After Isaak's class, Eliana had another lesson—this time about medical stuff, led by Dane. Even though she now knew there would be tests she had to pass to avoid punishment, she couldn't bring herself to focus on his words. Her head throbbed, her bladder ached, and most importantly, she needed to find a way out of this nightmare without getting herself or her parents killed. This all felt like a bad dream she couldn't wake up from.
She needed a plan. A to-do list. Something to sort her thoughts. But she didn't even have a pen or a notebook like the other recruits. Enough with the self-pity. First things first—she needed something to write on. Lifting her hand, she waited for Dane to acknowledge her, but he kept talking as if she were invisible. Clearing her throat, she waved slightly, hoping to catch his attention. Still, nothing.
What was his problem?
"Ehm… sorry to interrupt your oh-so-interesting monologue, but I need a pen and paper."
All eyes in the room turned to her. Just like in the fitness training and Isaak's class earlier, there were only a handful of recruits, but it was still too many eyes. Dane stared at her for several seconds, his silence stretching uncomfortably. The longer he held her gaze, the more her confidence wavered. Heat crept up her neck, settling in her cheeks. Damn it. She hated that she was like this. She needed to toughen up, to become cold and unshakable if she wanted to survive.
Soft footsteps echoed through the silent classroom as Dane approached her desk. He stopped in front of her, looking down with an expression so unreadable it sent an unsettling chill down her spine. He was so unsympathetic. Even if he was—annoyingly—just as attractive as the rest of them.
Without a word, he dropped a notebook and pen onto her desk with a quiet thud before resuming his lecture as if nothing had happened. His deep, monotone voice filled the room again.
Okay. That was strange. But also… kind of hot?
If this were one of her books, she'd already be fantasizing about all the different ways she could seduce her mysterious, brooding mentors. But this was reality. Her mentors were assholes—hot assholes, but still assholes—and she was a virgin stuck in this hellhole.
Suppressing a sigh, she picked up the pen and started scribbling, trying to make sense of her situation. Fact: She was the only one here against her will. Fact: If she tried to escape, she and her family would be killed. Fact: She was stuck in ridiculous classes designed to turn her into a killer for which she still needed the notes. At least for that last part, she had a solution—she'd ask Tristan for his notes the next time she saw him. He seemed like the kindest of the bunch. The rest of her problems? Completely unsolvable. She was going to die here.
She had always dreamed of waking up in a story like the ones she read. Now? She just wanted her boring college life back. Without thinking a loud sigh escaped her lips.
"Eliana."
Her name snapped her out of her thoughts. Dane's deep voice carried a sharp edge, making her stomach tighten.
"It seems like you have a problem with my class. Come to the front."
Nope. Absolutely not. She had already endured enough humiliation for the next hundred years. But as she hesitated, his tone darkened, sending a shiver down her spine.
"Now. I won't repeat myself again."
Gritting her teeth, she reluctantly pushed herself to her feet and walked to the front of the class. Behind her, the other recruits snickered and whispered among themselves. Her face burned.
"For the rest of the class, you'll stand here," Dane announced before continuing his lecture as if she weren't even there.
It was like he had taken her deepest insecurity and weaponized it against her. Unlike Damon, who used brute force, Dane wielded humiliation like a scalpel. Standing there, exposed, she felt like every movement was wrong. Was she standing weirdly? Did her clothes make her body look strange? Was someone laughing at her? The anxiety clawed at her, eating her from the inside out.
For the next agonizing hours, she fought back tears with everything she had. When the class finally ended, she turned on her heel, ready to bolt—
But before she could take a step, Dane's hand shot out, grabbing her wrist. In one swift motion, he pulled her against him, his surprisingly firm arm wrapping around her. Up close, she realized he wasn't just slender—he was well-built, muscles hidden beneath his clothes. Not important right now, idiot!
She struggled against his grip, but his fingers tightened around her jaw, forcing her to look up at him. His stormy eyes studied her face with an unreadable expression.
"Fascinating," he murmured. "How red someone can get from simply standing in front of a class."
His voice was low, almost amused. His lips were so close that every word ghosted over hers. "It amazes me how easily you get embarrassed." His grip tightened slightly. "If you don't want something like this happening again, just be a good girl and do what's expected of you."
Then, just as suddenly as he had grabbed her, he let go and walked away.
What the hell was it with these men always leaving her standing there, completely lost?
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she clenched her fists. She had already had two breakdowns today—that was enough. She needed to get herself together.
With renewed determination, she set off to find the toilet. Once that crisis was handled, she made her way to the cafeteria for dinner, scanning the room for Tristan. No luck. She'd have to find him tomorrow.
Bedtime was set for 9 PM. When she returned to her room, it was already unlocked, but as soon as the clock struck the hour, the door locked itself again.
For now, she would play along.
She would listen. She would obey.
But only until she found a way out.