Secrets Unveiled: A Call That Shakes the Room
Arvanya's POV:
As Lucian and I sat in my room, the realization struck me like a bolt of lightning. If Zane, Ryker, Esme, and Calen knew about my healing ability, did that mean everyone in the academy knew too?
The thought sent a chill down my spine, and I couldn’t stop the unease from creeping onto my face. My hands tightened around the blanket draped over me as my mind spiraled.
Looking at my expression, Lucian’s brows furrowed, and concern flashed across his face. “Are you feeling unwell? Should I call Dr. Kaelis?” His voice was steady but carried an urgency that made it clear he wouldn’t hesitate to act if I nodded.
I shook my head, trying to steady my breath. “No, it’s not that,” I said quietly, but my tone didn’t seem to reassure him.
“Then what is it?” His voice softened, but the sharp edge of curiosity remained. "What's going through that head of yours?"
I hesitated, my thoughts swirling like a storm. The incident was still fresh in my mind—the memory of my healing ability taking over without my control. I swallowed hard and finally asked, “Lucian… Do they know?”
His brow furrowed further as he leaned back slightly. “Who?” he asked, his voice cautious now.
“Everyone,” I clarified, sitting up slightly and gesturing vaguely toward the door. “About my... healing ability. If Zane, Ryker, Esme, and Calen know, then surely the entire academy knows by now. Rumors spread like wildfire here.”
Lucian leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his intense gaze locking onto mine. “No,” he said firmly, his voice leaving no room for doubt. “Aside from them and Dr. Kaelis, no one knows.
Relief washed over me, but it was quickly replaced by unease. "How can you be so sure?"
His gaze locked with mine, intense and unyielding. "Because I made sure of it. I know what it means to be special, to stand out in a world that fears what it doesn't understand. It's dangerous—not just for you, but for anyone close to you."
His words struck a chord deep within me. My thoughts wandered to my dad, his warnings, and his protectiveness. "You sound like my dad," I said softly, a small, bittersweet smile tugging at my lips.
Lucian's jaw tightened, his eyes darkening. "Your father is a wise man. He understands what it's like to lose someone because of powers they never asked for."
His words were meant to reassure me, but they only deepened my unease. I couldn't reveal that I knew about his sister, not when it was a story shrouded in silence, a loss buried so deep that few even dared to speak of it. My dad had shared it with me in confidence, and even then, only briefly.
"You sound like you've dealt with this before," I said carefully, watching his reaction.
Lucian's jaw tightened, his gaze growing distant as if he were seeing something far away. "I have," he said simply, his tone leaving no room for further probing.
I swallowed hard, wanting to offer comfort but knowing it wasn't my place. "Thank you," I murmured, breaking the silence. "For keeping this quiet. I don't know what I would've done if—"
"You don't need to thank me," he interrupted, his voice softer now. "Protecting you isn't just about keeping your secret. It's about keeping you safe, no matter what."
His words stung. Why did he want to keep me safe? Why was he so determined to protect me? The questions stormed through my mind, each one more overwhelming than the last. Could he feel the bond? The connection between us?
Without thinking, driven by sheer curiosity, I blurted out the question I knew I shouldn't ask. "Why do you care for me and want me to be safe?"
The words escaped before I could stop them, and his eyes snapped to mine, meeting my gaze with an intensity that made my heart race. That stupid bond surged forward again, a warm, unrelenting pull that I couldn't ignore.
He didn't respond immediately, his silence only heightening the tension between us. His lips parted, and I could see he was about to say something—something important—but just as he began to speak, the door swung open.
The moment shattered.
Esme, Calen, Zane, and Ryker burst into the room, Esme leading the charge with her usual exuberance. "Look at what we've got for you!" she exclaimed, holding up a tray piled high with food. "This isn't normally made for students, but it's specially for you."
I blinked, staring at her and then the tray. Confused, I asked, "Why would they make this for me?"
The tray was filled with an assortment of delicacies: freshly baked croissants, fluffy scrambled eggs garnished with herbs, a bowl of vibrant fruit, and what looked like a decadent chocolate mousse. Everything was plated elegantly, far too extravagant for a normal breakfast.
Esme's grin turned mischievous, and she threw a quick glance at Lucian, her smirk growing wider. "Oh, you know," she teased, "being a prince has its perks. And when he asks for something, people don't say no."
