Chapter 21

The moment felt like an eternity. But the second Theo loosened his grip, Eliana shoved him off and bolted for the door. She slammed it open and paused just outside, her chest heaving. Her heart pounded in her ears as she pressed a trembling hand to it.

She didn't understand why he let her go. He could have forced himself on her—so why hadn't he? Maybe it was a game to him. Maybe it was part of the torment. But no matter what it was, she still had one thing to do before she could run away.

Even though she wanted to run far away and never look back, she turned to face him again, standing at the threshold, one foot ready to sprint at the first sign of danger.

"My... my favor. I want it now," she said, trying to sound firm, fearless. But her voice shook.

Theo sat on the couch like he was royalty, arms spread lazily across the backrest, eyes trained on her every move.

"But how do I know you'll participate properly next week if I grant your favor now?" he asked with that infuriatingly calm smile.

"If you don't, I won't come to class next week at all," she shot back, a bit more defiance in her voice this time. She knew she couldn't actually skip class without being punished—but she'd take the punishment.

"You have to trust that I'll stick to our deal. I'll play along."

Theo studied her in silence, making her skin crawl. If he didn't say something soon, she'd abandon this plan entirely.

At last, he spoke. "Okay. Tell me what you want." His voice held curiosity, and somehow that made her more nervous. She didn't expect that he would give in and hear her out but she didn't want to question her luck and just used her chance.

"I heard there's a library... and only you mentors have access to it. I want in."

Theo burst out laughing and raked a hand through his golden hair. "That's it? I don't know what you're hoping to find in there, but it won't be much."

"I don't care what you think. Will you grant me access or not?" she snapped, her nerves fraying.

"Easy there," he said. "Yes, I will. Tonight, you can go to the library—under my guidance."

She hesitated. Being alone with Theo at night? Really bad idea.

"No. I want to go alone."

He shook his head immediately. "Not happening. One of us has to be with you."

Of course they won't let go her alone but then she had another idea, an really stupid idea but it was worth a try.

"So it doesn't have to be you?" she asked. "Then... I want Cobra to watch over me while I'm there."

Theo blinked, clearly surprised. "Cobra? Why him? You know there's a good chance he'll just kill you out of boredom. Hell, he probably won't even agree."

"Just ask him, okay? That's the favor I want."

She was done talking. She was done bargaining. She waited only for his confirmation.

"Okay, whatever. Leave now." He waved her away with a sigh.

She didn't waste a second. She bolted from the room, her pulse still erratic, the adrenaline still high. Theo's actions had rattled her to her core, but she forced herself to push it down.

She had strategic class with Isaak next, and the distraction was welcome.

As she sat through the lecture, she kept replaying how to approach Cobra if he actually showed up. Her plan was to ask him if he would train her and teach her how to fight.

She didn't trust Keith anymore—not after the kiss, not after Tristan's warning, not after the way he treated her during combat. He was supposed to help her, but all he did was yell and beat her down.

She considered asking Dane. He seemed to care—at least a little—and she was beginning to trust him, slowly. But he didn't strike her as the fighting type. Maybe that was just her bias, but Cobra was the one leading the combat classes. If she wanted to really fight back, to become strong enough to survive this hell, he was the best choice.

If he showed up.

After class, she went to dinner. She kept her head down, eating quietly, avoiding everyone. She didn't want to see anyone familiar, especially Keith or Tristan. At the table beside her sat Kilian and his clique. She could feel their hostile stares burning into her, but she ignored them. She didn't have the energy to deal with their posturing.

They were just mad that an outsider like her was attending their precious academy and still standing.

After finishing her meal, she returned to her room quickly. She didn't want to miss Cobra if he did come. She sat down on her bed and waited, heart pounding—not just from anticipation but from everything that had happened.

And then she realized something.

Just a few weeks ago, she would've broken down after what Theo did to her. But now? Now, she'd gotten over it so quickly it shocked her.

The numbness had crept in. She was adapting to this place, to the horror. Slowly, the Academy was changing her.

And that terrified her more than anything else.