Shadow Embraced (Haven Academy Book 1) [Completed]

Chapter 25

I jerk awake.

My body trembles as the effects of my latest vision surge through it. It's getting worse. This one felt like I was actually there. Actually a part of the fight.

Something sharp jabs me in the side. I roll over and stare at the jagged bundle of sticks I'm lying on. Everywhere I look there are dirt and branches. It doesn't take long for one thing to become clear.

I'm not in my room.

The smell of wet grass drifts around me. I'm somewhere in the woods, not far from the dorm. I think. Pushing myself up, I notice the deep series of lines carved into the soil. It's a picture. A girl screaming in fear as she is being attacked. I know this girl. It's the same one I fought in my last Ranks match. Grenade witch.

"Crap."

A violent urge to vomit washes over me as I stagger away from the etching. This cannot be real. I run for the dorm. Too much is happening; I can't think straight.

Careful not to be seen by anyone, I rush into the bathroom. Frozen, I stare at my reflection, wild-eyed, coated in dirt and twig. Dark red liquid stains my mouth. Shallow cuts run along my arms and dark bruises stretch across my stomach. Running a shower, I scrub at the mud until my skin's red raw. I can't stand the feel of it.

"This isn't happening," I say, staring at the wavy reflection on the shower glass. My demon's face stares back. "None of this is real."

'Real,' my distorted reflection hisses.

"Why won't you leave me alone?"

'Never alone.' I can feel a smirk pull across my other's face. 'Always here.'

"What do you want from me?" I slam my fist into the wall, causing the glass to shudder.

'Need to feed.'

* * *

After calming myself down, I managed to get to class. I'd say I've been acting pretty normal all things considered. News of the newest missing student spreads before classes even start. It feels like we are back in Kindergarten with the buddy system. As soon as a roommate doesn't show up at night, they know that's the next victim.

Everyone's talking though; a few groups are even planning to hunt the attacker as if they're not scared of whoever, or whatever, it is.

A faint knock sounds at the door and everybody looks up. The door opens and Hallows, the administrator, enters. She approaches Lyons and whispers something in his ear. I don't like the way he's looking at me.

"Miss Devena, can you come here for a moment," he says.

I stand up and shuffle my feet along the floor. All eyes are on me now. I shove my hands in my pockets to hide the trembling. I really don't need any more attention on me.

"Please go with Mrs Hallows; you are required in Lord Dahmin's office," he says in a low voice, before turning back to the class and saying, "Okay everyone, let's get back to work. Pick up your books and read chapter four. There will be a quiz in the next lesson."

I follow Hallows down the same labyrinthine pathway to the principal's office. She knocks on the door and, before waiting for a response, turns around and starts off on her return journey.

"Enter," Dahmin's voice calls from the other side.

The doors swing open with no help from me, and I force myself to move into the room. Dahmin sits in his usual position, hidden behind his desk, his eyes glaring at me. He signals for me to take a seat in the wooden seat that has been placed across from him.