Whispers of Worlds Beyond: A Series - Chapter 54

Chapter 54: Secret’s Out Chapter 54: Secret’s Out Aiden’s eyes fluttered open to an unfamiliar ceiling, faint beams of morning light streaming through the curtained windows.

The faint scent of medicinal herbs lingered in the air, and the low hum of muffled chatter reached his ears.

As his vision cleared, he noticed rows of neatly made beds lining the room.

He tried to sit up, his muscles aching with every movement, and that’s when he saw her.

Ivara was lying on the bed across from him, her face turned slightly to the side, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.

Relief washed over him.

They’d both made it through the duel, though the sharp pain coursing through his body was a stark reminder of the fight’s intensity.

“You’re awake.” The voice startled him, and he turned his head sharply, wincing at the sudden movement.

A woman with dark skin and kind eyes stood beside his bed, holding a tray of vials and bandages.

She wore a crisp white apron over a pale blue dress, her every movement calm and measured.

“Who are you?” Aiden croaked, his voice hoarse.

“Miss Seacole,” she said gently, setting the tray down on a nearby table.

“I’m the school nurse.

You’re in the infirmary.” Aiden glanced again at Ivara, unable to shake his concern.

“Is she alright?” he asked, his voice laced with worry.

Miss Seacole followed his gaze and smiled softly.

“She’ll be fine, just like you will.

Though neither of you made it easy for me,” she said with a raised eyebrow.

“Now, you need to rest.

You’ll need all your strength.” Aiden frowned, catching the weight in her tone.

“What do you mean?

Rest for what?” Before she could answer, the doors to the infirmary burst open, slamming against the walls with a loud crash.

Aiden’s heart leapt at the noise, but his surprise quickly turned into exasperation when he saw who it was.

“YOU’RE ALIVE!” Adrian shouted, his leather jacket flaring as he stormed into the room.

Though he wore the academy’s uniform trousers and shirt, his vest had been entirely replaced by his signature jacket.

He looked disheveled, as though he’d sprinted here without a second thought.

Behind him, Sevan trailed in, juggling what appeared to be an assortment of snacks.

“Aiden!” he exclaimed, his face lighting up as he spotted his friend sitting upright.

“You’re alive!” The two of them rushed over, nearly knocking over a nearby chair in their excitement.

“You’re alive!” Adrian repeated, grabbing Aiden by the shoulders and shaking him lightly for emphasis.

“Yes, I noticed,” Aiden muttered, though the faintest smile tugged at his lips.

Sevan set the snacks down on the bedside table and leaned in, his eyes wide with mock seriousness.

“Do you know how worried we were?

Adrian thought you were dead!” “I didn’t say dead,” Adrian cut in, his expression feigning indignation.

“I said ‘possibly gravely injured.'” “Right, because that’s so much better,” Aiden said dryly.

Their voices grew louder, laughter bubbling up as the tension finally broke, until Miss Seacole cleared her throat sharply.

“Enough!” she said firmly, her hands on her hips.

“This is an infirmary, not a circus.

Keep it down, or I’ll have the both of you thrown out.” Adrian and Sevan immediately straightened, muttering hurried apologies, though their grins gave them away.

Miss Seacole sighed, though there was no real anger in her expression.

“Let him rest.

And no more dramatics.” Aiden leaned back against his pillow, shaking his head as Adrian handed him a small pastry from the pile Sevan had brought.

Adrian popped a piece of bread into his mouth as he gestured wildly, recounting the duel’s chaotic ending.

“You won, Aiden.

You kept your spot,” he said, grinning as though the matter was simple.

“Barely, but hey, a win is a win.” Aiden’s head throbbed, and the faint ache in his muscles reminded him of just how hard he had fought.

The infirmary was quiet apart from Adrian’s voice and the occasional rustle of fabric as Sevan shifted uncomfortably by the window.

Aiden’s gaze flicked to Sevan, who stood with his arms crossed, his face unreadable.

Something was off.

“Why do I feel like there’s more you’re not saying?” Aiden muttered, his voice hoarse.

Sevan sighed, his brows furrowing slightly.

“It’s not the right time, Aiden.

You need to rest.” “I’m awake now.

Just tell me,” Aiden insisted, sitting up despite the dull ache in his back.

He could tell by Sevan’s stiff demeanor and Adrian’s nervous glance that whatever they weren’t saying wasn’t something he’d want to hear.

“Listen,” Adrian started, dragging out the word as if hoping he could stretch time itself.

“Something happened during the duel…” Aiden frowned.

“Something?

What do you mean?” Sevan stepped forward, his tone even but tense.

“After you and Ivara fought, the dome… changed.” “Changed?” “It got dark,” Sevan continued, his voice quieter now.

“Like unnaturally dark.

It wasn’t just shadows.

It was like something was blocking the light completely.

And it wasn’t just that.” Adrian nodded, his expression growing more serious.

“The voices inside the dome were amplified.

Loud.

Yours, Ivara’s, and…” He hesitated before glancing at Sevan for support.

“And his,” Sevan finished grimly.

Aiden froze.

“His?” Adrian leaned against the bedframe, his usual carefree grin nowhere to be found.

“That guy.

The one who interrupted the duel.

The one who called himself Karro.” The name sent an immediate chill down Aiden’s spine, and his breath hitched.

