The gate of St.Vladimir rose like a cathedral out of a gothic dream-spiraling towels, black stone veined with silver and banners that fluttered despite the still air.
I stood mesmerized with my suitcase handle clenched in my fist.St. Vladimir wasn't just a school but a universe on it own.
Exploring for several minutes ,l found myself standing before the imposing structure of st.Vladimir.The buildings looms before me , its Gothic architecture a mix of grandeur and intimidation. Tall spires reach towards the sky, and the stone façade looks like it's been weathered by centuries of secrets. The grand entrance is imposing, with heavy wooden doors that seem to whisper stories of their own. Mist swirls around the campus, adding to the mysterious vibe.
Every window looks like it's watching me, and the shadows play tricks on my mind. I can't help but feel like l am being pulled into something bigger than myself just by standing there.
But the vast courtyard was eerily quiet ,with no students in sight, almost as if l arrived at the wrong timing..
If that was so,how exactly was l supposed to check in for my doom?
I was about to take my first step up the marble staircase when a noise stopped me cold.
"Moan"
What was that
Bang !
Then followed another,and again, convincing that someone was in some kind of trouble.My pulse quickened and my mind raced.
"I should go in there and find out what's really happening"
"I shouldn't interfere, it's not my business"
"Of course it is, forgotten who you are so soon ,Sworn to protect blah blah blah"
My body moved before my mind could keep up.
And what l saw behind that door, dropped a bombshell on me.My luggage fell without second thoughts ,l stamble into something bigger than l expected.
It was the guy from the plane, who had a girl pinned against the wall and the sight of their passionate embrace, could alone shake the foundations of the school.
I felt a sudden pang in my heart as l met those inscrutable dark eyes of his.His glare was chill as ice shard in the winter, without a trace of warmth.
I'm..l.. shouldn't.. sorry
Wait, don't..
She called but l was already gone through the doors.
This was a mistake ,but l'm just glad I didn't see anything intense than that because if I had , l'll probably have to gouge my eyes out
My mind kept replaying the look in his eyes,it made my stomach twisted and my breath caught in my throat.
I think I just gave him a reason to dislike me.
***†**†***
Sameen 's POV
The dimly lit corridor felt like a suffocating cage as I pressed my back against the cold stone wall, my heart racing like a wild animal trapped in a snare.
The girl's wide eyes, filled with shock , haunted me. I could still hear the echo of her footsteps as she fled, the sound of her panic mingling with my own.
"No, no, no, this is not happening," I muttered under my breath, my voice barely a whisper.
My body trembled, each breath coming in uneven gasps, as if the very air around me had turned to lead.
I could feel the walls closing in, the weight of my secret pressing down on me like a heavy shroud.
Just then, Xavier leaned closer ,his expression calm and collected, a stark contrast to the storm raging inside me.
"Calm down," he said, his voice steady. "Nothing will happen,look at me"
I shook my head violently, panic clawing at my throat.
"No, no! If the queen finds out, she's going to kill me!" The words tumbled out in a frantic rush, each syllable laced with dread. The thought of her wrath sent chills down my spine.
"Listen to me," Xavier said, cupping my face into his palm, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made me feel seen, even in my chaos.
"It's not your fault. The queen isn't finding out because I'm going to take care of it."
"l' m scared" My voice trembling as tears welled up in my eyes.
"Don't be"
"No,l'm scared for you"I took his hands into mine"there's not a single day I don't worry about you,you are my only family,and I don't want to put you at risk "
The fear that had gripped me began to loosen its hold, just a little, as I searched his face for reassurance. "You promise?"
"I promise," he said, his tone unwavering. "But you need to trust me. We can fix this, but you have to stay calm. Panicking won't help anyone "
I took a shaky breath, trying to steady myself. The tears spilled over, and I wiped them away .
"l'll deal with it," his voice firm. "But first, l need to get you out of here. You can't be seen like this"
I nodded slowly, the weight of his words sinking in. .
With a deep breath, I took a step back from the wall, my heart still racing but a flicker of hope igniting within me.
"Okay," I whispered, my voice steadier now. "Let's go."