Chapter 18: En Route to Valerius.

ELARA

Before I could say another word, the lights above Gate 12 flickered red and sirens exploded through the terminal.

“Security breach. All passengers step away from the exits.” The boarding scanner shut off and the doors locked automatically.

My heart dropped to my stomach.

“No… no, no, no…” Why was this happening? This man's hand was still on my shoulder.

He didn’t look surprised.

Like he knew this would happen, and I seized that opportunity, kicked him in the balls and ran off, leaving my suitcase on the floor.

I didn't know where to go and I didn't know who to trust. These strangers were after my life and I needed to escape.

Undoubtedly, I didn't need a soothsayer to tell me who they were.

I ran. That man was still looking for me. I didn't look back, I just ran.

People shoved past me from every direction. Someone crashed into my shoulder and people screamed.

The whole terminal had turned into madness and the red lights kept flashing overhead like we were underwater.

“Attention please. Possible explosive threat detected. Evacuate immediately. Repeat. Evacuate immediately.”

Bomb. There was a bomb. My brain went blank.

My heart slammed so hard I thought I’d faint right there. I was scared of dying again. I didn't want to die.

This wasn’t normal and it wasn’t random.

It was them. It had to be. The anonymous number and messages.

I had planned to face them, but not this way without any self-defence skill. I never thought they would take it this far. I wasn't expecting this, innocent people in danger.

I remembered the message they sent before I switched off my phone.

“Do not travel.” My chest tightened. They weren’t bluffing. They meant it and they had followed me here.

My legs moved faster. If I stayed, I would die, and if I stopped the huge man would catch me.

I pushed through the crowd, nearly slipping on someone’s fallen bag.

Security guards ran past me yelling orders.

“Move! This way!” But which way was safe? I was running from them. I didn't know who was who.

The yelling got much louder. I looked up and smoke started leaking from somewhere near the food court.

It wasn't thick, but it was just enough to scare everyone.

The people panicked harder. I hadn't been this scared before.

Someone knocked into me from behind.

I stumbled forward.

“Watch it, bitch!” the person cursed.

My ankle twisted and the pain shot up my leg, but I kept running anyway.

I didn’t even have my suitcase anymore, but I was glad my passport was in my hoodie. That was all that mattered.

“Hey!" I heard a loud voice coming for me.

I immediately turned into a corner too fast and smashed straight into a body.

My forehead hit his chest again.

What the hell was wrong with me today?

Before I could fall, strong hands grabbed my waist.

My palms pressed against his shirt and my breath hitched the way it did earlier.

And then, his scent hit me again. It was the same scent from earlier. My stomach flipped and slowly, I looked up.

It was him. My heart stuttered stupidly.

Why was my body reacting like this?

This wasn’t the time, but my cheeks still burned.

Of all people to keep falling into…

“You again…” I started and then BANG.

A loud crack exploded somewhere behind us.

Then there was another. Gunshots. People screamed louder. Someone dropped to the floor. Security started yelling.

“Get down! Get down!”

My brain shut off. I started panicking and then I found myself on the day I died.

“Elara Vance, the golden girl of tennis, takes her first shot,” the commentator said as the crowd cheered me

The lights on the court were so bright.

I looked around, my hands shook as the racket dropped from my hands.

“Elara Vance has dropped her racket. What does this mean? Is she accepting defeat?” he continued, but I just kept looking around me.

They were hailing me.

“Elara, Lara…” My face was on almost all T-shirts…

I looked at my opponent and she had a beautiful smile on her face. Same smile she had before I killed her. I just turned and ran out of the court.

Bang.

Another gunshot was fired. My legs got paralysed out of fear and I held onto him instinctively.

I grabbed his shirt hard.

My fingers fisted into his clothes like he was the only solid thing left in the world.

“I… I…” My voice shook. “They’re shooting…”

But he didn’t panic. He just stood still. He didn't even flinch.

One arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me against him.

He stood like bullets wouldn’t dare touch him.

“Stay close,” he said quietly and I wondered how he could be this calm.

The gunshots got closer and my ears rang. It no longer felt like gunfire, but more like a haunt.

Tears blurred my vision.

“I just wanted to leave here…” I whispered.

My body started shaking. I was having a panic attack. Not again, not in his presence.

His scent filled my lungs again and my last thought was stupid and small.

“If I’m going to die… at least I’m not alone.”

Then my knees gave out and darkness rushed in.

\---

I woke up with a jolt.

My head throbbed. I was lying on a plush airplane seat.

Everything smelled faintly of leather and airplane sanitizer.

I tried to sit up fully and froze when I saw him, the man with the whiskey and cedar scent. He was still here with the same calm dominance.

I was embarrassed and looked away.

He sat across from me, hands folded, watching me.

He wasn't moving or smiling. He didn't say a word.

I swallowed hard. My throat was dry and my voice wouldn’t come.

“Where…?” I finally whispered.

He didn’t answer. He just shifted slightly, giving me a small space.

I looked around. The flight attendants were confirming if we were comfortable and some passengers were seated.

A voice came over the intercom.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we are now en route to the Republic of Valerius. We will be landing in approximately one hour. Please ensure your seatbelts are fastened…”

Valerius.

I froze.

My eyes darted back to him.

He didn’t flinch, didn’t even glance at the announcement.

Apex Academy was at Valerius.

My training. The reason I was even here.

I tried to speak again, but my mouth went dry.

I was terrified to ask the question I already knew the answer to.

“Why…” I barely breathed. “…am I on this plane?”

But still, he didn't give me a response.

I gritted my teeth. I could feel panic clawing at me. But I forced myself to stay quiet.

Minutes dragged. But I couldn't tell why I was here and how I got here from that chaos.

I finally risked a look at him again. He caught my eyes, then just as quickly, he turned his face away.

Heat flushed my cheeks.

I tried to ignore him and focused on the tiny window beside me. Clouds rushed past, but my mind raced.

What had happened after the shootout? Who had pulled me onto this plane?

I clenched my fists.

I didn’t trust him. Not yet. But part of me… something stupid and dumb… felt safe with him.

The pilot’s voice broke through again.

“We are beginning our descent into Valerius International Airport. Please return your seats to the upright position and fasten your seatbelts…”

I stiffened.

I barely had time to process how I got here, and now the plane was landing.

I glanced sideways. There was a familiar face on the aisle, but at this moment, I couldn't recognise her.

She walked up to me, holding a clipboard, standing and looking around.

She had dark hair pulled into a tight braid. And in her hands… a photograph of me.

“Elara Vance?” she called, voice crisp and confident.

I nodded, speechless.

“I am Veil Draven,” she said. “Your sports guide. I’ll be responsible for you at Apex Academy. Welcome to Valerius.”

I was surprised why she was on the plane with me, but didn't dare to ask.

The plane touched down and we alighted.

The man from earlier didn't say any other word to me and just walked out.

I followed the woman, Veil. The terminal was busy but orderly. We reached the baggage claim.

“Your suitcase,” Veil said, handing me a large black case.

I blinked. I thought I’d lost it in the chaos.

She handed me a smaller bag too, a neatly folded sports kit tucked inside.

“You’re exactly where you need to be,” she said softly.

I looked around and almost burst out with happiness.

This… this was it. I was finally in Valerius. My chance to rebuild.

I turned and saw the man from earlier. I hadn't even gotten his name.

I was tempted to thank him, but he just got into a black Sports car and zoomed off before I could ta

ke two steps.

I took a deep breath. A thousand questions crowded my mind.

Who had pulled me onto the plane? What had really happened after I passed out?

And most importantly…

Why did I feel like my life had just become even more dangerous?