Chapter 10
Roxana
I barely registered the sting in my hand.
Zero's eyes—wild, glassy with panic—flashed in front of me, then he turned and ran. His shoes pounded against the dirt, his silhouette vanishing behind the gymnasium in seconds.
"Zero—!"
But he was already gone.
I stood frozen, arm still half-outstretched, the weight of the crowd pressing down like a thick unbreakable fog. Whispers swirled around me—sharp, ugly things full of doubt and fear.
"What's wrong with him?"
"That magic… it looked cursed—"
"Did you see how he shoved her?"
I tuned them out, eyes locked on where he'd disappeared. My pulse hammered in my ears, frustration biting at my chest. I wanted to chase after him, corner him, make him explain whatever the hell that was. But before I could take a step, a firm hand grabbed my wrist.
"Don't," Ellis's voice cut in, low and steady.
I turned, glare sharp, my whole-body buzzing. "He needs someone to talk some sense into him. He—"
"He won't listen."
Ellis's expression didn't shift—just that usual, unreadable calm—but there was a heaviness in his eyes. Not worry exactly. More like resignation. Like this wasn't the first time he'd seen Zero unravel like that.
"You've known him longer than me," I muttered, shaking off his grip. "But standing here doing nothing isn't exactly helpful."
Ellis exhaled through his nose, folding his arms. "That kid's been like that since we were little," he said. "When he shuts down, it's like steel walls go up. You can bang your fists on them all day—he won't let you through."
"He looked… scared," I admitted quietly. "I've only known him a week, but even I can tell—something's not right."
Ellis's eyes softened, barely. "Something's never been right with him." He paused, then added, "But you can't force him to open that door. Believe me, I've tried."
The cicadas buzzed louder, the crowd finally dispersing, leaving us in the brittle quiet of the practice grounds.
I crossed my arms, gaze drifting toward the gymnasium wall. The ache in my chest twisted sharp, but I stayed rooted to the spot.
"Fine," I muttered. "But if he doesn't come back soon, I am going after him."
Ellis gave a faint, knowing smile. "Yeah… figured you'd say that."
***
Honestly, I should have heeded Ellis's advice. Even though class had started again, I couldn't give up trying to find him. But no matter how lost I felt, I couldn't find Zero anywhere. It was like he had simply vanished.
I searched every hallway, every quiet corner of the school—he was nowhere to be found.
When I returned to class just before lunch, I glanced at his usual spot by the window. It was empty. His bag was gone, and his desk was bare.
As soon as the lunch bell rang, the students all dispersed to enjoy their downtime. Some even asked if I wanted to join them, but I politely declined. I didn't mean to be rude; of course, I understood their curiosity. I was, after all, the fabled savior of the human race. But their fake smiles and kind gestures couldn't fool me.
All I said was that I was waiting for someone. There was some hesitation on their part, but in the end, they respected my wishes.
The homeroom emptied quickly, students scattering to the courtyard or dorms, leaving the classroom quiet and still. I settled back into my desk, the familiar creak of wood grounding me. Soon, Ellis was the only other person left, standing at the teachers podium signing different forms.
I cleared my throat. "Is Zero really alright? I mean… after what happened."
Ellis raised an eyebrow, voice teasing. "You didn't seem like you cared much about him before now."
I flushed, my face hot like a chili pepper. "It's not like I hate him. I just find it hard to trust him. But that doesn't mean I shouldn't care about him either. The look in his eyes… it's stuck in my head." I played with the bow around my neck, trying to look at anything else but Ellis's alluring green gaze.
"I've always wondered what his story was. When I first met him, he was so mature, a soldier to the bone. But now… I think he might be just as confused and broken as I am."
Ellis nodded slowly, finger resting on his chin. "I get it. I asked the same questions when we were children. Gaining that kid's trust took a hell of a lot of effort, and even now I wonder if he actually likes me. But those questions you have… I can't answer them. Those aren't my stories to tell."
I looked down at my hands, the weight of that mystery settling heavier on my chest. Yet somehow, I felt a little less alone.
I glanced up at Ellis, curiosity flickering in my eyes. "If you don't mind me asking… what was he like back then? Before all this— becoming a Dusker, sacrificing his childhood to become a person far too cruel beyond his years?"
Ellis leaned back, a shadow of a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "A little monster, honestly. Full of anger and ready to snap at the smallest things. He was quiet when left alone, but that was mostly because he trusted no one. It was a lot of work just to get him to stop trying to punch everyone."
