The Dean

The Dean

Lilith POV

We reached the cave in fifteen minutes. I gasped to catch my breath. Riley threw a container of blood at me. "You need to feed. I have a feeling we might need this," she said. We took cover and hid there for a while.

We saw the masked man walk out, and just as the cave entrance was about to close, Ethan threw a small substance to prevent it from sealing completely. We watched the masked man disappear, then we secretly entered.

It was dark inside and much colder than outside. We weren't dressed for it. "This is cold," I whispered. I couldn't stand the cold; it felt stronger inside.

"Endure, Lilith. You are a queen," Theo said. "Let's go." He led the way, and we all followed. We stopped when we encountered three paths. "This is going to be difficult," Theo said.

"We can split up," I suggested.

"No one is splitting. We are not familiar with this place yet, so no splitting. It could be dangerous in there, so please let us be very careful. We will take this path." He pointed to the left one. I could sense many things and had mixed feelings. I shook my head.

"Not that one," I said.

"Do you sense anything?" Riley asked, and I nodded.

"We take the one in the middle. It might lead us to where we want to go," I said, and we all went through the middle path.

I could hear noises coming from ahead and the smell of blood – more blood. "Stop," I whispered, and the three of them hid behind me.

"What is ahead of us?" Ethan asked.

"This is not good. I don't think I will be able to control myself," I said.

"What do you mean?" Theo asked. "Is it dangerous?"

I nodded. "Blood. More blood." My fangs began to emerge.

"You still can't control that?" Ethan asked.

"I can, but I was recently bitten, and the moon that came out... I haven't fully recovered," I said.

"Stay behind me," Theo said as he stepped forward. I held his hand, trying to prevent him from leading. He gazed at me, then looked at my hand. I removed it immediately. "I will be just fine," he added.

I walked behind him, guiding the way. I was afraid of what would happen if I continued to smell the blood. I thought I was strong, but perhaps not. I covered my nose with my hand, avoiding the scent of blood.

Theo stopped, and we all stopped too. We heard growling from afar.

"What the fuck?" Riley said slowly. She pointed. "I think this is what made that noise," she said.

We looked in the direction her finger was pointing. It was as if we were in a meat factory. We saw many things behind cloths. They were moving, struggling to break free, growling, and using all their strength.

"This is insane," Ethan said.

"I know," I said. Not long after, we saw flashes of light. Someone emerged from it. "A porter?" I asked. The four of us immediately took cover. We mustn't be seen, or they might kill us.

"It looked like the dean of your school, Lilith," Riley said.

"Beauty's father? I knew he was up to no good," I said as I looked at Theo.

Riley picked up her phone to take photographs, but Theo immediately took it from her. They would notice we were there. The creatures behind those clothes mustn't sense noise. They had noticed our presence, and that's why they growled.

"Feed them the blood," the Dean said, and his followers obeyed. They connected a pipe to the clothes, and blood flowed through. I couldn't control myself when I saw the blood.

"Calm down, Lilith," Theo said as he held my hand. I looked at him. "Calm down. That's it... you are getting there." I took his words to heart.

I looked at the creatures behind those clothes. We didn't know what they looked like, but it was as if they were reborn or something. What was the Dean up to? This was bad. There would be another war soon.

We were about to leave, but Ethan stayed there. Theo asked him to come along before we got caught, but he insisted on waiting longer, and thank goodness he did. We saw the dean drinking from the blood.

I made eye contact with Theo. "What is he?" I whispered. He shook his head and continued to watch. "This is bad," I said again. I could hear chanting from the other side of the door. What would have happened if we chose the left door? We would have been caught by whoever was chanting. "This place is dangerous. Let's go," I said. "Now," I whispered, and they could see I was serious. I admit we couldn't fight the dean at that moment. He had the upper hand here. We were in his territory, and unknown creatures were hanged. We didn't know how dangerous they were, but I could sense them. They were dangerous.

I watched the three of them walk out first before I did. I was happy I didn't bring Ava along; things could have been worse.

I sighed when we got out of the cave. "That was scary," I said. We heard footsteps coming and immediately took cover. I couldn't control myself. I was afraid I was going to transform at that moment, and if I did, I would want to fight the dean, and maybe that would be the end of me. I was scared of those creatures. I couldn't see what they looked like, but they felt terrifying.

"Let's get out of here before Lilith's body reacts," Ethan said. Theo carried me on his back, and we walked through the woods we came from. I was worried. Worried about how I would fight if we finally had to confront those creatures. Would I be able to handle myself? Or would I be okay if I transformed?

