It started with my pencil case.
I was in class, doodling in the corner of my notebook (definitely not ignoring the lecture), when I noticed a faint glowing symbol on the zipper.
It pulsed once.
And vanished.
I blinked. Rubbed my eyes. Looked around. No one else saw it.
Okay, maybe I was just tired. Or caffeinated. Or both. College was like that.
Until I saw the second one.
This time, it was on the wall outside the library. A swirling mark, kind of like a snowflake mixed with an eye. Just floating there, glowing soft blue. Then gone.
Now I was freaked.
I went back to the dorm, dumped my bag on the floor, and said the words I knew would summon him immediately:
"Something magical happened and I think I might die."
Cue: Rikuya appearing instantly, toast in hand. "Where?"
I showed him my notebook. Nothing.
"Okay, that's weird," I muttered. "It was there before."
"What did it look like?"
I tried drawing it. Badly. He squinted at my scribble like it offended him.
"That's an ancient tracking seal," he said flatly. "It marks someone who's being watched."
I dropped the pen. "Great. So someone's stalking me with magic now?"
"Possibly. Or testing your aura."
"MY AURA?!"
He stood, pacing. "This isn't good. If someone else knows what you are—"
"What I am?! I'm a girl who eats expired cereal and has one hoodie."
"You are also connected to a very old curse," he said, serious now. "Which means others may start to notice."
"Who are these 'others' and can I block them on Instagram?"
Before Rikuya could answer, someone knocks on the dorm door.
We both froze.
He raised his hand, magic flickering at his fingertips.
I opened the door.
A tall guy stood there. Silver hair. Strange eyes. Like moonlight reflected in puddles. He smiled politely and held up a shiny stone.
"Hi. Sorry to interrupt. I think this belongs to you."
He handed me the stone.
The same symbol was glowing on its surface.
I stared at it.
And then at him.
"Who are you?" I asked.
He smiled wider. "Let's just say… I know your past."
Cue: Rikuya teleporting to my side with the most possessive energy ever.
"She's not interested," he said flatly.
"I didn't say anything," the guy replied calmly.
"You were about to."