Chapter 5
By morning, Elara felt like she hadn't slept in weeks. Her head throbbed from the whispers, and every time she closed her eyes she remembered Lucien's warning:
"Stay away from the shadows. They're hungry tonight."
Hungry.
What kind of person used that word?
When Elara entered the cafeteria, Mira was already waiting with two cups of hot chocolate and a look that said spill everything.
"You look like you got hit by a ghost bus," Mira said, pushing one cup toward her. "What happened after I fell asleep?"
Elara lowered her voice. "I saw Lucien outside."
Mira slammed her hands on the table. "Elara! Why didn't you wake me up!?"
"Because you'd drag a weapon with you," Elara muttered.
"Exactly," Mira said proudly.
Elara sighed. "He knew I was there without looking. And he said the shadows were hungry."
Mira blinked. "Hungry how? Like… teen-boy-going-through-three-pizzas hungry or…?"
Elara shook her head slowly. "No. Like something was out there with us."
Mira leaned in. "Okay, I've been thinking. Lucien doesn't eat lunch. He's cold all the time. He moves faster than humanly possible. And now blood magically shows up when he's nearby?"
Elara raised an eyebrow. "You're not actually saying—"
"Yes," Mira whispered dramatically. "Lucien is either a vampire… or a very under-slept bat."
Elara almost choked on her drink. "Mira, be serious."
"I am serious!" Mira thumped the table. "Look at him!"
Elara followed her gaze.
Lucien was sitting alone at the far end of the cafeteria. No food. No phone. Just a book with weathered pages that looked centuries old.
Every student kept a safe distance from him—even the bullies who usually bothered everyone.
He didn't look dangerous… not exactly. More like someone who carried too many secrets in his eyes.
But the whispers had never warned her about anyone before.
And they warned her about him every time.
As if sensing her gaze, Lucien lifted his head. His eyes met hers across the room.
Elara froze.
His stare wasn't threatening. It wasn't warm either. It was searching… as if he were trying to read a part of her no one else could see.
Then, subtly—almost imperceptibly—he shook his head.
A warning.
Mira grabbed Elara's arm. "Are you seeing this?! He's literally telling you 'no.' Like he can hear your thoughts."
Elara tore her gaze away. "He can't hear thoughts."
Mira narrowed her eyes. "Then what was that look?"
Before Elara could answer, the school intercom crackled.
"Students of Hollowgate Academy," Ms. Rowan's voice echoed. "Please avoid the north dormitory corridor today. A structural issue is being inspected."
Mira snorted. "Structural issue? I bet they found the blood."
Elara's stomach twisted. She needed answers—not just whispers, not just fear.
"I'm going to ask Lucien what's going on," she said.
Mira nearly threw her cup. "No you are NOT!"
Elara stood anyway.
"I need the truth."
Mira grabbed her wrist. "Then I'm coming."
Elara didn't fight her. Together, they walked across the cafeteria toward Lucien.
He closed his book slowly, as if he knew exactly why they were coming.
"Elara Hayes," he said quietly when they reached him. "You shouldn't be here."
Elara steadied her voice. "We need to talk."
Lucien studied her for a long moment.
Then he whispered, "The truth you want will destroy you."