Romans de Maryjane

The white feather didn't move.It rested on the windowsill as it belonged there, untouched by the wind sneaking through the half-open window. Moonlight washed over it, making the silver words stitched across the quill gleam.HE IS ALIVE.For a second, I forgot how to breathe."...Don't."Lila's voice wasn't loud, but it hit harder than a scream.I looked over my shoulder.She was sitting upright in bed, her blanket clutched tightly in one hand. The teasing smile she wore almost every hour of the day had vanished."Lila?"She didn't answer.Her eyes never left the feather."You know what that is?"She swallowed."I know enough to tell you not to touch it.""That's not an answer.""It's the only one you're getting."I frowned. "You sound like those instructors.""And you ask too many questions.""Well, somebody has to."I stepped toward the window anyway. Behind me, I heard the mattress creak."Nira.""Hm?""If you touch that thing, whatever happens next is your responsibility." I pause

The iron gates beneath the platform groaned open, the sound echoing across the arena like a warning. Every student instinctively stepped back, yet not a single instructor moved. Instead of wolves, six creatures emerge—sleek, shadow-like beasts with glowing amber eyes and long antlers twisted like branches. They don't attack. They circle the arena, sniffing the air as though searching for something.One Beta whispers, "Night Stalkers..."Another mutters, "Why are they using them on freshers?"Even the senior students look uneasy.Instructor Kael raises a hand. "These creatures cannot be defeated." The murmuring dies immediately. "They exist for one purpose." He pauses. "They expose fear."He immediately calls students one after another. Each showed whether it could be defeated. One student screamed before the beast even reached him. Another dropped to his knees, shaking uncontrollably. A Gamma froze in place, unable to move, while a Beta was knocked off the platform within seconds. Unt

The first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes wasn't the sunlight. It was my shadow. For one ridiculous second...I could have sworn it smiled at me. Not a huge smile. Just enough to make my stomach tighten.I blinked. Once…Twice."...Yeah, I've officially lost it."The shadow lay perfectly still beneath the morning light pouring through the window, innocent as if it hadn't just tried to traumatize me before breakfast.I rubbed my eyes. "Maybe Grimhalden doesn't just awaken wolves," I muttered. "Maybe it also hands out free hallucinations.""You talk in your sleep." Lila's sleepy voice drifted across the room.I nearly jumped out of my skin. She was still wrapped in her blanket like a burrito, only one eye open."I wasn't talking.""You were.""I was thinking.""You think out loud.""I refuse to believe that.""You also snore.""I absolutely do not."She yawned dramatically. "You sounded like a dying goat."I grabbed the nearest pillow and threw it at her. She caught it effortlessly.

The forest grew strangely quiet as I stepped past the last line of ancient trees. The cold air that had followed me all the way from the tower suddenly disappeared, replaced by the familiar warmth of the academy grounds. My boots crunched against loose gravel, every step sounding louder than it should.Something felt... wrong. Usually, this place buzzed with noise. Someone was always arguing, laughing, or showing off. Today? Nothing. I looked up, and hundreds of eyes were fixed on me."...Why is everyone looking at me?" I whispered. “Please make a little noise…” Lila glanced sideways, trying very hard not to smile. "I don't know.""You do.""I might."I narrowed my eyes. "If I suddenly have two heads, just tell me now."Instead of answering, Lila nudged me toward the clearing.The instructors stood in a straight line beneath the academy's towering stone archway. Their long black coats barely moved despite the wind. Behind them, students gathered in clusters, whispering behind raised

The forest becomes quieter. The excitement from the beginning of The Hunt has faded, replaced by frustration. Some students have already found Moon Sigils. Others have given up and are simply wandering. Sweat rolled from my forehead."We've been walking for almost an hour.""Welcome to Black Forest. It enjoys wasting people's time." Lila signs."This school really needs a hobby," rolling my eyes around the forestJust then—A horn echoes through the trees.All students stop.The instructors appear from different directions, as though they had been watching the entire time.The lead instructor slowly walks toward me. Students begin whispering."She's in trouble again.""I told you she'd get expelled.""Poor girl."The instructor stops directly in front of Lila and me. "Nira Peterson.""...Me?""Unfortunately." A few students laugh."You have displayed... unusual behavior since your arrival.""Is there a better way to describe it?" I said to myself"You will complete a special task."The

"Don't."Lila's voice sliced through the silence just as my fingers were about to touch the old wooden door.Her grip clamped around my wrist so suddenly that I almost screamed."Ouch!" I hissed, trying to pull away. "If you squeeze any harder, I'll lose a hand before I even discover my wolf." She didn't laugh.Her eyes stayed fixed on the door, her face unusually pale. I followed her gaze. The strange carvings, the silver glow, the whispers I'd seen moments ago... were gone. It was just an ordinary wooden door now. Old, dusty, and locked."...What?" I looked at the door again, then back at Lila. "Did you see that?" I asked carefully.She finally released my wrist, though her expression didn't soften. "See what?""The markings... the light... the voice...""I have no idea what you're talking about."Her brows are knitted together. "Lila." I narrowed my eyes."I'm serious." She walked closer to the door and knocked on it twice. Echo ran through the hallway. "See?" she shrugged. "Locked