He didn’t need them to explain further to understand the implications, but he stayed silent, waiting for the inevitable.

“And…” Sevan added slowly, as though picking his words carefully, “he called you by your full name.

Aiden Chase.

Everyone heard it.” Aiden’s heart dropped.

His full name.

The one he had worked so hard to keep hidden.

The room spun for a moment as the weight of the revelation sank in.

“Everyone?” he croaked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Everyone.” Aiden clenched the sheets beneath his hands, his knuckles white.

His chest tightened as panic began to creep in.

The secret he had spent so much time guarding was out.

His name, his family, his past-it was all exposed.

Adrian, sensing the growing tension, placed a hand on Aiden’s shoulder.

“Hey, it’s not all bad,” he said, attempting a smile.

“I mean, sure, everyone knows now, but-” “But what?” Aiden snapped, his voice sharp as a knife.

“They know, Adrian.

My name.

My family.

Do you have any idea what that means?” Adrian opened his mouth to reply, but Sevan cut in, his voice calm but firm.

“It means,” he said, meeting Aiden’s gaze, “that you need to stay focused.

You can’t change what’s happened.

All you can do is decide how to move forward.” Before Aiden could respond, the door creaked open, and Miss Seacole stepped in, carrying a tray of vials.

Her dark skin glistened faintly in the sunlight filtering through the infirmary windows, and her presence was commanding yet gentle.

“Enough,” she said, her voice firm but not unkind.

“Aiden needs peace and quiet, not you three yammering in his ear.

If you can’t keep your voices down, you’ll find yourselves out of this room faster than you can blink.” Adrian rolled his eyes but straightened, grabbing one last piece of bread from the snack pile.

“Alright, alright.

We’re going.” Sevan gave Aiden a final look.

“Rest.

We’ll deal with this later.” As they left, Aiden sank back into the bed, his thoughts a whirlwind.

——————————— As the hours passed, Aiden lay in the infirmary, trying to gather his thoughts.

His muscles were sore, but the fatigue of the duel had settled into a dull ache.

Soon after, the door creaked open, and Aiden stiffened slightly, unsure who would be entering.

He blinked when he saw Amihan, Emmeranne, and Morrigan standing in the doorway.

Aiden sat up straighter, unsure what kind of reception he’d get from the girls.

Amihan was the first to break the silence, her eyes warm and friendly as always.

She smiled and waved a hand at him.

“Aiden!

You’re awake,” she said, her tone light and welcoming.

“How are you feeling?” Aiden forced a smile, but his body still felt heavy.

“Better.

I guess.” Amihan’s eyes softened with sympathy, but she quickly shifted her gaze to Ivara’s bed.

“How’s she doing?” “I think she’s fine,” Aiden replied.

“She’s just resting.

She fought hard, too.” Amihan nodded, looking at Ivara with a touch of concern before turning her attention back to Aiden.

“I’m glad to hear that.” The tension in the room was palpable.

Aiden could feel it in the air, like an invisible wall between him and Morrigan.

Morrigan, standing just beside Emmeranne, shifted uncomfortably.

Her posture was stiff, and the flicker of unease in her eyes didn’t go unnoticed by Aiden.

She folded her arms and glanced at the floor, unwilling to make eye contact.

Aiden cleared his throat, breaking the silence.

“What’s going on?” Morrigan’s lips pressed into a thin line.

She hesitated, her gaze flicking to Amihan before she spoke, her tone strained.

“Nothing.

Just… making sure everyone’s alright.” She then quickly turned to Ivara, as if to avoid further conversation.

It wasn’t lost on Aiden that she probably felt awkward because of his lineage.

Everyone now knew he was Aiden Chase, part of the infamous family connected to the Hunters.

He couldn’t blame her.

After all, his name alone had the power to make people wary of him.

Emmeranne, on the other hand, seemed unfazed by the situation.

She stood silently, her dark eyes fixed on the room but not particularly on any of them.

She didn’t have to speak to make her indifference clear.

The silence from her side felt strangely heavy in the room.

Amihan, however, didn’t mind the tension.

She offered Aiden a kind smile, making sure he felt at ease.

“Don’t worry about her,” Amihan said quietly, her words just for Aiden.

“She doesn’t hold grudges.” Aiden gave a small nod of acknowledgment, but his attention shifted back to Morrigan, whose discomfort still hung thick in the air.

It was strange, having someone so close to him seem so distant now.

Still, he appreciated Amihan’s efforts to smooth things over.

Anyway,” Amihan said, noticing the tension, “we just wanted to make sure you both are okay.

I mean, after everything that happened, it’s good to know you’re both alive and well.” Her eyes lingered on Aiden for a moment longer before she looked at Ivara again.

“I’m just glad you’re both still with us.” Aiden nodded, appreciating the kindness in Amihan’s words.

At least someone seemed to care.

The silence stretched for a moment longer before Amihan gave Aiden a gentle smile.

“Well, we’ll let you get some rest.

You both need it.

But if you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.” She turned to Morrigan and Emmeranne.

“Come on, we should let them be for now.” Without another word, Amihan gently patted Aiden’s arm and then led the others out.

Morrigan hesitated for a moment, casting a quick glance at Aiden.

He could have sworn there was something she wanted to say, but she merely turned and followed Emmeranne out of the room.