Ellis exhaled softly, the faintest smile appearing on his face as he leaned back against the desk beside me. His usual playful expression dimmed into something more reflective — older somehow.
"You know…" He tapped his chin, his eyes unfocused, lost in the weight of memory. "When I first met Zero, I hated him."
My brows lifted. "Hated him?"
"Oh yeah," Ellis chuckled under his breath, though there wasn't much humor in it. "My Master brought him home out of nowhere. Said he was taking the kid in. Said it was our responsibility now."
"So, your master adopted Zero and you felt threatened by that?"
Ellis nodded. "I'd been training under that old man for years. Earning my place. Then suddenly, this scrawny, angry little brat shows up—silent, wide-eyed, looking like he wanted to bite someone's throat out. I thought… why the hell would Master waste his time on him?" His voice softened, almost fond now. "But I didn't see it back then. What that kid really needed… was love. Attention. A reason to stop hating the world."
I looked down at my hands, fingers curling lightly. "You call him a monster… but that's not all he is, is it?"
Ellis's eyes met mine, steady. "No. Others might see a monster. Hell, sometimes he sees it too when he looks in the mirror." His voice dipped lower, sincere. "But I've watched him fight for every scrap of peace he has now. You see that cold stare, that sharp mouth — but underneath? That boy has struggled more than anyone I know. He fought his nature, his past… himself. And yeah, he's still angry. But Zero uses that anger to tear down what he despises most."
I swallowed the lump forming in my throat, my chest tightening. "And what does he despise?"
"Cruelty. Injustice. Monsters worse than him," Ellis answered without hesitation. "No one — and I mean no one — is more determined than that kid when it comes to what he does best."
I let the words settle, Zero's guarded eyes flashing in my mind, that simmering pain beneath his arrogance.
Ellis nudged me gently with his elbow. "You're already curious, aren't you?"
I rolled my eyes faintly, a reluctant smile pulling at the corner of my mouth. "Maybe… but that doesn't mean I trust him."
Ellis shrugged. "Good. You shouldn't. But maybe… you'll be the one who gets him to lower those damn walls."
I sighed, tracing my finger along the edge of the desk, eyes drifting to the empty chair by the window where Zero sat previously.
"Lower his walls…" I echoed, the words tasting heavier than they should've.
Ellis tilted his head, studying me. "You've already cracked them a little. Whether you meant to or not."
"I doubt that," I muttered, hugging my arms to my chest. "Every time I try to get close, he either runs… or acts like he doesn't care."
"That's his defense mechanism," Ellis replied, standing straighter now, arms crossed loosely over his chest. His usual teasing edge softened into something quieter — understanding, maybe even regret. "When Master first brought him home, it was the same. Every smile was fake. Every conversation a wall. But underneath all of that… there's a kid who never got to be a kid."
I blinked, surprised at the rawness in his voice. Ellis, always so composed, so annoyingly smug… looking vulnerable?
He continued, eyes distant. "You see, Zero wasn't born like other kids. He didn't grow up with bedtime stories or friends. The world's been cruel to him since the day he opened his eyes. That kind of life… it makes you forget how to trust."
I hesitated before asking, "What happened to him?"
Ellis shook his head slowly. "That's not my story to tell. When he's ready… if he's ready… he'll share it." His eyes locked onto mine, sharper now, as if testing me. "But you're right to care, Roxana. Even if you don't trust him yet. You're sharp enough to see it — the cracks in the mask. The confusion behind all that bravado."
The room remained quiet, the hum of students lingering in the hallways beyond. I clenched my fists gently, conflicted.
"I've never seen him look so scared before," I admitted under my breath. "Like someone who's tired of hiding."
Ellis smiled faintly, his usual spark returning. "That's because he is. But don't push him too hard." His gaze softened. "Zero's survived a lot… but sometimes surviving isn't the same as healing."
Ellis tapped his chin thoughtfully, eyes flicking back toward the window. "Speaking of my Master… actually, that reminds me." He patted his pocket, fishing out a crumpled piece of parchment—the kind messenger pigeons carried, stamped with the Helios insignia.
I arched a brow. "What's that?"
"Your next big adventure." He waved the note teasingly. "The Helios Guardians finally decided on your permanent quarters."
I perked up, straightening in my seat. "Already? I only got here yesterday."
Ellis chuckled, handing over the parchment. "Welcome to the fast track. Consider it a perk of being humanity's golden ticket. You've been assigned to one of the Church's housing units—under the care of none other than Father Kieran himself."
