Chapter 12: Watching Eyes

Kael POV

I didn’t even bother knocking before stepping into Noir’s office. He looked up from a stack of files, one eyebrow lifting the way it always did when he knew I wasn’t here for small talk.

“You’re back early,” he said. “Report.”

I shut the door and leaned against it, folding my arms. “Elias.”

Noir closed the file slowly. “What about him?”

“I watched him today,” I said. “Again.”

He gave a short, unimpressed laugh. “You’ve been watching him every day.”

“That’s because something is off.” I took a step closer. “You know it too.”

Noir sat back in his chair,  tapping his fingers. “Explain.”

“He… changes. Not physically. But there’s something under his skin. Something he tries too hard to hide. And Ronan….don’t pretend you haven’t seen it. He watches Elias like he owns him.”

Noir’s eyes sharpened. “You’re saying Ronan is involved?”

“I’m saying Ronan is acting weird.” I exhaled harshly. “Possessive. Protective. Like Elias is his territory.”

Noir’s brows drew together. “Ronan isn’t the possessive type.”

“Exactly.” I leaned forward on his desk. “That’s why I’m reporting it.”

Noir said nothing for a moment. Then he asked quietly, “What do you plan to do?”

My jaw tightened. “Challenge him.”

“Elias?” Noir asked.

“Yes.”

He studied me, his fingers steepled. “Why? Because you sense something he’s hiding? Or because you’re jealous of Ronan?”

His words hit harder than I wanted to admit.

“I don’t get jealous,” I said.

Noir gave me a look that said he didn’t believe a single word. “You don’t have to lie to me, Kael.”

“I’m not lying,” I snapped… too fast and defensive.

He smiled. “You want Elias under your eyes, not Ronan’s. Whether you understand that feeling or not.”

I clenched my fists. “I’m not interested in him like that.”

“Then why report him every day?” Noir asked calmly. “Why watch him in class? Why follow him around the academy?”

His smile deepened. “Why notice every time Ronan stands too close to him?”

“Because it’s suspicious,” I muttered.

“Mm.” Noir leaned back. “If you want to challenge Elias, I won’t stop you. But you better be ready for what you’ll uncover. Some secrets don’t stay small, Kael.”

My heartbeat thudded once, heavy.

“What do you mean by that?”

Noir’s eyes turned unreadable. “It means be careful.”

That was his way of dismissing me, so I left, but the warning stayed stuck in my mind.

Later that afternoon, I found Ronan and Elias together on the training grounds. Or rather, Ronan standing too close. Elias pretending not to notice. And me pretending it didn’t bother me.

Elias tried to step back while adjusting the strap of his practice sword, but Ronan moved with him like a shadow.

“Stay still,” Ronan murmured, reaching out to fix the strap himself.

My jaw tightened instantly. I walked over. “You two look cozy.”

Ronan shot me a cold look. “Go away, Kael.”

“Why?” I asked lightly. “Afraid I’ll steal him?”

Elias choked on his own breath. “Can both of you calm down? We’re in public.”

Ronan ignored him. “What do you want, Kael?”

“You’re acting strange,” I said. “Everyone sees it.”

“Mind your business.”

“It is my business when you start guarding someone like a personal possession.”

Ronan stiffened. Elias looked like he wanted to vanish. I stepped closer to Elias. “Need help with that strap?”

Ronan blocked me with his arm instantly, glare sharp enough to cut glass. “Touch him and I’ll break your hand.”

Elias grabbed Ronan’s wrist. “Stop it.”

But Ronan didn’t even look at him, his eyes were locked on mine. I smirked. “Possessive much?”

“Back off,” Ronan growled.

“Make me.”

Elias shoved between us. “Enough! What is wrong with you two?”

Ronan exhaled roughly and stepped back, his jaw still tight.

“Let’s go,” he said to Elias, gripping his forearm, already pulling him away.

Elias jerked free. “I said stop. I can walk on my own.”

The hurt blinked across Ronan’s face so fast it almost made me pause. .Elias turned to leave the field. Ronan followed, close but careful this time. I watched them walk off, a knot twisting in my stomach. Jealousy. Noir had said it. I didn’t want to accept it.

But watching Ronan hover around Elias like he was breathing for him… I hated it. I didn’t even know why.

I found Elias again later in the hallway, alone this time. He was closing his locker, scowling down at a crumpled schedule.

“Ronan worries too much,” he muttered, not knowing I was behind him.

“Does he?” I asked.

He jumped. “Kael…..what do you want now?”

“Relax. I’m not here to fight.”

He looked tired, shoulders tense. “Then what?”

I shrugged. “Just checking on you.”

His eyes widened a little. “Why?”

“Why not?”

He watched my face like he was trying to figure out if I was teasing him or serious. I wasn’t sure myself.

“You’ve been acting strange too,” he said quietly.

“How?”

“You look at me weird.”

I blinked. “Weird?”

“Yes. Like you’re waiting for something to happen.”

I didn’t answer. Because he was right.

“I just think you’re… interesting,” I said finally.

Elias’s breath hitched. “Interesting how?”

Dangerous question. Dangerous expression in his eyes. I stepped closer without meaning to. “You’re hiding something.”

He backed into the lockers. “I’m not hiding anything.”

“Elias,” I said softly, “I watch people more than I speak. And I know when someone is lying.”

He swallowed, gaze flicking away. “Believe whatever you want.”

I leaned an arm against the locker beside his head. “Ronan wants to protect you. I want to understand you.”

“That sounds worse,” he whispered.

I laughed under my breath. “Maybe.”

We stood too close. Too quiet. His scent brushed my senses like a question I wasn’t ready to answer. Then footsteps echoed.

Ronan appeared at the end of the hall, his  eyes narrowing the second he saw us.

He stormed over. “Kael, move.”

“No,” I said simply.

Ronan grabbed my shirt. “I’m warning you….”

Elias pushed between us again. “Stop! Both of you, stop treating me like an object!”

Ronan and I froze.

He took a shaky breath. “I don’t need either of you fighting over me.”

He rushed away, leaving both of us standing there like idiots. Ronan glared at me one last time before chasing after him. I watched them disappear around the corner. I felt something twist painfully in my chest. I hated how close they were becoming. I hated how much I cared.

That night in the dorm lounge, I sat with Jace and Mira, pretending to listen as they argued over a card game.

“You look like someone stole your lunch,” Jace said without looking up.

“Shut up,” I muttered.

Mira glanced at me. “Did you fight with Ronan again?”

“He started it.”

“Sure he did,” she said dryly.

I leaned back on the couch, staring at the ceiling. My thoughts kept circling Elias  his uneasy smile, his trembling fingers, the way he smelled when I leaned close.

Jace suddenly nudged my knee. “Kael.”

I looked at him.

“You’re thinking too much,” he said. “What’s going on?”

I hesitated. Should I say it? Noir’s warning echoed in my head. I leaned closer to Jace so Mira wouldn’t hear and whispered….

“He’s more than he seems.”