Shadows of Suspicion

  Lucian's POV:

  The canteen buzzed with chatter, the usual backdrop of clinking plates and overlapping conversations. At our table, Zane and Ryker were thoroughly engrossed in a lighthearted argument with their newly found mates, Sofia and Lila. Meanwhile, Aria’s friends—Nico, Dante, and Kai—seemed to have claimed permanent residency on her side of the table.

  I leaned back in my chair, observing them. They were too comfortable with her, like they hadn’t just arrived at the academy but had been here forever. The ease in their laughter, the way Aria’s eyes lit up around them—it didn’t sit well with me. First Adrian, now these three. My jaw tightened. Why did it bother me so much?

  Aria’s gaze shifted, catching my attention. She wasn’t focused on them; her eyes were locked on the canteen entrance, her expression tense. I followed her line of sight and, of course, it had to be her—Celeste.

  My ex.

  She walked in like she owned the place, her confident stride and perfectly styled hair betraying no signs of our breakup. Not that I cared. The moment we ended things was like shedding dead weight—freeing, to say the least. She didn’t even glance at me as she passed, which would’ve been a bigger surprise if I actually wanted her to.

  Aria’s reaction was unexpected. She tilted her head, frowning slightly, her confusion evident. “What’s going on?” she murmured, leaning toward me, her voice low but filled with curiosity.

  Before I could respond, Esme’s voice cut through like a whip, dripping with sarcasm. “Why isn’t Celeste buzzing around Lucian like a moth to a flame? She usually can’t resist hovering in his orbit.”

  I shot Esme a sharp glance, unimpressed. Did she always have to dramatize everything? Couldn’t she just make a point without sounding like she was auditioning for some over-the-top soap opera?

  Zane caught my eye, a smirk tugging at his lips. He was clearly enjoying the situation far too much. I schooled my expression into neutrality. Someone had to act like an adult here.

  Then Ryker, ever the blunt one, dropped the bomb. “They broke up.”

  The words landed like a thunderclap, and for a moment, the world seemed to still. My jaw tightened instinctively. He’d just blurted it out—no build-up, no tact, just the cold, hard truth hanging in the air for everyone to dissect.

  “What?!” Aria’s voice rose, her surprise palpable. The disbelief in her tone caught me off guard, and I couldn’t help but wonder why it mattered so much to her.

  Calen, who rarely lost his composure, leaned forward, his expression mirroring Aria’s shock. “Wait, they what?”

  Zane leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his tone casual as if discussing the weather. “Yeah, finally. They’ve broken up.”

  I stayed silent, letting the others fill the space. My gaze drifted to Celeste, standing at the far end of the canteen, engrossed in a conversation. For the first time, I felt... nothing. No regret, no lingering anger. Just an overwhelming sense of relief.

  That’s when Nico decided to chime in, his voice cutting through the simmering tension with the grace of a flying brick. “Who’s Celeste?” he asked, tilting his head, his grin so casual it bordered on infuriating.

  Of course, Nico had no idea who Celeste was. While I was trying not to grind my teeth at how his chair seemed magnetically pulled toward Aria’s side, he sat there blissfully clueless, like a golden retriever hearing the word "treat."

  I gave him a look—a sharp side-eye that could’ve cleaved through steel. Naturally, it flew right over his head. He was too busy leaning a little too close to Aria, his expression an irritating mix of curiosity and oblivion.

  For a brief, satisfying moment, I entertained the idea of throwing a bread roll at him. Nothing harmful—just enough to get him to scoot his chair back a few inches. Would anyone even notice? Probably not.

  But before I could even think about it seriously, Esme seized the opportunity to perform. She straightened up, her eyes gleaming with mischief, and gestured dramatically as if she were about to unveil a grand secret. "Celeste," she began, her voice teasing, "is that girl. The one who stuck to Lucian like glue for years. Always basking in his shadow, as if she’d evaporate without his attention. Oh, and yes, she was his girlfriend. Past tense."

  I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes. Esme couldn’t just say, “Lucian had a girlfriend, now he doesn’t.” No, she had to add her signature flair to every sentence.

  Dante raised an eyebrow, his gaze cutting to me. “She doesn’t seem like much of a threat now.”

  “Exactly!” Esme exclaimed, her tone triumphant as if she’d just solved a murder mystery. “Which is why this is so strange. Normally, she’d be right here, acting like Lucian’s personal spotlight.”

