SERAPHINA’S POV"Can we meet?" Those are the three words I text Kamila, along with directions to the place that started it all, the very reason our stupid deal ever came to be: The Obsidian Library. The location was scribbled on the gold card, and I slipped out of the school grounds, sneaking into the lavish compound that surrounds the main building—a grand structure that towers over everything for miles. Despite its cathedral-like beauty, holding untold secrets, I find no room in me for admiration today. I don’t even feel excited.I never imagined I'd need her number, exchanged during one of our passing encounters. Yet, here I am, infinitely grateful for those two seconds I spent saving it.He knows.He knows.He knows.My lower lip is caught between my teeth as I pace frantically, hyperventilating, on the brink of full-blown panic. My heart threatens to leap out of its cage. A chaotic mix of terror, anxiety, guilt, and an overwhelming sense of sorrow holds me captive.He knows!W
SERAPHINA’S POVI'm in an ethereal world of books, stacked into an impossible number of shelves arranged in columns that go on until what looks like infinity. The inside itself is wider than my eyes can depict, with walls taller than twice of Raven Wood High stacked on top of itself. The air even smells different— that addictive woody smell that comes from the pages of the millions of books stored in here. It's all so beautiful and marvelous, a book lover's heaven. Olivia would faint more than once if she could see this right now.I slowly walk between shelves, running my hands across the dark brown, sturdy wood that holds the books, feeling its smooth lamination. Every corner is perfectly labeled, so whoever is in here can easily find what they need. Whoever maintains a place like this definitely knows what they're doing.I stop, curious, at an aisle and reach for a first edition book on "The Technicalities of Wolf Shifting." I have no interest in it, but the vibe in the room pro
SERAPHINA’S POVI make it back to school an hour later, sneaking into the school premises the same way I got out, through a small dog hole in the fence. I don't stop running until I'm bursting through the door of my dorm room, breathing fast and clutching the book to my chest.Olivia looks up at me, startled by my sudden appearance. She gets up from her bed, pulling her glasses out of the way to look at me. "Where have you been all day? School was over like 4 hours ago, Sera," she queries.I move to the center of the room, settling on the rug we have. The blood stains from before are only partially there. After hours of scrubbing, we managed to get some of it out, leaving a dull brown stain shaped like a flower on one end.I settle on it, dropping the book in front of me and looking at it, half-panicking that I actually stole a book from that place. What if I get caught? No one saw me, right? And I wanted to return it, but the door was closed when I got back.Yeah, right. Like any
KAMILA’S POVRestlessness coils through me like a venomous snake, and I gnaw on my newly manicured nails. Hours have passed since I met with Hawthrone, that insufferable wretch. The audacity she has, rejecting my generous offer as if she's above it all, above us. As if being different somehow makes her better. Superior.She thinks she knows me, but she's oblivious to the sacrifices I've made, the things I’ve done, and the load of bullshit I’ve had to endure just to secure my current position. Every ounce of respect and authority I've garnered as the Alpha princess and future Luna wasn't handed to me on a silver platter. Her self-righteousness irks me to no end. For a fleeting moment, I’d allowed myself to be moved by all that talk of justice and fairness. I allowed myself to believe we were similar, two girls fighting for their place, cut from the same cloth.How mistaken I was.I tried to educate her, to make her see that seizing opportunities and making sacrifices are the keys t
ARTEMIS’ POVI throw a few more fist blows at my half-dead punch bag, which is bleeding sand all over the floor through the rip I made in the heat of my anger. Kamila stands there, breathing hard and fast. I guess her so-called visit didn’t turn out the way she hoped. I saw it in her eyes—the way they widened each time I gave a response she wasn’t expecting, responses that pointed toward me not wanting her here. I wonder what demented expectations she had coming here after what she did. I must have burst that bubble of hers. She huffs and finally stomps out of the room, slamming the door shut behind her.Now, I can finally focus my attention on other things, more important things to distract myself. Like getting a new punching bag, for example.“That was harsh,” Jasper comments, breaking the silence once the room goes quiet. I remember that he’s still here. I've been ignoring him for the past hour, hoping he’d get the message and leave on his own. Obviously, that tactic isn't ef
