Chapter Two – East Tower
I woke up with the taste of metal on my tongue and the dream still clinging to me like smoke.
The queen has returned.
I blinked at the ceiling, trying to breathe. It took a second to realize where I was. Not the orphanage. Not the grey bunk beds or the cracked fan spinning above my head. This was Crescent Hollow Academy. And I was no longer just some girl with weird hair and no last name.
Now I had a full name. Scarlet Stormborne.
And apparently, I had a bed fit for a queen.
The East Tower dorms were made for transfers—students with no rank or bond. But my room didn't feel basic at all.
The floor was white marble, cool and smooth. The walls were smoky gray and shimmered a little in the soft light. The ceiling had small lights shaped like stars. They changed brightness when I waved my hand.
My bed was huge. The sheets were silver and felt like warm silk. The pillow shifted softly under my head, adjusting when I moved.
Above the bed, a glowing symbol pulsed on the wall. I had asked a staff member about it. They only said, "It's linked to you." I didn't know what that meant.
One wall didn't have windows, but it showed the forest outside in real-time. I could change the view by swiping my fingers. Ocean, mountain, city, stars. I left it on forest.
In the corner was a desk. It was made of dark wood and looked shiny, like it had just been polished. On top sat a folded paper and a small black cube.
When I touched the cube, it lit up.
"Welcome, Scarlet Stormborne," a soft voice said. "Today is Day Two. Breakfast is now available. Morning class starts in forty minutes."
I sat up and pushed the sheets off. My feet touched the floor. It warmed under me.
Even the floor listened.
The closet doors opened on their own. Inside were neat rows of uniforms. Navy jackets, black pants, silver trim. My family crest glowed on the chest of each one.
I had never owned anything with my name before. Now I had five uniforms, three cloaks, and a black box labeled "Formal Use Only."
I got dressed slowly. The blazer hugged my arms. The shirt was soft and clean. As I pulled my boots on, the room lights shifted again—brighter and cooler.
Like the room was watching.
---
The hallway outside was quiet. Too quiet. Other doors lined the walls, but no one else was there. Maybe they were already gone. Maybe I was late.
I followed glowing signs toward the elevator. At the end of the hall, a tall girl with long golden braids stood waiting. Her eyes were a cold blue.
She looked at me. "Stormborne."
She didn't sound curious. She sounded annoyed.
"Hi," I said.
She didn't answer. The elevator doors opened. She stepped in. I followed.
We rode in silence.
The dining floor was bright and silver. Floating trays moved between tables. Students sat in perfect rows. My seat was glowing.
The High Table.
Again.
The four Alphas were already there. Draven sat straight, hands on the table. Devon had his arms crossed. Dexter tapped his fingers. Damian smirked.
I sat without asking.
No one spoke. But they didn't stop me either.
A tray floated down in front of me. Toast, eggs, glowing blue fruit.
I picked at it. When I glanced up, Draven was watching.
He didn't look away.
The same blue fruit sat on his tray.
My fingers sparked again. A tiny flash. I jerked them into my lap.
Draven's eyes narrowed slightly. Devon tilted his head. Damia
n chuckled.
I looked down at my plate.
And stayed quiet.
First class was Rune Mapping. I had no idea what that meant, but I followed the rest of the students up a wide staircase that glittered like it was made of stardust. Screens on the wall showed glowing maps, enchanted creatures, and battle strategies in slow motion.
The Rune Mapping classroom had floating rows of glass desks, with light trails that followed every movement. At the front stood a tall woman with bright copper hair and deep red robes. Her voice was clear and strict.
"Seats are assigned. If you sit in the wrong place, the desk will reject you."
I found my name glowing near the back. As I sat, the desk lit up. A small orb floated in the corner, scanning my face and fingerprint.
"Scarlet Stormborne. Unbonded. Level: Unranked."
The girl in front of me turned slightly. It was the same one from the elevator.
She gave me a long, mocking smile. "You don't belong here."
I raised an eyebrow. "I didn't choose this seat."
She turned back around without replying.
The lesson began.
We were given rune tablets—glass panels filled with ancient marks. We had to trace the runes in the correct order. When I touched the first one, a soft glow appeared.
I traced another. Then another.
The marks glowed brighter. The desk buzzed.
The girl in front turned again. She looked annoyed now.
"Stop doing that."
"Doing what?"
She didn't answer.
Then my tablet flared. The runes lit up fast, out of order. A crack appeared in the glass. My hand tingled.
The teacher walked over fast. "Stop. Step away."
I raised my hand. "I didn't do anything. It just—
The desk went dark. The orb blinked red.
"Scarlet Stormborne," the teacher said slowly. "That rune series is locked for advanced ranked users only. How did you access it?"
I swallowed. "I don't know."
"Take your things. I'll speak to the Headmaster."
The class was quiet as I left.
Eyes followed me the whole way out.