The hidden name

Seraphina POV

Kael's didn't believe me and I could see it immediately because his eyes stayed on my face, searching for the slightest crack in my expression.

Around us students were being pushed toward the exits as instructors shouted orders. The unconscious student was surrounded by healers, but the black veins crawling beneath his skin made even them hesitate and through all of it, I could hear my own heartbeat.

Seraphina was my real name and someone had said it here.

I had been careful, nobody was supposed to know me because I changed my identity.

"Look at me."

Kael's voice pulled me back and I raised my eyes. "Who is Seraphina?"

"How should I know?"

"You reacted when he said it."

"I reacted because everyone did."

"Not like you."

His voice was quiet now and somehow, that was worse.

I swallowed. "You're imagining things."

Kael stepped closer. "Am I?"

Before I could answer, an instructor hurried toward us. "Prince Kael."

Kael didn't look away from me. "What?"

"The healers need you."

His jaw tightened. "Why?"

"The boy is dying."

Kael's expression changed instantly and he turned away from me. "Take me to him."

I released the breath I'd been holding but as he walked away, he glanced over his shoulder. "Don't leave."

My stomach dropped as I watched him disappear into the crowd.

I grabbed my bag and started toward the gate. "Selene!"

Mira caught up with me. "Where are you going?"

"I need air."

"Everyone needs air, look around."

She pointed toward the chaos. "Someone nearly died."

"I know, right."

"Then why are you leaving?"

I forced a smile. "I'm not."

She stared at me and I looked away because I couldn't tell her the truth. The moment someone discovered who I was, everything I'd worked for would collapse.

I pushed through the crowd then I heard a whisper. "Seraphina Vale."

I stopped and my entire body went cold. I slowly turned but nobody was there. The crowd moved around me as if nothing had happened then another whisper came from somewhere behind me. "Alpha's daughter."

I spun around and a student walked past, he didn't even look at me.

My breathing became shallow, it's now certain someone inside this Academy knew exactly who I was and they wanted me terrified.

I ran and I didn't stop until I reached my dormitory, I slammed the door behind me and locked it then I leaned against it, my hands were shaking. "Think."

I whispered to myself. "Just think."

Who could know?

The witch had changed everything unless....my eyes widened, the witch.

She had known my name and what I was running from, could she have betrayed me?

A knock sounded and I froze. "Selene?"

It was Mira but I didn't move. "Selene, are you inside?"

I forced myself to breathe. "Yes."

"Open the door."

I hesitated but then unlocked it and she walked in, her eyes immediately went to my face. "You look terrible."

She shut the door. "What happened out there?"

"Nothing."

"Don't lie to me."

I stared at her and she sighed.."I saw your face when that boy said the name."

My stomach tightened. "Which name?"

"Seraphina."

Mira folded her arms. "Who is she?"

I looked away. "Nobody."

"Then why did you look like you'd seen a ghost?"

I didn't answer and she stepped closer. "Selene."

I finally looked at her.."Please."

"I can't talk about it."

She studied me then slowly nodded. "Fine."

I exhaled. "But I'm warning you," she added. "Something strange is happening."

"That boy didn't just collapse and before he lost consciousness, he said your name."

I closed my eyes. "He didn't say my name."

Mira frowned. "He said Seraphina."

I opened my eyes. "Exactly."

She stared at me and I could tell she didn't understand then the dormitory bell rang and Mira looked toward the window. "What does that mean?"

I didn't know then the Academy alarm began screaming and red lights flashed through the corridor. "All students remain inside their dormitories."

My blood ran cold. "Why?" Mira whispered.

Then came another announcement. "The eastern gate has been breached."

Mira's face went pale. "That's impossible."

I moved toward the window, students were running and warriors were rushing toward the eastern gate then I saw them, black-cloaked figures. They moved through the Academy like they had done it before.

"They're inside," I whispered.

Mira grabbed my arm. "Who?"

"I don't know."

A horn sounded outside and the sound of fighting reached us, my instincts took over and I grabbed my knife.

Mira stared at me. "What are you doing?"

"Getting out."

"Are you crazy?"

I opened the door, a body fell into the corridor and Mira screamed.

I froze as an Academy guard lay on the floor, dead with his throat had been cut.

My stomach turned, I'd seen death before but not like this.

Mira covered her mouth. "Selene..."

I crouched beside the body and there was a black mark burned into his neck which is the same symbol I'd seen on the unconscious student.

My fingers went cold. "They're looking for someone."

Mira stared at me. "Who?"

Before I could answer, footsteps thundered down the hallway and we looked up.

Three black-cloaked figures appeared at the end of the corridor and one of them pointed directly at me. "There."

My heart stopped. "Run!"

We sprinted, behind us claws scraped against the stone floor.

"Why are they chasing us?" Mira screamed.

"I don't know!"

A blast of magic hit the wall beside us and stone exploded but we ducked. "Left!"

I grabbed Mira's hand and pulled her down a staircase as we raced through another corridor, the footsteps behind us was closer then a figure appeared ahead and I stopped so suddenly as Mira crashed into my back.

Kael, stood with his sword was drawn and blood stained his sleeve. "Selene."

"They're after us."

"They're after you."

My stomach dropped. "What?"

He stepped toward me and one of the cloaked figures appeared behind us.

Kael's eyes hardened. "Get behind me."

I didn't move. "Why?"

"Because I said so."

The figure raised his hand and black magic gathered around his palm.

Kael stepped forward, his eyes flashed gold.

"Run."

The attacker lunged and Kael met him head-on.

Mira screamed but I grabbed her and pulled her away then I heard the attacker shout. "Find the daughter of Alpha Lucian!"

My feet stopped moving because Kael heard it too.

He turned and his eyes locked onto mine, everything inside me went numb.

The attacker was knocked through the wall and Kael stood over him, breathing hard then he slowly turned toward me. "Selene."

I couldn't speak, his eyes dropped to my face then to the knife at my waist and his expression changed. "You're not Selene, are you?"

I took a step backward. "Who are you?"

I said nothing and his voice became quieter. "Why are they looking for Alpha Lucian's daughter?"

I backed away again and then the floor beneath us exploded and I fell but Kael reached for me.

"Don't let go!"

I looked up at him behind him and more enemies were still coming.