✨ Chapter 26 – Whispers and Thorns
The academy's great hall gleamed like crystal under the morning light. Sunlight filtered through the stained glass, scattering colored patterns across marble floors. The school was alive again — laughter echoing through corridors, students showing off sparks of magic between classes.
Ariana wished she could enjoy it.
She sat quietly at the long breakfast table, stirring her tea absentmindedly. Kai sat across from her, chatting with Zane about their upcoming Combat Evaluation. Rylan was teasing Aster, who was perched on the table, swinging her legs happily.
"You'll fail if you keep grinning like that," Rylan told her. "You're supposed to be scary, remember?"
"I *am* scary," Aster said seriously, baring her tiny fangs.
"Terrifying," Calen muttered dryly.
Ariana smiled faintly — until a soft voice interrupted.
"Well, if it isn't my favorite table."
Seraphina Vale.
She stood just a few steps away, hair gleaming like gold under the light, eyes full of practiced sweetness. She held her tray delicately, like a queen.
"Do you mind if I join you?" she asked.
No one answered.
Kai looked halfway between polite and weary. Rylan nearly choked on his bread trying not to laugh.
"Actually—" Kai started, but Seraphina was already sitting beside him.
Ariana's grip on her cup tightened.
Seraphina set her tray down with a graceful motion, smiling like she belonged there. "It's been forever since we all ate together. Kai, you remember when you used to save me a seat?"
Rylan coughed loudly. "You *what*?"
Kai groaned. "That was years ago."
"Oh, was it?" Seraphina said sweetly. "Feels like yesterday."
Ariana looked down at her tea. Her stomach twisted again — not anger exactly, just something sharp and unfamiliar.
Seraphina turned to her with perfect innocence. "Ariana, right? How are you finding our lovely academy?"
"It's… fine."
"Fine?" Seraphina tilted her head. "Oh, you poor thing. It takes a while to adjust. People like us — from strong bloodlines — we're often misunderstood."
Ariana blinked. "People like us?"
Seraphina nodded. "Yes, hybrids. Though of course, most don't have control as well as I do."
It wasn't arrogance; it was a test — a gentle, poisonous one.
Kai shifted slightly. "Seraphina—"
But Seraphina only smiled at him. "Don't worry, I'm just trying to help the new girl."
Aster leaned close to Ariana's ear and whispered loudly, "Shiny lady is lying."
Rylan almost fell off his seat laughing.
Seraphina's smile faltered for a second before returning, tighter this time. "Adorable child," she said.
Aster tilted her head. "You smell like perfume and pretending."
Kai burst into a cough to hide his laugh.
Seraphina's cheeks flushed faintly. "Children say the funniest things."
Ariana couldn't help it — she smiled.
Seraphina noticed. Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Well," Seraphina said, rising from the table with practiced grace. "I have class with Professor Elrin. Kai, you'll walk me, won't you?"
Kai opened his mouth — but Aster beat him to it.
"No."
Everyone froze.
Aster jumped off the table and stood in front of Kai like a tiny knight. "Kai walks *Ariana*," she said firmly. "Not shiny lady."
Rylan was wheezing. Calen covered his mouth to hide a grin.
Seraphina gave a small, icy laugh. "How… loyal."
Then she turned and glided away, hair swinging like a banner of victory — even if her expression had cracked just a little.
When she was gone, Aster turned to Kai. "You're not allowed to be nice to her."
Kai blinked. "I wasn't—"
"She looks at you like you're cake," Aster said gravely. "Cake is dangerous."
Rylan leaned back. "I like this kid."
Zane smirked. "She's the best defense system we've got."
Ariana, cheeks still warm, tried to focus on her food — but her wolf was restless, pacing inside her.
**"You wish to bite the golden flower,"** it teased softly.
"Shut up," Ariana muttered under her breath.
Kai tilted his head. "Did you say something?"
"Nope."
He frowned slightly but didn't press.
---
## **Later That Day**
After lunch, the corridors buzzed with another rumor.
A second-year had gone missing.
Last seen near the East Greenhouse.
Whispers followed Ariana everywhere. Students glanced at her with wary curiosity.
Ever since the vampire attack, everyone assumed the Pillars were involved whenever anything strange happened.
The Headmaster called a quick assembly.
"Remain in groups," he said sternly. "No student should wander after curfew. The academy's barriers are being reinforced."
Ariana exchanged glances with Kai.
He nodded — a silent message: *We'll look into it tonight.*
---
## **Evening**
The moonlight bathed the academy in silver. Ariana sat by the window of her dorm, watching the faint glow of the protective barrier shimmer across the fields.
Someone knocked softly.
It was Kai.
He leaned against the doorframe, jacket slung over one shoulder. "You couldn't sleep either?"
She shook her head. "No."
"Let's walk," he said quietly.
They slipped outside together, past the dormitory wards, into the garden paths that wound around the training field.
The night air was cool, scented with pine and dew.
Ariana folded her arms. "Do you think the missing student…?"
Kai nodded slowly. "Probably connected. The scent trail near the greenhouse was faint but… wrong."
"Vampire wrong?"
"Worse."
Ariana frowned. "What's worse than vampire wrong?"
"Something that's learning how not to be noticed."
They walked in silence for a moment. The soft rustle of leaves filled the gap.
Ariana glanced at him. "Kai?"
"Yeah?"
"About Seraphina—"
Kai groaned. "Oh no."
"I just—" She hesitated. "She clearly likes you."
He blinked. "She likes attention. There's a difference."
"But—"
He looked at her then, eyes steady, voice quiet. "Ariana, you don't have to worry about her."
Her heart skipped.
"I'm not—" she started.
"Good," he said, smiling faintly. "Because I'm not interested in anyone who pretends to be something they're not."
Ariana blinked. "…What does that mean?"
Kai's eyes softened. "It means I like you the way you are."
For a moment, the world was still. Even her wolf went quiet.
Then —
A loud siren shattered the air.
The ground trembled.
From the distance, near the outer barrier, a red flare lit up the sky.
Kai's expression darkened instantly. "Another breach."
Ariana's pulse raced. "Already?"
He grabbed her hand. "Stay close."
They ran toward the light — unaware that Seraphina Vale stood in the shadows of the tower above, her eyes gleaming faintly gold as she whispered into a tiny mirror:
"They've moved again. Just as planned."