As Esme set the tray down on the table near my bed, Calen leaned against the wall, grinning. "Seriously, Aria, the kitchen staff almost bowed to us when they handed this over. They're probably scared they'll get in trouble if it's not perfect."
Zane added with a chuckle, "I bet they're sweating bullets right now, hoping you'll approve of their masterpiece."
Ryker smirked and nudged Zane. "Or maybe they're just afraid of him." His gaze darted toward Lucian, his tone teasing.
I glanced at Lucian, who looked unfazed as usual. "You didn't have to do that," I muttered, unsure whether I was grateful or annoyed.
"It's not a big deal," he said simply, brushing it off like it was nothing.
Esme, clearly enjoying the moment, handed me a fork with a playful grin. "Go ahead, take a bite! You're going to love it."
I hesitated, glancing at Lucian. "You didn't go to breakfast either," I said quietly. "You should eat with me."
The room went silent, and I immediately felt the weight of everyone's stares. Esme's eyes sparkled with curiosity, and Zane and Ryker exchanged looks that practically screamed, Did she really just say that?
Ryker leaned closer to Zane, whispering loud enough for everyone to hear, "Well, this is interesting."
Zane nodded, his eyes never leaving Lucian. "Yeah, this just got good."
Lucian, who had been silent up until now, finally responded with a slight, almost imperceptible shrug. "You should eat it because it's for you, and you need it for recovery. Besides, I don't usually eat much in the morning."
There was a pause, and I could see the subtle shift in Lucian's expression. It wasn't anger, but something deeper—a quiet intensity, as if he didn't know how to react to what I had just said.
Just as I opened my mouth to respond, a sudden buzz echoed through the room, making me jump. My phone vibrated loudly on the study table across the room. Startled, I froze for a moment, but Esme was quicker. She darted to the table, snatched up the phone, and returned to my bedside.
She glanced at the screen and smirked. "Someone's calling you. The name says MY Protector."
My eyes widened in horror. Esme's words caught everyone's attention, and now all eyes were on me. Lucian's gaze shifted from the phone to me, his expression unreadable but clearly questioning. Who is that? And why is he saved as My Protector?
Calen raised an eyebrow, his tone playful but clearly intrigued. "My Protector, huh? That's... quite the title."
Ryker chuckled, crossing his arms. "Well, Aria, looks like you've got some explaining to do."
I felt a lump forming in my throat. It's my dad. My pulse quickened. How am I supposed to talk to him without letting him know I'm not okay?
Worse, how was I supposed to explain the people in my room? Everyone was staring at me like I was hiding something monumental, and Lucian's piercing gaze felt like it could see straight through me.
If they knew the truth... No, I couldn't think about that. Not now. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to breathe. But one thought loomed above all others: This might be my last day.
As I was about to snatch the phone from Esme's hands, she did the unthinkable—she answered the call and put it on speaker.
Esme's face lit up with a mix of curiosity and mischief, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she glanced at me.
The voice boomed through the room, rich with authority yet laced with warmth, speaking at lightning speed. "My precious, how are you? You didn't call us, so I had to call you! Are you alright? Everything okay over there?"
The room froze. My heart plummeted.
Every eye was on me now. Esme's jaw dropped, her wide eyes darting between me and the phone. Calen looked equally stunned, his expression mirroring hers. Zane and Ryker exchanged glances that practically screamed, Did we just hear that right? Then, as if choreographed, both turned to look at Lucian.
Lucian's face was a storm of emotions. His jaw clenched so tightly I thought it might crack, and his eyes blazed with an anger so intense it sent a chill down my spine. From his expression, I could see it clearly: if my dad had been standing in front of him, I had no doubt Lucian would’ve annihilated him on the spot—without even knowing who he was.
Before anyone could jump to conclusions, panic surged within me. I rushed to speak, my words spilling out in a frantic attempt to defuse the tension.
"Dad! I'm good!" I said, forcing a cheerful tone, though my voice wavered slightly. "I've just been caught up with academy work, so I didn’t get a chance to call."
Before he could say something that might give too much away, I jumped in hurriedly, "And dad, you're on speaker," I said, my tone light but deliberately careful, hoping the subtle warning would be enough. "Just thought I'd let you know before you say anything too... dad-like."
