The next few days passed without incident, yet something felt off. Evelyn couldn't ignore the tension in the air. It wasn't obvious—not enough for anyone else to notice—but she could feel it. The way certain students glanced at Lucien as if trying to decipher a puzzle. The way Victor Aldridge seemed to linger whenever Lucien was nearby.
Lucien, as always, acted indifferent. He carried himself with the same cold detachment, never engaging more than necessary, never reacting to anything unnecessary. But Evelyn could tell he was aware of the scrutiny.
At the end of the day, as students filed out of the school gates, Evelyn found herself walking at a slower pace, her mind preoccupied. She was about to turn toward her driver's car when something caught her attention.
Lucien.
He had taken a different path, one that led away from the main roads. Curiosity tugged at her thoughts. Where was he going? Without giving herself time to reconsider, she adjusted her bag and casually followed him at a distance.
The path led to a quieter part of the city, a park that was mostly empty at this hour. The streetlights cast long shadows, giving the place an eerie calmness. And there, beneath one of the dim lights, Lucien stood, stretching his arms before rolling his shoulders.
Evelyn hid behind a tree, watching.
Then, he moved.
A punch—fluid, precise. A kick—controlled, powerful. He wasn't just working out. He was practicing. Every motion was deliberate, every strike calculated. It was the same movement she had seen that night behind the school. There was no doubt in her mind now—Lucien wasn't normal.
Her breath caught as Lucien suddenly stopped, turning his head slightly.
"Are you just going to watch from there?"
Her heart skipped.
She had been caught.
Evelyn stepped out from behind the tree, feigning confidence. "You noticed me?"
Lucien raised an eyebrow. "You weren't exactly subtle."
She crossed her arms. "I was just passing by."
Lucien exhaled, his expression unreadable. "Sure."
A silence stretched between them. Then, unable to hold back her thoughts any longer, Evelyn spoke.
"That night…" She hesitated. "You took down five people like it was nothing. Who are you, really?"
Lucien's gaze didn't waver. He simply stared at her, his expression cool and unreadable.
After a moment, he responded.
"A student."
Evelyn narrowed her eyes. "That's a lie."
Lucien didn't deny it. Instead, he turned away, continuing his workout as if the conversation never happened.
Evelyn sighed. She knew she wouldn't get anything out of him—not yet. But one thing was clear.
Lucien Falkner was dangerous.
And she wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.
End of Chapter 7.