  I leaned back, forcing indifference into my posture. Celeste wasn’t my concern anymore. But Aria’s reaction lingered. The way her question had hung in the air, the flicker of surprise in her expression—it stuck with me.

  Did she think I’d made the right choice? Did she care?

  I glanced at her, my thoughts a tangle of questions I wasn’t ready to ask. Not yet. But one thing was clear: Nico needed to move his chair. Soon.

  Suddenly, Aria's voice broke through my thoughts, clear and direct, pulling my attention sharply back to her.

  “Why did they break up?”

  Her question landed like a spark on dry tinder, igniting every pair of eyes at the table. Mine included. For a moment, I wondered if she’d realized how bold she’d sounded, but the flash of regret in her expression gave her away. She was curious, undeniably so. And it wasn’t just about Celeste.

  I couldn’t help the smirk that crept across my face. She was trying so hard to hide her interest, but I saw through it all. “Looks like you’re very interested in my life,” I drawled, letting my voice carry a mix of amusement and challenge. My sharp eyes locked onto hers, and I added with deliberate intent, “And me.”

  She blinked, her mask slipping for just a second before she snapped it back into place. With a shrug that screamed nonchalance, she replied, “Oh, please. I was just asking out of curiosity. It’s not like I actually care.”

  But she did. The flush creeping up her neck betrayed her, as did the way her gaze darted back to her sandwich. I held back a laugh. She was lying, and we both knew it.

  My smirk deepened as I leaned back, my arms crossed. I let the silence stretch, enjoying the way her unease simmered just beneath the surface.

  But before I could process her question or even consider how to respond, Nico's voice broke the silence. His tone was as light and teasing as ever.

  “You know, Aria, you’ve never asked me why I broke up with any of my ex-girlfriends. Or why none of us ever seem to stay in relationships for long.”

  The comment, casual yet pointed, was enough to draw attention from Dante and Kai, who leaned in slightly, their curiosity visibly sparked.

  I turned my focus to Aria, and that’s when I noticed it—the faint tension in her posture, the way her shoulders stiffened ever so slightly, and the subtle flicker of something in her eyes. Nervousness.

  Why would she be nervous?

  Then, like a puzzle piece clicking into place, realization dawned.

  She’s not just curious. She’s interested in my relationships—my life.

  The thought landed with unexpected weight, stirring something I couldn’t quite define. Was it satisfaction? Triumph? Whatever it was, it surged quietly, like a current beneath the surface.

  And as I watched her struggle to keep her composure, I couldn’t help but wonder—what exactly was she hiding?

  The realization settled like a stone in my chest, heavy and undeniable. Her earlier question, her awkward deflection, the way her friends were suddenly giving her those looks—it all pointed to one thing. She wasn’t just interested in Celeste. She was thinking about us.

  A dangerous grin replaced my smirk as the banter continued around me. She tried to play along, throwing Nico under the bus for his terrible jokes, and the others laughed as if everything was perfectly normal. But I saw the cracks in her facade.

  And when her eyes flicked to me, unbidden and fleeting, I made sure she caught the full force of my gaze.

  I didn’t look away.

  Her breath hitched—just for a fleeting moment—and then she shifted seamlessly, joining in the others’ laughter as if nothing had happened. She was good at hiding it, I’d give her that. But not good enough.

  I knew better.

  Aria cared more than she wanted to admit, and that realization hit harder than I expected. Suddenly, Celeste or anyone else at this table seemed irrelevant.

  It was Aria—her thoughts, her questions, her reaction—that demanded my attention now.

  And then, just as I was about to let my curiosity spiral further, my phone buzzed against the tabletop. The hum of meaningless chatter faded into the background as I glanced down at the screen.

  Principal Gale.

  My brows furrowed instantly. I swiped open the message without hesitation, already bracing myself for something urgent.

  "We found something in the hall where the chandelier fell that night. It could be a lead."

  A chill ran down my spine. My grip on the phone tightened as the memory of that night surged forward—the sight of Aria standing beneath the crashing chandelier, oblivious to the danger until the last second. My blood boiled at the thought of someone targeting her, and the corners of my vision darkened with anger.

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  I slid my phone into my pocket and stood abruptly. “I have to go. Personal matter.” My tone was sharp, leaving no room for questions.