SERAPHINA’S POVArtemis hasn't been to school since I confronted him, and he's apparently not taking visitors anymore. I try to reach him, but I can no longer ignore the message he's sending me loud and clear: He doesn't want to see me. I've set aside every horrific experience I've had over the past few days in an attempt to get through to him. When I fail, I lean back into my own stew of pain and guilt, wallowing in a self-pity so strong it reeks from miles away.My back still aches from the awakening. The burn marks are permanently etched into my skin, forming a tattoo-like pattern that sprawls artistically across my back, spiraling and then stopping just short of reaching my mid-back. It's as if they're mocking me, taunting me for daring to explore who I really am. Well, I've given up on that quest.I haven't touched the book since it singed and possessed my skin. I'm too frightened that this might be just the beginning of the physical pain I'll have to endure, forcing me to
ARTEMIS’ POVI've lost track of time, staring at the walls and ceilings. I've been forcing all the painful thoughts aside, deciding to feel nothing and think of nothing, numbing everything with wine and alcohol. It's not as effective as I'd like, but it's something. Maybe with time, it will get easier to drown all thoughts of her away, to resign myself to emotionless freedom and be my old self again.With time, I won't have to pathetically mope around like a wounded pup over a girl. Sera... She's the only thing that's ever made me feel something other than repulsion. She ignited an unquenchable fire inside me, alongside emotions I never thought possible. But that's history now.I take a final swig from the tall bottle of whiskey. I've heard of its effectiveness in humans, but it only tickles my gut a bit, and the burn isn't so bad. My head spins, but only slightly. Yet, I can feel the thoughts in my head arranging themselves accordingly, pushing everything regarding her to a cor
SERAPHINA’S POV"What do you mean you can get me that chance?" I ask, genuinely puzzled.His face lights up with mischief. Raising an eyebrow and winking at me, he pulls his phone from his pocket."Give me a minute," he says, rising to walk away and make a call.Left alone, I'm swallowed by my thoughts, my guilt, and my sadness—reliving the moments and words I regret. I need to forgive myself, to face my flaws and look beyond them.Perhaps then, I can overcome this load of emotions. I want to be friends with Artemis again, and a big part of me still yearns to discover more about myself, regardless of whatever dangers lurk ahead.My phone buzzes in my pocket, pulling me back to the present. Olivia's name flashes on the screen."Hey, Olive," I greet her, the phone pressed against my ear.I'm about to thank her for the walk suggestion, to let her know about my encounter with Jasper and how much lighter I feel, when her ragged breathing interrupts me."Olivia, is something wrong?"I hear
SERAPHINA’S POVThe doors to the throne room on the west side of the castle finally pull open, revealing Artemis and me to the entire congregation gathered to celebrate our crowning and witness the beginning of a new era of peace. Our hands are intertwined, our traditional garments matching, with long flowing capes that trail a few feet behind us. A wave of anxiety and excitement hits all at once, but I know I’m not alone. Never again.The congregation stands, applauding endlessly as we walk down the aisle, side by side, hand in hand, waving at all of them. I spot Olivia and Jasper, hand in hand, seeing them for the first time in three years, waving harder and growing excited to tell them all about my tales. Ace and Gabe sit in the next row, clapping along with the crowd, smiles on their faces as well. Of course, Alice is nowhere to be seen. It’s been years, and she has never shown her face to me again.Olivia had said that she moved to a different country, one that’s far a
ARTEMIS’ POV ( 3YEARS LATER)I'm completely stacked with work, towers of paperwork almost reaching the ceilings for the changes I've tried desperately to implement for the past four years since becoming the Alpha King. Laws newly implemented seem to have more backlash than initially anticipated, yet I’m committed to see them to the end, all to make some time for the coming weekend. A knock echoes from my door before Jasper walks in, still rocking that god-awful goatee Olivia hasn't succeeded in getting him to chop off. "Beta reporting for duty, Your Majesty," he bows. "Any news from the delegation you sent out to the human population?" He now turns serious once he sees all the papers.I instantly appreciate the new version of him that's capable of taking things seriously while still retaining his joyful side. I've tried to continue my father's works, improving the mission to unite all races as one to prevent things like war from ever happening again, to form a union o
ARTEMIS’ POVWeeks pass since Sera’s eyes open, and like a sick twist of fate, I find myself unable to see her as much now, with doctors being around her and more work piling on my desk. Yet, I remind myself to be patient while she gets the treatment and therapy she needs. The times I do stay by her side, I hold her in my arms, slowly filling her in on everything she’s missed in the past year. Her greatest hurdle with everything is accepting how much time has passed, how long she’s been unconscious, the time she’s lost. Processing it has not been easy and simply adds to her stress. Thankfully, Olivia stayed back for a few weeks to help her readjust to it all while I’m away and has only just left a few days ago.Tonight, as always, I’m in my office completely swamped with work, trying to achieve most of what I planned to do before Sera is completely better and on her feet again. Because I want to show her the world and more, and before I can get anywhere, I have to fix it.
