Campus never felt hostile before—at least, not past the typical exams and occasional drama. But today, panic swirls through the main building like a physical thing. Sirens wail outside, and students huddle in ragged groups, their faces flushed with fear.
I push through the crowd, trying to find Jay. Security tapes off the west corridor—a small pool of blood glistens on white marble. Whispers fly: a student attacked, motive unknown. My heart races, every instinct alive. I scan the faces, searching for someone I know, for a clue.
Jay appears, breathing hard, pushing his way toward me. "You alright?" His voice is thin, though he tries to sound casual.
"Never better," I lie. We both know there's something different about this chaos.
Authorities shuffle about, questioning students. Adrian materializes beside me, not as a secretary now, but as something colder. His white hair shines in the harsh daylight, suit spotless. He whispers, "Stay close. If anyone tries to approach, tell me first."
There's a strange comfort in Adrian's certainty—he moves with eerie focus, phone in hand, eyes darting everywhere. I watch as he corners a student. There's no threat in his words, no outward aggression, just an intense quiet. The boy blanches and stammers, forgetting what he was saying.
Later, Adrian leans toward me as we wait by the security office. "I took care of the problem."
"What do you mean?"
"He won't cause you any more fear. Nobody will." He smiles—terrifying, absolute devotion in his eyes.
A shiver dances down my spine. I don't know what Adrian is capable of, and in that moment, I'm not sure I want to. Cars flash their lights in the street, and campus returns to uneasy silence.
Noah finds me by the steps, his hands trembling as he hands me another surveillance book. "You seem different," he murmurs.
"Maybe that's a good thing," I answer, but every word feels borrowed.
When I reach home, Father greets me with his perfect smile, Kai texts from some far-off deal, Jay retreats to his room. We're a family of innocence and danger—each of us playing a role, hiding the truth even from ourselves.
In my room, I reread the anonymous text, aware that the world is narrowing, secrets closing in. Adrian's devotion is both comfort and threat. Out there, someone bleeds for information, and the Black Sea Guild is only getting started.
Tonight, I sleep with one eye open.