  Zane and Ryker, ever the loyal shadows at my side, rose in unison. Their silent determination should have been comforting, but all I could think about was how recently they’d found their mates—the kind of bond they’d always dreamed of and never stopped talking about. In the past, their endless chatter about soulmates had irritated me to no end, but now, seeing them with their mates, I almost understood. Almost.

  “Stay here with your mates,” I ordered, my voice firm. My gaze flicked to each of them, silently willing them to listen for once. “I can handle this on my own.”

  Ryker’s arms crossed, his defiance written all over his stance. “We’re coming with you.”

  Zane nodded, as immovable as ever. Without hesitation, he leaned down toward Sofia, brushing a strand of her hair aside. “Stay safe for me, my love. I’ll be back before you even miss me.”

  Ryker followed suit, his hand resting on Lila’s shoulder. “I’ll meet you in the dorm later, okay? Stick with the group—you’re new here, and I don’t want you wandering off.”

  Their quiet, effortless affection was like an arrow to the chest, striking something I didn’t even know was vulnerable. Watching them stirred a hollow ache within me, as if I were missing something I couldn’t quite name. Their interactions left me empty, like I’d been handed the pieces of a puzzle, but the most important one was missing—the one that should be mine but wasn’t. Not yet.

  Before I could dwell on it, my gaze landed on Aria. Her sharp blue eyes locked onto mine, and for a fleeting second, the ache was replaced by something else. My resolve hardened, yet I felt it weaken at the same time, like she could see through me in a way no one else could.

  “Stay out of trouble,” I said, my voice low, the words more instinct than intention.

  She crossed her arms, her smirk sharp enough to cut. “I wasn’t planning on it.”

  Damn her and her ability to get under my skin. My lips quirked into the faintest of smiles before I turned away, leading Zane and Ryker out of the canteen.

  Once we were in the corridor, Zane broke the silence. “What’s this about?”

  I glanced at him, then at Ryker, before exhaling slowly. “Principal Gale found something in the hall where the chandelier fell that night. A clue, maybe.”

  Ryker’s jaw tightened. “You think it’ll lead us to whoever did it?”

  I nodded, my pace quickening. “If it does, they’ll wish they never crossed me. They tried to harm her.” My voice dropped, cold and lethal. “And I’ll make sure they pay for it. I’ll drag them to hell myself.”

  The tension between us grew palpable, their resolve mirroring my own. As we walked, my thoughts circled back to that night and the fear I’d felt when I saw her in danger. Whoever was behind it wouldn’t get the luxury of a second chance.

  This time, I’d make sure of it.

  The corridors of the academy stretched long and silent, the sound of our footsteps echoing softly. Zane walked on my right, Ryker on my left. Their presence was steady as ever, but the irritation simmered just beneath the surface.

  We reached Principal Gale’s office, her nameplate gleaming on the oak door. I didn’t bother knocking; I didn’t need to. My position afforded me privileges, and I wasn’t in the mood for formalities. Pushing the door open, I stepped inside with Zane and Ryker close behind.

  The office was as grand as ever, a reflection of the legacy and power that came with the position of Principal. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined the walls, each shelf carefully curated with leather-bound volumes—some old, some new, all radiating a quiet authority. The air smelled faintly of dust and polished wood, the scent of a room that had seen countless years of decisions, secrets, and whispers.

  A massive desk of polished mahogany dominated the center of the room, its surface cluttered with papers, a few odd trinkets, and a solitary, gleaming lamp. Behind it sat Principal Gale, her back straight, her posture regal in a way that was almost intimidating. Her gaze met mine, unflinching, as sharp as ever.

  “Lucian,” she said, gesturing toward the chairs in front of her desk. “Sit. Zane, Ryker, you too.”

  I moved forward, taking the central seat. Zane and Ryker settled on either side of me, their silence a testament to their respect for my lead.

  “What’s the clue?” I asked, my voice sharp and direct.

  Principal Gale opened a drawer and placed a twisted piece of metal on the desk. I leaned forward, narrowing my eyes at it.

  It was an iron rope, blackened and warped, its edges curled unnaturally.

  “What is that?” I demanded, glancing from the rope to Gale.

  She folded her hands on the desk. “This is the iron rope that held the chandelier to the ceiling. The interesting part? It’s melted. Completely.”

  I frowned, my mind racing. “Melted? That doesn’t make sense. Iron doesn’t just melt like that unless—”

  “Unless someone with significant power wanted it to,” Gale finished, her tone grave.

  Ryker leaned closer, his expression dark. “Are you saying someone used their powers to bring it down deliberately?”

