Chapter 97 Denial

Chapter 97 Denial
Twila slowly pulled her hand out of Raiden's grip. She looked down at the desk, clenching her jaw so tight that her teeth started to hurt. In that moment, she realized she talked too much. She was exposing her heart, and it was tearing everything apart.

She vowed never to tell anyone how she felt again. Not Raiden, not her brother, not Island.

"What is wrong, Psycho?" Raiden asked, his eyes searching her blank face. "Did I say something wrong?"

"I'm just trying to focus on class, Raiden," Twila lied smoothly, keeping her voice flat. "I have a test tomorrow, and I really need to study."

Raiden frowned, leaning closer to her chair.

"You just told me you were drawn to him ten minutes ago," Raiden whispered, his voice heavy. "And now you suddenly care about Professor Clarke's lecture?"

"I was just emotional, Raiden," Twila lied again, refusing to look into his eyes. "The ring took the magic away, and I’m just tired. Please let me listen to the teacher."

Raiden stared at her for five seconds. He knew she was shutting him out, but he didn’t push. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest, his jaw ticking with frustration.

Twila kept her eyes on the chalkboard, she felt like a fake but refused to say anything more about her feelings. She wouldn’t let them see her break.

THE COMBAT ARENA

The afternoon sun was blazing hot. Master Chevelure stood in the arena, holding a clipboard. The entire class sat on the stone bleachers, sweating in their uniforms.

"Today is a physical endurance test," Chevelure announced loudly, pointing her pen at the students. "No magic, no spells, no weapons. Just pure hand-to-hand combat until someone yields or hits the dirt."

Island groaned loudly from the bleachers, fanning her face with her hand. "I hate physical combat days," she complained, leaning her head on Cassian's shoulder. "People bleed everywhere, and it smells awful."

"I think it's entertaining," Nyx smirked from the row right behind them. "I love watching these boys beat each other up for no reason."

Levi laughed, wrapping his arm around Nyx's shoulders. "You just like watching me flex, beautiful," Levi teased softly.

"In your dreams, water-boy," Nyx sneered, but she didn’t push his arm away.

Twila sat quietly next to Neon and Amorette. She didn’t say a word. She watched the dirt floor, nervously playing with the ring on her index finger.

"First match," Master Chevelure called out, looking at her clipboard. "Raiden Vane and Niles Vayne."

The entire arena fell silent.

"Are you kidding me?" Cassian grunted, sitting up straight. "She paired the two most dangerous guys in the school."

"This is going to be a bloodbath," Neon whispered, looking worried for his sister.

Twila's heart pounded against her ribs, she kept her face completely blank. She refused to show any emotion.

Raiden stood up from the bleachers, he didn't even glance at Twila. He walked down the stone steps and stepped onto the dirt.

He pulled off his black t-shirt and threw it onto the grass. His broad, muscled chest and dark tattoos were on display. The girls in the bleachers whispered and pointed, but Raiden ignored them.

Niles walked out from the other side of the arena, he wore jeans and a plain shirt. He pulled off his shirt too, tossing it aside.

His skin was pale and flawless. He didn't have massive muscles like Raiden, but he looked lean, fast, and dangerous.

"No magic," Chevelure warned. "If I see a spark of lightning or a drop of vampire compulsion, you both fail the semester. Begin."

Chevelure blew a whistle.

Raiden charged forward like a freight train. He swung his fist at Niles's head.

Niles ducked quickly, using his speed to slip under Raiden’s arm. He landed a punch straight into Raiden’s ribs with a thud.

Raiden grunted but didn’t fall. He spun around and kicked Niles in the stomach, sending him sliding back in the dirt.

"Is that all you got, bloodsucker?" Raiden mocked, wiping sweat off his forehead.

"I'm just getting started," Niles replied, a wicked smile crossing his face as he spat out dirt.

Niles lunged forward, hitting Raiden with three quick punches to the chest and jaw.

Raiden stumbled back, his lip splitting open and bleeding. But the Storm King laughed crazily. He grabbed Niles by the shoulders and headbutted him.

Smack.

Niles's nose broke with a loud crack. Red blood streamed down his face.

The crowd in the bleachers screamed and cheered.

"They're going to kill each other," Amorette whimpered, hiding her face against Neon's chest.

"Let them fight," Island said coldly. "They need to get this toxic male bullshit out of their systems."

Twila watched the brutal, bloody fight, she saw Raiden bleed, she saw Niles bleed. Her chest ached, but she forced her face to remain neutral.

She wouldn’t say anything. She wouldn’t tell anyone that seeing Niles take a hit made her stomach drop.

"Yield!" Raiden roared, punching Niles hard in the jaw, sending him crashing to the dirt.

Niles did not yield. He swept his leg out, knocking Raiden's feet out from under him.

Raiden hit the ground hard, and Niles jumped on top, pulling back his arm to deliver a crushing punch to Raiden's face.

"Enough!" Master Chevelure yelled.

Chevelure raised her hands, sending a wave of cold water crashing down on both boys.

The cold water knocked them apart. They lay in the mud, panting heavily, covered in dirt and blood.

"It’s a draw," Chevelure announced strictly. "Go to the locker rooms and clean yourselves up. You're both acting like wild animals."

Raiden stood slowly, wiping the bloody mud off his face. He didn’t look at Niles. He turned and walked straight into the dark tunnel leading to the boys' locker room.

Niles stood up after him, holding his bleeding nose, walking to the other side of the arena.

Class was over. Students started leaving the bleachers.

"I’m going to check on Raiden," Cassian said, standing up and walking down the stairs.

"I'm going to my room," Twila said quickly, grabbing her bag.

"Are you okay, Twila?" Neon asked, looking at her blank face.

"I'm fine," Twila lied flawlessly. "I'm just tired."

THE MEDICAL TENT

Twila didn’t go to her room.

She walked quickly to the small medical supply tent outside the arena. She just wanted to grab some bandages for Raiden.

She entered the tent and started digging through the plastic medical bins.

The flap of the tent opened suddenly.

Twila turned around.

Niles stood in the doorway, still shirtless. His skin was covered in dirt, and his nose was still bleeding slowly.

He looked tired, but his eyes were focused on her face.

"What are you doing in here?" Twila asked, keeping her voice flat.

"I saw you walk in," Niles said softly, stepping into the tent. "I just wanted to see if you were okay."

"I'm fine," Twila replied coldly, holding a box of bandages. "You should go clean your face, Niles. You look like a mess."

Niles didn’t leave, he took another step closer.

"Did I impress you out there?" Niles asked, his voice dropping into a rough whisper. "Did you feel anything when he hit me, Twila?"

Twila completely locked her emotions down. She stared into his eyes without showing a single drop of pity or care.

"You act like a stupid child, Niles," Twila said simply, her face blank. "I didn't feel anything at all."

Niles stopped walking, he looked at her cold face.

A slow, knowing smile spread right across his bloody lips.

"You are a terrible liar," Niles whispered, leaning his body against the tent pole.

"I am not lying," Twila snapped back, crossing her arms.

"The ring completely blocks the magic," Niles said smoothly, pointing at the ring on her finger. "But it doesn't block my vampire hearing, beautiful."

Twila froze completely.

"I can hear your heartbeat right now," Niles murmured, taking one final step until he was close to her. "You don't have to say a single word, Twila. I can literally hear how fast your heart beats when I stand here."

Twila swallowed hard, her heart was pounding like a crazy drum against her ribs, and he could hear every single beat.

She didn't argue, she just pushed past his chest and walked out of the tent as fast as her legs could carry her.

She was going to keep her mouth shut, but her own stupid body was betraying her secrets.