Megan had just finished her sandwich when it happened.
She was walking down the corridor near the music wing—quiet, empty, away from the crowd. She liked it there. No stares. No whispers. Just her and her awkward footsteps.
Until she turned a corner and crashed into hell.
Literally.
Three girls.
They stood like models waiting for the world to admire them.
Isla Vexley — platinum blonde, skin like porcelain, always in designer boots
Kaia Thorn — bronze-skinned, snake eyes, smiles like a threat
Delphine Cross — raven-haired, perfect pout, and sharp-tongued as hell
"Oh," Isla said, lips curling. "You're the new one."
Megan blinked. "Hi?"
"You must be very brave… or very stupid," Kaia said, flicking invisible dust off her sleeve.
"Excuse me?"
"You've been talking to Victor Umbrae," Delphine added, her voice silken and venomous.
Megan stiffened. "So?"
"So," Isla said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "you're breathing near property that doesn't belong to you."
Megan tried to walk past, but Isla blocked her.
"You think just because you're older, he wants you?" Kaia sneered. "He flirts with everyone."
"But not like that," Delphine said sharply. "Not with someone like you."
Megan's heart pounded.
She wasn't expecting to be liked—but this? This was wild.
"You've got it twisted," she muttered. "He can flirt with whoever he wants. I'm not interested."
The girls exchanged a look.
"Good," Isla said. "Because if you were, you'd be—"
"Dead?"
The voice didn't shout. It was cut.
They turned.
Victor.
But he wasn't alone this time.
At his back stood three boys, each dangerous in their own way.
Jasper Vale – silver hair, cold eyes, taller than Victor, always chewing gum
Leo Grim – lean, sarcastic, with a faint scar over his brow
Arius Fen – pale and elegant, always dressed like royalty, unnervingly calm
Victor stepped forward, sleeves rolled up, tattoos peeking from under his collar. His amber eyes locked on Isla.
"I believe the lady said move."
Isla stepped back, but not before throwing Megan one last glare.
Victor's gaze shifted to Megan. His smirk returned—but darker this time.
"You okay, cupcake?" he asked.
Megan tried to speak. Failed.
He stepped closer, brushing her wrist with his thumb.
That's when it happened.
Heat. Raw. Primal.
It flooded her body like fire under skin. Her knees buckled. Her breath stuttered.
Victor caught her waist instantly, pulling her flush against him. His hand was strong on her lower back. His eyes glowed slightly, like embers threatening to burn.
"You're burning," he whispered.
"I… I don't understand…"
"You will."
He turned to the girls, still standing in stunned silence.
"If any of you touch her again," Victor said, voice laced with something ancient, "I will feed your bones to the Hollow Ones."
Leo chuckled behind him.
Kaia went pale.
Delphine's lip quivered, just slightly.
Victor looked down at Megan again, all intensity.
"You feel that?" he murmured.
She nodded weakly.
"That's me."
And then, just like that, he released her and walked off — his gang following silently behind him like shadows with teeth.
Megan stared after them, her pulse still out of control.
She looked down at her wrist.
No scar.
No symbol.
Just skin.
But the heat lingered.
She had been marked.
And she didn't even know what it meant.