The pause on the other end of the line was imperceptible to anyone but me, but I knew he understood. My dad wasn’t one to miss a hint, especially when it came to protecting me. He cleared his throat lightly before replying in his usual warm tone, masking any deeper concerns he might have had. "Ah, I see. Well, it’s good to know my daughter is keeping such good company," he said smoothly.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
I glanced nervously around the room as everyone visibly relaxed at the mention of "Dad." Esme, clearly embarrassed, rubbed the back of her neck awkwardly, avoiding my eyes. "Okay, I’ll admit, maybe I shouldn’t have answered your phone," she muttered sheepishly, offering a tentative smile.
Calen chuckled, breaking the remaining tension. "Good call on the heads-up, Aria. Dads have a way of oversharing."
Ryker grinned, nudging Zane. "Guess the mystery caller wasn’t what we thought after all."
Zane grinned, throwing a glance at Esme. “Still, maybe next time, let her answer her own calls, Esme.”
Lucian’s reaction, however, was the one that threw me the most. His face, which had been a storm of restrained anger, smoothed out so suddenly it was almost unsettling. His clenched fists loosened, and his posture shifted into an unnerving calm, though his eyes retained a flicker of something I couldn’t quite place. He leaned back in his chair, his expression perfectly neutral, but I knew better. That wasn’t indifference—it was control. Tight, deliberate control.
The room lapsed into a more comfortable silence, but my thoughts raced. This could’ve gone so much worse. For now, the storm had passed, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that Lucian was still processing everything—quietly, and on his own terms. And that, in its own way, was even more unsettling.
“Your mom was worried about you not calling,” my dad said, his tone playful but carrying an undertone of concern.
“And I told him you’re probably too busy dazzling everyone at the academy,” my mother chimed in with a laugh.
I smiled weakly, nodding as though they could see me. “I’m fine, really. The academy’s just keeping me occupied.”
Suddenly, another voice broke into the call, one so familiar it made my chest tighten.
“Hello, little trouble!”
My eldest brother’s teasing tone brought a wave of emotions crashing over me. Adrian’s voice was always a mixture of humor and affection, and hearing it now, I felt an ache I hadn’t realized was so strong.
A lump formed in my throat as I struggled to keep my composure. Memories of my three elder brothers flooded my mind—how they had always been my protectors, my confidants, and my greatest supporters. Whether it was cheering me on during training or standing by me in tough times, they had always been my anchors. But here, in this room, no one knew about them. Everyone believed I was an only child. I couldn’t even talk to Adrian the way I usually did, couldn’t lean on him for reassurance like I had so many times before.
I was caught in a suffocating battle on both sides. On one hand, I couldn’t let my friends suspect who I truly was. They couldn’t know about my family, my powers, or the secrets I carried. On the other hand, I couldn’t let my family know how unwell I truly felt. The last thing I wanted was to worry them or give them any reason to doubt my ability to handle myself here.
I swallowed hard, forcing down the rising tide of emotions. I couldn’t tell them. I couldn’t tell anyone. I had to keep it all buried—the truth, the struggle, and the longing for someone to lean on. For now, I had to bear it alone, no matter how much it hurt.
I blinked rapidly, pushing back the tears threatening to fall, and forced a smile into my voice. “Where are the others?” I asked casually, careful not to slip and reveal their names.
Adrian chuckled warmly, his voice tinged with a mixture of teasing and affection. “They’re at the academy for their combat training. But believe me, if they knew you were on this call, they wouldn’t have left. You know how they are—like moths to a flame when it comes to you.”
A soft laugh escaped me, though it didn’t quite reach my heart. “Well, you’ll have to pass my regards to them,” I said lightly, even as the ache of longing nestled deeper in my chest.
I blinked rapidly, pushing back the tears threatening to fall, and forced a smile into my voice. “Where are the others?” I asked casually, careful not to slip and reveal their names.
Adrian chuckled warmly, his voice tinged with a mixture of teasing and affection. “They’re at the academy for their combat training. But believe me, if they knew you were on this call, they wouldn’t have left. You know how they are—like moths to a flame when it comes to you.”
A soft laugh escaped me, though it didn’t quite reach my heart. “Well, you’ll have to pass my regards to them,” I said lightly, even as the ache of longing nestled deeper in my chest.
There was a pause on their end, one that stretched a little too long. I opened my mouth to fill the silence, but Adrian’s voice came through, lower now, tinged with something that made my stomach tighten.
“Are you sure, Aria? You’re all right? There’s nothing you want to tell me?”
His words froze me for a split second, doubt creeping into my mind like an unwelcome shadow. Did they somehow know about my condition? That I wasn’t well? My gaze flicked to my friends, who were all watching me, their expressions a mix of curiosity and quiet concern. Had I accidentally said something that might have reached my family? No, that was impossible. They couldn’t know. I was overthinking this.
