Page 52 of Alluring Darkness

The massive building has been split into sections. One part is full of trees and bushes, turning it into a forest. Another part has buildings and stone streets just like a busy city. A third one has been built like a park. And so on.

We move towards the open area at the front where our instructor is waiting.

My heart stalls and I almost walk right into the person in front of me when I find Connor standing there next to our instructor. The bruises that were covering his face and body have now healed, which means that he no longer stands out in a crowd. His gray eyes linger on me for an extra second before simply moving on and scanning the rest of the people around me.

“Today, we have Connor Smith with us to help demonstrate how to efficiently move unseen through an area,” our teacher begins.

I barely hear the rest of the instructions because I can’t stop staring at the blank expression on Connor’s face.

A stab of pain shoots through my heart. I wish I could tell him what I’m really doing here. That I’m not trying to take his place or undermine his efforts. That I’m here to help him. But if he ever finds out what Eli has done to me, he will go after him, and that would only end in more bloodshed.

Once the mandatory demonstrations are done, I move to the section as far away from Connor as possible. It’s the forest part. A few other students picked that one as well, but I don’t pay them any mind as I walk between the trees and breathe in air that smells like grass and dirt.

It helps ground me again, and I run through the instructions and tips we received, as well as what Connor showed. I knew that Connor is good. People tell me that all the time. But actually seeing it with my own eyes was something else. The way he moved, the way he blended in even though we all knew what to look for, was absolutely incredible. He really is going to be one of the greatest of all time. As long as I can make sure that Eli Hunter doesn’t—

“You’re dead.”

I jerk back at the unexpected sound of that voice,hisvoice, and my spine bumps against the muzzle of a gun. Twisting my head, I look over my shoulder to find Eli standing right behind me with a gun to my back. Amusement dances in his eyes.

I scowl at him. “I hadn’t even started yet.”

“Too bad, princess. This profession doesn’t wait for you to start. If you’re not ready, you die.”

Spinning around to face him, I shove his hand and the gun to the side as I glare up at him. “What are you even doing here? You’re not in this class.”

“I have to see where your skill level is at, so that I know what we need to work on this afternoon.” A smirk lifts his lips. “As a team.”

I snort.

His gaze sharpens, and he gives me a look dripping with challenge. I just raise my eyebrows expectantly. Lifting his arm, he flicks his wrist, using the gun to motion at the vegetation around us.

“Go ahead then,” he says, a taunting edge to his voice. “I’m giving you two minutes to get ready and find somewhere to hide.”

I don’t waste a second. Darting away from him, I hurry into the trees. There are a few other students here, practicing how to move quietly across a forest floor, but they barely spare me a glance as I search for somewhere to hide.

A cluster of trees appears up ahead. Sprinting towards it, I dive in behind one of the thick trunks since I’m pretty sure that my time is up now.

The rough bark scrapes against my skin as I press myself to the tree. My heart flutters in my chest. I glance around the edge. Nothing.

One minute passes.

Two.

A smug grin threatens to break out on my face. Guess I’m not as terrible as everyone thinks.

I lean forward a little, casting another glance around the trunk.

A gun appears at my temple from the other side. “You’re dead.”

Since I can’t move my head now, I just slide my gaze to where Eli is standing half behind me. I didn’t even hear him sneak up on me.

He removes the gun from my temple and then jerks his chin. “Try again.”

Branches flash past my vision as I dart away. This time, I try hiding behind a large rock instead. My heart patters in my chest as I sit there crouched behind it while scanning the forest around me. This time, I will see him coming.

I suck in a sharp breath between my teeth as the cold muzzle of a gun is pressed against the back of my head.

“You’re dead,” Eli repeats yet again. Then he removes it. “Go.”