Shadow Embraced (Haven Academy Book 1) [Completed]

Chapter 21

In a few hours a pack of very tired and completely out of it students will transform back, march to their rooms and sleep all day. After that, things should return to normal.

Upon returning to the room, I stowed my jeans, jacket and mask in the back corner of my cupboard, away from prying eyes. It's probably not a good idea to wander around wearing it—not if I want to keep my secret identity. Imagine that—me, the Dhampir girl, pulling a Clark Kent. Only, instead of saving people, I'll be beating them up.

"Where were you?" Rayne barges into the room. "Why d'you leave the party like that? I mean, you didn't even tell Daemon."

I sit up in bed and stare at her. I knew there was something I'd forgotten.

"Well, isn't this interesting?" The sudden glee in her voice sends chills down my spine.

The distinct sound of streaming video fills the room. Why couldn't my roommate be a deaf mute? So much for keeping a secret. Maybe I should kill her. Nah, too much work. I think I'll ignore her and hope she goes away. How did I not notice the computer was on?

"Let's see, aside from the Centurion Challenge, there were only two matches tonight. I wonder who you could be." Her sinister smile is making me reconsider the whole premeditated murder thing. "Could you be Tremor? Bion? Deimos maybe? I don't know, what do you think, Scar?" Tossing her head back, she laughs.

"What do you think, Rayne?" I ask, standing up and moving closer to her.

"Chill, I'm just messing with you. I've known you were a fighter since you showed me your locket. I just wanted to know who, and now I do."

"So, who do you think I am, then?"

"Think? I already know." She shakes her head. "It's not exactly a brain-melting mystery here. Who inexplicably disappeared from a major party the same night a new fighter competes? Who went to the party in the same jeans and jacket?"

Crap. I'm such a bonehead.

"So what? You want to fight about it?" I say, trying to keep my voice strong and steady.

"You? No, and for two reasons. I'm a lot higher ranked than you, so there's no point. And, from the looks of this video, challenging you would be hazardous to my health."

"So, you gonna tell me who you are?"

Rayne shakes her head. "Do I look like a fool? If you don't know, I will not tell you. I don't want some stupid challenge 'cause you feel ambitious."

She thinks I'll fight her to improve my score. That's unfair. Justifiable, but still unfair. I sit back on my bed, my attention on Rayne. "How many others do you think worked it out?"

"Not many." She shuts the computer down and moves to her bed. "Everyone's busy tonight; at least a third was off chasing their tails. The videos only stay up for twelve hours; if you do nothing stupid, you should be fine."

That's a relief. I don't need people randomly picking fights with me. I get enough of that as it is.

* * *

Dirt...

Darkness...

A boy limps through the tunnels, working his way home despite the pain. Skull mask clutched in hand, he mumbles to himself. He searches for the trapdoor, just wanting to be anywhere but there. He doesn't see his follower.

A flash.

Pain. Blood. Fear.

Fumbling for something inside his shirt, the boy flees. Something chases after him. An exit. A door leading to the surface. Escape's in sight. He has to make it.