o signs of civilization broke the expanse-no other cars, no houses, not even a hiker or deer along the winding road. The forest seemed ancient, alive in a way I cou

e woods near our last home, were silent here

idn't. Partly out of fear of the answer-but mostly because I trusted Nanny Margaret. Her

ender and the faintest trace of cinnamon-wrapped around me, and I drif

nking against the sunlight that filtered through

d filigree. At the very top, glowing letters gleamed with an ethereal light: PHOENIX.

name. A mix of fear, wonder, hope... like I stood on

in?" I asked, my vo

argaret said gently. "The Phoenix doe

nfused. "But you sa

sn't mean the school w

The gates shimmered, then began to creak open with slow, deliberate gran

en I s

seemed painted by magic. Trees arched high above with leaves that gl

s. Buildings-elegant towers crowned with spires-rose from the hills, c

epping into a

rushing against my skin. The air grew thicker, humming with invisible threads of ene

the window as I soaked it

s the Phoenix. The school of t

-

by noise or chaos, but by sheer beauty. Everything shimmere

ring of silverstone. Within it, sleek figures da

ing like seaweed as they sang in haunting, wordless melodies. The

e pink light. I watched in awe as one of them laughed, stretching lazily-only to reveal claws. His form ripp

d to his human guise, grin

ust onto the blossoms, making them bloom instantly in vibrant colors. Their laughter sounde

steaming cauldron. Colored smoke spiraled upward, forming luminous

onder. And yet, it

p pang rising in my chest.

ide me, placed a hand on my back. "

nearby. I turned to see two gnomes bickering over a glo

nes are three

s are three i

t laugh. "Grumpy w

his name made

ure materialized just feet away-a gycole. I froze. They were rare, ancient beings hal

o mouth, but it bowed respectf

nsion settled in the courtyard. I turned and sa

asts, but in human form. Yet

gold when sunlight hit just right. I recognized the way they

hair and a strong jaw. His eyes held a strange in

hiv

angerous?"

e who forget to respect the wild. But you... you're m

another heartbeat. Then he turn

the size of my hand flitted through the air, their wings trailing

t startled me-then took off, releasing a chimin

passed along the tree lines. They guarded ancient secrets buried beneath the

did, their voices rumbled like the eart

-

of the central tower. Its double doors were carve

onflowers, and something r

my bag, heart pou

kiss to my forehead. "G

, leaving me in the care of a tall

irm yet warm. "Dormitory matron. C

e that seemed to change direction as we walked. The walls wh

nothing like

es holding glowing stones, tiny creatures in glass globes, and enchanted trinkets.

d bumped in

'm so

l replied, extending

n, a cheeky smile, and

ers yet either. We made a pact-two magicless girls

ng like old friends, our voi

-

a shook me awake with a

"Five mor

nked to life. "You look like

d. Even the furniture

st class was in an herbology chamber, w

t become a tunnel of living vines by dusk. Portraits didn't just move-they conversed, gossiping about student affairs or recitin

ith tousled hair and a la

ke," he said

ded.

th me. I've got all

ard alone. The air smelled of jasmine a

when I

-shadowed,

ned s

k hair fell in waves, and his eyes burne

afraid,"

know

ael. Your

e my breat

a bell rang, and he

explained everything. He was a knigh

I made enemies-Lindsey, especially, who decided I w

o

-

er Grove. The sky was purple with twilight

I hea

tter of

" I wh

and violet burs

ried, zipping

hers tickled my cheeks. I

runt fo

arms crossed. "Took you long en

sob, then l

both her

aid. "You're marked. This pl

eyes. "She still

s as stars blinked

time since arriv

asn't jus

s des

inally read