a's

ackwood Academy, it did

like a

. Spiked towers that almost reached the low-hanging clouds. Windows glinting like cold, watching eyes. The forest presses in tight ar

ll the driver to stop. To turn around. To take me anywhere else. But he keeps driving, his eyes fixed on the road

pen on their own.

the academy isn't just a building. L

y, cold enough to bite through my jacket. I step out, my boots sinking slightly into the soft ground at the edg

ings open, and a

hair is white as bone, twisted into a knot at the n

oth, but cold as the stone under my feet. "W

my throat is to

ays, already turni

the candlelight, casting long shadows that stretch and flicker with every step. The ai

s half-lost in shadow. Eyes th

ainst the floor as she lead

ll be delivered to your room. You're in t

odd

pulls from her pocket is old, iron, and when i

is you

ep i

ndow. A thick gray rug muffles my footsteps. The room is cold, but not unki

ackwood Academy demands discipline, Mi

t," I w

longer, then leaves, the doo

wind outside. The forest groans as the trees sway

just sit on the edge of the bed,

e this began, I wonder if I

et in. I hug myself, trying to chase away the chill that's settled into my bones

place feel less like a cell

he door jerk

whoever's knocking isn't s

room and ope

curly, escaping the messy braid draped over one shoulder. Her skin is warm brown,

over her shoulder down the dim hall before l

olded piece of pa

voice sounds stran

uck. But... if you need anyt

he says it. Like she means it,

ying for a smile.

s seen something. Then she backs away. "Don't open the

eans, she's gone, her door

ean against it, he

the windo

. Combat training. Pack history. Supernatural law.

ndow. Then I heard a howl. Not loud, didn't sound ne

I crawl into bed, pulling the blanket up to my chin. I take my eye