Chapter 3

All afternoon, I felt like a soulless zombie.

I didn't hear a word in Charms or Magic History.

The comm-crystal in my pocket buzzed like crazy against my leg.

All from Shadow.

[Baby, still busy?]

[What do you want to see tonight? I'll wear it for you.]

[Or... I wear nothing?]

Looking at these explicit words, I felt sick.

I didn't reply. He clearly panicked.

The messages bombarded me.

[Light? What's wrong? Don't scare me.]

[Did I do something wrong? Tell me, I'll fix it. Please, talk to me.]

Anxious. Humble. Lost.

Such a good act, Professor Leo.

I took a deep breath. My trembling fingers typed a line.

[Shadow, are you hiding something from me?]

He replied instantly.

[Absolutely not! My soul and body, every inch belongs only to you.]

Belongs only to me.

I laughed coldly.

Just then, the crystal lit up again.

[I'm buying a new robe from Veridian's Vestments tomorrow. Help me pick one, baby?]

My chance came.

I opened his magic catalog. I coldly scanned the low-key luxury styles. I scrolled straight to the most exaggerated, unwearable one.

It was a highly recognizable pure black robe. A dark silver dragon embroidery sprawled wildly from collar to hem.

No one else at Blackwood Academy would wear such a flashy outfit to class.

[This one.] I typed. [I like you in this.]

[Whatever you say. Bought it.] He replied without hesitation. [I really want to wear it for you tonight. Then you can strip it off me yourself.]

I locked the screen with a blank face.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow, everything will be clear.

The next morning, I walked into the main hall with dark circles under my eyes.

Among the loud crowd, I immediately spotted him.

Leo Vance.

He smiled and greeted senior witches. His blonde hair shined in the morning sun.

And he was wearing that exact black robe with the dark silver dragon on the collar!

My brain buzzed. My last shred of hope was crushed.

I don't know how I walked up to him.

"Professor Leo." My voice was raspy like sand.

He turned. Still flashing that killer smile.

"Oh, Elara! Morning. How's the homework rewrite?"

I stared dead at the arrogant silver dragon on his collar. My nails dug deep into my palms.

"Professor has unique taste." I gritted my teeth. "This new robe is very eye-catching."

Leo looked down at his clothes. He smiled brightly.

"Good eye, right? Bought it yesterday." He adjusted his cuffs. "Someone picked it for me. I think it's great too."

Someone picked it.

I picked it!

The rock in my heart crashed into the abyss. It smashed me to pieces.

I walked away. I fought the burning urge to storm back in and scream at him.

Elara the Null. I didn't even have the right to confront him.

If I made a scene, I'd just be the ultimate campus joke.

I spun on my heel. Fled the Transfiguration corridor like a ghost.

I locked myself in an empty girls' bathroom. Slumped against the freezing tiles. Gasping for air.

Pathetic tears hit the back of my hands. They burned.

My comm-crystal buzzed in my pocket.

[Morning, my Light. Wearing the outfit you picked. Feels like you're right beside me. Can't wait to see you.]

Sick.

Absolutely repulsive.

I yanked out the comm-crystal. Opened our chat.

I stared at his profile picture. The icon that used to make my heart race. My only comfort on endless lonely nights.

Now? My eyes went dead cold.

I was nobody's plaything.

Screw the starlight quill. Screw the custom dark robe. Screw his fake devotion.

I drew my wand. Pressed the tip to the glass screen.

Swallowing down the bile in my throat, I typed one final, rapid message:

"You make me sick. Goodbye."

Send. Block. Delete. Flawless execution.

I thought I'd bawl my eyes out.

I didn't.

Later that afternoon. I crossed the courtyard, hugging a massive textbook to my chest.

There was Leo. Wrapping an arm around his perfect girlfriend, Chloe. Grinning like an idiot.

Zero heartbreak.

Why would he care? I was just some random, anonymous internet fling.

I gave a bitter, mocking smirk. Elara, you absolute clown.

I forced my eyes away. Gripped my Charms textbook tighter.

In the brutal halls of Blackwood, magic was the only currency.

I could barely cast a dusting hex. Fail the finals, and I'd be expelled. I didn't have time to mope over a guy.

Then it happened. Blaring, blood-red magic alarms ripped through the campus sky!

"Code Red Alert! Massive magic surge in the Main Hall! An ancient dragon has gone rogue!"

Pure panic. Screams erupted.

Students scattered like headless flies.

The terrified mob shoved me toward the great hall. I looked up. Ice flooded my veins.

Dead center of the hall. A violent, pitch-black magic storm was tearing the roof apart.

Windows exploded. Glass rained down. Bricks and rubble everywhere.

Inside the eye of the storm?

A massive, pitch-black dragon. Wrapped in dark magic. Roaring in pure agony.

Its eyes were glowing blood-red. Completely feral. Lost to the rage.

Professors had their wands drawn. Ready for war. But no one dared to step a single inch closer.

I braced for death. Figured the storm would shred us all to pieces.

Then the raging dragon snapped its massive head around.

Out of hundreds of screaming, terrified faces...

It locked eyes directly with me.