KAIRA

My head snapped up, confusion flooding through me as I stared at Madison. My cheek was still stinging from the slap, but more than that, I was shocked. She had been possessed just seconds ago. How could she not remember?

I reached for my whiteboard, ready to explain, but Madison's eyes flashed with rage.

"Get the fuck away with that board!" she screamed, and before I could process what was happening, her hand connected with my other cheek.

The second slap was harder than the first. White spots danced across my vision, and something inside me snapped.

Two years of taking her abuse, two years of staying silent while she tormented me, of being treated like I was nothing.

Not anymore.

My hand moved on its own, the sound of my palm meeting Madison's face echoed through the library like a thunderclap.

Madison stumbled backward, her hand flying to her reddening cheek. Her eyes went wide with absolute shock, her mouth falling open as she stared at me like she couldn't believe what had just happened.

"You... you hit me," she whispered, her voice small and stunned.

I looked past her to where Professor Zane stood frozen, his amber eyes wide with the same shock written across Madison's face. He looked like someone had just told him the laws of physics had stopped working.

For a moment, nobody moved. Nobody breathed. The three of us stood there in the silent library, then I heard footsteps and voices of students and security coming, drawn by the commotion.

Madison's expression shifted from shock to fury in an instant. Her eyes narrowed, and I could practically see her mind working, calculating how to spin this situation to her advantage. But there were too many witnesses now. Too many people who would have seen what led to this moment.

"This isn't over," she hissed at me, turned on her heel and stormed past the approaching crowd, shoving her way through the gathered students without a word.

I stood there, my hand still tingling from the impact, my heart racing. I had just hit Madison Wilder. Me. The silent freak who never fought back.

"Kaira," Professor Zane started, taking a step toward me, but I couldn't. I couldn't deal with this right now. Couldn't deal with the confused looks from the other students.

I grabbed my things from the table where I had left them, my movements jerky and uncoordinated. My whiteboard, my bag, everything I brought with me tonight.

"Wait," Professor Zane called after me, but I was already moving.

I pushed through the crowd of curious onlookers, keeping my head down as whispers erupted around me. ‘Did you see that? Kaira actually hit her back. I can't believe it. Madison's going to destroy her.’

I let them talk, for the first time in two years, I didn't care.

The walk back to my dorm felt endless. Every shadow seemed darker, every sound louder. My hands were shaking so badly I could barely get my key in the lock.

Once inside, I collapsed onto my bed, my whole body trembling. What had I done? Madison's father was a powerful politician. She could make my life even more miserable than it already was. She could probably get me expelled.

But underneath the fear was something else. Something that felt dangerously close to pride.

I had stood up for myself. Finally.

Sleep didn't come easy that night. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Madison's shocked face. Professor Zane's wide amber eyes. The red glow of possession that had filled Madison's gaze before she collapsed.

The words haunted me through the dark hours, along with a hundred other questions. What was I? Why were rogues hunting me? What had Professor Zane been about to tell me before Madison appeared?

Morning came too quickly and not quickly enough. I dragged myself out of bed, exhausted and anxious about what the day would bring. Would Madison have me expelled? Would the dean want to see me? Would Professor Zane treat me differently now?

I pulled on my clothes, braided my long dark hair, and grabbed my bag. My whiteboard felt heavier than usual as I slung it over my shoulder.

When I opened my door to head to breakfast, I nearly tripped over someone standing right outside.

A young Beta student I barely recognized from the year below mine stood there, looking nervous. He held out a small folded piece of paper.

"This is for you," he said quickly, then practically ran down the hallway before I could respond.

I unfolded the paper, the handwriting was sharp and precise, undeniably masculine.

"After class, my office."

I would recognize that commanding tone anywhere, even in written form. “Professor Zane.”

My stomach did a complicated flip that was part anxiety, After everything that had happened last night, what could he possibly want to say to me?

The morning classes dragged by in a blur. I couldn't focus on lectures as my mind kept wandering to the memory of Professor Zane's eyes glowing amber gold as he said, "You're mine to protect."

Students whispered wherever I went. The story of me hitting Madison had spread like wildfire through the school. Some looked at me with new respect. Others with fear. Madison herself was nowhere to be seen, which somehow made everything worse. The calm before the storm.

Jessica found me at lunch, sliding into the seat across from me with a sandwich she clearly had no intention of eating.

"So," she said, keeping her voice low. "Want to tell me what really happened last night?"

I pulled out my whiteboard and wrote, "Madison attacked me. I defended myself."

"I heard she was acting strange. Like, really strange. Is that true?"

I hesitated, then nodded. How much should I tell her? About the possession? About the rogues calling me "the Healer"? About whatever what I think about Professor Zane?

Jessica leaned closer. "Kaira, people are saying Madison doesn't remember anything after going to the library. That she woke up on the floor with no idea how she got there."

I wrote quickly, "She doesn't remember hitting me?"

"Apparently not. But enough people saw the aftermath that everyone knows something happened." Jessica glanced around nervously. "Look, I don't know what's going on, but be careful, okay? Madison's dangerous even when she's not acting possessed or whatever that was."

The rest of the day crawled by with agonizing slowness. Combat training came and went. Professor Zane taught the class with his usual commanding presence, but his eyes found mine more than once, heavy with unspoken words.

When the final bell rang, most students rushed out eagerly. I took my time packing my things, my heart pounding harder with each passing second.

"Miss Blackwood," Professor Zane's voice carried across the emptying gymnasium. "Don't forget our appointment."

Several students glanced back with curious expressions, but I ignored them. I just nodded and headed for the door.

About two hours later, I was on my way to the staff building was at the far end of campus, separated from the student areas by a carefully maintained garden.

Professor Zane's office was on the third floor, at the very end of a long hallway. With each step, my anxiety grew. What did he want? Was I in trouble for hitting Madison? Was he going to finally tell me what he'd been about to say before we were interrupted?

I reached his door and paused, smoothing down my clothes and trying to calm my racing heart. This was ridiculous. He was just my teacher. Just a professor who wanted to discuss what happened.

Except he wasn't just a professor, and I know it.

I raised my hand and knocked twice. Sharp, clear knocks that echoed down the empty hallway.

Nothing.

No response, no sound of movement from inside. Maybe he'd been delayed. Maybe I should come back later.

But something made me reach for the doorknob. Some instinct I didn't understand.

The door wasn't locked. It swung open smoothly under my hand.

"Professor Zane?" I wanted to call out, but of course, I couldn't. Instead, I stepped inside, closing the door behind me out of habit.

His office was larger than I had expected. Dark wood furniture, floor to ceiling bookshelves, a massive desk covered in papers and books. The afternoon sunlight streamed through tall windows, casting long shadows across the floor.

I turned to my right, scanning the room for any sign of him and froze.

Professor Zane stood about ten feet away, facing me directly. His dark hair was slightly damp, like he had just showered. His amber eyes were locked on mine and he was completely shirtless.