Hunter

CLAIRE'S POV

"What—what kind of things?" I asked nervously, my heart beating hard. 

I didn't know why I suddenly felt nervous and a little scared. Maybe it was because of the way Lorien spoke about Zane, like he was some kind of raging beast and did bad things to people.

I had seen sides of Zane that I absolutely despised, but… Lorien's words felt much darker. 

"He killed someone here," Lorien said, leaning in as his voice dropped to a low whisper. 

My eyes widened as I felt a cold creep up my spine. "What?" 

"It happened in our first year," he explained in a cautious tone. He glanced sideways before continuing. "It was a duel and… um, let's just say Zane got carried away. He snapped the boy's neck like it was nothing. Like a bloody chicken." 

I exhaled shakily, my mind spinning. 

So Zane Ravenscroft had killed someone. The thought alone made my heart slam against my chest. 

Why was I just finding this out now after I had stupidly threatened him this morning? Why had no one ever mentioned that he wasn't just cruel, but could also snap my neck if he wanted? 

I forced myself to speak, even though my throat felt tight. "It was a mistake, right?" I asked, hoping he wasn't that bad. I needed Lorien to say yes. I needed to believe it wasn't as bad as it sounded.

Lorien shook his head. "Everyone just likes to think that it was a mistake. But Zane is… he's crazy. You saw him at that party, how he just acted out of nowhere. He does whatever he wants here, and no one, not even Madam Gretchen, can control him." 

I sighed, wiping a hand over my sweaty forehead. No wonder Madam Gretchen said that about him in her office. I had always wondered why Zane seemed to have more control over things than he should. Turns out, it wasn't because he had control, it was because no one had control over him. 

But if he was carrying all this rage, why was he even here? He had a pack to lead, a life outside this school where he could go wild if he wanted. Yet he stayed here, being a terror to everyone except his clingy girlfriend. 

Maybe that's what truly made him a psychopath. 

I lifted my head. "I'm sorry, Lorien. I didn't know what Zane did, and I didn't and would never ask him to harass you." I said.

Lorien nodded, his expression softening as he leaned back. "I know that now," he gave a small smile. "And I'm also sorry for ghosting you. I heard a lot happened." 

I let out a dry chuckle. "Where do I even start?"

************

"You have to join a club, a sports team, and a society soon," Lorien said as we both walked toward my dorm. 

"Why do I have to?" I grumbled, pouting my lips as I clutched my bag even tighter. "I already have a lot to deal with, and I'm lagging behind." 

"It's the rule," Lorien answered simply. "If you don't, it'll affect your grades because in the middle of the semester, we usually have club games and all that." 

I stopped walking and put my hands on my hips. "So, wait, let me get this straight. I have to join a club, like… the debate club, then a sports team like the basketball team, and a society, all at once?" 

Lorien nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. He seemed amused by my frustration. "Don't worry, it won't be that hard." He said.

"Ugh." I groaned, throwing my head back. "That's exhausting." 

Lorien finally chuckled. "It's just —" 

"HUNTER!!!" 

The sudden shout made my head snap up in alarm. I turned sharply just in time to see a boy with silver hair running toward me, his face twisted in pure rage. 

"I'LL KILL YOU!!" he yelled, extending his hand toward me.

"Varian, en'shara!" Lorien shouted, immediately stepping in front of me and blocking me from the boy's path. "Averis ti'vala!" He yelled again. 

I had no idea what language that was, but it sent a chill down my spine as I stood behind him, wondering what I'd done to receive such threats. 

"Vareth kai!" I heard the boy snarl in response. His voice was filled with rage, and my heart pounded even harder as I stuck my head out from behind Lorien. 

The boy glared at me and I quickly hid my head, gulping shakily as I wondered what the hell was going on.

"Varian, en'shara!" Lorien repeated, and the next thing I heard was a loud thud. 

Peeking from behind him once more, my eyes widened as I saw the boy on the ground, writhing in pain. His body jerked like he was being held down by something invisible. 

"What are you doing to him?!" I gasped, staring at Lorien in shock. 

Lorien turned around to face me with a serious expression. "He will kill you if I let him go," he told me. "Are you all right?" 

No. I wasn't alright. I was almost attacked by this boy and in response, he was inflicting so much on him. How could I be okay? 

"Please don't hurt him anymore." I said. 

Lorien turned to face the boy again and with a flick of his fingers, the boy's body lifted off the ground, floating in midair. 

I sucked in a shaky breath, staring at the boy as he hovered, his body still slightly shaking.

"He's angry," Lorien said simply. "Very angry." 

I swallowed hard. Angry? But why? What could I have possibly done to make him come at me like this?

Lorien flicked his hand, and the boy slowly descended. He landed softly on the ground, his body trembling, but I stayed frozen in place, unable to move. 

Lorien stepped closer while I remained rooted to the spot. "Varian, what is wrong?" he asked. 

The boy stared at him and his eyes welled up before he let out a broken sob. "Th—They killed them," he choked out, his whole body shaking. "My mother, father, sister… they killed them all!" His words were filled with pain and his expression was so agonizing that I felt my heart ache with pain. 

He shifted his gaze to me and I flinched, my throat tightening at the look of hate in his eyes. 

I didn't do this. I didn't even know him. But the pain in his eyes was unbearable. Whoever had done this to him, whoever had taken his family, deserved to die. 

Tears burned in my eyes as I clenched my fists to stop it from trembling. 

Lorien crouched beside the boy and in a calm voice, he said, "I'm sorry for your loss, Varian. Sylva en'tha." 

Varian's head snapped up, his silver hair falling into his wild, tear-streaked face. "Doen lirien ve!" he shouted. "Vareth kai en'tha!" 

Lorien's expression darkened. "You cannot kill her." 

My breath caught and my heart slammed against my ribs. Was he really thinking about ending my life over something I knew nothing about? I took a careful step back, already calculating how I would run if I had to.

Varian's glare shifted to me once more, filled with pure hatred, then he looked at Lorien. "You, of all people, should know what her kind is capable of," he spat through his tears. "She deserves to die! Let me kill her!!" 

"I can't let you," Lorien said firmly as he stood. Without hesitation, he flicked his hand again, and Varian's body slumped onto the ground, unconscious. 

Lorien turned to me and then drew in a deep breath. "I'm sorry you had to see that," he mumbled.

I shook my head, feeling numb as I spoke. "No, yo….you just saved my life," I breathed. "Thank you."

Lorien stared back at Varian's body before saying, "I'll handle him. You should go back to your dorm."