ARTEMIS’ POV(ONE YEAR LATER)"In light of all the allegations brought forth, not only by students but also by teachers, I hereby strip you of your position as school Administrator," I declare before the newly appointed school board gathered before me. The now former Administrator, Mr. Andrew, stares at me with wet, red eyes on the brink of breaking into tears. He trembles, looking at me with pleading eyes for mercy, but I feel nothing close to remorse, especially with proof of years of his embezzlement sitting right in front of me on my desk. The fact that he also played a huge part in the school's segregation alone tempts me to strangle him with my bare hands every time I remember what Seraphina had to go through - but then, even I had a hand in this.My eyes shift to the other man in his late thirties standing on the other side of the room among the council, nodding in his direction. "In replacement, I appoint Mr. Jermaine for the new position of school Administrator."
ACE’S POVAs the doctor announces the outcomes of the surgery, I slowly detach from the group, watching their faces light up for only a moment before something even darker takes over. But I don’t stay long. I don’t dare stay with them in their moments of grief or offer words of encouragement, not when I haven’t been there for everything they’ve had to face. I don’t deserve to sit in their presence of lament with any of them, not especially Artemis or Jasper. I was a shitty friend, I probably still am. I haven’t gotten over my jealousy or my issues. I couldn’t be there for them even if I wanted to, but I at least wanted to show up and apologize, at least to Sera, for everything I did. I wish I could do more, be better. Perhaps in the future, when so much isn’t happening, perhaps one day I could have the courage to face each of them and apologize properly.I walk to a corner, resting against the wall, wanting to be alone before I read the letter from Kamila. She’s neve
ARTEMIS’ POVI grab her before her body can hit the ground, pressing down on her neck that gushes more blood than I can bear to see. “Sera!” I yell her name, my voice laden with begging and pleading for her to wake up, to look at me, to say something—anything at all. Even if it means her hating me for forcing her into this situation, for not being strong enough, I would gladly take it; she need only say anything.The blood doesn’t stop, and she doesn’t move either; her eyes remain unfocused, staring at nothing without the usual glint of light in them. “Sera, please…” I break into a sob, holding her against me, pressing my cheek against her forehead as a wave of agony overwhelms me. She can’t leave me. I won’t let her."Moon Goddess!" I scream, my voice reaching the sky with tears in my eyes, Sera clutched tightly in my arms. Rage burns like fire in my blood. "You said you chose me to make a difference, you said you wanted the circle to end. None of it would make any s
SERAPHINA’S POVHer hands stretch out, and numerous black hands spring forth from the shadows of everyone else, every person that still remains on the school premises, grabbing onto whomever it comes from and pinning them to the ground, myself included. "I only spared you for a moment because you meant something to her, but if you force my hand, I will find joy in crushing you with my bare hands," she seethes, trembling with anger. The shadow holding me down doubles in pressure, and I feel a few of my ribs breaking under it. It’s only a matter of time before she kills me along with everyone else here, and if she does that, there would be no one else to stop her."Sera, don't!" the scream of a female voice pulls both our attention to the far left. It's Olivia, tied down by her own shadow, trembling and in tears, next to an equally captured Jasper... I thought they had escaped. "Don’t do this, Sera. This isn’t you." Her surprise turns into disgust while facing Olivia now.
ARTEMIS’ POVI'm violently shaken awake by someone, and my eyes open, staring at the gruff, manly face looking down at me with concern—a face I recognize as one of the soldiers on my side. "Your majesty," he cries the second my eyes are open, giving me enough space to sit up. I feel as though I've only woken up from a deep, restful sleep, my body relaxed and fully energized once more, which is confusing for an entity claiming to save me for last after wiping an entire race out.I look around the room, everything being the same aside from Sera’s presence. She’s really gone. I look at the large hole in the wall, at the sky that suddenly seems like a darker red shade with clouds hanging around. It really does look like the end of the world. "Report," I say to the soldier, getting to my feet again. "The witch..." He begins, pausing the second I cast a deathly glare his way. "...I mean the princess managed to change the color of the sky as soon as she left the building, casti
SERAPHINA’S POVI blink my eyes for only a second, and suddenly I'm in a garden with the sun setting, showing that half the day has passed. Half the day just breezed past me without being present, almost as if I’m running through today. I'm startled for a second, not remembering coming here at all. I could have sworn that I was back in the hall accepting my new title just a second ago. Yet, I'm sitting on a bench holding the book in my hands, its skin feeling and looking awfully familiar, as if I’ve had it long before now.“How does it feel being Queen now?” A voice cuts through my train of thought from behind me. I pause and look around, meeting my mother walking towards me in her always slowly paced walks. I’d never seen her run, even in times of distress and emergency, and always wished I could be half as regal and calm as she is. “Mother,” I say, standing to my feet and hugging her for a while. Somehow calling her my mother leaves a feeling of yearning in my heart, des