Chapter 1 – Rebirth in Shadows
Page 1 (Part 2/4)
The school hallways bustled with the usual morning chaos: lockers slamming, sneakers squeaking against polished floors, the overlapping chatter of dozens of voices. Seraphine walked through it all with a grace that seemed almost unnatural, her eyes drinking in every detail.
She had always been an observer. In her first life, knowing people's weaknesses had been her greatest weapon. Now, armed with her new powers, those weaknesses were no longer shields against her—they were doors she could unlock at will.
Megan and Connor dutifully flanked her, pointing out classrooms, the library, the cafeteria. She let them chatter, only half-listening, her mind instead studying the tide of students. Groups clustered at lockers, couples whispered in corners, laughter rose from circles of friends. It was a perfect playground for her talents.
"Your first class is English, right?" Megan asked brightly. "We can walk you there—"
Seraphine touched her arm lightly, eyes glinting. "Thank you, Megan. But why don't you go ahead? I'd love to explore a bit on my own. I'll be fine."
The girl hesitated, lips parting to object. But Seraphine brushed her will again, a subtle tug, a whisper against the string of Megan's mind.
Megan's shoulders relaxed. "Well… if you're sure. We'll see you at lunch, then!"
Connor added, "Yeah. Don't get lost!"
They left reluctantly, both glancing back more than once, as if unwilling to abandon her. Seraphine's smile lingered long after they disappeared. Already, they were hers.
Now, it was time for a real test.
At the far end of the hall, three boys crowded around a locker, laughing too loudly at some joke. One of them—tall, broad-shouldered, clearly used to being in control—shoved another student aside without apology. The smaller boy ducked his head, clutching his books, and hurried away.
Ah. A classic schoolyard tyrant.
Seraphine glided closer, her expression polite, even friendly. The tall boy noticed her immediately. His gaze swept her from head to toe, and his smirk deepened.
"Well, hello," he drawled. "Haven't seen you around before."
"New transfer," Seraphine said smoothly, tilting her head just so, letting her hair fall over one eye. She exhaled a soft laugh, the kind meant to suggest amusement and mild interest. "Seraphine."
The boy puffed his chest. "I'm Derek. These are my guys, Kyle and Brent."
His friends nodded, eager shadows orbiting their leader.
Seraphine extended her senses, brushing Derek's will. He was stubborn, thick-headed, but not immune. A firmer touch would be needed here. She pressed harder, like a hand tightening on puppet strings.
Derek's cocky grin softened into something more pliant. "You should sit with us at lunch," he offered. "We've got the best table."
Behind him, Kyle frowned. "Hey, I thought—"
Seraphine's eyes flicked to him, and she tugged. The boy's words faltered, his irritation dissolving into a forced smile. "Uh… yeah. You should."
Brent simply stared, dazed.
Seraphine's lips curved. Three minds, bent in seconds. Too easy.
"I'll think about it," she said lightly, as if their eagerness meant nothing to her. That was the trick—never give too much, always keep them hungry.
She walked away, leaving them staring after her like hounds awaiting command.
In the bathroom, Seraphine paused before the mirror.
Her reflection gazed back, flawless. Dark hair gleamed under fluorescent lights, her eyes a vivid green that seemed almost too sharp, too calculating. She touched the glass lightly, tracing her features.
This body was young, yes, but beautiful. Innocent enough to inspire trust, striking enough to inspire desire. The god had chosen well.
And beneath that beauty lay the shadows he had woven into her soul. She could feel them whispering still, urging her to pluck, to pull, to bind. It was intoxicating.
She tested again. A girl entered, brushing her hair as she muttered about an upcoming test. Seraphine met her gaze in the mirror.
"You'll do well," Seraphine said softly, almost kindly.
The girl blinked, then smiled in sudden relief. "You think so?"
"Yes," Seraphine replied, reaching inward. A gentle tug. "In fact, you'll ace it. No doubt at all."
The girl's shoulders straightened. Determination sparked in her eyes. "You're right! I've got this." She beamed, almost glowing with confidence as she left the bathroom.
Seraphine chuckled low in her throat. The girl wouldn't even realize the source of her newfound certainty. Just a single pull, a single push, and her entire mood shifted.
Power. Pure, delicious power.
By the time lunch arrived, whispers of her presence had already spread. Students glanced her way, curious, intrigued. Seraphine carried her tray to a table in the middle of the cafeteria, where Megan and Connor had saved her a seat. Derek waved from across the room, gesturing eagerly for her to join him.
She ignored him. Better to let him stew.
Megan leaned in. "Everyone's already talking about you, you know. The new girl with the pretty eyes."
Seraphine gave a modest laugh, feigned embarrassment. "Oh, really? That's silly."
But inside, her satisfaction bloomed. Of course they were talking. She had made sure of it.
Across the cafeteria, Derek scowled at her choice of seat, his fists clenching. Then—another tug—he relaxed, smiling faintly instead, convincing himself it didn't matter.
Connor nudged Megan. "Told you she'd fit right in."
They both looked at her with the same eager admiration, their devotion growing stronger with each passing minute.
And Seraphine, smiling sweetly as she nibbled at her sandwich, thought only of how she would use them later.
Her gaze swept the cafeteria, cataloging faces, studying dynamics. Who held influence here? Who would be easiest to break?
And then—her eyes caught him.
Jim Lake Jr. sat at a table with his best friend Toby, the two of them laughing over something shared on a phone screen. Jim's dark hair fell across his forehead, his blue eyes bright with quiet warmth. He carried himself with the awkward confidence of someone trying to balance responsibility with normalcy.
The Trollhunter.
Seraphine recognized him instantly. She felt it, as surely as if the amulet itself had whispered his name to her.
Her pulse quickened.
This was the true prize. Not Derek, not Megan, not Connor. Jim. The chosen warrior of two worlds. If she could bend him… everything else would follow.
Her lips curved slowly, a predator's smile hidden beneath the mask of a friendly girl.
Yes. He would be hers.