  Gale nodded slowly. “It seems highly likely. This wasn’t an accident.”

  Zane’s jaw tightened, and his hand clenched into a fist on the armrest of his chair. “Who would do this? And why?”

  My gaze returned to the rope, and a cold fury settled in my chest. I was right, someone had targeted her. Someone had dared to challenge me in the most personal way possible.

  “They won’t get away with this,” I said, my voice dangerously calm. My fingers drummed against the armrest as I stared at the twisted metal.

  The silence in the room felt almost oppressive as I stared at the twisted iron rope on Principal Gale’s desk. Its melted edges seemed to mock me—a clue, but one that raised more questions than answers.

  Gale’s sharp gaze rested on me as she spoke, her voice measured but tinged with frustration. “This discovery only confirms our suspicions. Someone in this academy has been using their powers recklessly. But Lucian, you know as well as I do—this isn’t just anyone.”

  Her words didn’t surprise me. The evidence was clear, glaring even. My jaw tightened as I looked back to the iron rope that had melted cleanly through. It wasn’t a mystery, not to me. Only a fire elemental could generate heat strong enough to do that.

  She folded her hands on the desk. “This academy has no shortage of fire elementals. Their numbers make it nearly impossible to pinpoint who might be responsible. Fire is unpredictable, volatile—perfect for someone with malicious intent.”

  Zane’s brow furrowed, his gaze shifting from the rope to Gale. “So, you think it was a fire elemental who melted the rope?”

  “It’s the most likely scenario,” Gale said firmly. Her eyes flicked to me, her expression grim. “And it’s no secret that since Aria arrived, she’s become a target for some of them.”

  Ryker’s jaw tightened, his frustration evident. “Because of her victory against Reed?”

  “Partly,” Gale admitted, her tone calm but firm. “Her audacity to challenge and defeat one of the more arrogant fire elementals didn’t go unnoticed. She disrupted the unspoken hierarchy they cling to—a hierarchy that has existed in this academy for a very long time.”

  Her gaze sharpened as she continued. “For many of the fire elementals, that’s reason enough to see her as a threat. They don’t like their order disturbed, and Aria’s actions have made them uneasy. She’s proven herself capable of not only standing against them but outshining them. And that,” Gale paused, “is dangerous in a place where power dynamics are everything.”

  My grip on the chair’s armrest tightened until the leather creaked. Aria had done nothing wrong—except be herself. Her strength, her resilience, her audacity… all of it made her stand out. And now, it seemed, made her a target.

  “So you’re telling me,” I said slowly, my voice low and dangerous, “that someone—some coward hiding among the fire elementals—decided to make her pay for her victory by trying to kill her?”

  Gale’s gaze didn’t waver. “It’s a strong possibility, yes. But finding out who is another matter entirely. With so many fire elementals here, and no direct evidence linking anyone to this act…” She trailed off, leaving the implication hanging.

  Zane shifted in his seat, his usual calm replaced by a flicker of anger. “If it’s one of them, we’ll find out who. They can’t hide forever.”

  Ryker nodded, his expression hard. “Especially not if they think they can get away with targeting someone under our watch.”

  But their words barely registered. My mind was already spinning, a cold fury settling deep in my chest. Whoever this was, they hadn’t just made a move against her—they’d crossed a line they’d regret for the rest of their miserable existence.

  I stood abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor. “This ends now,” I said, my voice sharp and unyielding. My gaze locked on Gale. “If you have any more information, I expect to know about it immediately. In the meantime, I’ll handle this my way.”

  Gale raised an eyebrow but nodded. “I trust you’ll be discreet, Lucian. The academy is already tense enough as it is.”

  Zane shifted in his seat, his eyes never leaving me as he stood, his movements smooth but purposeful. Ryker followed suit, his jaw tight, the muscles in his shoulders visibly tensing as he stood up. Both of them were ready to leave with me, their body language speaking volumes—Zane’s calm demeanor, though still alert, contrasted with Ryker’s intensity, his arms crossing over his chest, his gaze focused, scanning the room as if anticipating something more.

  I started to step toward the door, but just as my hand touched the handle, Gale’s voice stopped me, carrying a weight that forced me to pause.

  “Lucian,” she said, her tone sharp but measured, “don’t you find it suspicious?”

  I turned back, brow furrowing in confusion. “Suspicious? What are you talking about?”

