Marcus led us to a small, canopied stand that had been set up as a VIP area overlooking the party.
I tried to hide my surprise when I saw Darian in the canopy, talking animatedly to a girl whose face I didn’t recognise. As always, my blood ran cold at the sight of him; he was, after all, the man my father had planned to trade me to.
Thankfully, Darian was far too busy talking to the girl and didn’t notice me.
My eyes roamed the canopy again, landing on Kael, who sat quietly at the edge of the stand, far from everyone. He was nursing a bottle of water in his hand and avoiding eye contact with everyone.
Our gazes met for a brief second, and he looked away immediately. The act alone seared my heart with fresh pain. I couldn’t believe we’ve gotten to the point where I irritated Kael so much that he couldn’t stand looking at me.
If this was his reaction after what happened at Rhett’s pack house, what would it be when he discovers my real identity?"
I didn’t dare to answer that question.
My gaze moved away from him, landing on Rhett and Lydia at the back of the stand, locked in a kiss. Lydia’s slender fingers played with the collar of his shirt when they broke off their kiss, while Rhett’s hand rested at her waist.
She laughed softly against his lips before he leaned in and kissed her again. He looked so happy.
I glared at both of them, unable to fight the animosity that had built in my chest at the sight of them. If looks could kill, they’d have dropped dead right there. I tore my eyes away, drawing in a deep breath as I forced myself to keep moving.
Marcus pointed to a seat beside him at the front of the stand, and I slipped into it without a word. Slater took a seat in the row behind us.
As soon as we were settled, Marcus picked up the microphone on the small table beside him.
"Good evening, everyone," he began, ending the noise in the background as everyone turned to listen to him. "I didn’t think so many people would turn out for a first-year’s birthday party, but I’m glad you’re all here."
The crowd erupted into cheers, whistles and clapping, and I tried to smile.
"You all know Eamon is under my mentorship," Marcus continued once the noise died down. "And it’s only right for me to celebrate this special day for him."
Another round of cheers followed.
"So here’s how tonight will work," Marcus said, grinning. "I’ve prepared a couple of entertainments and games for tonight while we count down to midnight. At 11:40, the cake will be wheeled out and a minute to midnight, we’ll sing for Eamon and he’ll cut the cake. Then everyone would return to the dorms. Sound good?"
"Yes!" the students echoed back.
"Then let the party begin!"
What followed was the definition of fun.
Marcus had arranged everything from harmless truths or dares to ridiculous trivia rounds about the Academy’s history. One game involved passing a lemon between two people using only their necks, which sent half the players into fits of laughter.
There was a speed-drinking challenge—water only. After that, we had relay races around the pool, a scavenger hunt through the garden and a talent show where random students performed various skills from juggling to impromptu poetry recitations.
The good thing about the games was that no one was prepared, so it was sloppy and fun, bringing a side to everyone that I didn’t think I’d ever discover.
The last game involved choosing a random person, who then had to build the tallest tower out of plastic cups in under two minutes. The losing team, in turn, had to serenade the winners with the cheesiest love song they could think of.
Each losing team sang so dramatically that even Kael cracked the smallest of smiles from his corner.
But every laugh, every cheer, every flash of camera lights only made my vision blur more beneath the thick layers of clothing Slater had bundled me in.
I could feel myself deteriorating. My body was shaking uncontrollably beneath the layers of thick clothing Slater had bundled me in. I was becoming lightheaded, and my chest felt like it was burning from the inside out.
But throughout the entire evening, I could feel myself deteriorating. My body shook uncontrollably beneath the thick layers of clothing Slater had bundled me in. I was becoming increasingly lightheaded, and my chest felt like it was burning from the inside out.
I wanted to cry out and ask for help, but I couldn’t risk drawing that kind of attention to myself. All I could do was grip my chair and try to suppress the violent chills and pain wracking my body.
By 11:00 pm, my entire body felt like it was on fire. Every joint in my body ached.
It felt like a nail had been screwed into each of my joints. I struggled to focus on anything happening around me, forcing myself to smile and trying not to think of the pain at the moment.
By 11:40 pm, the cake was wheeled, and somehow, I managed to walk to the cake stand on shaky legs.
Everyone gathered behind me with Marcus standing to my right and Slater to my left. I noticed that both Rhett and Kael hadn’t bothered to leave their spots at the stand. Rhett was still busy with Lydia, and Kai’s expression hadn’t changed a bit.
I wasn’t sure if they were trying to make a point because it was working. Despite being surrounded by everyone, I still felt a hollow in my heart.
As the clock crawled toward midnight, I felt uncomfortable in ways I couldn’t explain. It wasn’t just the fever anymore—something else was wrong, and I couldn’t explain it.
My skin felt too tight, my bones were aching, the dizziness doubled, and I felt like something inside me was begging to claw its way out.
Five more minutes to midnight, I wobbled slightly, but only Slater noticed it.
"Hey," Slater leaned close to my ear and whispered. "Hey, are you alright?"
I managed to nod, even though the movement felt like carrying twenty pounds on my head.
"Just a few more seconds," I whispered to myself, "And I can go back to the room and rest."
A minute to midnight, the crowd began to sing the happy birthday song. Their voices worsened the ringing in my ears, but I managed to endure it to the last note. They’d just sung the last note when the school clock chimed, indicating that it was midnight already.
"Make a wish," Marcus urged me quietly, his voice sounded from far away.
I closed my eyes and clasped my hands together, managing what I hoped was a grateful smile, even though the burning sensation in my joints had tripled a few seconds ago. The pain was unbearable now.
When I opened my eyes, I leaned forward and blew out all the candles in one breath.
The moment the last light on the candles on the cake vanished, the lights around the pool went out.