I should have known that nothing in Nocturne Academy was ever as simple as it seemed.
The letter arrived late—after dinner, when the halls were quieter, the students scattered in their respective Houses. I found it in my room, left on my bed like a challenge, the seal of House Umbra pressed into the thick parchment.
The words inside were short. Direct.
"You are summoned to the Umbra House Hall at midnight. Come alone. Come ready."
I didn't need to be told twice.
Midnight arrived like a breath held too long. The Academy felt colder at night. The walls seemed to close in. The echoes in the corridors grew longer, more oppressive.
House Umbra wasn't easy to find. Its location was a secret, even to most students. I had no map to guide me—only the vague directions Kael had given me: down, through the library, past the stone door, and then follow the shadows.
It sounded poetic. But what I didn't expect was that the stone door would be hidden behind a bookshelf full of ancient tomes, its hinges caked in dust, its lock thick with centuries of disuse.
When I stepped inside, it felt like I crossed a threshold into another world.
A long, vaulted hall stretched before me, lined with dark wood paneling. Velvet curtains. Silver candles. The faint scent of blood and perfume. The air was thick with magic, heavy with the weight of centuries.
At the far end, a long table sat surrounded by high-backed chairs. They were empty—at least, they appeared to be.
"You made it," a voice drawled from the shadows.
Kael stepped from the dark corner, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Not everyone survives the first test."
"I wasn't aware there was a test," I said flatly. "And I didn't come here to play games."
"Too bad." His lips curled into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Because that's exactly what you're about to do."
At that moment, the other members of House Umbra emerged from the darkness. There were five of them: tall, pale, beautiful, and sharp—vampires, all of them. Their eyes glowed faintly in the dark. Their movements were unnervingly smooth, as though they were predators accustomed to lurking in the shadows.
I knew this game. I had played it before. But I had never played it with vampires.
The one who spoke first had platinum blonde hair, skin that looked as if it had been carved from marble, and a smile that could kill. "So, the new blood has arrived," he said, voice dripping with malice. "How sweet. Let's see how long you last."
The girl next to him—dark-haired, almost too still—narrowed her eyes. "I can smell the lies on you, Black," she said softly. "You're not one of us."
I didn't respond. I didn't have to.
Kael, who was standing near the head of the table, nodded to the others. "Enough, all of you. She's here for the initiation. We'll find out exactly what she's made of, and if she can withstand the challenge."
"What challenge?" I asked, eyeing them all warily.
The platinum-haired vampire, whose name I now knew to be Lucien, laughed softly. "The first task is simple. Prove you can survive the arena."
"The arena?" I echoed, suddenly realizing this was more than just a formal introduction. "What kind of arena?"
Kael looked at me with an unreadable expression. "You'll see. Trust me, it's exactly what you need to become a part of this House."
Before I could respond, Lucien snapped his fingers. The ground trembled, the shadows seemed to ripple like water, and a new door appeared in the far wall of the hall.
It was a portal—black, swirling, endless.
"Go," Kael said, voice low. "It's your turn to prove yourself."
I stood there for a long moment, feeling the weight of their eyes on me. Every movement, every second, was calculated. I could feel the dangerous tension building, and the shadows themselves seemed to whisper.
With a steady breath, I stepped forward.
The portal pulled me into darkness.
For a moment, I was weightless—floating. Then the ground solidified beneath me. I landed hard, rolling onto my knees as I took in the new surroundings.
I was in an arena. A massive, circular pit surrounded by high stone walls. The floor was uneven, cracked, stained with dark marks. Some blood. Some not.
It was empty. Silent. Too quiet.
And then I heard it.
A low growl.
A familiar growl.
From the shadows at the edge of the arena, a figure emerged—half-man, half-beast. A werewolf.
I narrowed my eyes. So this was the test. A beast against me.
I stood up, adjusting my posture. Ready.
The werewolf charged.
I didn't move. I didn't need to.
It leapt for my throat, and I sidestepped—grabbing a jagged rock from the ground and driving it into the creature's side. The beast howled in pain, but it wasn't finished. It twisted, trying to claw at me with taloned hands.
I jumped back, keeping my distance, waiting for the moment it would show weakness.
It lunged again, and this time, I was ready.
I grabbed its arm and twisted, pulling it to the ground. The wolf struggled beneath me, but I was faster. Stronger.
With a final, brutal twist, I snapped its neck.
The arena fell silent.
Then, the voice of Lucien echoed through the shadows.
"Well. Well. I didn't think you had it in you."
I stood over the body of the werewolf, panting, feeling the burn of adrenaline, but I didn't show it. I couldn't afford to.
I walked toward the portal.
"I'll take my reward now," I said flatly.
There was no applause. No cheers.
But I knew one thing.
The game had just begun.