I shook the thought away quickly, schooling my expression into calm reassurance. “I’m absolutely fine, Adrian,” I replied, my voice steady, though my heart raced. “You know me—I can handle myself.”
There was a brief silence, and then Adrian’s voice softened, his words both comforting and a little too knowing. “Take care of yourself. Don’t let anyone push you around, okay? And if anything happens… you know we’ll always have your back. And… love you. Always.”
Those final words struck a chord deep within me, the weight of his affection mingling with my own guilt. I forced a shaky smile, replying softly, “Love you too.”
The call ended with a soft beep, but its echoes seemed to linger in the room. Esme, still clutching the fruit knife, turned toward me, her brows raised in curiosity. “So… who’s Adrian?” she asked, her tone casual but her eyes sharp, clearly fishing for answers.
My breath hitched for a moment, but I managed to school my expression into one of nonchalance. “He’s… a friend,” I said, trying to sound as casual as possible.
Esme’s lips quirked into a playful smirk, though suspicion still lingered in her gaze. “A friend who calls you ‘little trouble’ and ends with ‘love you’? That’s some friend.”
I shrugged, forcing a light laugh. “What can I say? He’s overprotective. That’s just how he is.”
Meanwhile, Zane and Ryker exchanged knowing glances, their brows raised in silent communication. It was clear they weren’t entirely convinced.
Lucian, however, was a different story. His expression was unreadable, his piercing gaze locked onto mine as though trying to unravel every secret I was hiding. His jaw tightened, and I could tell he wasn’t buying my explanation either.
The tension in the room was palpable as I reached for the fruit Esme had cut, hoping to divert the attention back to breakfast. But I knew the questions hadn’t ended, especially not with Lucian.
He stood abruptly from his chair, his movements sharp and tense. He shot a quick glance at Zane and Ryker, his voice cold and clipped. "We should leave now. We have assignments to finish, and they’re due tomorrow."
His tone was laden with frustration, and there was a distinct edge of anger in it. The way he said it made my stomach knot. I couldn’t shake the feeling that he had misunderstood something—maybe my conversation with Adrian—but I had no idea what, exactly, had triggered this reaction from him.
Zane and Ryker exchanged a brief look, and though they didn’t speak, they both stood in unison, sensing the shift in the room. As they both walked out of the room, I couldn’t hold back my curiosity and finally spoke up, my voice laced with confusion. "What’s going on, Lucian? Why did you react like that?"
Lucian paused for a moment, his back to me, as though he were contemplating whether to answer. His shoulders were tense, his expression unreadable. Finally, he spoke, his tone colder than usual. "It's nothing. Just focus on your recovery," he said before turning and walking out the door without another word.
I stared at the empty doorway, my thoughts spiraling. Is he… jealous? The idea was ridiculous, and I quickly dismissed it. No, that’s not possible. First, he has no idea that we’re mates. Second, he has a girlfriend. I scoffed inwardly at myself, shaking my head. I really need to stop overthinking everything.
Turning to Esme, I forced a smile, hoping to shake off the unsettling thoughts. “Thank God I finished my assignments before. I’ll submit them tomorrow,” I said with a sigh of relief
Esme smiled but then shook her head. "You can’t go to classes for at least two days, Aria. You need rest."
Calen, who had been quiet up until now, added in his usual calm tone, "We’ll submit your assignments for you tomorrow, and if you need notes, we can help you with those too. You just need to rest and recover properly."
I nodded, though I wasn’t exactly thrilled about it. But they were right. I did need to rest, and the last two days had been about just that. So, I spent the time recovering, trying to focus on getting better.
The next two days passed in a blur, most of my time spent confined to my room under Esme’s watchful eye. Resting and recovering was necessary, but I felt stifled, my thoughts drifting repeatedly to Lucian’s strange reaction and my brothers’ concern. It was hard not to overanalyze every detail, but I kept reminding myself to focus on getting back to my routine.
Lucian hadn’t come to see me since that day, and a part of me couldn’t help but wonder why. Maybe it was nothing, or maybe it was the mate bond—something I still couldn’t fully understand. But then again, he had a girlfriend. The thought nagged at me, but I quickly pushed it away. I couldn’t afford to dwell on it.
