LOGINShe slams her pen onto the desk with enough force to make students jump in their seats. She clears her throat, straightens her spine, and plants her hands on her hips.“As for introductions—which I was getting to until the rude interruptions began—” she scowls in my direction. “I am Mrs. Feltine. The Council selected me to teach you the fine art of Council Politics. Advanced.”She begins to stroll between the rows of desks, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. “It is essential to understand the rules, the structure, and the system of our people. We are here to ensure a safer world for future generations.”She stops abruptly, turning to stare straight at me. “The choices we make today impact what happens tomorrow. Making poor choices in this moment leads to catastrophic destruction.”Luca snorts. “A bit dramatic, don’t you think?”Her gaze zeroes in on him, and she actually smirks. “As you will find out soon enough.”“Is that supposed to be a threat?” Luca asks, his voice drop
The Great Hall smells of burnt toast and damp wool the following morning. The chatter dies the moment the silver trays hit the tables. Instead of extra helpings of bacon, we are handed thin slips of paper at our tables at breakfast by the student council.I stare at one of the headings on my timetable: Advanced Council PoliticsBeside me, Celeste’s fork clatters against her ceramic plate as she sinks into her seat. “We aren’t eighteen,” she snaps, her voice rising until students at the next table turn to look. “This is a senior-year specialty. Why is this on a junior schedule?”Nate pushes his plate away. To my left, the scratching of a pencil is the only other sound. Luca is hunched over his notebook, his dark hair shadowing the pages. His shoulder muscles protrude under his shirt. When Nate reaches out to grab a napkin near Luca’s elbow, Luca bares his teeth.“Don’t,” Luca bites out. The word is a low vibration that makes the milk in my glass ripple.I pick up my schedule again. The
Her tone stays even. “I think too many people are pretending they know what’s going on when they don’t.” She gestures toward the necklace. “Do not take that off. Not under any circumstances.”Okay, so she knows what it is. Yet, she doesn’t ask where I got it or if I know where Elijah is.I assume she might know it’s from him, but possibly presume that he had given it to me before he disappeared. Who knows?Unless she has somehow figured out where he is and isn’t telling me for some reason. Here’s to hoping that isn’t the case.I hesitate. “Why? What’s going on?”“Because it’s keeping you alive.” Her voice sharpens, breaking through its usual calm. “There are things moving beyond these walls that even our Alpha can’t control. Trust me, Miss Woods. Whatever you do, keep that necklace on.”I want to ask her what she knows, but manages not to press and just nod. I do this so she thinks I still trust her opinion and is blissfully unaware of what she’s really up to.Or that I know she’s the
I keep checking the necklace Elijah gave me to ensure nothing else has changed. It remains cracked and glowing, hidden from sight beneath my shirt. I am not sure if something is wrong with the necklace or if it is reacting to something nearby.I consider removing it on several occasions, thinking it might be the cause of my sudden burst of magical abilities, but I always reconsider. If Elijah sent it, there might be hidden features I am unaware of, and he must have a good reason for me to wear it. Still, I cannot imagine how my inability to control my magic or my moods benefits us in any way. But I trust him.By breakfast, rumors are everywhere.Someone claims a cloaked figure was spotted near the east gate. Another swears they saw someone slip into the forest behind the training field and never came out again.None of the stories line up, but they don’t have to. Fear fills in the blanks faster than truth ever could.And Mr. Ledger’s already taking advantage of it.By midmorning, the
The table goes dead silent. Even Luca stops chewing.“Wow,” Celeste mutters. “That escalated fast.”Adrian pushes his tray away. “Look, I just—Mr. Ledger’s getting worse. He’s everywhere, watching everyone. You don’t get it, Nate. You never take anything seriously until it’s too late.”And then he stands and walks off, leaving his half-eaten food and a crater of awkward silence in his wake.Nate stares after him, the grin wiped clean off his face. Then he snorts, shaking his head. “Guess the honeymoon’s over.”“Nate—” I start, but he cuts me off, waving his hand.“Nope. Don’t. I’m fine. Totally fine. Never better. Who needs consistent emotional support anyway?”Celeste gives him a look that could curdle milk. “You’re so full of crap.”“I prefer emotionally constipated, thanks.”Later that day, when I’m heading to Mrs. Humphrey’s office for our “mandatory meditation session,” I overhear something I’m not supposed to.Two Council members are arguing in the corridor outside her door. “—h
Mrs. Humphrey doesn’t say anything else after that.She just stares at me, long enough to make my skin crawl. I’m taking a wild guess this was her way to prove a point or give me time to think about it. Which sure, I don’t want to give Mr. Ledger more ammunition to use against me.But could you really blame me?I refuse to sit here and listen to everyone drag Elijah while pretending his psychotic father is the second coming of the Moon Goddess. Who I may add—didn’t seem to favor him either.Then, without another word, Mrs. Humphrey stands, smooths her dress, and tells me I’m dismissed. She doesn’t scold me or give me a further lecture, just that unnerving calm that makes me wish she had yelled instead.I leave her office still trembling, my mind buzzing with what she said. We don’t want to draw more attention from Mr. Ledger.As if I hadn’t already done that by nearly ripping a student’s throat out.Celeste and Nate are waiting outside the office. Celeste looks furious, Nate looks gui







