Chapter six

SAMANTHA CARTER

The walk from the Council Hall to the Crescent Residence felt longer than it probably was, and although none of us spoke for several minutes, I could feel every pair of curious eyes following us through the Academy grounds.

If this was only my second day, I couldn't imagine what tomorrow would be like.

The silence beside me finally broke when Darius threw his hands into the air with an exaggerated sigh.

"This is depressing," he complained, shaking his head dramatically before flashing me a grin. "We're supposed to be celebrating our first day as roommates, not walking around like we're headed to a funeral."

"No one is celebrating," Karl replied calmly, although amusement flickered briefly across his face.

"I am."

"That doesn't surprise me."

"It shouldn't."

Adrian chuckled softly and glanced at me.

"Ignore them. They've been arguing since they were children."

"I do not argue," Karl answered.

"You absolutely do," Darius shot back, laughing. "You just do it politely."

I couldn't stop the small smile tugging at my lips.

For a moment, I almost forgot everything that had happened inside the Council Hall… almost.

The Academy stretched before us like a city hidden inside the mountains.

Students hurried between towering stone buildings while others trained in open courtyards. Somewhere in the distance, swords clashed, wolves howled, and instructors barked orders loud enough to echo across the grounds.

Everything about this place reminded me that I didn't belong here.

We eventually stopped in front of a building unlike the others.

It stood alone near the edge of the Academy grounds, overlooking the forest below.

Unlike the gray towers surrounding it, this one had white stone walls streaked with silver veins that shimmered beneath the afternoon sun.

"This is Crescent Residence," Adrian explained with a gentle smile. "It used to house the first Alpha Circle centuries ago."

"It hasn't been occupied in years," Karl added as he unlocked the large wooden doors.

"They say it's haunted," Darius whispered loudly, earning himself an annoyed look from Karl.

"It isn't haunted."

"You sound disappointed."

Karl sighed.

"I am disappointed that you're still talking."

Darius laughed proudly. "I knew it."

I followed them inside.

The entrance opened into an enormous living room with high ceilings supported by carved wooden beams. A fireplace stretched from floor to ceiling, while comfortable sofas surrounded a low table covered with old books and faded maps.

A grand staircase curved toward the upper floor. Five doors lined the hallway downstairs. Another five were upstairs.

My eyes widened. "This..."

I slowly turned in a circle.

"...is a dorm?"

"It was built for the founding Alpha heirs," Adrian explained.

"There are five bedrooms," Karl continued. "One kitchen. One library. One training room. One meeting room."

"And one kitchen that I absolutely cannot cook in," Darius admitted shamelessly.

"You burned water once," Adrian reminded him.

"I still don't know how that happened."

"I don't think anyone does."

I couldn't help laughing again.

Maybe these three weren't nearly as frightening as I'd imagined.

My smile faded when I noticed Carla. He hadn't laughed. He hadn't even looked at us. Instead, he quietly picked up one of the room keys hanging beside the staircase.

"The last room upstairs," he said flatly.

Without another word, he walked away. I watched him disappear down the hallway before turning back to the others.

"Does he always act like that?"

The three exchanged quick glances.

"Mostly," Karl answered first.

"He isn't trying to insult you," Adrian added carefully. "It just... takes him time."

Darius folded his arms. "Or maybe he's just allergic to happiness."

A faint smile crossed Adrian's face. "I don't think that's medically possible."

"It should be."

Karl reached for another key and handed it to me. "The room opposite the balcony is yours."

I accepted it quietly. "Thank you."

He nodded once. "If anyone bothers you, tell one of us."

"I can take care of myself."

"I believe you," Karl replied. "But now there are four of us."

His words lingered in my mind as I climbed the stairs.

My room was larger than the bedroom I'd shared with my parents' apartment back home. A neatly made bed stood beside a tall window overlooking the forest. A wooden wardrobe occupied one corner. Bookshelves lined another.

Someone had even placed fresh flowers on the bedside table.

I slowly set my backpack down.

This room was beautiful. Yet somehow, it didn't feel like home.

A framed photograph slipped from one of the backpack pockets as I unpacked.

I picked it up carefully.

Mom. Dad. All three of us smiling outside our tiny apartment.

A lump formed in my throat. "I miss you already," I whispered.

A sudden knock interrupted my thoughts. I wiped the corner of my eye before opening the door.

Adrian stood outside holding a tray.

"I figured you probably skipped lunch." He smiled warmly.

"So... I stole extra food from the dining hall."

"You stole it?"

"I prefer the word borrowed."

I laughed softly. "You can come in."

He stepped inside, placing the tray on the small table.

"There are a few Academy rules we forgot to tell you."

I raised an eyebrow. "Should I be worried?"

"Only if you enjoy breaking rules."

"I haven't decided yet."

His smile widened. "You'll fit in just fine."

Before he could continue, another voice echoed from downstairs. "Food fight!"

A loud crash followed.

Adrian closed his eyes. "Darius."

Then Karl's irritated voice rang out. "I told you not to touch that!"

"I thought it was decorative!"

"It was a three-hundred-year-old vase!"

Another crash echoed through the house.

Adrian sighed deeply before looking back at me.

"I should probably stop them before they destroy the Residence."

"You think?"

"I know."

As soon as he hurried out of the room, curiosity got the better of me. Without thinking about it, I stepped into the hallway and looked over the railing.

Downstairs, Darius stood frozen beside the shattered remains of an ancient vase while Karl pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.

"I can explain," Darius said, raising both hands defensively.

"I'm listening," Karl replied.

"I sneezed."

"You threw it."

"It slipped after I sneezed."

Karl stared at him. "You sneezed... and the vase flew across the room?"

"It was a very powerful sneeze."

Adrian burst into laughter. Even I couldn't stop myself.

For the first time since arriving at Nightshade Academy, the Crescent Residence echoed with something other than tension.

It echoed with laughter.

From somewhere upstairs, however, a single gray eye watched us through a barely opened door.

Carla quietly closed it again.

No one noticed him…

No one except me.

He's some weirdo.