LOGINI didn’t ask too many questions when Aldric stepped out again that evening, his mood still dark and coiled from whatever had happened the night before. He kissed my forehead, told me he’d be back soon, and left with that same tight expression he’d worn since the rooftop meeting he refused to talk about. Seraphiel had just shrugged when I glanced at him, muttering something about “man things” and pulling me back onto the couch for another round of mindless TV. I let it go. Maybe it really was a guy thing, some territorial pissing contest I conveniently left myself out of by not pressing. The apartment felt peaceful for once. Seraphiel had gone out to grab dinner, leaving me alone with my new soft gray sweater and a half-read book. I was sprawled on the big bed, back against the headboard, legs stretched out, when the doorbell rang. I frowned. Aldric had his key. Seraphiel would just barge in shouting my name. Curious, I padded barefoot to the door and peered through the peephole.
SERAPHIEL'S POV I hated Elias. Not just because he looked at Zero like he was something rare and fragile he wanted to collect and keep on a shelf. Not even because the way he smiled slow, knowing, like he already knew every secret we were trying to bury, made my fists itch. No. It was deeper than that. Something about him clawed at the back of my mind and dragged up memories I’d spent years trying to drown. I was lying awake again, Zero curled warm and trusting between Aldric and me, his breathing slow and even after the long day. His head rested on my chest, one hand loosely fisted in my shirt like even in sleep he needed to make sure we were real. Aldric was on his other side, one arm draped possessively over Zero’s waist. The three of us fit together like we’d been carved for it. This was my life now. Loud laughter, soft sweaters, late-night talks, the way Zero blushed when I teased him about how pretty he looked in lace. Carefree. Messy. Human. And yet tonight, every time
I was still riding the gentle high from the past few days, shopping trips, the coffee with Elias, the slow, sweet nights with both of them. A grey sweater was over my body, soft and oversized, slipping off one shoulder as I moved around the living room. I felt lighter, more like myself than I had in weeks. Seraphiel was pulling on his jacket by the door, keys in hand. Aldric had asked him to run out for groceries for tonight’s dinner, something simple, he’d said. Seraphiel grumbled good-naturedly about being the errand boy but leaned in to kiss me hard before he left. “Don’t have too much fun without me,” he teased, then shot Aldric a look that was half-warning, half-concern. “I’ll be back in an hour.” The door clicked shut behind him. I turned to Aldric with a bright smile, still chattering away as I folded the throw blanket on the couch. “So Elias showed me this technique with watercolors today, it’s insane how he can make light look like it’s actually breaking through something
Aldric stood on the dimly lit rooftop bar, the city glittering below like scattered diamonds. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of rain and expensive whiskey. Elias was already there, leaning against the railing with effortless grace, a half-empty glass in hand. His dark hair fell over one eye in that artfully messy way, sharp jawline catching the low light. He looked like a painting come to life, beautiful, dangerous, and far too calm. Aldric approached without hesitation, stopping a few feet away. His own face was carved from ice: strong, angular features, piercing eyes that missed nothing, the kind of controlled power that made people step aside without being told. Where Elias had that mysterious, almost poetic allure, the brooding artist who could pull secrets from the air, Aldric was pure predator in a tailored coat. Sharper edges. Colder fire. Elias turned, and his lips curved into a smile. “Aldric,” he said, voice smooth and low, like velvet over steel. “I didn't
I stepped through the apartment door. Aldric was in the kitchen pouring three glasses of wine, while Seraphiel lounged on the couch, one leg thrown over the armrest. The moment I walked in, both of them looked up. Seraphiel’s face split into a lazy grin. Aldric’s gaze was sharper, scanning me from head to toe like he was checking for invisible damage. “You’re back,” Aldric said, voice calm but carrying that undercurrent of relief he always tried to hide. “How was it?” I kicked off my shoes and dropped the bags by the door, already smiling. The walk around campus had been… surprisingly okay. Not perfect, but okay. “It was weird. But good-weird. People actually talked to me. Some apologized. Others just said they were glad the truth came out. I even got a free coffee with ‘You got this’ written on the cup.” Seraphiel sat up straighter, eyes bright. “Any assholes?” “A couple of fake ones from debate. I avoided them. But most people were… decent.” I walked over and flopped bet
The car hummed along the highway, city skyline growing sharper in the windshield as we headed back toward the apartment. Seraphiel drove with one hand on the wheel, the other resting on my thigh like he needed the constant reminder I was really here. The shopping bags rustled in the back seat, soft sweaters, lace, that vanilla-scented oil, little pieces of normal I’d let myself enjoy for a few hours. My phone had been quiet most of the drive. Then it wasn’t. It started with a call from my mother. I stared at the screen, her name flashing like a warning. I almost let it ring out, but Seraphiel glanced over and gave me a small nod. “You don’t have to answer. But if you do, I’m right here.” I swiped accept and put it on speaker. Her voice poured out, bright and breathless like we’d just spoken yesterday instead of weeks of radio silence while the accusations tore me apart. “Zero! Baby, we saw the news. Oh my God, that poor girl… but you’re cleared now, right? Everyone’s saying
The academy had always believed itself untouchable. Neutral ground. Sacred ground. A bridge between realms. Its towers pierced the sky in elegant spires of white stone and silver glass. Defensive wards shimmering faintly across its perimeter, ancient enchantments designed to repel invasio
I don’t remember how I got home. One moment I was at the pool, breath uneven, skin still tingling from hands that shouldn’t have been there, and the next I was stepping into the marble foyer of my parents’ house, water long dried but something inside me still trembling. The house was brightly li
The sixth night was the worst. Hope had worn thin. The priest, Zephyr, as Magnus had finally spoken his name aloud, had spent days tracing symbols no one in Del Imperium recognized. Circles within circles. Threads of light woven so fine they seemed like breath captured midair. Zero had not stir
I told everyone it didn’t matter, smiled through the loss, even clapped Aldric on the shoulders like a good sport.Said something light about “healthy competition.”I even laughed.But the moment the sun dipped and the campus lights flickered off, I couldn’t go home.I ended up at the indoor pool.







