Solasta Academy: Blood & Moonlight

Chapter Thirteen

Arzhel

He figured out at a young age to run away from danger. Whether it was from his father's hand or a shadow monster—it didn't matter to Arzhel Koen because both could tear you to pieces if you looked at them wrong. Arzhel learned how to transform himself into a ghost when his brother was gone and his father was in a bad mood. As long as hid from the violence, he couldn't be hurt. Right? No, Arzhel knew better than to think his home life could get any better. That he deserved any sort of comfort and love from those he called his own flesh and blood. Eventually, his heart began to numb itself from the abuse and it led him to focus on the one sport he loved more than his angry father. Lightball. In the game, he could be the man he always wanted without judgment. He could lead others to victory and give them hell when they lose. Only for a few seconds, though, for he could never have the temperament of one Edward Koen or the perfect Nicolas who could do no wrong. Arzhel, however, was the black sheep. The one both his father and brother directed their judgment every time he came home.

God forbid he makes mistakes, he thought every time. He's only sixteen.

From the first time he met Calia Nox, he knew she was the epitome of everything dangerous, and his first instinct was to run the other way. But once he stared into her bright silver eyes, he knew he was fucked. When she bumped into him because she wasn't paying attention, it was as if lightning struck his heart and made him come alive again. Coincidently, her abilities created thunderstorms, so he was double fucked. Arzhel hated to admit it, but he wanted to learn everything about her. She was a mystery, and there was no doubt in his mind that she was special. That she needed someone looking out for her at Solasta. At least, that is what he told himself every time she needed his help. The excuses to be near Calia got more manageable once they bonded over a cigarette. Calia was kind when she should have been mean. Quiet when she should be loud. Happy when she should be depressed. Above all—she knew how to survive.

Just like him.

So, instead of running away from Calia Nox who hurt a boy with her abilities, he ran toward her—straight into a beautiful danger that kept him up all night. And no matter what happened tomorrow, Arzhel didn't care because her body was close to hers as she slept quietly. She fell asleep in the middle of Titanic, allowing him to gaze at her beauty as long as he could. His mind replayed over and over again the words she said minutes ago. Thank you for being my friend, Arzhel Koen. For the first time, he wanted to change his ways. To become the kind of friend Calia deserved. Arzhel didn't wish the darkness that was his life to destroy her brightness. He wanted her to keep smiling at him even on the darkest days. As long as she held onto her strength and genius brain of hers, he could believe he was worth saving.

Calia Nox could send him to his knees with one laugh. The first time he heard that beautiful sound, he knew it was his mission to listen to it again. There was nothing impressive about Arzhel as far as he could tell but every time he made a stupid joke, she laughed like nothing terrible happened to her. As though she was a little kid full of innocence again. Sometimes he wished he could spend five minutes in her mind because if the roles were switched, he knew he could not handle the pain she went through. Maybe a minute just to see if she thought about him as much as he did about her.

In the corner of his eye, Mister Cuddles lay on the edge of the bed as he was about to fall off, but Arzhel quietly grabbed the stuffed bear. He held it before him and gave it a funny face before shaking his head. "So, you're protecting little Calia Nox from nightmares, eh?" he whispered. Gods, he was going insane. Why was he talking to a toy? Though, he had to admit that the bear did look cuddly. It looked at Arzhel with its only eye, making him quietly laugh. "Okay, I promise. I'll protect her with my life." Arzhel gently placed Mister Cuddles beside Calia who was snoring softly and covered with a fuzzy blanket above her head. How she could breathe, he didn't know. He leaned closer to her and placed two fingers on her wrist—checking her pulse to see if she was still alive. After a few seconds, he let out a sigh of relief.