Chapter 30: The Campus Trap

Selene felt like a ghost walking through familiar ground. Ravenshade University, once her only refuge from the oppression of the clan, now seemed like the stage of an execution. The “freedom” Lord Valerius had granted her was a farce. She could feel the eyes. Not just those of her classmates, but the invisible ones... the watchers.

She had briefly met Annalise, who hugged her tightly, full of questions. Selene lied, murmuring something about “family problems” and a “complicated arranged engagement.” Annalise was shocked but promised her support, unaware of the true danger.

Now Selene sat on a bench in the courtyard, unable to focus on the book open on her lap. Every sound made her jump. She knew this was a test. Valerius and his son, Caspian, wanted to see if she would try to contact Rael. But Selene knew Rael. He wouldn’t wait for contact. He would come. And that was what terrified her.

The distant sound of an engine grew into a roaring thunder. It wasn’t a car. It was the deep, growling rumble of a motorcycle. Selene’s heart stopped.

— Don’t be foolish. Don’t come.

Miles away, Rael was speeding down the road to Ravenshade. The wind whipped against his black leather jacket. In his mind, Lucien’s words repeated themselves — She’s going to school tomorrow. And Cedric’s warning — This is his trap.

He knew. He knew he was heading straight into the wolf’s mouth — or, in this case, the vampires’ nest. But the anger he felt toward Prince Caspian, for treating Selene like a “payment,” overpowered any sense of caution. He wasn’t going to let her face that alone.

In a luxury suite of the Ravenshade Hotel overlooking the university campus, the trap was already set.

Victor Darkblood paced back and forth, nervous. Gabriel stood by the window, rigid as a statue, his eyes locked on the courtyard below.

Seated calmly in an armchair, Lord Valerius sipped something dark from a crystal glass. Beside him, Prince Caspian watched the scene below with aristocratic boredom.

— He’s predictable — said Caspian, his voice smooth. — An animal running straight to his female.

— When he touches her, my men will act — said Victor, stopping his pacing. — We’ll catch him red-handed.

Valerius let out a small sigh, as if disappointed by Victor’s lack of imagination. — Patience, Victor. We don’t want to catch him. We want to destroy him. Let the dog bark. Let him make a scene in public. I want Selene to see, with her own eyes, what happens when someone touches what belongs to the House of Ilyria.

Caspian, still watching through the window, smirked. — Father. The black motorcycle. He’s here.

The motorcycle stopped abruptly in front of the university gates. Rael killed the engine, and the silence that followed seemed louder than the roar itself. He removed his helmet, revealing his serious face. Dressed all in black, he didn’t enter the university. He invaded it.

Students stopped to stare. He ignored them all. His eyes swept across the courtyard — and found her.

Selene stood up, the book falling from her hands. — No, she whispered.

Rael walked straight to her, his steps long and full of purpose. He didn’t stop when he reached her. Without a word, he pulled her into a firm, possessive embrace, burying his face in her hair for a brief second. It was a greeting, a challenge, and a declaration, all in one gesture.

— Rael — she whispered frantically against his chest — what are you doing? It’s a trap! They’re here!

— I know — he answered, his voice low and rough, pulling her back just enough to look into her eyes. — Lucien told me everything. The prince, Ilyria... everything.

— They’re watching us! — Her eyes darted to the hotel towering over the campus. — My father, Valerius... they’re hidden there, waiting for you to show up!

Rael slowly turned his head and looked directly at the hotel window. He couldn’t see them, but he knew they saw him. He smiled — a cold, defiant gesture.

— Good — he said, turning back to Selene. — Let them watch.

At that moment, two figures emerged from the shadows of one of the academic buildings. It was Lysandra and Lucien.

— Gods, you two are actually insane — said Lysandra, sounding genuinely worried. — Rael, this is dangerous. Gabriel, the prince, and probably half a dozen guards are ready to tear you to pieces. Getting out of here alive will be impossible.

Lucien, on the other hand, was having the time of his life. — Well, well, Rael. Glad you took my advice. — He leaned against a pillar, arms crossed. — Don’t mind me. I’m just here to watch. This is going to be even better than I expected.

Rael ignored them. He took Selene’s hand.

— Come on. I’m hungry.

Selene stared at him, incredulous. — Hungry? Rael, you don’t understand—

— I do — he said, gently pulling her along. — And I’m not hiding.

He led her, hand in hand, past Lysandra and Lucien, crossing the courtyard toward the most public building of all — the cafeteria.

He opened the doors. The chatter fell silent. Rael guided Selene to an empty table right in the center of the room, by a large window that offered a perfect view of the hotel across the street. He pulled out a chair for her, then sat beside her, one arm resting casually along the back of her seat.

A moment later, Lysandra and Lucien walked in, looking both impressed and horrified, and sat across from them.

— Rael, seriously — hissed Lysandra. — What’s the plan? They’re going to seal the exits. How are you going to get out of here without being caught? Or killed?

Rael looked at Lysandra. Then at Lucien, who wore a delighted grin.

A slow, dangerous smile spread across Rael’s face.

— Through the front door — he said.

And he laughed, a low, confident sound that made Selene shiver — unsure whether from fear or excitement.