Jane's POV
"Grandpa, you know I'm only doing this for you."
The words came out sharper than I intended, but I didn't take them back. I tightened my grip on the handle of my suitcase as the massive iron gates of Lightview Academy loomed ahead of me.
"I hope when I come back from this hell of a place," I continued, "no one is going to pressure me to get involved in any kind of commitment."
Grandpa only smiled, the kind of calm smile that always meant he had already made up his mind about something.
"You say that now," he replied gently. "But love has a strange way of surprising people."
I rolled my eyes.
"That's exactly the kind of thing people say before ruining someone's life."
He chuckled softly, completely unbothered.
Behind him, the academy stretched like something out of a dream—tall stone towers, ivy creeping up the walls, long glass windows that reflected the afternoon sun. The place looked less like a school and more like a castle.
Which made it even more ridiculous that it was famous for matchmaking.
"Well," I said, turning toward the entrance, "let's just hope the next few months go by quickly."
I pulled my suitcase along the paved path and stepped through the gates.
If I could survive this place and leave without being forced into some stupid romance experiment, I would consider it a victory.
Students filled the courtyard.
Some were chatting excitedly. Others dragged suitcases like I was. A few stood in small nervous groups whispering to each other.
Apparently, I wasn't the only one who didn't entirely trust the reputation.
Lightview Academy.
The place where people supposedly discovered their "true identity" and their perfect partner.0♧
awá1qÀÁź," I said to a girl standing near a stone fountain. "Could you direct me to Hearthorn Hall?"
` looked me up and down briefly before pointing ahead.
"You're on the right path. Just walk about ten feet ahead and turn left."
"Thanks," I muttered.
The hallway leading to Hearthorn Hall was already crowded. Students moved in and out, dragging luggage and murmuring nervously.
I left my suitcases against the wall outside the entrance and stepped into the hall.
Inside, rows of chairs faced a large stage at the front.
Not wanting attention, I slipped toward the furthest seat in the back corner and sat down.
For a few minutes, nothing happened.
Then slowly, the hall began to fill.
More students poured in, filling the empty chairs. Conversations echoed across the room.
Within ten minutes the entire hall was packed.
Great.
Just what I needed.
A crowd.
Suddenly, the microphone on the stage screeched slightly before a tall man stepped forward.
He looked to be in his late fifties, with sharp gray hair and a perfectly pressed black suit.
"Hello, dear students."
His voice was smooth but commanding.
"Welcome to Lightview Academy."
The chatter in the room slowly faded.
"I am Dr. Vale, the director of this institution."
He clasped his hands behind his back and paced slowly across the stage.
"I call the shots here."
A few students laughed nervously.
Dr. Vale smiled faintly.
"As many of you know, this academy is known for matchmaking. However, that is only a part of what we do here."
He paused.
"This institution exists to help students uncover their true identities."
Interesting choice of words.
"Here," he continued, "students are free to explore whatever path they wish."
Another pause.
"But there is one compulsory subject."
He turned toward the crowd.
"The subject that defines this academy."
His voice echoed slightly through the hall.
"The Subject of Love."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the students.
I crossed my arms.
Here we go.
"And that," Dr. Vale said, gesturing toward the side of the stage, "is why we are gathered here today."
A man stepped forward from the shadows.
Tall. Blonde. Elegant posture.
"Please welcome Mr. Lysander, who will guide you through today's exercise."
The room erupted into applause.
Mr. Lysander gave a polite nod before stepping to the microphone.
"Thank you, Dr. Vale."
His voice carried easily across the room.
"In front of me," he said, gesturing beside him, "is a bowl."
A large glass bowl sat on a small table.
Inside it were dozens of folded name tags.
Every muscle in my body tensed.
Oh no.
"Each female student will come forward when her name is called and pick one tag from the bowl."
Silence settled across the room.
"The name inside that tag will belong to your assigned partner."
Whispers began spreading everywhere.
"You will stay with that partner for the next one month."
