Chapter 2
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Wren Academy – Lunchtime
They called it the Rose Court.
Not for the roses.
But for the thorns.
The elite of Wren Academy sat under gilded parasols and handpicked shade, their laughter polished, their cruelty perfumed. The rose garden in the center was a mockery of natural beauty,trimmed to perfection, unnatural in autumn, like everything at Wren.
Alina Vale sat at the head of the table in her ivory blazer and soft pink gloss, the picture of benevolence. Her words were laced with sweetness, her eyes with something unnameable. The other students leaned toward her like moths to soft flame.
Beside her lounged her entourage,
Mori Elen, aloof and sharp-tongued.
Kai Ren, flirtatious and quietly calculating.
Noah Virelle, all golden curls and serpentine charm. Her minions Samantha and Brielle.
And a few new girls Ryn instantly remembered from the whispers in locker rooms and the malicious giggles during gym class.
Alina played the perfect queen bee,warm enough to adore, innocent enough to protect, cruel enough to survive.
Selene Harrow was not part of this group. She sat on the outer rim of the courtyard with her usual composed expression. She was too refined for gossip, too calculating to follow anyone. She didn't orbit Alina.
Cause she was another dangerous entity on her own.
But her gaze,her gaze never left Jace Wren.
And today, her gaze would also shift to Ryn.
She stepped into the courtyard like a ghost from a bad memory.
But Ryn Vale wasn't a ghost.
She was the haunting.
Her black uniform was immaculate. Her long hair was braided with cold elegance, lips stained a soft crimson,not for beauty, but for war.
She stood a few steps above them, not moving.
Eyes sharp.
Expression unreadable.
Presence magnetic.
Alina spotted her first, nearly choking on her laughter. "Oh," she said, voice lifting like a melody. "Ryn! You came back."
Ryn slowly descended the stairs. "You sound surprised." You saw me this morning.
Alina smiled. "Not surprised. Just… unprepared."
Ryn smiled back, but there was something in her eyes,something cold and ancient.
"I know the feeling," she said softly. "You never quite know when the knife you threw will return to you."
There was a beat of silence. Just one.
Then Mori laughed, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Welcome back, then, mystery girl."
Kai gave Ryn a mock-salute. "You look like someone who's been to hell and back. It suits you."
Ryn glanced at him. "Hell didn't want me. So I came here instead."
She turned, continuing through the courtyard with fluid grace.
Every head followed her.
Behind her, Selene's eyes narrowed slightly. Alina forced her smile wider. Mori leaned forward, intrigued.
And Jace, seated on the balcony above, flicked his lighter open.
His gaze didn't blink once.
Headmaster Renwick's Office
The office was soaked in dust and dull power.
"I'm requesting a schedule transfer," Ryn said, placing the falsified letter on the desk.
Headmaster Renwick squinted. "Political Ethics? Are you certain?"
Ryn smiled. "A girl can change, Headmaster."
He frowned, reading. Then froze. Her father's name. His signature.
He nodded once. "Very well."
She left without another word.
She didn't need to. He wouldn't remember her name in a week. But he'd remember the chill that lingered after she left.
Courtyard Balcony
"I see her," Selene murmured beside him.
Jace didn't respond. He lit the cigarette but didn't smoke it. His eyes were pinned on the girl below.
"She looks... different," Selene tried again, voice light, teasing.
"She is," Zayne said,and looked at his best friend Jace who was still quiet.
Jace finally spoke, "she looks the same but different" he said with eyes squinted.
Selene tilted her head, smiling. "I didn't know you noticed her before."
He flicked the lighter shut. "I didn't."
"Then why do you look like you're seeing your first ghost, or even her entirely for the first time?".
He turned to her slowly. "Because ghosts don't walk like that."
Selene's smile faltered for a second. Her gaze drifted downward again.
There's something wierd about her, she thought.
And it has everything to do with Jace.
Evening – The List Begins
The old library was abandoned by sundown.
She sat in the far corner, golden light spilling across aged wood.
Two notebooks sat before her.
One was blank.
One held names like sins.
She opened the black one.
THE LIST
Alina Vale — "A smile is the prettiest mask."
Clarissa Vale — "Miss throw the rock and hide her hands"
Mori Elen — "Mockery is cruelty in silk."
Kai Ren — "Silver tongue. Poison teeth."
Noah Virelle — "Fake gold. Real danger."
Mrs. Durnham and Miss Rachel — "You saw. You stayed silent."
Brielle -- Minion 1 Will do Alina's dirty work
Samantha --Wannabe Rich kid and would do anything (Minion 2)
She paused.
Selene Harrow — "Obsession wears lace."
(Real villiian)
But not anymore she thought cause they have created a real monster now , muttered Ryn
Lastly Jace !
She drew a line beneath them. Then another.
And at the bottom, she scribbled:
"They will pay. One by one. Not with blood. But with their secrets."
Her phone buzzed.
A text.
> unknown: Behind the gym. Five minutes. Come alone.
She stared at the screen.
And smiled. Talk of the devil they say.
Behind the Gym – Dusk
It smelled of ash and cold metal. The sky bled orange.
Jace Wren leaned against the back wall of the building, his black shirt rolled at the sleeves, collar open, chain gleaming at his throat.
She didn't speak as she approached.
Neither did he.
His eyes dragged over her,slow, heavy, consuming.
"Why did you call me here?" she asked calmly.
He shrugged, stepping closer. "How are you."
Her jaw tightened.
"Why would you ask me that question,are we friends or something?" she said.
He went silent and stared for awhile, then replied "No"
"That's why I can't look away."
She scoffed. "You didn't look at all last year."
"I did," Jace murmured.
Oh really now I said.
Silence.
He stepped even closer, his voice dropping. "But now....
"Don't get in my way," I cut him off, I'm warning you.
"I won't," he said, eyes darkening. "I'll walk behind you."
She narrowed her eyes.
"So I can keep others from touching what's mine." he whispered.
Her heart thudded once. Loud.
"what do you really want from me," she whispered.
He smirked. "you."
Oh is that so? I said.
So where were you when life was made hell for me in your family's prestigious institution.l asked.
He opened and closed his mouth..
They stood there, breathless tension wrapping around them like smoke.
Then Ryn turned and left, having had enough.
Jace lit another cigarette, a small breath leaving him.
Let the others watch her.
He would claim her.
Soon. Cause he's done waiting.
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Jace and Ryn has their first interaction after her rebirth, what do y'all think will happen next.