The next day at Asterley feels heavier.
Haera walks into her History of Obscure Literature class, and for a second, she swears she sees someone sitting in her chair. A girl — almost translucent — with her exact face. But when she blinks, it's gone.
The lights flicker above.
Class begins, but Haera can't focus. Words on the board blur and rearrange themselves into things she's never learned but somehow knows. A list of names. A year — 1886. Her pen moves by itself. She writes the word: "again."
Cairos doesn't show up to class.
During break, a girl named Noelle approaches. Sharp voice, tight braid, eyes like she's already decided not to like Haera. She leans in and whispers, "You shouldn't talk to him."
Haera plays dumb. "Who?"
Noelle rolls her eyes. "Cairos Vale. He ruins every girl who tries."
Haera laughs it off, but something about Noelle's tone isn't jealousy. It's fear.
That night, her dream is clearer. She's in a candlelit room. She's wearing white lace. Cairos is there — but younger. And she's not Haera. Her name is Lilienne.
He kisses her forehead and says, "If we die again, promise you'll find me."
She wakes up gasping, the name Lilienne on her lips.
The next day, carved on her desk: "You remembered."
And the same silver-eyed stare waits for her by the window.