited from my fingertips, and I didn’t extinguish it this time.

“You just answered your own question. Rhodes ran into the pit for me. Rhodes disobeyed orders and came to rescue me from Chief Kalluri’ s interrogation.

Rhodes was there for me. While you were not.

You abandoned me. Rhodes taught me—” I paused, almost breathing literal fire.

I nearly admitted that Rhodes was teaching me how to protect myself, but the whole ominous ordeal seems like it needs to stay between us.

“And that’s the only explanation you fucking deserve. ”

Shayde scoffed, looking at the sparks crackling on my fingertips. “Believe what you want. Just let my brother go. Is it true? Are you behind the murders?”

Disbelief coursed through me. I have always thought that Shayde leaves everything face up on the table.

But really, I’ve been fooled by his bluff.

I can’t believe that the boy who had once welcomed me and made me feel safe is now accusing me of treason.

Accusing me of being a murderer. Of being the wraith in a prophecy that heralds the end of everything good in the world.

‘ Whose flames will guide what shadows pursue.’ The last line of the prophecy echoed in my mind.

I have fought so hard to claw my way out of Rock Bottom, over and over again. I am good. I am not evil; I would never harm another soul. But like clockwork, my self-doubt kicked in.

“ Am I the wraith? ” I asked Lakota.

Before I could hear his response, Shayde let out an exasperated scream. He grabbed my coffee mug from the chest of drawers behind him and hurled it against the wall. The ceramic shattered into a thousand tiny pieces.

“Just tell me the damn truth, Scar!” he yelled.

My jaw dropped, the poisoned arrow he’d thrown twisting deeper into my heart. I watched the clay shards, a kaleidoscope of colors, slowly settle on the floor.

“Get out,” I said, my voice cold and resolute, not even glancing at him.

“This conversation isn’t over,” he insisted, moving toward me. I threw up a barrier of air, forcing him to step back .

“I said, get out.” I still didn’t look at him. All I could see was the debris of my joy scattered on the floor.

“Scarlet—” he began to plead.

That snapped me around to face him. “You don’t deserve an explanation from me. You don’t deserve me .” I paused, inhaling deeply. “I said, get the fuck out. And stay the fuck out of my way.” With a swift motion, I channeled air to slam the door open.

He locked eyes with me for a long, tense moment. He seemed ready to say more, but then he stopped, turned, and left my room, stepping over the shards of my shattered joy as he did.