  Zane glanced at Ryker, the shift in his posture subtle but telling. He tilted his head slightly, his usual smirk gone, replaced by a thoughtful frown. Ryker’s stance was no less tense, his gaze hard as he waited for Gale’s next words. Both of them were keyed into the moment, ready for whatever came next.

  Principal Gale leaned back in her chair, her fingers lightly tapping the desk. “Think about it. From the day Aria came to this academy, she’s been… different. First, she defeats Reed, a final-year fire elemental, as a first-year air elemental. That’s unheard of. Then, after the chandelier incident, she recovered far quicker than anyone should have. People don’t bounce back from something like that in days. It takes months. And her behavior—her speech, the way she talks—it’s not like the other students.”

  Her words hung in the air, each one sinking deeper into my chest. I hadn’t considered these things, hadn’t thought about how everything seemed to be falling into place in ways I couldn’t deny. The way she moved through life with such confidence, such strength, so effortlessly. Her recovery from the chandelier incident was too fast, too perfect.

  I had known about her healing abilities—had even gone so far as to ensure Dr. Kaelis didn’t let anyone else know. But this? This was something else. Something that made me question everything I thought I knew about Aria.

  “She’s much more than she lets on, Lucian,” Gale continued, her voice quieter now, almost as if she were reading my thoughts. “And it’s not just her powers. It’s her presence, her aura. She stands out from the rest of the air elementals, like she doesn’t belong. And she’s been targeted. Do you really believe that’s just a coincidence?”

  I felt a chill slide down my spine. She was right. All these signs, all the little details, were adding up in ways I hadn’t allowed myself to consider. Aria wasn’t just an air elemental. There was something deeper, something hidden within her, something powerful. But what?

  I could feel the weight of Gale’s gaze on me, and for a moment, I didn’t know how to respond. Her words had rattled me more than I cared to admit.

  “Do you think she could be…?” I began, but my voice faltered, unsure of what to ask.

  Gale didn’t finish my sentence for me, but her look was enough. She didn’t have to say it. She was hinting at something much more dangerous, something I wasn’t prepared to confront.

  “Be careful, Lucian. This isn’t just about some rebellious fire elemental trying to prove a point. It’s about something much bigger. And if Aria is at the center of it… well, you may have a lot more to worry about than just a few jealous students.”

  Her words sank deep into my mind, and I found myself struggling to form a response. I had always been so focused on protecting her from others, but now... it felt like I had been missing the bigger picture.

  Zane’s low voice broke the silence. “What do you mean by that, Principal Gale? Are you suggesting that Aria isn’t who we think she is?”

  Ryker stood beside him, his gaze narrowing as he processed her words. The weight of the conversation seemed to be sinking in for both of them, and I could see the flicker of uncertainty in their eyes.

  Gale’s expression softened as she met their gaze. “I’m not suggesting anything. But I do think there’s more to her story than meets the eye. And I believe that all of you, especially you, Lucian, need to start paying attention to the signs.”

  Her words echoed in my mind as I stood there, my thoughts racing. Zane and Ryker exchanged looks but said nothing more. It was clear they, too, were beginning to realize that there was more to Aria than they had ever considered.

  I nodded, more to myself than anyone else, and turned toward the door.

  I paused at the door before leaving, my hand resting on the handle, and turned back to face Principal Gale. The weight of her words still lingered in the air, thick with unspoken implications.

  “Principal Gale,” I said, my voice low but firm, “Don’t discuss this with anyone. Not until we know the full story. Aria—maybe it’s not what it seems. We need to understand what’s really going on before we jump to conclusions.”

  Her eyes met mine, sharp and searching, but she nodded. “I understand. But, Lucian,” she added with a pause, her tone softening slightly, “I do believe there’s more to her than you’re willing to admit.”

  Zane and Ryker were silent behind me, each processing the weight of Gale’s words. I felt their eyes on me, but I kept my focus on Gale, the sense of urgency burning in my chest. The last thing I needed was for this to escalate further before we figured out the truth.

  “I’ll handle it,” I muttered, my jaw tight. “But keep this quiet. We don’t need more unnecessary attention right now.”

  Gale seemed to consider this for a moment, then gave a slight nod. “Very well. Just be careful, Lucian.”

  I didn’t respond immediately, my mind already racing with the possibilities. Zane and Ryker exchanged a glance, and then we walked out together, the silence hanging heavy between us.

  We moved forward, each step heavier than the last. Something was changing, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready for it.