Serene’s POV

I felt an adrenaline rush course through my body as I prepared to fight my onslaughter. Turning my head up I found myself glaring at Dria. Seeing the dreadful look in my eyes she stepped back.

"I just want to talk, not here to hurt you." She raised her hands to show me she was serious.

"Can’t you talk like a normal person instead of banging me into walls?" I raised an eyebrow at her.

"Nothing about me is normal so the answer is NO," she shrugged.

"What do you want?" I asked her flatly.

"I can’t stand you, I literally hate you and your kind. I can’t understand why Arlo would choose someone like you over his childhood best friend. What’s so special about you is beyond my comprehension. He is forbidden me to even talk to you. I want to know what kind of spell you have cast on him to make him behave like that. He has never acted like this before." She spat at me.

"I have no clue what I or my kind has ever done to you to incur such hatred. For Arlo, I think you should talk to him if you are having apprehensions about your relationship. I have not cast any spells on anyone. You realize all kinds of spells can be detected inside the institute." I had no clue how to get out of this vicious cycle of hatred I had gotten stuck in.

"What your kind has done? I will tell you what they did so listen carefully you entitled bitch. They caught and killed my grandparents when they were on the border patrol, labelling them as "Fae Smugglers" (a term used for those who kidnap and smuggle Fae kind for their blood, especially vampires.) My grandparents were innocent but since they were vampires, you discriminated against us. I was only 10 years old at that time. Arlo was there for me every step of the way as I was for him. And, now to think one of your kind can come between us, makes my blood boil."

I was jolted to my core hearing her life story, Arlo hadn’t told me anything along these lines. Maybe he was trying to spare me the pain of comprehending that my own kind was capable of carrying out such atrocities. Fae People didn’t resolve to violence and were known to avoid confrontations and conflicts unless it was outright necessary.

"I am extremely sorry, I know I can’t understand the pain you went through. Losing someone close at such a young age takes a toll on the person. But, I can ask my dad to conduct an investigation into this and get to the bottom of this. For, Arlo we hardly ever talk or see each other. It’s only during our team missions, he never even sits with us. There is nothing between us."

I knew no matter what I said to her she will only hate me more. At least she was not a hypocrite, she told me exactly how she felt about me and she was right in her own way. I would have hated myself too if I was in her shoes.

"Investigation? Huh! Will that bring my grandparents back? I don’t need your bloody investigation, I just need you to stay away from Arlo, because if you hurt him I swear I will kill you. Arlo has a compassionate and gentle heart and he cares for others without asking or showing them. He never says anything to me about you but I can read him like an open book and your mere existence causes him agony and pain. And, believe me, I can see the pain which you are causing him. Don’t take advantage of his kindness and use him for your selfish means like you people did to oust Lourden. Don’t you dare trample his heart, leave him be because, in the end, I will be the one who would have to gather the broken pieces of his heart?"

She spoke in a quiet tone which spluttered with disgust and disdain while oozing hatred from every pore of her being.

As I contemplated our actions, she wasn’t wrong. We took him for granted, taking his help whenever it suited our objectives and then tossing him aside. I shamelessly kissed him when I shouldn’t have and then ghosted him, thinking I was doing the right thing. When I wasn’t in love with him, I shouldn’t have done that giving him hope, letting him dangle by a thread. I wasn’t being his friend I was torturing him.

"You are right, Dria. The bond you share with him is special and no one should come in between. It’s not my intention to do that, but I need to give a decisive answer and ask him to stop doing anything for me. I hope things will work out between you two." Her eyes softened a bit and she took another step back from me.

"Serene, deep down I know you are not a loathe some person I imagine you to be. It’s not like Arlo to start caring for just anyone. But I can’t shake this hatred for you if it had been under different circumstances then maybe we could have been friends. Still, it is what it is. Just stop using him as your errand boy, once you will become strict with him instead of soft. He will automatically give up on you. Please, do this for him as his future is with me, not you." She looked almost calm but her hatred didn’t die down.

"I will, I promise." She gave me one last look and then started walking in the opposite direction leaving me alone with much to process. I dragged myself back to the dining hall lost in thoughts.

I smiled once I saw my friends and waved, the ruckus on our table was louder than anywhere else in the hall because of Ralph and Mikasim. I sat down on an empty chair near Zeph and tried to act as normal as I could but I guess I couldn’t fool him. "What’s wrong? Did something happen?" He asked me quietly without letting anyone else hear it. I had this urge to tell him the truth so many times but then I didn’t want him to worry besides it was my mess, not his.

"No, not really," I lied. His eyes lingered on my face for a long time before finally averting his gaze he continued in a hushed voice so only I could hear: "If something is the case, you can share it with me. Remember, the promise we made that together we will make it work. Lately, I fear you have been hiding things from me."

"I don’t want to trouble you with unnecessary stuff, which I can handle on my own," I replied apologetically.

"So, you feel like you need to carry your burdens alone? Seems like both of us have shifted roles. Please, let me be there for you as you are for me." His gaze was back on me his face inches apart from mine and I couldn’t help but admire his handsome features. I slightly nodded when Ralph took hold of both our heads and pushed them forward so they touched: " Kiss already, the tension between you two is killing me."

" Ouch Ralph," I rubbed my head as I looked at him, his face covered with a mischievous grin while Zeph was giving him a look which said: " We might have if you hadn’t butted in."

My stomach growled and I decided to get something to eat as everyone had already finished. "I am going to get something to eat. Does anyone want anything?"

"No, we are all done and were waiting for you so we could head to the training ground," Ayrden told me.

"Why don’t you guys go ahead and I will catch up soon, I don’t want to hold all of you here. Meanwhile, grab the weapons we need so won’t waste any time." I suggested.

"Ok, but don’t take too long or I will come back to fetch you. Besides, I can’t wait for our duel so you better come prepared to lose." Zeph was pulling no punches today.

"Haha, don’t get so ahead of yourself, and go prepare yourself for getting your ass kicked." I retorted back while Ralph did a high five with me.

"Wanna bet?" Zeph’s eyes sparkled.

"Why not?" I smirked.

"Oh! This is getting interesting." Ralph rubbed his hands together.

"Stay out of this Ralph," Zeph side-eyed him.

"Oh! you mean business," I teased.

Zeph didn’t waiver: "Winner gets to choose a punishment for the loser. Deal?" He extended his hand toward me.

"It’s a deal," I shook his hand.

"I am gonna go tell everyone," Mikasim announced and Ralph followed his pursuit. I winked at Zeph and he smiled before following Ralph and Mikasim.

"I am glad you guys have started to get along so well." Ayrden beamed at me before following them, while I made my way to the food area where an array of dishes were served.

"Serene...." a familiar voice called me from behind.