The Black Envelope

Chapter Two

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I wasn’t supposed to be here.  

Not in this gilded cage of a mansion, not in this life where my father pretended I didn’t exist. Not after St. Magdalene's Academy had *politely suggested* I never return.  

*Suggested.* Like expulsion was just a friendly recommendation.  

I looked at my untouched dinner—another meal eaten alone in my room. Downstairs, laughter echoed. My father, his perfect beautiful wife, and their golden son, Andrian, living their perfect, Aria-free life.  

A sharp pain ran through my skull. The mirror across the room *cracked.*  

*No. Not again.*  

I squeezed my eyes shut, but it was too late. The glass darkened, warped, and for one terrifying second, I saw *her*—a girl with my face but hollow black eyes, lips curled in a smile that wasn’t mine.  

Then—*crack.*  

The mirror shattered.  

I shook as shards rained onto the floor. My breath seized. This was the third time this week. Third time something impossible happened around me. Third time I had no explanation.  

The housekeeper would find the mess tomorrow. She’d sigh, clean it up, and report to my father. Another *incident.* Another reason to keep me locked away like a broken toy.  

I dug my nails into my palms. *Why is this happening?*  

A knock at the door.  

I stood still. No one knocked unless it was to deliver another cold dismissal.  

“What?” I snapped.  

No answer. Just a soft *thud* as something slid under the door.  

A black envelope.  

No stamp. No return address. Just my name—*Aria Blackwell*—scrawled in silver ink that *shimmered* under the dim light.  

I picked it up, the paper unnaturally warm against my fingers. The crimson wax seal cracked with a sound like breaking bones, releasing a scent of smoke and something metallic.  

I was sort of unbothered, because why not? everything happening to me is totally crazy and unnatural but nobody even cares to hear me explain how I feel.

I didn’t cry when they expelled me so why should I cry now?. Not because I was strong, but because I was too numb to feel anything except the weight of the stares.

My old school—St. Magdalene’s Academy—was supposed to be my safe place. Marble floors, gold-trimmed hallways, girls in tailored uniforms whispering behind their hands like it was a sport. But even here, where money bought silence and reputation, I never fit in.

Not after what happened.

They called it an accident. A freak fire outbreak. But I knew better.

The fire did not shine before burning Lila's book, it only sparkled. The air didn’t just hum with burnt smell. It was me. Something inside me snapped that day, and the entire classroom got terrified. Phones died. Lockers rattled. And then the fire alarms screamed.

I didn’t do it on purpose. I don’t even remember doing it.

But I felt it.

Like something ancient had stirred beneath my skin immediately Lila spoke to me in the manner I did not appreciate, she caused it.

And now I was home.

If you could call this a home.

Aria Blackwell, daughter of billionaire tech mogul Richard Blackwell and his ex-wife Elise—who he kicked out years ago for not being “ambitious enough.” That was the joke anyway. He said she was holding him back. She said he’d become someone she didn’t recognize.

Either way, I got caught in the middle.

He sent me a check every month. Never showed up in person even though we live in the same house,I can't remember the last time I saw my father. 

Until today.

Or rather, until his assistant dropped a message reminding me of the black envelope that was sent to me a few days back.

Black envelope they sent to me with no words.

I finally opened the envelope to read.

_Blackmoor Academy._

I stared at it on the coffee table like it might bite.

“You’re kidding,” said Adrian, my stepbrother—the one who hated me almost as much as he hated himself. “That place is a myth.”

“It’s real,” I muttered.

He snatched the envelope before I could stop him. He is fond of stepping on my toes at any little chance he gets. His fingers rushed over the seal, eyes narrowing. “You really want to go to some creepy boarding school no one has ever heard of?”

“Yes.” Is anything wrong with that?

It wasn’t even a lie, Andrian was right.My father and his wife just want to get rid of me by all means,not minding if I will ever return or not.

At least there, I wouldn’t be reminded every second how unwanted I was.

Adrian scoffed. “This is probably some scam. You think Dad actually cares enough to send you anywhere? He doesn’t even know your birthday.”

That stung more than it should have.

“Give it back.”

“Nope.”

He held it over the fireplace, grinning like a feral animal. “Let’s see if it burns.”

The moment he moved, something inside me snapped again.

The room turned cold.

The flames in the fireplace flared violently, licking the mantle like hungry tongues. The chandelier above us buzzed, shining wildly. Every lightbulb in the room shattered with a loud *pop*, sending shards raining down around us.

Adrian screamed,dropping the envelope like it burned him.

Wait.

It did burn him.

His hands were red, blistering. Smoke curled from his fingertips.

“What the hell?!” he shouted, stumbling back.

I stared at my hands. My breath came fast and shallow.

“I—I didn’t mean to—”

“Freak!” he spat, holding his burned palms. “You did this!”

“I didn’t—”

But deep down, I knew I did.

Again.

Always again.

He stormed out, leaving me alone with the charred smell of burnt wood and fear.

And the black envelope untouched on the floor.

I picked it up slowly. The paper was cool to the touch, unharmed.

No scorch marks. No tears.

Just my name.

*Blackmoor Academy.*

I opened it.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND BLACKMOOR  TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED. DO NOT BE LATE.*  

No signature. No return address. No phone number.Just… an invitation? After everything?  

A laugh bubbled up—hysterical, raw. Yeah, right. Like any school would want me now.