By the third morning, I felt well enough to try something I’d been avoiding—digging deeper into the mysteries of the elemental dragons. My injury had kept me from venturing out, and Esme’s constant presence made it nearly impossible to slip away unnoticed. But tonight, I promised myself, I would make time to explore. For now, though, I needed a strategy that would convince her to ease up on her constant vigilance.
The canteen buzzed with the usual chatter as we sat together after our back-to-back classes in math, economics, and physics. The day had been intense but productive, and for the first time in days, I felt like myself again. I sipped on my drink, trying to appear casual, letting the rhythm of the academy's life settle around me. Esme, however, was as sharp as ever, and her grin gave her away before she spoke.
"Today’s Wednesday," she announced with a grin, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "And you know what that means—open combat matches in the arena."
The words sparked something inside me, a longing for the energy and adrenaline of the arena. Without hesitating, I looked at both of them and said, “I want to go to the arena too.”
Esme’s expression shifted instantly, her eyebrows shooting up in sharp disapproval. “No way. You’ve been recovering for two days, and you’re not fully healed. The last thing you need is more stress—especially after what happened with Reed.”
“That was different,” I countered, forcing a lightness into my tone to diffuse her concern. “That happened because of the mess hall argument. Today’s just a regular combat match. I’ll only be watching, I swear.”
Esme wasn’t convinced. She crossed her arms, her protective nature in full force. “Watching or not, the arena isn’t exactly a low-stress environment. And what if someone challenges you again?”
“I’ll decline,” I assured her, meeting her gaze steadily. “Come on, Esme. I’ve been cooped up for two days. I just want to feel alive again. Watching a few matches will do that for me.”
Calen, who had been quietly eating his sandwich while watching our back-and-forth, finally spoke up. “I have to agree with Esme. It’s not the best idea, Aria. You know how unpredictable things can get in the arena.”
I sighed, feeling the familiar frustration of being coddled. “I’m fine now. Really. I just need to step outside this bubble you two have wrapped me in. Please?”
Esme and Calen exchanged a hesitant glance, their silent communication almost comical in its intensity. Finally, Esme let out a resigned sigh. “Fine. But if anything happens, we’re leaving immediately.”
“Deal,” I replied, unable to hide my triumphant smile.
As we walked toward the arena, the distant hum of an excited crowd grew louder. The anticipation thrumming through the air matched the growing excitement within me.
As we reached the arena, the energy of the place hit me immediately. The roars from the crowd, the buzzing atmosphere—it was everything I had been missing the last few days. I took it all in, my heart racing with excitement. It felt good to be here again.
Suddenly, Esme’s voice broke through my thoughts. “Look who’s here.”
I followed her gaze and my eyes landed on Lucian. He was sitting with Zane and Ryker, a relaxed posture that made him seem completely at ease. But then, I felt his gaze lock with mine, intense and unwavering. I quickly turned my attention back to Esme, who was already heading toward them, with Calen following close behind.
I hesitated for a moment, my heart pounding, before I followed them. They quickly took their seats, leaving one vacant chair next to Lucian. Esme, with her usual grin, gestured for me to sit. “Come on, sit,” she urged.
I froze for a moment, unsure of what to do, but finally, I sat down, trying to ignore the weight of Lucian’s gaze. He didn’t say anything at first, just studied me for a long moment, before finally breaking the silence.
“How’s your health? Feeling better?” he asked, his tone surprisingly soft.
I forced a laugh, though it didn’t reach my eyes. “I’m fine. Just the usual... Nothing to worry about.”
Before he could respond, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed across the arena, and Master Orin strode onto the ground. His imposing presence immediately silenced the crowd, all eyes fixed on him.
With a sly grin spreading across his face, he raised a hand to command attention. “Gather around, everyone!” he called, his deep voice cutting through the air. “We have an exciting challenge today. And guess who it’s for... Aria Collins, first-year student!
I froze, shocked. The words hung in the air, leaving my mind spinning. A challenge? For me?
I turned to Esme, Calen, Lucian, Zane, and Ryker. They all stared at me, but Lucian’s eyes narrowed —intense, as though he was trying to piece something together. His narrowed eyes seemed to ask, What did you do this time?
I searched my mind, but nothing made sense. I hadn’t done anything, not that I could remember. No heated arguments, no fights… so why?
I couldn’t help but wonder, Do students here just have some kind of obsession with challenging me? The thought was almost ridiculous. I had only been at the academy for a short time, yet it seemed like every other week someone was out to prove something against me.