CHAPTER 25: Glowing Markings

“Not everyone is what they seem.”

Alicia repeated the sentence over and over in her head, her footsteps echoing lightly through the busy hallway. She didn’t even realize she’d said it aloud until heads turned, curious glances, raised brows, whispers that weren’t subtle at all.

She froze.

What is everyone hiding?

The question slipped out of her mouth before she could stop it. More stares. More silence.

Alicia blinked rapidly, snapping herself out of the trance. She tucked her books closer to her chest and walked without care about the eyes that watched her. She didn’t like but she could deal with it.

‘Should I ask Kevin again?’

Maybe he knew something. He always seemed like he did.

Her thoughts were interrupted when two voices drifted to her from around the corner, low, hushed, but not enough.

“Tracy didn’t just bump into Alicia. She targeted her. It’s obvious. She could be dangerous.”

Alicia stopped dead.

Tracy? The girl from the library?

Why was her name suddenly being whispered like a warning?

Before Alicia could step closer, a second voice cut through the air, sharp, annoyed.

“You should mind your business.”

Footsteps. One set. Only one person walked away.

Kevin.

He turned the corner and for a moment, their eyes met. Alicia’s heart stuttered. He looked surprised to see her, then almost concerned. But he didn’t speak. He just walked away with a tight jaw and hands shoved deep in his pockets.

What does Kevin know?

Her stomach twisted with unease.

***

Raymond was headed toward his room, mind overloaded with strategies and questions, when a hand clamped down on his shoulder. He immediately turned, ready to attack if necessary. Then he discovered the person was…

Kevin.

“Let’s talk,” he said bluntly.

“Not interested,” Raymond muttered and tried to walk away.

Kevin stepped in front of him. “You’ll want to hear this.”

Raymond eyed him with suspicion. But after a second, he followed as Kevin led them to a quiet corner, shielded from roaming students and gossiping ears.

Kevin didn’t waste time.

“That wolf we fought… I know her. Tracy. She bumped into Alicia in the library. They acted like they’d met before.”

Raymond’s expression barely shifted. “So?”

Kevin exhaled sharply. “Use your brain. Tracy didn’t just bump into Alicia. She targeted her. It’s obvious. She could be dangerous.”

Raymond’s jaw tightened. “Mind your business.”

“It is my business,” Kevin growled. “You may act like you don’t care, but I see everything. Alicia is your roommate. If she’s being hunted, that makes her your responsibility whether you like it or not.”

He turned to leave but paused, eyes flicking back at Raymond.

“I’m telling you now because you’re not as cold as you pretend to be.”

Then Kevin was gone, though his voice lingered in Raymond’s head through the mind-link:

“I know you care.”

Raymond’s fists clenched until veins surfaced beneath his skin. He wouldn’t show it, not to Kevin, not to anyone, but something icy tightened in his chest.

He would talk to the wolf again. And next time, she would talk.

***

When classes ended, Alicia dragged herself out of the lecture room. The weight of the day pressed down on her shoulders. Kevin hadn’t spoken to her again, not even a text.

She unlocked her phone, thumb hovering over his chat.

Halfway through typing, she stopped.

Maybe space was safer.

Her stomach rumbled and she changed direction toward the dining hall. Early dinner wasn’t a crime, at least, she hoped not. But as soon as she reached for a tray, the woman behind the counter raised a hand.

“This time is reserved for VVIP students only,” she said gently, as if addressing a confused child.

Alicia blinked. “There’s a hierarchy… for food?”

She let out an incredulous laugh and clapped her hands sarcastically. “You must be kidding me.”

The worker winced, about to explain, but a familiar, cold voice sliced through the silence:

“What’s the issue?”

Alicia didn’t turn. She didn’t need to. She could feel the authority rolling off him like thunder.

“Give her what she wants,” Raymond ordered. “We do not need unnecessary noise.”

The woman instantly served Alicia food. Alicia bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from snapping something back at him. Raymond didn’t look at her again, he strode out of the dining room with long, confident steps that irritated her more than they should.

She ate quickly, didn’t taste a thing and rushed out.

***

The room was quiet when she entered. Empty.

Good.

Alicia dropped her bag, took a hot shower, then collapsed onto her bed. Her phone lit up in her hand, social updates, gossip, ordinary life. Yet her mind was far from ordinary.

Her eyes drifted to the window.

Beyond the glass, the forest loomed, alive with shadows and secrets. And there, just like last week, glowing markings shimmered along the trees, on the forest ground. Symbols. Runes. Something ancient.

Alicia’s breath caught.

A breeze brushed against the building though the window was closed, cold enough to raise goosebumps across her skin.

Then the voice came.

Soft. Female. Echoing through her mind like a breeze-shaped whisper:

“Alicia… you are strong.”

Her heart slammed against her ribs.

She bolted upright, eyes locked on the forest.

“Alicia… you are strong.”

Who are you?

Her lips parted but the words didn’t escape.

The voice intensified, gentle but commanding, like it was calling something buried deep within her soul.

She was about to stand, move closer towards the forest, when the door swung open.

Raymond stepped in.

The connection snapped.

The glow vanished.

Alicia collapsed back onto her bed with a gasp. Her vision shimmered, colors distorting for a split second. Raymond froze in the doorway, his gaze narrowed sharply.

Her eyes…

They flickered.

Purple. Then brown.

Purple again.

“What… are you?” he murmured, the words slipping out unconsciously.

Alicia stared back, breathing fast, confusion clouding her own thoughts.

She didn’t know the answer.

But the confusion in Raymond’s eyes told her one thing.

Whatever was happening to her… wasn’t normal.

And someone, something, was finally waking up.