“Let me help you! Why don’t you go take a shower and get into some comfies?” Morgan says, gleefully as she springs around the room. For someone who’s close to my age, she sure was hyper.
“Actually, a shower sounds like the best thing I’ve ever heard of right now,” I say thinking about the chill I’ve had ever since I walked into this school. Morgan playfully shoos me into the bathroom connected to our room, and I can’t help but feel a little relieved at the solitude.
Once alone in the confines of the bathroom, I strip off what feels like a thousand layers of thick clothing. On one side there’s a huge shower/tub combo which begged to be used. It looked very luxurious for a castle, but I wasn’t going to complain. I walked over to the vanity on the other side of the room and stared at my reflection in the mirror.
Although my light blue eyes were a little bloodshot, which was probably from the je
The way he said my name sends goosebumps raising across my skin. His voice wasn’t pleasant sounding at all, and all I wanted to do was run away from these two who were clearly looking to cause trouble for me.“Umm, how do you know my name?” I ask, raising an eyebrow at the two brooding men who look between each other and laugh, as if I'd just told the worlds best joke. Their eyes were dark and menacing, making the knot in my stomach wrap tighter around itself.“Everyone at Windamere knows that you’re the new girl around here. No one new ever comes here without being noticed,” he says as he takes another step closer to me. He takes in a big breathe, almost as if he were sniffing me just like Jace had done earlier.“Well, since we’re here why don’t you tell me what you’re doing out of bed?” he says, folding his arms across his chest and raising an eyebrow as if he was a concerned parent. The s
Briar and Liam both move closer to me, and that’s when their plan hits me. My body realized I was in danger, before my mind, as the lump in my throat begins to build. My adrenaline kicks into high gear as I try and make it up the stairs past them. Unfortunately, I wasn’t fast enough or big enough, and Briar grabs my wrist before I even make it up a step.“Let me go!” I scream louder then I thought, trying to wiggle out of his grasp. He’s so strong that I can barely get any leverage against him. I turn my head back to him and sink my teeth deep into his arm triyng to get him to let go. Although I could see the blood forming, he doesn’t let me go and instead just tightens his grip on me causing me to let out a whimper. This is not good. There’s no way I can go outside in the cold. He pulls me closer to him, so that I’m wiggling against his chest. I give as much fight as my tiny frame can handle, but it's no use against him. He sta
Both boys nod, but don’t wait for another second before sprinting off down one of the hallways in the opposite direction, leaving Jace and I alone in the empty school foyer. Jace turns his attention back to me but doesn’t say anything as his eyes scan my body. His eyes are so intense as they trail over every inch, making goosebumps flash across my skin.“Nice jammies,” he says rubbing the hem of my pj shirt between his fingers. I let out a small chuckle but could feel my already rosy cheeks redden even more from his words.“Don’t you hate it when that happens? Getting caught in the hallway in your pjs?" I say, trying to make light of the situation, and getting caught in this awkward situation, “Do you always rescue girls in the hallway?”“Only girls who don’t take my advice and stay in their rooms,” he says smirking down at me. I look away from his face, unable to meet his eyes. There’s some
I lay there, heart racing and thoughts spiraling, the events of the night playing like a movie in my mind. The encounter with Briar and Liam had left me feeling vulnerable and shaken, but now it was Jace who occupied my thoughts. His intensity, the way he looked at me, and that inexplicable connection we seemed to share sent my heart into a chaotic rhythm.I buried my face deeper into my pillow, trying to block out the memories, but it was futile. The warmth of his hands on my waist lingered, and I could still feel the ghost of his breath against my ear. The way he had stood so close, the way he made me feel… it was all too much.“What am I doing?” I muttered to myself, my voice muffled by the pillow. I had come to Windamere Academy for a fresh start, to escape the ghosts of my past, not to get tangled up in some cryptic drama with a boy who was as infuriating as he was mesmerizing.As I tried to convince myself to focus on sleep, the anxiety churned in my stomach. I wanted to forget
The sunlight filtered through my bedroom window, casting warm patterns on the floor. After the whirlwind of the previous night, I struggled to shake off the lingering feelings that had kept me awake. A gentle knock at my door interrupted my thoughts.“Evie? Are you awake?” It was my uncle, his voice calm and inviting.“Yeah, I’m up!” I called, quickly jumping out of bed and pulling my hair into a messy bun. I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering confusion from last night’s events.The door creaked open, and my uncle stepped inside with a wide smile. “I thought I’d take you on a proper tour of Windamere today. Show you around, introduce you to some of the other students, and maybe help you get a better understanding of what this place is all about.”“Sounds good,” I said, feeling a surge of excitement mixed with nervousness. I had only caught glimpses of the school and its inhabitants, and my previous experiences with Briar and Liam had left me anxious.As we walked do
