The corridors of Ravenwood Academy were eerily silent as Raven and Elias retraced their steps back to the main hall. The shattered orb's power still hummed faintly within her, the mark on her arm glowing faintly in the dim light. Corvus perched on her shoulder, occasionally ruffling his feathers in agitation.
Elias walked slightly ahead, his movements tense and deliberate. Raven noticed his occasional glances over his shoulder, as though expecting someone—or something—to appear.
"Alright, Elias," Raven said, breaking the silence. "What aren't you telling me?"
Elias stopped abruptly, his back to her. "What do you mean?"
"You've been twitchier than Corvus during a thunderstorm," Raven said, crossing her arms. "What's going on?"
"I resent that," Corvus muttered under his breath.
Elias turned to face her, his jaw tight. "It's nothing. Just…paranoia."
Raven raised an eyebrow. "Paranoia doesn't make you check the same shadow five times. Spill it, or I walk."
Elias hesitated, his gaze flicking to Corvus as though seeking permission. The bird merely tilted his head, his beady eyes unreadable.
"Fine," Elias said at last. "There's someone here. Someone from the Covenant."
Raven's stomach dropped. "What? You didn't think that was worth mentioning?"
"I wasn't sure until now," Elias said quickly. "But the signs are there. They're watching us."
"Fantastic," Raven muttered. "Just what I needed—spies and shadow monsters."
Corvus let out a low caw. "If the Covenant has infiltrated the academy, you're in greater danger than you realize."
"No kidding," Raven said, glaring at Elias. "Anything else you've conveniently forgotten to tell me?"
Elias sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "The Covenant doesn't just want the mark. They want you. Alive, if possible. But they won't hesitate to kill you if you resist."
"Well, that's comforting," Raven said sarcastically.
Corvus shifted on her shoulder. "We need to move. If they know about the mark, they'll stop at nothing to claim it."
Raven started walking, her mind racing. The corridors seemed darker than before, the shadows stretching unnaturally along the walls. "Where do we go? We can't just wander around waiting for them to jump us."
"There's a safe room," Elias said, hurrying to keep up. "Hidden beneath the east wing. It's warded against intrusions."
Raven glanced at him skeptically. "And you're sure it's safe?"
"As safe as anywhere can be in this place," Elias replied.
Raven sighed, her grip tightening on the dagger she had taken from the library. "Lead the way."
The east wing was even more decrepit than the rest of the academy, its walls lined with crumbling stone and faded tapestries. The air was damp and heavy, carrying the faint scent of mildew.
"This place screams 'trap,'" Raven muttered.
Elias stopped in front of a wooden panel on the wall, running his fingers along its edges. "It's here. Help me move it."
Raven hesitated, then stepped forward. Together, they pried the panel loose, revealing a narrow staircase spiraling downward. A faint blue glow emanated from below, casting eerie shadows on the walls.
"This better not be a trick," Raven warned, her dagger gleaming in the dim light.
"It's not," Elias said, already descending the steps.
Raven followed cautiously, Corvus fluttering ahead to scout. As they reached the bottom, the room opened into a circular chamber lined with glowing runes similar to those in the ward's chamber.
"It's warded," Elias said, gesturing to the symbols. "No one can enter without the mark's bearer."
"Well, that's convenient," Raven said, stepping inside.
Corvus landed on a pedestal in the center of the room. "It'll hold for now. But don't get too comfortable. Wards can be broken."
Raven leaned against the wall, trying to catch her breath. "So, what now? Just sit here and wait for them to find us?"
"No," Elias said, his tone firm. "We need to figure out their next move. The Covenant doesn't operate randomly. If they're here, it's because they've found something—or someone—they need."
"And you think it's me," Raven said, her voice flat.
Elias nodded. "The mark is ancient. Rare. They'll stop at nothing to control it."
"Great," Raven muttered. "Just once, I'd like to be pursued by something other than death cults and shadow creatures."
Corvus hopped closer, his beady eyes glinting. "You may not have a choice. If the Covenant knows you're here, they won't wait long to make their move."
Elias crossed his arms, his expression grim. "We need to strike first. Find out who's working with them inside the academy."
Raven frowned. "And how do you suggest we do that? It's not like they're wearing 'Covenant Member' badges."
"They're using the shadow network," Elias said. "It's how they communicate. If we can disrupt it, we can force them to reveal themselves."
Corvus cawed sharply. "That's a dangerous plan. The shadows are unpredictable—and deadly."
"I'm aware," Elias said. "But it's our best shot."
Raven pushed off the wall, her mark throbbing faintly. "Alright. Let's say we do this. How do we find the shadow network?"
"There's a nexus point in the west tower," Elias said. "It's where the shadows converge. If we can disrupt it, the Covenant will lose their advantage."
Raven nodded slowly. "Then we go to the west tower. But if this goes sideways, I'm blaming you."
Elias smirked faintly. "Fair enough."
The journey to the west tower was tense, every creak of the floorboards and flicker of shadows setting Raven's nerves on edge. The tower itself was a jagged structure, its spire barely visible against the stormy sky.
"This place just gets creepier," Raven muttered as they stepped inside.
The air was thick with the same oppressive energy she had felt in the ward's chamber. The shadows on the walls seemed alive, twisting and writhing as though aware of their presence.
"There," Elias said, pointing to a swirling vortex of darkness at the center of the room. "That's the nexus."
Raven's stomach churned. "What exactly do we do with it?"
"You have to use the mark," Elias said. "Channel its power to disrupt the connection."
"Of course," Raven said dryly. "Because that worked so well last time."
Corvus fluttered to her shoulder. "Be careful. The nexus will fight back."
"Noted," Raven said, stepping closer to the vortex.
As she raised her arm, the mark flared to life, its glow piercing the darkness. The vortex roared in response, and tendrils of shadow lashed out, wrapping around her wrist.
"Raven!" Elias shouted.
"I'm fine," Raven gritted out, her voice strained. "Just…a little busy."
The mark burned hotter, its light intensifying as she focused her energy. The shadows recoiled, hissing in pain, but they didn't retreat.
"Hold on!" Elias yelled, drawing a small blade from his belt and slashing at the tendrils.
The vortex pulsed violently, the room shaking with its fury. Raven clenched her teeth, pouring every ounce of her will into the mark.
With a final, deafening roar, the vortex exploded, sending a shockwave through the tower. The shadows dissolved into nothing, leaving the room eerily silent.
Raven stumbled back, catching herself on the wall. Her breathing was ragged, and her mark was dim, but the oppressive energy was gone.
"We did it," Elias said, his voice laced with relief.
"For now," Corvus said darkly. "But this is only the beginning. The Covenant will retaliate."
Raven straightened, her eyes hard. "Let them try. I'm done running."