Bloodbound to the Witch Heir: Claimed By Four

Chapter 60: _Caged

Celeste’s POV

*****

Slowly but surely, the arrival of the Professors managed to calm the tense atmosphere. Rebecca was guided to sit with her teammates by her professor, who seemed to treat her like a fragile egg.

Even though she looked seconds away from fracturing someone’s jaw.

Speaking of which, Lysandra—Bloodoak’s resident shameless bitch—still yelled and cursed, barely listening to the calm words of our professors.

"I won’t stand for her slandering!" She shrieked, ignoring Professor Amelia’s warning glare. "She should get back here and kow-tow before me for all the trash she spouted about my man and me. I don’t care if she’s the daughter of the goddess herself."

Those last words seemed to be Professor Amelia’s final straw. "Miss Carrington!" She barked. "Ignoring your nearly blasphemous remark just now, I’ll advise you to sit down and calm down."

Lysandra shook her head. "I—"

"Your father is only a phone call away," Professor Amelia raised a phone, finger inches away from the screen. "Let’s see if he’ll be okay about this display when you’re supposed to be recuperating from Vein beast poisoning."

"Woo!" Willow howled all the way from our seats, making me cover my face. "Go, Professor Amelia!"

I could imagine Lysandra’s face was redder than a tomato right now.

Eventually, I heard the sharp click of heels on stone, forcing me to raise my head again. She was finally leaving that part of the audience seats, barely paying attention to the students following her movements.

"Come on, babe." She grabbed Luther’s wrist but he immediately pulled it back. "What the..." A gasp. Then—her face twisted with an ugly frown. "What are you doing? Are you going to take the side of that sly—"

"I’m choosing to take the side of my own sanity for once, Lysandra." He tried keeping his voice low but everyone was so quiet, making his words clear. "You’re toxic. Refuse to acknowledge when you’re wrong. And have this over the top entitlement that makes you so ugly despite your pretty face."

My lips parted. Willow turned to me while Caelum made an almost approving grunt.

Was... Was this really happening?

The most stunned was probably Lysandra who quickly placed her hands on his shoulders. "B–Babe? What... What’s this all about? You couldn’t have possibly taken anything she said seriously, right?"

Luther didn’t answer. Not yet.

His hands clamped around her wrists, forcefully pulling them off him. Then, "I don’t understand anything. That’s the thing." His eyes flicked to me just then. Brief but enough to make my breath stutter. "I can’t... I can’t do this anymore."

Whispers spread like wildfire, even amongst those far away from the drama.

Forget the Blood Trials. THIS was what most people were here for.

"What are you saying?" Lysandra’s voice broke. "Are you—"

"A break," Luther cut abruptly. "A split. Whatever you want to call it. I just need space to understand what all these conflicting feelings mean."

I couldn’t tell you why but those words equally felt like he was speaking to me as well.

With that, Luther moved. Far away, not looking back for a second at Lysandra or the chaos around them.

Lysandra didn’t call for him. She just stood there, expression blank, fists curled and eyes watery like that black heart of hers could ever feel anything.

"Look!" An excited yelp instantly made everyone fix their gaze on the holographic screen floating above the field.

I did too, just in time to witness Atlas and Inari finishing what looked like their final obstacle. A portal gate instantly opened behind them, sucking them in.

The opening point appeared on the field—competitors from both sides emerging from its shimmering edges. Atlas himself stumbled slightly, panting before straightening his posture.

Silence.

Then—

"Congrats to Blood Oak’s witches!" Professor Amelia, who had gotten to the high table again, chirped into her mic. "They beat their obstacles first, with White Flame Academy just a few seconds short."

Her explanation was necessary after the attention split on Lysandra’s drama.

Applause and cheers followed the professor’s words. Many students rushed into the field, clawing their way to Atlas in a bid to congratulate him.

He didn’t appreciate that.

A flick of his wrist created an invisible wall, and several of those charging students rammed headfirst into it. I flinched, surprised by that reaction from him—

—Until his golden eyes locked on me almost instantly despite the distance.

"I bet you had a good laugh at my expense." Lysandra—for whatever reason—sat behind me again, her tone losing her previous fake kindness. "Good luck with the hybrid trial by the way. You’ll need it."

My right fist clenched, head swinging back. "You know, for someone recovering from Vein beast poisoning, you seem pretty okay."

"Cel," Willow grabbed my hand. "Just ignore. She’s obviously trying to transfer her pain to you."

I shook my head. "No—Lysandra, how about this?" I met her contemptuous gaze. "Why don’t you take back your spot in the trials? Maybe you need to blow off steam, no?"

Her stormy eyes turned icy, lips shaking like she was about to say something absolutely wicked. And oh, was I ready for her.

That said—her lips eventually curved into a cold smirk. "And what do you think would happen then? How would everyone react when the Academy’s princess chickens out of a competition while the other side’s princess stays?"

Pressure hit my chest. "I... I’m not chickening out—"

"They won’t see it as that." She countered fluidly.

’Celeste,’ a familiar whisper in my head almost made me jump. Not my thoughts or inner voice. But from the bonds. ’It’s me. Atlas. Sorry if I frightened you, but I need to tell you what I saw during my trial.’

Meanwhile, Lysandra went on. "Your reputation is already poor," she mocked. "So really. Just take your time imagining you giving up." fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

’During the illusions earlier, I saw my father.’ Atlas continued, unaware that my attention was separated. ’An odd sight since he’s been lost after a Vein beast attack over a decade ago. I barely cared about seeing him. But what he said...’

"Enough, Lysandra." Caelum grabbed my shoulders, making me pivot away from her. "Give it a rest and back off from my sister’s affairs."

Lysandra only chuckled. "I’m only giving her useful advice. No need to get vexed."

’... He warned me to stop poking my head into things I shouldn’t,’ Atlas’ mental voice was grim. ’Which I assume includes Miss Benedicta’s case. The notes. And...’

He paused.

Frowning, my gaze darted to him.

Still on the field. Still avoiding supporters and fan girls like it was a full-time job. Except now, he didn’t have his eyes on me. Following those golden orbs, I soon realised who he was staring at.

A–Azrael?

’Uhm...’ I managed to gather my thoughts enough to speak. ’And what? Did the illusion say anything about Azrael?’

Atlas shook his head discreetly. ’No. I’m just... Thinking.’ His eyes flicked to me again. ’The Academy, the Dean or whoever is controlling things from the inside must’ve rigged the entire trial. To send a warning. I’m certain.’

There was silence in the mind link for too long.

I could barely hear the activities from the students and Professor Amelia announcing another break. Not with the pandemonium in my mind.

’You might be the next target in this, Celeste.’ Atlas warned solemnly. ’Your trial. Spirits help something regrettable doesn’t happen.’

Suddenly, giving up and letting Lysandra play didn’t sound like a bad idea.

But I couldn’t. I’ve gone too far to quit now.

Which means I’m caged—between the potential judgment of my peers. And an unseen threat testing me every step of the way.