The nights were growing colder, and the darkness within the walls of Nocturne Academy seemed to expand with every passing day. I could feel it—an oppressive weight that wrapped itself around me, pressing down on my chest with every breath. House Umbra was a labyrinth, and I was still lost in it.
But I wasn't alone in my confusion.
The whispers had already begun—quiet, hushed rumors that spread through the Academy's hallways like a disease. People were talking about me, about my father's past, about the bloodlines that tied me to this place. But none of it was in my control. I could feel eyes on me everywhere I went, studying, judging, waiting for me to make a mistake.
I couldn't afford to let that happen. Not now.
It was early morning when I received a visitor.
I was seated in the House Umbra library, my fingers tracing over old tomes in an attempt to distract myself from the storm of thoughts swirling in my mind. The book in front of me was about blood magic—something I was starting to think was much more than just a myth. But before I could delve any deeper, I felt a shadow loom over me.
I didn't need to look up to know who it was.
Lucien.
"Interesting reading material," he said, his voice a smooth, mocking drawl. He leaned against the table, his dark eyes scanning me as though he could read my every thought.
I didn't respond immediately. Instead, I turned the page slowly, pretending to read.
Lucien's smile didn't waver. "You're quite the enigma, Eira Valen. You come into this House, barely a whisper in the wind, and now you're the center of everything. It's fascinating, really."
I looked up at him then, my gaze meeting his without flinching. "What do you want, Lucien?"
He chuckled softly, clearly amused by my directness. "What makes you think I want anything?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Because you're standing here, talking to me."
"Fair point," he said, his smile widening. "You're more perceptive than I thought. But I'm not here for small talk. I have a proposition for you."
I set the book aside, my curiosity piqued. "A proposition? I'm listening."
Lucien slid into the chair across from me, his posture casual, but his eyes sharp as ever. "You're in a precarious position, Eira. You know this. The House is watching you, waiting for you to stumble. Kael's already made it clear that your father's debts are now yours to bear."
I gritted my teeth, but I didn't interrupt him. I knew this was just the beginning of his game.
He continued, his tone softer now, as if he were letting me in on a secret. "But that's not the worst of it. The real danger, the one you don't see, is that you're caught between two forces. Kael wants you for your power—your bloodline, your potential. And Sophia? Well, let's just say she's looking to make her own play. She's not a friend to you, no matter how much she pretends to be."
I frowned. "What do you want from me, Lucien?"
He leaned in, his smile no longer playful. "I want to offer you a choice. You can continue playing Kael's game, letting him use you for his own gain. Or… you can come with me. We can break free from all of this, Eira. We can carve out our own path."
His words hung in the air like a promise—or a threat.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. "And why would I trust you?"
Lucien chuckled darkly, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Because I'm the only one who truly understands what you're capable of. I know what your father left behind, and I know what's in your blood. I've seen what you can do."
I clenched my fists under the table, my heart racing. "You don't know anything about me."
"Oh, I know more than you think." Lucien stood, moving around the table toward the door. "Think about it, Eira. The offer stands."
And with that, he was gone.
I didn't know what to make of his words. Lucien was dangerous, manipulative—but he was also right about one thing. I was caught in the middle of something I couldn't escape. House Umbra, with all its power and secrets, was more than just a school—it was a war waiting to erupt.
And I was stuck right in the middle of it.
The following days passed in a blur. I couldn't stop thinking about Lucien's offer, the way he had made it sound so simple. But I knew better than to take anything at face value. His game wasn't about alliances or friendships—it was about power, manipulation, and control.
Still, his words kept gnawing at me. The idea of breaking free from House Umbra, of carving my own path, was tempting. But I wasn't sure I could trust anyone here—not even Lucien.
It wasn't long before I encountered someone else—someone whose presence in my life I hadn't expected, but who I couldn't ignore.
Sophia.
She was waiting for me in the courtyard, standing against one of the stone pillars, her arms crossed. Her expression was as unreadable as ever, but there was something different in her eyes—a new sense of urgency.
"I'm starting to think you have a thing for dramatic entrances," I said dryly as I approached her.
Sophia didn't smile. "You're smarter than you look, Eira. But I can't help but wonder if you've thought this through."
"Thought what through?" I asked, my patience thinning.
She uncrossed her arms, stepping closer. "Lucien's offer. You're not the only one he's trying to manipulate. He's already made his move—he's trying to control you. And Kael? Kael wants you because of your father's legacy. He'll use you as a pawn in whatever game he's playing. Neither of them is your ally."
I met her gaze, studying her closely. "Then what do you suggest?"
Sophia hesitated, then spoke with a quiet intensity. "You need to make your own choice, Eira. You can't let them pull your strings. You need to figure out who you really are—and what you want. Because if you don't, they'll decide for you."
I swallowed, feeling the weight of her words settle heavily in my chest. Sophia had always been cryptic, but now I saw something else in her—an unspoken understanding of the dangerous path I was walking.
"I'm not interested in being anyone's pawn," I said, my voice steady. "But that doesn't mean I'm trusting anyone either."
Sophia nodded slowly. "Good. You're smarter than I thought."
Before I could respond, she turned and walked away, leaving me standing in the cold twilight, more unsure than ever.
As the days passed, the tension in the Academy only grew. Lucien's eyes followed me wherever I went, and Kael's presence loomed over everything like a storm cloud. The House was watching me, waiting for me to make my move.
But I wasn't ready yet. Not for their games. Not for their alliances.
I had to make my own path.
And if that meant playing their game, then so be it. But I would play by my own rules.
I would be the one in control.