Chapter 48 Dismissed
Lilian — POV
“Ugh.”
I stretched my arms over my head and immediately regretted it when my bones cracked loud enough to make me pause mid-movement. I froze for half a second, then groaned.
I’m not getting old. No way. I just slept wrong, twisted myself into some awkward position last night like my body was trying to fight itself in my sleep. That’s all. Nothing dramatic. Still annoying as hell, though.
“Lilian! I’m off,” Jonah’s voice echoed from the hallway. “I kinda have class before you, so when you’re done, meet us at lunchtime.”
I nodded instinctively, even though I knew he couldn’t see me. It's an old habit. “Sure,” I called back, then added quickly, “and make sure Mia comes with you for lunch, not on a date with that stupid guy.”
“He’s not stupid,” Jonah shot back.
I rolled my eyes hard enough it almost hurt. “Whatever,” I muttered, raising my voice just enough for him to hear.
The door shut a few seconds later, leaving the house quiet again.
I whistled lightly as I headed to the bathroom, trying to shake off the dull heaviness clinging to me. Morning routines usually helped. Made things feel normal or at least close enough.
I washed my face first, cold water splashing against my skin, then brushed my teeth before stepping into the shower. I turned the water warm—very warm—and let it run over me.
That’s when I noticed it.
I was cold.
Not freezing, not shivering but cold enough to notice. Which was weird. On a normal day, I ran hot. Too hot sometimes. Vampiric perks, I guess. But today, the warmth felt necessary, like my body needed convincing that everything was fine.
I stood there longer than usual, letting the steam fog up the bathroom, my thoughts drifting somewhere I didn’t want them to go.
The elder's and what they told me about yesterday.
I shut the water off harder than necessary and stepped out, wrapping a towel around myself like it could protect me from memories.
After getting dressed, I checked myself in the mirror. The outfit wasn’t bad—actually, it was pretty good. I gave myself a small nod.
Nice outfit and a thumbs up would do for today, no point sulking all day.
I hurried to the kitchen, hoping—praying—that maybe I could throw something together for breakfast. But the second I saw the sink, I stopped short.
They were dirty greasy pans and plates from last night, Jonah didn't wash it before leaving for school.
Of course.
I stared at it for a moment, weighing my options. I could use my speed and strength, wash everything in seconds, cook, clean again…
Yeah. No, that's not happening, am damn lazy right now.
I slung my backpack over my shoulder and headed for the door instead. When I locked it behind me, the weight in my chest came back full force.
What the elders said last night echoed in my head.
I need to tell Jonah and Mia. And Seraphine too though knowing her, she probably already knew. She had informants everywhere. Stupid vampire politics.
The walk to school felt longer than usual. I checked the time when I arrived just a minute past eight. Not bad. My first class was Seraphine’s anyway, so it wasn’t a big deal.
She wasn’t there yet.
I sat through the lesson in a daze, barely hearing anything, my foot bouncing restlessly under the desk. The second the bell rang, I bolted.
The tree.
That was our spot.
When I got there and saw both Jonah and Mia already sitting there, I slowed to a stop. Honestly, seeing them together like that normal and relaxed made my chest tighten.
Mia waved the moment she spotted me. She always did that, especially when she hadn’t seen me all morning. It was kind of her thing.
“Hi, Lilian,” she said when I got closer, flashing that full-teeth smile of hers.
I smiled back despite myself. “Hey, Mia. What’s up?”
I bumped Jonah’s shoulder as I passed him. He didn’t deserve a greeting.
“Ouch!” he complained.
I rolled my eyes. “Shut the fuck up. That wasn’t even hard.”
Mia laughed softly, then tilted her head at me. “Okay. Cut to the chase. Why did you call us here?”
My eyes flicked around the area instinctively. Students passed by, laughing, talking but I didn’t see anything suspicious. Still, I checked again, just in case Seraphine had sent one of her little minions to spy on me.
Satisfied, I scratched the back of my head. “Um… there’s something I wanna tell you guys.”
Mia opened her mouth, but I raised my hand. “And I don’t want you to freak out.”
She shrugged. “I mean, when you told us you were a blood-sucking vampire, we didn’t freak out, right, Jonah?”
Jonah nodded lazily.
I sighed. “Your explanation wasn’t necessary. Just… don’t freak out. Seriously.”
Mia leaned forward slightly. “It’s okay if you killed someone, Lilian. We understand—you need blood. There’s nothing to freak out about, okay?”
I stared at her.
Then I closed my eyes and said it fast, before I could change my mind.
“By next month, I’m gonna be gone.”
Silence.
Mia’s eyes shot wide open. Jonah, on the other hand, just raised a brow like I’d said something stupid.
“What the fuck do you mean you’d be gone?” he asked. “Gone how dead or what?”
I took a slow breath in, then out.
“Um… the elders,” I started. “The ones who kidnapped you that one time. You remember, right, Mia?”
She nodded stiffly.
“Well,” I continued, “they talked about getting people to work for them. Training them and other shit. And yeah. I was chosen.”
I swallowed. “I don’t know when I’d be back. If I even come back.”
Mia frowned, thinking. “I mean… there’s something called freedom of speech. You could just tell them you’re not interested. They don’t seem like the type to force orders down someone’s throat.”
I gave a humorless shrug. “They gave me an option.”
Jonah leaned forward. “So what’s the option?”
I looked between them. “Either I do it gently… or I get forced to do it. And I really don’t wanna challenge the elders.”
Jonah dragged a hand down his face. “Man, this is so fucked up. Ugh. I hate those elders, I swear.”