Here's Chapter 11 — The Watcher's Silence (Lucien'
Lucien stood in the tower alcove above the courtyard, arms folded behind his back, watching her.
Seraphina moved like she didn't belong, which made her stand out even more. She didn't walk — she prowled. Not graceful, exactly, but like a creature used to scanning exits and keeping her fists ready.
He'd seen it before. Survival instincts. He admired that.
But admiration was dangerous.
He shouldn't be watching her. And yet… ever since that night — the flare of magic, the sharp spike of heat when she'd collided with him — something had tethered itself to her. A thread. Faint, but constant.
He hadn't meant to mark her.
That kind of magic wasn't taught. It was born — raw, instinctual. An ancient part of him had reached out without permission, branding her soul with his own.
He felt her now. Not her thoughts — not exactly. Just presence. Frustration. Anger. Exhaustion.
She hated being here. Vale didn't suit her. He didn't blame her.
"Sir?"
Lucien didn't turn. He already knew the voice. Riven. Loyal to a fault.
"What is it?"
"Headmaster requested your review of the Combat Pairing Trials. They've moved the schedule up."
Of course they had. Anything to keep the Houses in line — and keep him too busy to ask questions.
"I'll handle it," he said quietly.
Riven hesitated. "And… the new girl? Should I assign a guard?"
"No."
"She's—"
"I said no." His tone was quiet. Final.
Lucien finally turned away from the window, the image of Seraphina burned into his mind like a fresh scar. He didn't know what she was yet. But whatever it was…
It already interested him.