All Chapters of Windamere Academy: Chapter 11 - Chapter 18

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

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 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 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