"Kieran?" I repeated, the name unfamiliar, my eyes scanning the neat handwriting.
"Yeah, you'll know him when you see him." Ellis leaned back on his heels, hands shoved in his pockets. "Late forties, looks like he hasn't slept since the war, long brown hair that refuses to behave with gruff on his chin, and hazel eyes." He grinned wider. "Oh, and the priest collar kinda gives him away."
I blinked, confused. "A priest?"
"Retired Dusker," Ellis corrected. "Still an active Vatican member, though. And he's got the patience of a saint—trust me, raising that one"—he jabbed a thumb toward Zero's empty chair— "would've broken lesser men."
My stomach twisted with nerves. "Wait… so, Zero's…?"
Ellis nodded, clearly entertained by my dawning realization. "Adoptive father. You'll see the resemblance. Mostly in their inability to follow basic social etiquette."
I groaned, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Great. Just what I needed."
Ellis winked. "Hey, look on the bright side—at least it's not me."
***
The dismissal bell chimed, and the academy grounds erupted into life. Students streamed down the marble steps, laughter and conversation buzzing in the warm afternoon air. Bags slung over shoulders, plans for the evening already underway—but my focus drifted past the crowd.
It wasn't hard to spot him.
Standing just beyond the academy gates, tall and annoyingly smug, was a man holding a ridiculous sign with bold, uneven letters: ROXANA ALGIERS.
He waved it proudly above his head like he was hailing a carriage, flashing the kind of grin only someone deeply enjoying my discomfort could wear. His shaggy brown hair brushed his shoulders, wild and unkempt, clashing entirely with the crisp priest's collar beneath his black coat. His hazel eyes sparkled like he had just pulled the best prank of the year.
My steps slowed, dread simmering under my breath.
This is Father Kieran?
I weaved through the dispersing crowd, stopping in front of him with arms crossed. "Really? Was the sign necessary?"
"Absolutely," he beamed, tucking the sign under his arm. "How else was I supposed to spot the 'miracle girl' everyone's been whispering about?"
I raised an eyebrow. "You're my housing assignment?"
"Technically, you're under my care," Kieran corrected, voice dripping with playful sarcasm. "But yes, Guardian, retired Dusker, priest, and full-time headache to my good-for-nothing kid."
"Kid?" My curiosity piqued, even as my gut braced for the obvious answer.
Kieran's grin stretched wider. "You'll see."
***
The black car rolled into the driveway of what could only be described as an obnoxiously expensive house. Sleek glass panels, clean stone walls, and a perfectly trimmed lawn—everything about it screamed money and authority, the kind of place you'd expect a Helios Guardian to retire in… not a vampire hunter who moonlights as a priest.
I frowned, adjusting my bag. "This is your house?"
Kieran grinned as he hopped out of the car, tossing me a wink. "Perks of nearly dying on the battlefield for two decades. You'd be surprised what the Vatican's retirement package looks like."
We approached the oversized front door, sunlight gleaming off its polished surface. Kieran wasted no time, pounding on the door with his fist hard enough to rattle the frame.
Moments later, the door cracked open, revealing a very disheveled Zero. His pitch-black hair stuck out in every direction with stubborn bedhead, and he wore a wrinkled white T-shirt and plaid pajama pants that hung slightly off his hips. His expression was pure murder.
"The hell's with all the damn noise—?"
His dark brown eyes landed one me, lingering just long enough for his brain to catch up.
"What are you doing here?" he snapped, voice hoarse like he'd just woken up—probably had.
Before I could answer, Kieran snickered and, without warning, drove his boot square into Zero's stomach. The younger boy doubled over with a grunt, flying backward onto the plush living room couch that tipped over beneath him with an embarrassing thud.
Zero doubled over with a grunt. "What the hell, old man?! You got a death wish or something?!"
Kieran stepped inside, stretching his arms overhead with a crack of his knuckles, flashing a dangerous grin. "Retired, not dead. And I still outrank you. Say hello to your new roommate, you good-for-nothing son of mine."
Zero's head peeked out from behind the fallen couch, dark circles more pronounced now, scowl deepening as he locked eyes with me.
"You've gotta be kidding me…"
"Don't be rude. Say hello to your new roommate. Protect her with your life, okay?"
Zero's wide, horrified eyes snapped to me as I lingered awkwardly by the doorway.
I smiled sweetly. "Nice place."