Chapter Thirteen

"Thank you," Lucianne said, heat filling her cheeks.

"Are you familiar with the work?"

"No," she admitted. "It's the first time I've read it."

"You're talented, Lucianne," he said. "And I don't say this easily."

She smiled as a response, and the class went on without a hitch. Gabriel assigned some character work for the class to do before he dismissed everyone. As she attended the rest of the classes for the day, thoughts of Gabriel pervaded her mind and she found herself counting down the days to their date at Glacier Forest.

As that day drew nearer, the month of October also progressed well into the year. The general atmosphere of the cohort grew restless, and more students retreated to their dormitories earlier than normal, fearful that they might be the next victim.

But Lucianne wasn't afraid. She was supposed to meet Gabriel in the late evening, just as the sun was setting, and on the last day of October. She didn't give much weight to myths like the Hex Beast, and even if there were a serial killer masquerading as a mythical creature, she knew she would be able to protect herself well. After all, she did not grow up with three brothers without picking up self-defence techniques.

So when the last day of October came and evening dawned, she brisk walked to Glacier Forest, and her heart leapt in her chest when she saw Gabriel standing by the gates, his hands in the pockets of his trench coat.

"Lucianne," he said.

She removed her camera from her bag. "Are you ready?"

He huffed in laughter. "Of course."

They both left the gates and wandered deeper into the forest. Ravenspire grew smaller and smaller, until it became an object in the distance. Lucianne skipped forwards and turned around to face Gabriel. He stopped in his tracks, hands still in his pockets as a roll of laughter left his throat in a deep voice.

"Say cheese!" Lucianne said.

"I'm not saying that," Gabriel replied but smiled for the camera. She took a shot and the film whirred.

She lowered the camera. "If you won't say cheese, then say something else."

"What do you want me to say?"

She grinned. "Tell me," she said. "What kind of women do you like?" Then she raised her camera up again.

He laughed. "What makes you think I like women?"

She gaped, her camera dipping. "What?"

"I'm joking," he said. "I am very much fond of women."

She rolled her eyes, raising her camera up to her eyes and snapping another picture of him. "Tell me what kind of women you like."

"Hmm," he said. "I like intelligent women. Women who know how to handle themselves, who aren't afraid of anything. Women who are kind and forgiving."

"Ahh," she said. "Sounds like a wonderful woman. Do you have any in mind when you say that?"

He looked to the ground with a grin and she clicked the shutter. "I do."

"Who's the lucky woman?"

"I've found her recently, and she's been surprising me in more ways than I can tell."

"Describe her."

"She has hair just like mine, the colour of a murder of crows. Her skin is pale, her eyes pale and a stark contrast to her dark hair."

"Sounds real familiar."

"Really? You might know her."

Lucianne laughed, snapping another picture. "I can't imagine where I'd bump into her, honestly."

"Enough about this woman," he said. "Tell me about what kind of men you like."

"Well," she said. "You might be shocked."

"Continue."

"There is this man in my life who also recently came into it. He's the most beautiful man I've ever laid eyes on, and his heart of gold is entrancing."

"Do I know him?"

"That's a tough question," she said. "I might have to ask him that."

Gabriel continued shaking his head. "Well - "

"Move back," she said and he backed. "Against the backdrop of the school."

"Like this?"

"Yes."

"How is it?"

"Perfect," she said, pressing the shutter repeatedly.

"Tell me more about this man who has bewitched you."

"He thinks he's bad for me," she said. "You're a man too. Say, what does a man mean when he says things like that?"

"I think he means it, Lucianne," Gabriel said. "You'd do well to stay away."

"Why can't I stay away?"

"He can't seem to stay away either."

Lucianne's camera lowered. "You know what I think, Gabriel?"

"What?"

"I know he's good."

"How?"

"Because bad people never think that they are bad."

Gabriel's smile disappeared, and he lapsed into deep thought.

"And good people never think they're good," she said. "Don't you agree?"

"What if you had proof? That he wasn't good."

"Let me see it then."

Gabriel's face darkened. "You asked for it."

"I did," she said, her voice firm and powerful.

"You're going to regret this," Gabriel said. "Lucianne."