18

Dove

The new bed had arrived when we got back from the medical wing, squished into the space between Kairos and Enko's beds.

A knock came at the door just as I finished fitting it with sheets. Brynn waited on the other side wearing a skintight dress and too-high heels. Her hand tugged at the hem of the dress, wobbling in the new stilettos. "Ready to party?"

We examined each other for a moment before her cheeks lit up like neon.

"…That's what you're wearing?" she sputtered as she looked over at the clothes I had worn earlier that day. She blushed brightly as she saw the guys standing behind me, giving a small wave. "Hi."

"That party is tonight?" I asked, wishing I could back out of the plans at this point. I really didn't need to get any more pumped up for the year.

Kairos came up behind me, his hand touching the small of my back lightly. "Ready?"

I nodded. Brynn walked on one side of me, while Kairos walked on the other. Enko followed behind us. Every time I looked back at him, I noticed his eyes were scanning the surrounding students like he was our security guard.

Mobs of students trudged toward the forest, a subtle thump of music coming from deep within. As we came closer, the music grew louder, the students rowdier. A huge keg and table with several types of drinks marked the center of the forest party. Kairos left the three of us on the edge of the party, more comfortable mingling with the assorted cliques.

Some students had shifted into foxes, opting to party in their fox form, leaving random piles of clothing around. Foxes with numerous tails danced through the legs of the students.

Kairos returned, holding two red plastic cups.

"Here," Kairos said, handing me a drink. Upon sniffing it, I found its contents to be beer. Before I took a sip, he was chugging the last of his.

Enko stood next to me as we watched Kairos go back to the keg at the center, skipping to the front of the line with ease. Students crowded around him after he got his drink.

The party went on, dancing and drinking, Kairos spending his time entertaining the keg crowd. Seven was a no-show, leaving me alone with Enko and Brynn, who were about as social as I was.

As I saw Caleb, I remembered what he had said. That Enko had been the one who punched him. His eye had almost completely healed. I glanced down at Enko's giant hands, seeing them smash into Vince's face. A shameful bout of fear passed through me. Enko seemed so gentle, but clearly there was a darker side to him, just as dark as Seven and Kairos.

"Wanna dance?" a boy with glasses asked Brynn. She beamed with happiness, nodding and giving Enko and me a wave before finding an opening with her dance partner.

A guy came up next to Enko, patting him on the shoulder comfortably. "Hey, Enko, ready for the first squad match next week?"

Enko grunted, taking a long sip of beer. "We'll take the title again this year."

"A match?" I asked.

Enko looked over at me, while his teammate stared at the party ahead. "I'd love it if you'd come watch. This is Craig, he's on my squad. Craig, this is Dove. My Fated."

Craig's eyes flicked over to me for half a second and then back to Enko before he spoke. "Dove, nice to meet you. Didn't see you there."

"How could you not see her?" Enko asked.

He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "You're right, how could I miss her? She looks great tonight," Craig swallowed several times. "I mean, she's beautiful, but I know she's your girl. You know I'd never even think about wronging you."

Enko raised his hand, causing Craig to flinch as Enko patted his back. "Shut up, Craig."

Screams came from somewhere in the forest, the party going quiet as someone shut the music off.

A woman ran into sight at the treeline. Blood covered her from head to toe, flowing from deep slashes below her neck.

Brynn! I hadn't seen her disappear from dancing.

"Demon! It killed him!" she screamed.

That sparked everyone into movement. Half the students were screaming, running back to the safety of the castle.

"Brynn!" I said as I ran toward her.

Kairos appeared in front of me, blocking me from my friend. "Enko, get her back to the dorm." He turned and headed toward the action, his hand on his mace.

Enko held out a hand, but my eyes were on the forest where Brynn had come from.

I ignored Enko, skirting around him. Enko's giant feet crunched on the forest floor behind me. When I reached her, she was surrounded by other students. She pushed through them and pulled me into a hug.

"I'm here, Brynn. Everything is going to be okay," I told her, gently stroking my hand over her back. A student pushed me away, pushing some fabric between us to slow her bleeding.

"Dove," Enko said with a warning tone from behind me. "It's not safe. You heard Kairos, I need to get you back to the dorm."

Aside from the long slices across her front, slashes covered her exposed arms as she had fought against it. Her throat was undamaged. It hadn't been going for the kill.

Tears streamed down her face, her black makeup forming long lines down her cheeks as she recapped the story. "We were making out...and...and then this hand came around the tree, long fingers with sharp black nails. It got him and swiped at me. I sprinted away. I didn't see what type or Tier it was, I think I saw antlers or it could have been tree branches. I don't know."

My eyes moved to the forest where Brynn had exited, and where Kairos had entered. Demons weren't going to take anyone else from me.

Enko jogged up to my side. "Dove, you have no idea what you're dealing with."

"Wendigo, Tier III," I responded as I saw Kairos standing with several others in a circle.

Kairos glanced back at us, giving Enko an annoyed look. "I told you to get her back to the dorm."

Enko shrugged. "You try it next time."

"This isn't something she should see," Kairos argued, blocking me from the boy who had been slain.

"I think she can handle it," Enko said as I pushed past Kairos.

The first-year was on the ground, his eyes lifeless, mutilated, his flesh shredded. It hadn't even eaten him. Because it wasn't hungry? Or because it was trying to send a message?

"Clear out!" Elder Peter yelled as he approached the scene. "You aren't supposed to be so deep in the woods!"

The last of the students dispersed as a medical team helped Brynn onto a stretcher. Elder Peter approached the body. He pointed at Kairos and Enko. "You two, stay. The rest of you, clear out." I remained until we were alone. Elder Peter rolled his eyes as he saw me. "What was it?"

"Wendigo, probably alone. Picked off a couple of first-years who had wandered away from the party," Kairos stated.

"Any idea how it got past the barriers?" Elder Peter asked. When they shook their heads, he continued. "You're on border patrol tonight. Seven too. Make sure there aren't any strays lingering in the forest. Secure the perimeter, find any holes. I'll inform the Archfox to check the footage for any weak points." He scoffed as he looked at me, "Wouldn't want to scare off any new students."

Kairos and Enko walked me back to the school, before turning around going directly back out. Short of breaking Kairos' orders and following them on their patrol, I couldn't investigate further.

I rushed to the medical wing, only to be turned away by the healers, telling me that no visitors were allowed.