Ariana’s POVThe border came in front of us, the heavily oppressive energy causing us to raise our guard and quieten our movements. I walked closer behind Fenrir, watching the intense amount of guards present.“Do as instructed, quickly.” He whispered harshly.I responded with quickness, popping a grape in my mouth, swallowing with a sour look written on my face.My face then began to shrunken, losing all its remaining fire, going very pale. My skin looked tired, down and without the smoothness of luxury. I had gone from royalty to roadside pauper who strangers would actually feel bad for.The grape was a potion that was created to poison beauty, creating a mockery of what was once desired. In my terms, the perfect cover.I then moved to his side, turning my face away although not fully. Fenrir walked firmly as though we had nothing to hide.When we got to the border, each eye watched us as we passed by, either suspiciously or on default as we proceeded to the gate. I found it simply

Damon’s POVEach passing day without news from Ariana crippled me. It felt as though someone had placed a ticking bomb in front of me without knowing when it was eventually going to explode.Some days I could hardly sleep or blink and some times it felt like my sanity was being tethered away from me by the sharp jaws of anxiety. What enraged me the most was the fact that I was insufferably useless.I couldn’t leave, I couldn’t run towards her light no matter how much I dreamed of it, I was doomed to be here, where the shadow wanted me to be.In some ways I had been kept in a maze with the singular entrance and open route inexistent, leaving me searching around in a prison of no escape. But I never stopped searching regardless hoping that I’d still find the exit, and she’d be standing there, waiting for me.“Sir,” A student called from behind me.I paused, not bothering to turn back, “What is it?”“I... just,” He stuttered, clearing their throat, “I’m looking for a book and I don’t kno

Ariana’s POVSigil turned to face me, excitement in his eyes, “We’re near.” He pointed upward, towards a mountain where the Central Academy was erected.We had been walking a total of five hours. Sigil beside me already had signs of exhaustion on face, sweat dripping heavily. In an instant, he jugged down water, emptying the can in seconds. He brought out another, handing it over to me.I shook my head, declining.He stared at me, perplexed, “How are you not dying to take in water right now? We’ve been walking non-stop for a full five hours under this staggering sun and you don’t even look exhausted, you’re not even breaking a sweat. How do you do it? You have to show me your core workouts.” He wiped the sweat off his forehead. “I’m exhausted. I can’t wait to get to my dorm and finally lay down on something soft.”“If you see me training you can come over and I’ll help build your tolerance. It won’t be pretty though.”“Thanks, I’ll definitely make out time for that.” He smiled at me,

Ariana’s POVWe proceeded outside towards the training area.My first training would be fighting three top students to know if they successfully surpassed the basic core of being a warrior and also backhandedly earn the students respect.The three top students approached me and I watched the face of everyone to know their genuine thought and they all seemed quite hyped so I knew there were the real deal.We proceeded to move to the ring provided by the school and I stood in the middle while they circled me.They did as I already predicted. One student stood in front of me and another to my side by the left. From their stance and smirking faces I could already tell there was someone behind me that I wasn’t allowed to notice because of how they moved around hoping I would be distracted enough.Immediately I shifted right, moving far enough to watch the student at my back instantly strike using his right foot. He kicked the student in front of me, and it instantly caused him to fall on t

Ariana’s POVI had walked into the library that day with just one thing in mind—to find out about Victor’s connection to the Black Shadow and how he was able to achieve the soul deal in this very place only to stumble upon Damon, keeping books in the library.At first I was met with initial disbelief, unsure of what I was currently seeing and if I was truly seeing at all. I thought it to be like last time; a simple mistake where I was misinterpreting him for someone else once again—but not this time.I could tell, the familiar brag of my heart didn’t lie to me, neither did it last time. It was really him and he was standing before me, so far away though with his eyes focused on a library shelf.Didn’t he see me? Wasn’t my presence close enough for him to realize that I was here? Why did it seem like my presence meant absolutely nothing? If that was really him I saw yesterday did that mean he had already forgotten me?Just standing there with impending questions made my heart ache so I