The blood I had been taking didn't make me powerful, but Daniel's blood did. It made me feel as if nothing could defeat me except the new Moon. I didn't know when it would appear again, but I didn't want to think about it. It made me weak. I hated being weak.

I held on to Theo as we passed through the woods. We walked for about 35 minutes before reaching the community. The door opened, and Theo took me to Riley's room and gently placed me on the bed. "Are you hurt?" he asked.

I shook my head. "I am fine, but—"

"I know. We can't defeat that thing now," Theo said. "We will begin training tomorrow," Theo said.

"We have a party tomorrow evening," Ava said immediately.

"A party? There is danger in front of us, and you want Lilith to party?" Theo asked.

"Calm down, Theo," Riley said.

"Urr. A boy will be there. It is at my place, and my parents won't be around."

"A boy?" Theo asked.

"Yes. And Daniel," Ava said. Theo seemed to dislike that name. "Lilith said she could feel Jackson's aura." Theo looked confused. "The new boy's name is Jackson. So I think going to this party would help her know him better; maybe if they talk, she would be able to read him properly."

"Yes, Theo. I can sense something not right coming from Jackson. Please let me go. I will come back for training after we are done," I said as I adjusted on the bed. I wasn't comfortable, and the images of those creatures kept coming into my head. I couldn't get them out.

Riley gave me blood to drink, but I rejected it. The only blood I wanted to drink was Daniel's. I guessed I had craved it the minute I drank from him. "You have to feed if you want to get better," Theo said.

"I can't," I said.

"Why not?" Riley asked. "We need you, Lilith, and if you break down now, how do you expect us to defeat those things we saw?" Riley asked.

"What thing did you see?" Ava asked, but she was ignored.

"I don't think Beauty knows her father is doing this. We have to tell her. I mean, I have to tell her. She might be able to help," I said.

Riley sat next to me. "I don't think she would believe you. I mean, you are the girl she wants to kill. She thinks you are not worthy of being the chosen one. Do you think she would believe you if you say things like this to her about her father? You will end up becoming someone she wants to kill desperately, so I do not advise that."

"Yes. Riley is right," Theo said. "You can't tell her; you will only make matters worse," he added.

"What do you want me to do?" I asked. I was confused. My head wasn't in the right place. I needed answers. I thought I was the most powerful creature, but why couldn't I defeat this thing? Why couldn't I defeat the wolf that attacked me? "I am very weak, Theo." I started to cry. I do not show my vulnerability to anybody. Alaric was the only person who had seen me that way, and he made things better when he was around. "I can't do this, Theo. I think I have become weaker over the years. I came here for peace of mind and not to fight. Please find another person to do this."

"Lilith? What are you doing?" Ava asked.

"She is crying," Riley said. "We should let her be. All of you come out."

"Including me?" Ava asked.

"Especially you," Riley said.

"But she needs someone by her side," Ava added.

"No. She needs to think this through by herself. Come on." Riley took Ava's hand and led everyone out of the room so I could be alone. She closed the door behind her, and I laid my head on the pillow. I thought of mother and father and Arden. I thought of Elena. I was powerful when I was with them. They gave me the confidence to stand and fight for what was right.

I buried my face in the pillow. I screamed. My head was a mess. I didn't know what to do. What if Alaric hadn't saved me that night? Would I have died, or would I have saved myself from the dagger King Cain wanted to use to kill me?

Nothing was clear.

Nothing at all.

Flashbacks of that night were attacking me, and I wasn't ready for that. I just wanted to figure out how we would fight those demons or whatever so the war could end. I just wanted peace. That was all I sought for. Peace!

I sat up and looked around the room. I saw the book Theo gave Ava. It was on my bed. I took it and opened it. No wonder Ava was so invested in it. It was about magical powers I wasn't aware of. Things like this existed? I was shocked to see what was in the book. My mind went straight to Jackson. What if he was not as pure as he looked? What if I find something about him at the party? What if he is not human at all? What would I do then?

I dropped the book. I couldn't sleep either. Daniel was gradually forgetting about me too. He hadn't returned my texts or read them. I became worried. Riley was right. What if I told Beauty about her father? She hated me, so she wouldn't believe me either. I was like her worst enemy. Friends turned enemies. How convenient for us both. I needed to find a way to let the council know what Beauty's father was up to.

I needed to see the council and put my pride aside. I needed to put the people's needs first before my own. I would make sure to talk to the council about this.