he next few days flew by in a whirlwind of excitement and anxiety as I settled into the rhythm of Windamere Academy. Each morning began with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty as I explored my new classes and met students from diverse backgrounds. I felt like a tiny fish in a vast ocean, but I was determined to find my place.On my first day of classes, I walked into Elemental Magic with a flutter of nerves. The classroom was spacious, with windows that opened to a stunning view of the grounds, and the air crackled with energy. The teacher, a tall woman with flowing hair the color of flames and eyes that shimmered like embers, introduced herself as Professor Pyra.“Welcome, students! Here, we will explore the elemental forces of nature: fire, water, earth, and air. Each of you has a connection to one or more elements, and by the end of this term, you will learn to harness that connection.” Her voice was vibrant, filling the room with warmth.I took a seat next to a girl with dark,
The cafeteria buzzed with the vibrant energy of students mingling and sharing stories over steaming plates of food. Sunlight poured through the large windows, casting a warm glow across the long tables filled with students of all species—vampires sipping dark juice, sirens laughing melodically, and werewolves indulging in hearty meals.I sat with Lyra, Kieran, and my cousin Morgan, a plate of pasta in front of me that I hardly touched. Instead, I was distracted by the lively atmosphere and the scattered conversations around us. As I glanced around the room, I felt a sense of camaraderie with my friends. We had each other’s backs, and it felt good to be part of something bigger at Windamere.“Have you heard about the new student joining us next week?” Kieran said, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes.“Another one?” Lyra laughed. “Are we sure it’s not just another rumor? This place has more new students than I have pairs of shoes!”“I’m telling you, it’s true!” Kieran insisted, his mout
The day after the cafeteria incident, Windamere Academy felt different. An almost imperceptible tension filled the halls, lingering like the faintest whisper of smoke. My friends and I had met up for breakfast in the smaller, less populated dining area since the main cafeteria was still being cleaned up. Despite the more casual setting, we were all too aware that something strange was brewing.As we picked at our breakfast, Lyra leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. “So, any theories on what happened yesterday?”Kieran glanced around the room, lowering his voice. “It’s not exactly normal for a tray to fly across the room by itself. It felt like a targeted attack.”“Against Evie?” Morgan asked, frowning. “But why?”A shiver ran down my spine. It wasn’t the first time I’d felt targeted since arriving at Windamere, but this felt different—almost more calculated. The idea that someone might be watching me, or worse, trying to harm me, didn’t sit well.“There’s one person who knows
The morning sun bathed the grounds of Windamere Academy in a golden glow as students gathered around the amphitheater for the opening task of the Elemental Tournament. Buzzing excitement filled the air as teachers and mentors arranged students into clusters, explaining the rules. Morgan and I pushed our way through the crowd, and I spotted Silas lounging casually nearby, grinning as he noticed our approach. His presence was a mix of familiar and thrilling, and Morgan seemed to enjoy his company, her laughter ringing out as she listened to whatever he was saying."Hey, Evie," Silas said, shifting the conversation to me, “Ready to dominate the tournament?”I couldn’t help but smile at his confidence. “Here’s hoping. What about you?”“Please,” he smirked, nodding at the grand stage being set up. “I’m just here to watch. But for what it’s worth, I have a feeling you’ll do great.”Morgan gave me a supportive pat on the shoulder. “You’ve got this, Evie. Just remember what we practiced.”I t
The afternoon sun cast long shadows over Windamere’s open training grounds, the faint hum of magic thickening the air as students prepared for the upcoming tournament. Morgan and I had just finished sparring with some low-level spells, practicing our agility and endurance. She wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead, grinning as we caught our breath."Not bad, Evie. I’d say you’re getting the hang of it," she said, giving me an approving nod. "Although, if you’re paired with anyone like Jace in the tournament, you’re going to need to be a bit faster."I rolled my eyes, but the mention of Jace stirred up a strange mixture of nerves and anticipation in me. Before I could respond, a tall figure approached us, her steps deliberate and light.“Evie, right?”I turned to see a striking girl with glossy dark hair and a lean, athletic frame. Her blue eyes sparkled with amusement, and she wore a confident smirk. She looked familiar, but I couldn’t quite place her.“Uh, yes, that’s me,” I replie
The next few days at Windamere seemed to drag by in a haze of routine and restlessness. Each day, the same classes and faces, but beneath the surface, a tension simmered. My friends and I kept our eyes peeled for any sign of the shadows, any whisper of dark magic, but the only hint of anything unusual was the strange chill that lingered in the halls, like the memory of something sinister lurking just out of sight.One afternoon, during our study session in the library, Morgan pulled me aside. She was holding an old leather-bound book, her expression tense. "Evie, I found something that might explain what we saw in the hallway."She opened the book, flipping through yellowed pages filled with diagrams of shadow creatures, spell components, and dark enchantments. She stopped on a page titled "Umbra Servientes"—Shadow Servants."This passage here," she whispered, tapping a paragraph, "says that shadows can be summoned and controlled by someone with enough power to bend them to their will
