Light and Shadow 11: Peculiar Man

Light and Shadow 11: Peculiar Man

His jet-black hair was disheveled again and he had fair skin. Despite his youthful appearance, his well-built physique made him stand out. My gaze then fell upon his long, slender hands. Veins were faintly visible, adding to their allure.

His fingers were slender and attractive, even more so when I looked at his familiar handsome face. He was engrossed in his book, oblivious to his surroundings. As I had felt the last time I saw him, I fell under his spell again.

Unable to tear my gaze away from his face.

Thanks to my incredible vision, I could examine his face carefully again. He had long, curled, and thick eyelashes, as well as thick eyebrows. His nose was proud, and his lips were luscious and finally, his jawline was well-defined.

And then it dawned on me that I was becoming attracted to him.

His undeniable attractiveness drew the attention of many students, particularly girls, who couldn’t help but swoon over him. I could hear the girls’ excited squeals as they gazed at him. However, he appeared to be lost in his own world.

He looked sophisticated and refined, even from a distance. I could practically smell his intoxicating fragrance. It was the kind of scent that perfectly suited someone like him. It was clear that many women would be drawn to him.

But his air of superiority suggested he had high standards, he was out of my league. I blinked in disbelief after realizing my thoughts. I shook my head, dismissing the absurd and foolish idea. I couldn’t believe I was having these thoughts, especially since I had never considered them before.

I can’t allow myself to have a crush on him.

I can’t help but suspect that he was accustomed to the attention. When I was certain that he wouldn’t spare a glance at his surroundings, I was wrong. When he glanced up from his book, our eyes met, and I was momentarily stunned to see those familiar, peculiar eyes again.

There was something truly magical about his eyes, something that seemed to transcend the ordinary. I immediately snapped out of it when I noticed his eyebrows rising, forcing me to look away. I scolded myself internally for staring at him so shamelessly!

Taking a deep breath, I pretended nothing had happened and acted as if we hadn’t met at the academy. The encounter had caught me off guard, and I was still reeling from the shock of seeing him again in such an unexpected place.

Could he have followed me here after the incident at Stanford Academy? Perhaps he was suspicious of me. Whatever the reason, I knew I couldn’t let my guard down. Even though he might be Azriel’s forgotten friend, things could still get worse.

I knew I should have been more cautious, especially considering the circumstances. I had encountered him at the academy under mysterious circumstances, and it wasn’t wise to draw any unnecessary attention to our meeting.

So, I forced myself to look away, pretending as if nothing had happened. I took a deep breath to calm myself down and composed myself, determined to act as if we had never met. I’m unsure of his purpose here, and I need to be cautious.

His presence is a mystery, and I can’t afford to let my guard down. I sensed a strange bond with him, but I feigned ignorance. It was only subtle, perhaps due to our attempts to conceal our powers. I let out a sigh of relief as I stepped up to the counter to order.

“May I take your order, ma’am?”

As I ordered, I felt eyes observing me, watching my every move. It was a peculiar sensation, a blend of coldness and warmth, reminiscent of the feeling I had experienced when I looked into that peculiar man’s eyes.

Time crawled as his predatory gaze lingered on me, anticipating the ideal moment to strike. That’s why the moment I got my order, I fled the cafe, nearly running just to escape him. Our village was nearby, only a ten-minute walk from school.

However, as I turned down my usual shortcut alley, a strange force pulled me, causing me to drop my strawberry frappe. I was stunned to discover myself in an abandoned building. But what froze me in place were the hybrid demons looming before me.

Have they discovered my secret?

Their eyes filled with a predatory glint, burning with hunger. Fear gripped me as I involuntarily stepped back, their terrifying faces etched in my mind. Their skin was a ghastly gray, and black veins seemed to writhe beneath their skin.

Their dry black lips, pitch-black eyes, and crimson irises were a chilling sight. Cloaked in black from head to toe, they revealed long, sharp black claws and veins. My heart pounded in my chest, a drumbeat of fear.

Perhaps not?

Though I have powers, I was forbidden to use them right now against the horde of high-ranking hybris demons. My only choice was to fight, but it would be a daunting task. We stood motionless, but then a sudden gust of wind blew, and one of them sniffed the air like a crazed beast.

Before I could react, I heard his deep, chilling voice. ”Royalty…” one of the hybris demons said, and my confusion deepened. Everyone’s gaze was fixed not on me, but behind me.

That’s when I felt an ominous presence loomed behind me.

“Seize them!” A chilling voice ordered and they all lunged forward.

I was prepared to defend myself when a strong yet gentle arm encircled my waist, pulling me to safety. Startled, I saw the man fighting off the hybris demons. I watched him fight with incredible speed, leaving the hybris demons no chance. Their attacks were too slow to land a hit.

He moved with a speed that defied the eye, slaughtering the hybris demons with a flick of his wrist, without using any powers. I was awestruck, and I became oblivious to the danger around me. When an ominous presence loomed behind me, but it was too late for me to react.

As I braced for the worst, I saw those mesmerizing blue eyes again, saving me from the hybris demon. Then it only sink-in that the person who saved me was the man I had admired from afar. Our faces were inches apart, and his eyes seemed to draw me in.

I was spellbound once more.

***