tion from the night before had dulled, but in its place was something else. A strang

o the mark. It pulsed faintly under her fingers

No symbol, no figure, no

e imag

her birthday had brought more than just loneliness this year. She swung her legs off the bed and walke

familiar. Her fingers hovered over it again. As she traced the

d back from

pened to her, it

acked her books without much thought, and walked the familiar path toward the academy she attended downtown. It was a p

, she caught a flicker of movement inside. A man seated by the window stared directly a

ed, and h

ead, Elowyn w

the moment the flame had flickered out and that haunting silhouette had appeared. No one would b

cal training, she had nearly

called for han

stronger males in their group. He always smirked when he

k anything," he

-hearted shrug and

dy twisted instinctively, catching his wrist mid-air, pulling him off-b

rd. There was a stunn

had never moved

?" he groaned, sitting

ed his eyes. "Where did

aid quickly. "It

ppled throu

iding so

e enha

she was

ely audible as she hurried to the edge o

rms folded. She looked perfect as always, her platinum hair pinne

k there?" Maedra a

now," Elow

own to her chest. "Is t

the collar of

ding someth

f my busine

not one of us?" Maedra leaned closer. "If you're hiding a shift, it won't las

Elowyn said, forcing hersel

Maedra's laugh followe

r her collarbone was stronger. Like a s

he didn't bother pretend

again, breathing hard, the hoodie discarded on the

ou want from me," she whis

spond. But something

er dreams wer

k, her breaths deep and sharp. Moonlight bathed the treetops in sil

owled in th

e trees watching her, waiting. She ran faster, pani

as h

oss. When she looked down, her reflection shimmered

golden, wi

. The room was pitch black, but her vision felt sharper.

o the mirror a

e irises. Her breath caught as they shifted just for

flared in the dark, casting fain

oed through

sured. Not her a

heart pounding, and

gain with three

through th

as tall, lean, and held himself like someone

he dark she could see a faint silver

, just l

to run, but her legs didn't move. Her hand re

r creak

hers, icy silver,

come when it call

to her neck, and his

already f