Chapter 56 A weird saying
Chapter 056
RAVENNA
"It is a good idea," Damon admitted, his gaze shifting between Theodore and me. "But Theodore is only fifteen. I would not want to risk his life. He is still a bit inexperienced for something this dangerous."
Theodore's shoulders relaxed slightly. Relief flickered across his face before he masked it with indifference.
I understood. Fifteen too young to be thrown into the viper's nest that was Midnight Academy. Too young to face wolves like Darius Pike who could tear him apart without a second thought.
"I should go," I announced after a moment of silence. "Before they start searching for me at the academy."
Damon nodded. He gestured to two men standing near the doorway. "Drive her back to school and make sure she arrives safely."
The men stepped forward immediately.
I stood and faced my father. This stranger who was somehow my blood. "You can send for me if you need me," I offered. "But this should be the last time your men raid the academy. No more rogues attacks."
Damon's expression grew serious. "I cannot promise that."
"Father—"
"But I will try," he added quickly. "For you, I will try."
It was not the answer I wanted. But it was something.
Theodore walked over and surprised me by pulling me into a brief hug. "Stay safe, sister."
The word still felt strange. But not unwelcome.
"You too," I replied.
Damon embraced me as well. His arms were protective around me. The hug of a father who had lost too much time and was desperate not to lose more.
"I will see you again soon," he promised quietly.
"I know."
I pulled away and followed the two men out of the house. The night air was cold against my skin. The stars above were bright and endless.
All through the drive back to the academy, warmth spread through my chest. My father was alive. He had not abandoned me.
He had been searching for me all these years even though he had been held captive, tortured but never forgetting.
The thought of him coming after me, even to the extent of breaking into the academy with his rogues, made something inside me soften. He cared. He truly cared.
I looked forward to seeing him again.
The car pulled up outside the academy gates. The two men said nothing as I climbed out. T
They simply waited until I was through the entrance before driving away into the darkness.
I made my way across the grounds towards my dormitory.
The campus was quiet at this hour. Most students were already asleep. It looked calm like the underground biker club had not been attacked by rogues earlier this evening.
But as I approached my room, I spotted a familiar figure pacing outside the door.
Samantha.
As soon as she saw me, she rushed forward and threw her arms around me. "Where the hell have you been?"
I hugged her back tightly. "I am fine."
She pulled away and looked me over carefully. Her eyes scanned every inch of me. "You do not look like someone who has been in trouble."
"That is because I was not in trouble."
"Then where were you?" she demanded, grabbing my arm and dragging me into our room. She shut the door behind us and crossed her arms expectantly. "Talk."
So I did. I told her everything. About the rogues attack when I had gone in to search for her, how they had abducted me and injected me with these weak resistant drugs, about discovering my father was alive after fifteen years of believing he was gone.
Samantha listened without interrupting. Her eyes grew wider with each detail.
When I finished, she was silent for a long moment.
Then she asked, "Is your father handsome?"
I stared at her. "That is all you have to say?"
"Yes." She grinned. "I am waiting for an answer."
"Get lost," I muttered, shoving her shoulder.
She laughed and flopped onto her bed. But then her expression shifted. Became more serious.
"Darius was really worried about you though," she offered quietly.
I stilled. "Was he?"
"Yes. He kept asking around. Demanding to know where you were. If anyone had seen you."
I shrugged and turned away to unpack my bag. "It is just his conscience judging him. You know for letting me return to the chaos without trying hard to stop me."
"I think so too," Samantha agreed softly.
But I could hear the doubt in her voice. The uncertainty.
I did not want to think about Darius not tonight. Not after everything that had happened.
So I changed the subject and we talked about other things until we both fell asleep.
The following morning arrived too quickly. I dragged myself out of bed and got ready for classes.
As Samantha and I walked through the corridors towards our first lecture, I noticed students whispering.
Their eyes followed me. Heads turned as I passed.
"Did you hear?"
"Richard Pike is furious."
"He is planning something against her."
"Financial threats, I heard."
"No, academy pressure. He is going to get her expelled."
"I heard he is using political influence and xalling in favours."
The rumours swirled around me like smoke.
I kept my expression neutral as if their words meant nothing.
But inside, my stomach twisted. Richard Pike was dangerous. I knew that. Everyone knew that. If he truly wanted me gone, he had the power to make it happen.
"Ignore them," Samantha whispered beside me.
"I am," I replied calmly.
We reached our classroom and pushed through the door. Students were already seated. The usual pre-lecture chatter filled the air.
But then I saw Darius pacing near our seats, back and forth, back and forth. His movements were agitated.
My steps faltered. Samantha noticed and glanced at me.
"You alright?" she murmured.
"Fine."
We continued walking. Every step brought me closer to him. Closer to the inevitable confrontation.
Students around us fell silent watching and witing.
Darius stopped pacing. His head snapped up and our eyes met.
He stared at me for a long moment, he just stared. A storm of emotions flickered across his face too quickly for me to decipher.
Then his lips parted.
"You are alive," he muttered.