LOGINCHAPTER 23: DIRTY LITTLE SECRET
Arianna took her time as she stepped outside, where she spotted Veronica approaching from a distance."Anna, where have you been?" Veronica hurried over, her concern evident."We were worried sick about you, thinking something terrible might have happened again," she added."I'm sorry. I just... got a bit lost," Arianna replied, not wanting to reveal the truth."Just stick with me," Veronica said, taking her hand and guiding her away from tCHAPTER 25: THE MYSTERYA cold breeze hit Arianna's skin as soon as she stepped out of the taxi. She glanced at her phone and then at the large café in front of her, confirming it was the same address Alberto had given her.As she entered, everything felt different. She wasn't sure if coming here was a bad idea or if she should just listen to Jace and stay away from Alberto, he might have his reasons for that.But the curious cat in her wouldn't let her be. Her eyes scanned the room until they landed on Alberto, who was sitting by the window. He waved, and she walked over to him."Thanks for coming!" he said calmly as she settled into her seat."No problem, but I don't have much time. I still have somewhere else to go," she replied."Sure!" he nodded, and a waitress approached their table with a menu."Good day! I will take your orders!" the waitress said with a smile, handing menus to both of them."Espresso kiss," Arianna said without looking at the
CHAPTER 23: DIRTY LITTLE SECRET Arianna took her time as she stepped outside, where she spotted Veronica approaching from a distance."Anna, where have you been?" Veronica hurried over, her concern evident."We were worried sick about you, thinking something terrible might have happened again," she added."I'm sorry. I just... got a bit lost," Arianna replied, not wanting to reveal the truth."Just stick with me," Veronica said, taking her hand and guiding her away from the chaos.As they returned to the hall, it was even more packed than before, the music blaring from the crowded dance floor.The girls surrounding Hardin had multiplied, and the air was thick with the smell of cigar smoke.Through the glass wall, Arianna caught sight of dazzling fireworks lighting up the night sky, a surreal sight."Where have you been?" Nessa appeared, accompanied by Dorothy."I found her wandering around. She got lost," Veronica explained."Oops! So gla
CHAPTER 21: ESCAPING REALITY NEXT MORNING. Naomi is still curled up in her bed, having literally cried herself to sleep, with her mascara smeared all over her face.The sound of her alarm jolted her awake, and she quickly jumped out of bed.As she lowered her pants, her eyes widened in shock when she realized they were wet with urine again.She lifted her duvet and groaned at the sight of the wet bedspread.This has been her life since she was young. She's a bedwetter who can't seem to get through the night without wetting herself. Only her sister Ludo and their parents know about it.After changing her bedspread, Ludo burst in."Naomi, you won't believe this!" she exclaimed, rushing over to show her what was happening on the blog, and Naomi gasped.The bloody dance challenge is trending, and students are recreating the dance while pouring animal blood on themselves.There are already over 100 videos on the blog, and more are still being upl
The academy was filled with noise and fear again that morning because another horrible discovery had been made not far from the training grounds, and hundreds of students had already gathered around the scene while whispering among themselves with pale faces and trembling voices.Bodies were scattered across the grass just like the last time, and every single one of them looked exactly the same with pale skin and empty lifeless eyes as if something had completely drained the life out of them.Some students were covering their mouths while others looked away because the sight was too disturbing for them to keep staring at.The air around the academy felt heavy and tense.Everyone knew what this meant.The evil spirit had killed again.Master Damon stood near the bodies while looking very serious, and Kael was standing beside him with his arms crossed while carefully studying every detail around them.Neither of them spoke
The academy was filled with noise and fear again that morning because another horrible discovery had been made not far from the training grounds, and hundreds of students had already gathered around the scene while whispering among themselves with pale faces and trembling voices.Bodies were scattered across the grass just like the last time, and every single one of them looked exactly the same with pale skin and empty lifeless eyes as if something had completely drained the life out of them.Some students were covering their mouths while others looked away because the sight was too disturbing for them to keep staring at.The air around the academy felt heavy and tense.Everyone knew what this meant.The evil spirit had killed again.Master Damon stood near the bodies while looking very serious, and Kael was standing beside him with his arms crossed while carefully studying every detail around them.Neither of them spoke
Elara’s lips parted under the force of his kiss, a soft, shaky sound escaping as his tongue brushed hers. She arched toward him instinctively, pressing closer, but there was a new tremor in her body now excitement laced with something more fragile.Varian pulled back just enough to look at her. His thumb traced the flushed curve of her cheek.“You’re shaking,” he murmured, voice low and rough but suddenly gentler.She swallowed, eyes flicking away for a second before meeting his again.“I’ve… never done this before,” she admitted quietly. The words hung between them, vulnerable and bare. “Not with anyone.”His expression shifted, then something deeper, almost reverent. He didn’t pull away. Instead his hand slid to the nape of her neck, fingers threading into her hair as he held her gaze.“I know, so we go slow,” he said simply. “As slow as you need. You tell me to stop, we stop. No questions.”Elara nodded, breath catch
{LAURETTA POV}My alarm went off at six o’clock in the morning, but I had already been staring at the ceiling for an hour.I wasn't anxious about the interview questions.I had spent years managing high-stakes corporate messaging, writing press releases under tight deadlines, and turning potential p
My chest felt tight, my breath hitching every time my eyes drifted back to the bolded name at the top of the roster.Aaron Carter.My hands were clammy as I gripped the edge of the kitchen table. Panic clawed its way up my throat."Auntie Estie!" Ryan’s ecstatic shriek shattered the heavy silence o
[LAURETTA POV]My son worshipped the man I hated.Every morning, five-year-old Ryan woke up talking about Aaron Carter as if he hung the moon and personally painted the stars. Unfortunately for me, today was no different except that instead of just talking about his idol, Ryan had apparently dec
{AARON POV}The door to my private office hadn’t been closed for more than ten minutes before Mason let himself in. He didn't knock. He just tossed a thick,folder onto my desk and dropped into one of the leather armchairs, crossing his legs comfortably."You're making a mistake, Aaron," Mason said







