Chapter 11: Whispers in the Dark

Raine peeled off her sweat-soaked hoodie and tossed it into her locker, exhaling slowly.

She had passed.

But this wasn't victory—it was just another battlefield.

Her body ached, but she ignored it. She had survived worse. Dying tends to put things into perspective.

The other trainees murmured around her, voices hushed.

"Did you see her? She kept up with Kairo and Zayne."

"No way she's a rookie."

"Who is she, really?"

Good. Let them talk. She wanted them distracted.

She turned, only to freeze.

Zayne Kross was leaning against the lockers, watching her.

"You're not fooling me, sweetheart."

Raine arched a brow. "Fooling you?"

Zayne stepped closer, voice dropping. "You move like someone who's been on stage before. But your name? No history. No past performances. Just a ghost walking into an audition."

Her pulse remained steady. Careful. Zayne Kross was a predator, and she couldn't afford to be prey.

She smirked. "Maybe I'm just naturally talented."

Zayne chuckled darkly. "Or maybe you're hiding something."

His fingers brushed against her wrist—where Asteria Vale's old tattoo used to be.

Raine's breath caught. Too close. Too dangerous.

She stepped back, keeping her smirk in place. "Curiosity killed the cat, Zayne."

He grinned. "Good thing I've got nine lives."