The day after the cafeteria incident, Windamere Academy felt different. An almost imperceptible tension filled the halls, lingering like the faintest whisper of smoke. My friends and I had met up for breakfast in the smaller, less populated dining area since the main cafeteria was still being cleaned up. Despite the more casual setting, we were all too aware that something strange was brewing.As we picked at our breakfast, Lyra leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. “So, any theories on what happened yesterday?”Kieran glanced around the room, lowering his voice. “It’s not exactly normal for a tray to fly across the room by itself. It felt like a targeted attack.”“Against Evie?” Morgan asked, frowning. “But why?”A shiver ran down my spine. It wasn’t the first time I’d felt targeted since arriving at Windamere, but this felt different—almost more calculated. The idea that someone might be watching me, or worse, trying to harm me, didn’t sit well.“There’s one person who knows
The cafeteria buzzed with the vibrant energy of students mingling and sharing stories over steaming plates of food. Sunlight poured through the large windows, casting a warm glow across the long tables filled with students of all species—vampires sipping dark juice, sirens laughing melodically, and werewolves indulging in hearty meals.I sat with Lyra, Kieran, and my cousin Morgan, a plate of pasta in front of me that I hardly touched. Instead, I was distracted by the lively atmosphere and the scattered conversations around us. As I glanced around the room, I felt a sense of camaraderie with my friends. We had each other’s backs, and it felt good to be part of something bigger at Windamere.“Have you heard about the new student joining us next week?” Kieran said, a glimmer of excitement in his eyes.“Another one?” Lyra laughed. “Are we sure it’s not just another rumor? This place has more new students than I have pairs of shoes!”“I’m telling you, it’s true!” Kieran insisted, his mout
he next few days flew by in a whirlwind of excitement and anxiety as I settled into the rhythm of Windamere Academy. Each morning began with a mix of anticipation and uncertainty as I explored my new classes and met students from diverse backgrounds. I felt like a tiny fish in a vast ocean, but I was determined to find my place.On my first day of classes, I walked into Elemental Magic with a flutter of nerves. The classroom was spacious, with windows that opened to a stunning view of the grounds, and the air crackled with energy. The teacher, a tall woman with flowing hair the color of flames and eyes that shimmered like embers, introduced herself as Professor Pyra.“Welcome, students! Here, we will explore the elemental forces of nature: fire, water, earth, and air. Each of you has a connection to one or more elements, and by the end of this term, you will learn to harness that connection.” Her voice was vibrant, filling the room with warmth.I took a seat next to a girl with dark,
The sunlight filtered through my bedroom window, casting warm patterns on the floor. After the whirlwind of the previous night, I struggled to shake off the lingering feelings that had kept me awake. A gentle knock at my door interrupted my thoughts.“Evie? Are you awake?” It was my uncle, his voice calm and inviting.“Yeah, I’m up!” I called, quickly jumping out of bed and pulling my hair into a messy bun. I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering confusion from last night’s events.The door creaked open, and my uncle stepped inside with a wide smile. “I thought I’d take you on a proper tour of Windamere today. Show you around, introduce you to some of the other students, and maybe help you get a better understanding of what this place is all about.”“Sounds good,” I said, feeling a surge of excitement mixed with nervousness. I had only caught glimpses of the school and its inhabitants, and my previous experiences with Briar and Liam had left me anxious.As we walked do
I lay there, heart racing and thoughts spiraling, the events of the night playing like a movie in my mind. The encounter with Briar and Liam had left me feeling vulnerable and shaken, but now it was Jace who occupied my thoughts. His intensity, the way he looked at me, and that inexplicable connection we seemed to share sent my heart into a chaotic rhythm.I buried my face deeper into my pillow, trying to block out the memories, but it was futile. The warmth of his hands on my waist lingered, and I could still feel the ghost of his breath against my ear. The way he had stood so close, the way he made me feel… it was all too much.“What am I doing?” I muttered to myself, my voice muffled by the pillow. I had come to Windamere Academy for a fresh start, to escape the ghosts of my past, not to get tangled up in some cryptic drama with a boy who was as infuriating as he was mesmerizing.As I tried to convince myself to focus on sleep, the anxiety churned in my stomach. I wanted to forget
Both boys nod, but don’t wait for another second before sprinting off down one of the hallways in the opposite direction, leaving Jace and I alone in the empty school foyer. Jace turns his attention back to me but doesn’t say anything as his eyes scan my body. His eyes are so intense as they trail over every inch, making goosebumps flash across my skin.“Nice jammies,” he says rubbing the hem of my pj shirt between his fingers. I let out a small chuckle but could feel my already rosy cheeks redden even more from his words.“Don’t you hate it when that happens? Getting caught in the hallway in your pjs?" I say, trying to make light of the situation, and getting caught in this awkward situation, “Do you always rescue girls in the hallway?”“Only girls who don’t take my advice and stay in their rooms,” he says smirking down at me. I look away from his face, unable to meet his eyes. There’s some