More whispers.
"Your partner cannot be changed."
I let out a quiet breath.
Fantastic.
"You will share the same room during that time."
The whispers got louder.
"Certain levels of intimacy are allowed," he continued calmly. "However, sexual activity is strictly prohibited."
Some students snorted. Others looked embarrassed.
"You will also be given monitoring watches that track emotional compatibility."
That caught my attention.
"You must wear these watches at all times except during showers."
He lifted one of the silver watches.
The metal gleamed under the stage lights.
"They will record your emotional responses and interactions."
This place was insane.
"Let us begin."
Mr. Lysander looked down at a clipboard.
"Miss Mira Linn."
A petite girl walked nervously up to the stage.
She dipped her hand into the bowl, pulled out a tag, and handed it over.
Mr. Lysander read it aloud.
The boy's name was called.
The two of them received a handbook before stepping off the stage together.
And then the process repeated.
Over.
And over.
And over again.
Minutes passed.
Then more minutes.
Soon it felt like hours.
Every time a name was called, another pair was formed.
Finally—
"Jane Hale."
My stomach tightened.
The room fell unusually quiet as I stood up.
That was strange.
As I walked toward the stage, I noticed the looks.
Some students stared with admiration.
Others… with something closer to resentment.
Why?
I stepped onto the stage.
"Please go ahead and choose your partner," Mr. Lysander said.
I reached into the bowl.
The folded tags brushed against my fingers as I rummaged through them.
Finally, I grabbed one.
I pulled it out and handed it over.
Mr. Lysander opened it.
"Mr. Zach Calder."
He spoke into the microphone.
"Please come forward to meet your partner."
For a moment nothing happened.
Then the crowd parted.
A figure moved through the students.
He was enormous.
At least seven feet tall, maybe more.
The air around him seemed to shift as he walked.
His features were sharp, almost unreal—high cheekbones, dark hair, and intense eyes.
But the most noticeable thing about him was the black nose mask covering part of his face.
He stepped onto the stage beside me.
Up close, he felt even more intimidating.
He took the handbook from Mr. Lysander.
"Hi," he said quietly.
Then he immediately started walking away.
I blinked.
Excuse me?
Who does he think he is?
When we returned to my seat, he pulled out the chair for me.
I hesitated before sitting down.
He remained standing behind me.
"We're assigned to Ember Hall, Room 502," he said calmly.
He held out a silver watch.
"Here."
I took it slowly.
The watch looked identical to the one already on his wrist.
"Let's get going," he added. "The program will end soon. We should unpack."
Something about his tone irritated me.
Like he was used to being obeyed.
I turned toward him sharply.
"Who the hell do you think you are?"
The words came out louder than I intended.
Several students turned toward us.
"Trying to control me like that?" I snapped.
More people stared.
"What are you all looking at?" I yelled.
The hall went silent.
I grabbed my suitcase from outside the hall and stormed off.
I didn't care where I was going.
I just needed to get away from that irritating giant.
I walked down a long stone corridor.
Then another.
And another.
After several minutes, I stopped.
Wait.
I looked around.
All the buildings looked the same.
Stone walls.
Archways.
Identical hallways.
I had absolutely no idea where Ember Hall was.
Fantastic.
"Are you lost?"
The voice came from behind me.
I froze.
Slowly, I turned.
Zach Calder stood a few feet away.
At that exact moment—
BEEP.
Both of our watches lit up.
A glowing heart icon appeared on the screen.
Two numbers blinked beside it.
💓 63%
💓 70%
A soft heartbeat pulsed from the device.
I stared at it blankly.
Zach glanced at the screen briefly.
Then, without another word, he picked up both of my suitcases.
And started walking.
"You can come," he said coldly.
"Or stay rooted where you are."
I glared at his back for two seconds.
Then I followed him.
After a few minutes of walking, we turned a corner.
A tall stone building stood ahead.
A bronze sign hung beside the entrance.
EMBER HALL