The wind howled through the skeletal trees, their branches clawing at the bruised sky like desperate fingers. Rain lashed against the cobblestone paths of Blackthorn College, turning them into slick, treacherous rivers. Elara clutched her coat tighter around her, her breath fogging in the frigid air as she hurried toward the library. The whispers had started again—soft, insistent murmurs that slithered into her ears when she least expected them.
*"You cannot run from us, little moon."*
She gritted her teeth, forcing her legs to move faster. The voice wasn't real. It couldn't be. But the weight of the words pressed against her chest, making it hard to breathe.
A hand grabbed her wrist, yanking her into the shadowed alcove of the old chapel. Elara gasped, her free hand already curling into a fist—until she recognized the storm-gray eyes glaring down at her.
"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" Kael hissed, his grip unyielding. His dark hair was plastered to his forehead, rainwater dripping down the sharp angles of his face. "You know what happens to students who wander alone after dark."
Elara wrenched her arm free, her pulse roaring in her ears. "I don't need your protection."
Kael's jaw tightened. "You're right. You don't. But you're the only one who can hear them, Elara. That makes you a target."
The words hung between them, heavy with unspoken truths. The disappearances on campus weren't accidents. The cruel laughter of their classmates, the way they moved in packs like hungry wolves—none of it was normal. Blackthorn College was a hunting ground, and Elara was the prey.
She swallowed hard. "Why do you care?"
For a moment, something flickered in his gaze—something raw and unguarded. Then it was gone, replaced by that familiar, infuriating smirk. "Maybe I just like playing the hero."
A distant scream cut through the night, sharp and sudden. Both of them froze.
Kael's expression darkened. "We need to go. Now."
Elara didn't argue this time. They sprinted through the rain, their footsteps swallowed by the storm. The library loomed ahead, its arched windows glowing faintly in the darkness. Sanctuary.
But as they reached the steps, the doors slammed shut with a force that shook the ground.
Elara stumbled back, her heart hammering. "That's not possible."
Kael grabbed her hand, his fingers lacing through hers. "Don't let go."
The air thickened, the scent of damp earth and something metallic filling her lungs. Shadows pooled at their feet, writhing like living things. From the darkness, figures emerged—students she recognized, their eyes hollow, their smiles too wide.
"Elara," one of them crooned, tilting her head at an unnatural angle. "We've been waiting for you."
Kael stepped in front of her, his voice low and dangerous. "Back off."
The thing wearing her classmate's face laughed, the sound like breaking glass. "Or what, half-blood? You're just as trapped as she is."
Elara's breath hitched. Half-blood?
Before she could process the word, the ground beneath them trembled. The whispers surged, louder now, a chorus of voices chanting in a language she didn't know but somehow understood.
*"The reckoning comes. The moon will rise. The heart will break."*
Kael cursed under his breath. "We have to get to the old dormitory. It's the only place they can't reach us."
Elara didn't ask how he knew. There was no time. The possessed students lunged forward, their movements jerky and inhuman. Kael pulled her into a run, dodging grasping hands and snapping teeth.
The old dormitory stood at the edge of campus, its walls covered in ivy, its windows boarded up. It was forbidden, rumored to be haunted. Right now, it was their only hope.
They burst through the rotting door, slamming it shut behind them. The air inside was stale, thick with dust and the faint scent of lavender. Moonlight filtered through cracks in the wood, painting silver streaks across the floor.
Elara collapsed against the wall, her legs shaking. "What the hell was that?"
Kael ran a hand through his hair, his breathing ragged. "A warning. They're getting stronger."
She stared at him, her mind racing. "You knew this would happen. You know what they are."
He met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "Yeah. I do."
The admission hung between them, heavy with implications. Elara's throat tightened. "And what are you?"
A shadow passed over his face. "That's a long story."
She crossed her arms. "We've got time."
Kael exhaled sharply, then reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small, silver locket—one Elara recognized instantly. It had belonged to her mother.
Her breath caught. "Where did you get that?"
"It was given to me," he said quietly. "To give to you when the time was right."
Elara's fingers trembled as she took it. The moment the metal touched her skin, a jolt of energy shot through her, the whispers in her mind falling silent for the first time in weeks.
Kael watched her, his eyes burning with an intensity that made her stomach flip. "You're not just a student here, Elara. You're the last descendant of the Moonborn. And they will do anything to make sure you never remember."
The words settled over her like a shroud. The reckoning wasn't just coming.
It was already here.
Outside, the wind screamed, rattling the boards over the windows. Somewhere in the distance, a clock tower struck midnight.
Kael's hand found hers again, his grip firm. "Whatever happens next, we face it together."
Elara didn't pull away. For the first time, the whispers weren't just fear—they were a call to something deeper. Something forgotten.
And she was ready to answer.