The girl with silver eyes hadn't followed him.But Zayn couldn't stop thinking about her.Not just because of the system warning but because of the way she had looked at him.
Like she knew what he was.
Not who he was.
What.
He stood at the edge of the dueling ring the next day,eyes half-lidded,ignoring the buzz of students gathering again.Word about Magnus hadn't died down.In fact,more were watching now.Some waiting for revenge.Some for entertainment.
But the girl wasn't there.
Until she was.
One second empty space.
The next she stepped into the ring.
No announcement.No noise.
Just presence.
Zayn's spine straightened.
She wore the academy cloak but the way it clung to her,how she stood,how the shadows curled around her,it was like she didn't belong in this world at all.
Zayn,she said,voice barely above a whisper.
But he heard it anyway.
Everyone did.
You stole someone's talent,she said.And you're not even sorry.
He didn't respond.
I want to see it.Show me.
Zayn narrowed his eyes.
You're picking a fight
No,she said.I'm choosing a meal.
The crowd gasped.
But Zayn grinned.
You're like me
She didn't smile.
No.I'm worse.
Then she moved.
She didn't run or blink.She simply shifted from standing to being there,right in front of him.
Zayn reacted just in time,his hand raised,red thread flickering but it passed right through her.
An illusion
A shadow
[Warning: High level spiritual suppression detected]
She appeared behind him.
Her fingers touched the back of his neck.
Don't worry,she whispered.I won't eat you yet.
Then she vanished again.
The ring was empty.
The crowd looked confused.
Some thought it was a joke.
But Zayn stood still,heart pounding,breath shallow.
He felt something on his skin.
A burn.
Not physical.
But a mark.
He walked away from the ring,silently.
Tonight he wouldn't hunt.
Tonight he'd prepare.
Because for the first time since awakening his power,he wasn't the predator.
He was being hunted.