Lorraine's POV
I stood frozen, staring back at Kieran.
His red eyes were locked on mine, unblinking, unreadable, furious. The noise of the academy around us dulled into a muffled echo. My blood turned cold.
There was no mistaking the silent threat in his gaze. He didn't need to say a word.
I thought about going to him, maybe to explain, maybe just to talk to him
I shifted my weight and took a step forward.
Adrian grabbed my wrist.
"Don't," he said firmly.
"Adrian…." I whispered, eyes still on Kieran.
"I mean it, Lorraine." Adrian's voice dropped, low and serious. "He's a dangerous man. You know that."
I looked at him. His easy smile was gone.
"He only helped you because he had something to gain," Adrian continued. "You being alive, there's a reason for it. But being around him? Letting yourself be pulled deeper into his orbit? That's like walking into a fire and hoping not to burn."
I hesitated, Kieran's stare still burning into me from across the courtyard.
