Chapter 1 – Rebirth in Shadows
Page 2 (Part 1/5)
The morning air of Arcadia Oaks was thick with routine. Students trudged toward the high school, yawning, trading half-asleep jokes, or complaining about homework. To most, it was just another day. To Seraphine Vale, it was opportunity laid bare.
She walked with a measured grace, her skirt swaying lightly with each step. Already, she could feel eyes drifting toward her, magnetized by her presence. Some of it was natural charm, but most was the delicate thread she tugged beneath the surface. A smile here, a softened glance there — little nudges that bent perception without anyone realizing it.
But today wasn't about Megan, Connor, or Derek. Their usefulness had already waned. Ordinary pawns were dull toys. Her eyes were on more dangerous prey.
As she stepped through the school doors, her gaze swept the halls, searching. Jim Lake Jr. stood at his locker, fumbling with books while Toby leaned beside him, animatedly describing something with wild hand gestures. Claire arrived seconds later, slipping into the conversation with a half-smile, half-sigh that spoke of both fondness and weariness.
Perfect.
The Trollhunter and his allies were together. Three threads already knotted — all she needed was to weave herself in.
The first step was never a direct strike. No, predators circled, studied, chose the right moment. Seraphine adjusted her expression, softening it into the face of a girl who only wanted to fit in. Her lips curved into a friendly smile, her posture open, harmless. She walked past other students as though she didn't notice their stares, as though she wasn't pulling them into her orbit with every step.
When she reached the lockers near Jim's, she let her books slip from her grasp. Papers scattered across the floor in a carefully rehearsed clatter.
"Oh no!" she gasped, her voice tinged with just the right mix of embarrassment and helplessness.
It worked instantly.
Jim bent down without hesitation. "Here, let me—"
Claire was already moving to help too, her brow furrowing in sympathy. Toby crouched clumsily, nearly bumping his head against Jim's as they scrambled for the papers.
Seraphine lowered herself gracefully, watching them from beneath her lashes. The three of them gathering her things looked almost laughable, a trio of heroes disarmed by something as mundane as spilled homework.
"Thank you," she said, her smile radiant when their eyes lifted to hers. "I'm Seraphine. I'm… still getting used to this place."
Jim's smile was warm, natural. "I'm Jim. This is Claire and Toby."
"Hi," Claire said, offering the papers with a polite smile.
"Heyo!" Toby grinned, his tone easy and friendly.
Seraphine tucked the papers against her chest. "It's really nice to meet you. You're… in my English class, right?" Her eyes flicked to Jim, her tone carefully curious.
"Yeah," Jim said with a nod.
"I thought so," she said softly, letting her lashes lower just a fraction. The faintest tug of her will brushed against him — not enough to alarm, but enough to spark a flicker of warmth, a subconscious nudge that whispered trust me.
Jim blinked once, then smiled again, distracted by Toby's comment. Subtle. Effective.
They parted ways soon after, but the first contact had been made. Seraphine walked to class with her heart steady, her thoughts sharp. The strings had been touched. Now she needed to pull them at just the right rhythm.
Throughout the morning, she orchestrated chance encounters. Passing Jim in the hall with a smile and wave. Sitting two rows behind Claire in class, leaning forward once to whisper a borrowed pencil request. Laughing just loud enough during Toby's lunchtime story that he grinned wider, encouraged by the reaction.
Each move was small. Insignificant on its own. But together, they built a pattern. A new presence sliding into their lives, not by force but by inevitability.
And the best part? None of them suspected.
By the time lunch arrived, Seraphine's web had stretched further than she expected. Megan and Connor tried to sit with her again, but she dismissed them gently, eyes already on her true quarry. She drifted toward the cafeteria line just as Jim, Toby, and Claire reached the end.
"Oh, hi again," she said with a bright smile, balancing her tray. "Mind if I walk with you?"
"Sure," Jim said instantly, his natural kindness spilling out before thought. Claire gave a small nod. Toby offered her a grin full of easy acceptance.
And just like that, Seraphine found herself slipping into their orbit.
She laughed at Toby's jokes, asked Claire thoughtful questions about classes, and listened to Jim with a focus that made his words seem more important than they were. Every smile, every tilt of her head was calculated. Every laugh was a lure.
And beneath it all, the god's gift pulsed, letting her tweak emotions just enough. A brush of trust. A hint of admiration. Nothing strong enough to be noticed, nothing that could be traced. Just enough to make her seem… perfect.
As she sat at their table, surrounded by laughter and conversation, Seraphine's smile never faltered. On the surface, she was the picture of charm and innocence, a transfer student grateful for kindness.
But inside, her thoughts coiled like a serpent.
Soon, she promised herself, watching Jim's easy grin. Soon, you'll all be mine.