"Shh."
Eric's voice brushed against Yvonne ear as he suddenly pinned her wrists behind, pressing her against the rock. His body leaned into her, warmth seeped through the cold water between them, his breath sending unwanted shivers down her spine.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Yvonne hissed, struggling. Was this lunatic serious? Pinning her down like this while she was—while her everything was exposed?!
"I said shut up," Eric snapped through clenched teeth.
"Who do you think you are, telling me to shut up while you're—"
—taking advantage of me!
The rest came out muffled as Eric hand clamped over her mouth. His dark eyes glared at Yvonne sharply, filled with warning.
For a split second, intimidation crawled up Yvonne spine.
Then she glared right back.
She refused to be scared of him.
Eric eyes flickered—before he slowly released Yvonne hands. He tilted his head slightly, gesturing for her to look up, all while watching her every movement like she was a ticking trap.
Yvonne peeked over the rock and her mind went completely blank.
A dark, shadowy creature crawled across the riverbank—spindly arms, twisted legs, glowing red eyes, jagged teeth dripping with hunger. Its claws scraped against the stone, and the moment its aura brushed against her, Yvonne blood turned ice-cold.
What the...
Yvonne ducked back instinctively, her heart pounding violently.
"What… what is that?" She mouthed, her voice barely a breath.
"Ghoul," Eric answered calmly.
"Ghost?!" Yvonne nearly yelped. "That does not look like a ghost—"
Eric hand immediately covered her mouth again while Yvonne shot him an offended glare.
"When did you become this loud?" he muttered, eyes flicking toward the creature.
His tone dropped into command. "Be quiet."
Nodding stiffly, Yvonne whispered, "What kind of ghost is that?"
"It is Ghoul. A dark creature," Eric said. "Feeds on human flesh."
"What?!"
Eric jaw tightened as he and he shot Yvonne a murderous look.
Yvonne immediately clapped her hand over her mouth instantly, but curiosity still burned.
"How did it get into the school?" She whispered. "Isn't all school protected by a...ummm... Ember barrier? Dark creatures shouldn't even be able to cross—"
"I don't know how it entered," Eric cut in sharply. His gaze locked onto Yvonne, intense and serious. "But I know it'll find us if you don't shut up."
"Well…" Yvonne swallowed. "…it already did."
Eric body stiffened.
"What?"
"It's behind you."
The next few seconds felt like slow motion.
Eric tightened his grip around Yvonne as she stared in horror at the ghoul raising its clawed arm—and stabbing straight through his chest.
Her breath caught.
She saw it.
Felt it.
Yvonne was certain she just watched him die.
But… nothing happened.
Eric was still breathing. Alive. Whole. Pressing against her.
Yvonne blinked rapidly, her gaze darting between him and the ghoul. The creature itself looked confused, slashing at empty air, its eyes scanning the water like they had vanished.
Eric...
Had hidden them.
Somehow.
His power.
WOW. How did he do that?
So rare it was almost mythical.
"How do you do that…" Yvonne whispered, staring at him in awe while Eric shot her a warning look.
Moments later, the ghoul snarled in frustration and retreated into the darkness.
Only then did Eric release Yvonne and straighten. "We should leave."
"What kind of Ember power is that?" Yvonne blurted immediately. She couldn't help herself.
"Invisibility." Eric replied.
"Invisibility?!." Yvonne exclaimed.
That is not a ordinary Ember abilities. That is a rare one. And people born with such abilities were considered prodigies.
"Don't you feel cold?" Eric asked instead, turning his face away.
Cold?
Yvonne frowned. "No?" Ever since her water and ice power surfaced, she rarely felt cold since.
He went silent.
Didn't she get the hint?
Apparently not.
"…Will you put your clothes on?" Eric snapped finally.
"Oh!"
Heat rushed to Yvonne face in realization as she immediately bolted toward the shore without another word.
Damnit! How could she forget?!
Reaching for her clothes, Yvonne was suddenly yanked backward.
Her back slammed into a solid chest.
Again?!