Chapter 158

Mel's POV

Rubeus meets my gaze for the first time in days. "You ready?" he demands curtly.

I smirk. "Alright, but I have a party to go to tonight. Try not to break anything."

We spend the next hour training hard. Rubeus is strong, but I don't do too bad against him. He pins me a few times, but I always hop back up and try again. By the time we're done, I'm covered in grass, dirt, and sweat.

I'm going to have to hurry and wash up, or I'm going to be late to the party.

"Thank you, Rubeus," I smile, giving his hand a firm shake.

His face remains emotionless. "No problem."

"Why have you been acting so strange around me?" I ask, surprising even myself.

I don't even know why I care so much, but I do.

Guilt flashes on his face, but he quickly hides it. He leans down, placing a hand on my should as he gives me a serious, solemn look. "Just be careful, Melanie. Don't trust anyone. Things are not what they appear."

With that, he disappears through a portal, leaving me to decipher his cryptic as