Beyond His Evil

TWELVE.

KIRA

I couldn't sleep.

I turned away from the ceiling I'd been staring at for what felt like hours and propped myself up on my elbows.

My eyes drifted to Kate, curled tightly in her bed, her chest rising and falling with each deep breath.

She'd been so exhausted from training today that the moment she got in, she went straight to sleep. I had no one to talk to about the overwhelming events of my day.

I sighed, deciding that maybe some fresh air would help.

I slipped on my slippers, careful not to make a sound, and quietly opened the door.

The hall was as empty as it had been this morning. I was grateful—grateful for the silence, grateful for the solitude. I didn't want to deal with anyone right now.

My footsteps echoed down the corridor, the bright lights guiding my way.

Soon enough, I was at the entrance of the building.

The door creaked as I pushed it open, and the sharp night air hit me all at once, sending a shiver down my spine.

I rubbed my bare arms, trying to warm myself, but the chill cut through my thin nightgown.

Even though I regretted not wearing something thicker, I decided to stay where I was for a moment, sitting on one of the stone steps.

I stared at nothing in particular, my gaze fixed on a tree close by. The leaves rustled softly in the breeze, a peaceful sound that contrasted sharply with the storm of thoughts swirling in my mind.

I couldn't tell how long I sat there, watching the tree and freezing.

The cold was seeping into my bones, but I didn't move, too lost in the quiet to care. But eventually, the chill became unbearable. When I finally stood up, my limbs were stiff, and I rubbed my arms to try to warm up.

Goosebumps covered my skin, and I shuddered as I took a step forward, deciding to head back to my room.

"...You shouldn't be out at this time." a voice said.

My heart leaped into my throat, and I spun around so quickly that I almost lost my balance, my neck snapping as I whirled to face the voice.

Devon was standing barely two feet away, his figure emerging out of the shadows.

My breath caught in my chest, and I blew out a frustrated breath, my heart still racing.

I'm going to have to get used to his ability to teleport— for the sake of my heart, especially now that I was certain I was stuck in Safe Land.

His hair was messy, strands falling across his forehead in a way that made him look disheveled, but in a good way.

My gaze dropped to his bare chest, and I quickly looked away, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks.

He was wearing nothing but loose trousers that hung dangerously low on his hips, showing off the definition of his abs.

Wasn't he cold?

My heart pounded harder than it should have as I tried to regain my composure.

I hadn't expected to see him here, especially after everything that had happened earlier.

The meeting still lingered in my mind—. Seeing him now, in the silence of the night, only seemed to amplify everything I didn't understand.

"Wh... What are you doing here?" I asked, the question slipping out before I could stop myself.