The evening settled in, and I leaned against the cool windowsill, watching as the last rays of sunlight painted the dormitory courtyard in gold. Recruits trickled out of the building, their chatter fading into the distance as they headed to tonight's gathering. I kept glancing back at my door, waiting for Elaeya. After the spectacle earlier today, I wasn't taking any chances going anywhere alone.
Tonight, we were being chosen by weapons. Something other recruits are thrilled about, maybe even cocky about it. Me? I was a fucking wreck. The prophecy made it clear: the one it speaks of would be chosen by a god weapon. And as long as I wasn't chosen, I'd be fine. No Court politics, no destiny bullshit breathing down my neck. Just me, free to focus on what actually mattered—getting stronger and hunting down Sire.
A knock pulled me from my thoughts.
I pushed off the sill and made my way to the door, opening it to find Elaeya. She stood there, flushed, her hair slightly disheveled, and her chest rising and falling with short breaths.
"Those stairs," she huffed, "are a nightmare. I don't know how you're going to survive this every day."
My gaze flicked past her to the offending staircase, then back. I raised a brow. "You're in terrible shape. If stairs are kicking your butt, how do you plan to survive the training sessions?"
She waved me off, brushing past into the room. "Oh, I'll survive. Doesn't mean I won't complain the whole damn way. I just hate stairs. Deeply."
The corner of my mouth twitched in amusement as I closed the door. "Noted."
Elaeya stopped mid-spin, her eyes wide as she took in my room. "Oh, wow. You're one lucky female. How the hell did you score a room without a roommate? I'm stuck sharing with a Fae from hell."
I blinked. "There are Fae from hell?"
"No, Jay, it's a metaphor. But honestly? She might as well be. It's been just one night, and I already loathe her entire existence. Like, who needs that much perfume? It's like living in a cloud of suffocating flowers."
I snickered. "Sounds intense."
"Intense? That's putting it lightly. Gods, this room though." She turned in a slow circle, her eyes lighting up. "We could do so much with this space—throw in some decor, maybe a few plants to make it feel homier. Oh, and a balcony? Yeah, I'm claiming this as my second home. My room's a death trap by comparison."
"You're welcome anytime," I said, gesturing to the door. "But don't we need to leave? Or does it not matter when we get there?"
She snapped her fingers. "Right, right. Priorities. Decorating later, weapons now."
We headed out, the stairs creaking under our boots as we descended. The common area buzzed with life, a cluster of senior recruits lounging on worn-out couches. Their voices lowered as we passed, their eyes lingering in that way that always made my skin prickle.
Elaeya strode ahead, undeterred, her head held high as she made her way to a group of recruits gathered near the entrance. I followed, the weight of the night pressing down on my chest with every step.
The group we approached consisted of two boys and one girl. The first guy was tall, easily six-foot-two, with sharp, chiseled features. His cool, almost bored expression gave him an air of untouchable arrogance. Olive-toned skin stretched taut over his jawline, and his messy dark brown hair hung just above his shoulders, looking effortless in that way only certain people could pull off. His amber eyes swept over the group, calculating, as if he was already sizing up everyone around him.
The second guy was shorter, maybe five-foot-eight, with pale skin that contrasted sharply against his short, white-blond hair. His dark brown eyes gleamed faintly under the moonlight, constantly darting around, assessing his surroundings. He had a lean, wiry build, but there was strength in his movements, quick and fluid—like a predator forever on guard.
And then there was the girl. Elaeya's counterpart in many ways—smaller, quieter, less outspoken—but just as striking in her own right. She was shorter than the others, her skin a smooth, flawless fair tone, and her thick, blue hair cascaded down her back in waves. But it was her eyes—violet, nearly glowing with an unnatural hue—that held an endless storm of unspoken thoughts beneath them. I couldn't quite figure her out.
Elaeya grinned at them. "Hey guys. This is Jay. She's new, just like us," she said, nudging me with her elbow. "Jay, meet Varys, Coal, and Blue. My friends."
I gave a small wave, forcing a smile. "Hey."
Varys gave me a quick glance but said nothing, just nodding in acknowledgment. Coal's lips quirked up slightly, his expression unreadable, but it was Blue who spoke first. Her voice was soft yet firm, carrying a weight to it. "Nice to officially meet you, Jay. You've been the hot topic around here. Hope you're ready for tonight." Her violet eyes held something in them—like she was trying to figure me out, just like I was her.
"I don't know if 'ready' is the right word," I muttered with a half-hearted chuckle. "But I'm here."
"Well, let's go." Elaeya chirped, clearly not one to dwell on the small talk.
Outside, the sun was already dipping below the horizon as we strolled through the compound. We passed other recruits, their faces a mix of excitement and nerves, all heading in the same direction. We came to a part of the compound I hadn't seen yet—where the ground gave way to cobblestone paths, lined with various colors and fragrances of flowers. Benches dotted the gardens, inviting anyone who needed a break or a moment to themselves. Tiny, glowing orbs floated lazily around, casting soft light on the scene, which felt almost too perfect, too surreal. It felt familiar, though I couldn't place why.
"Where are we?" I asked, in awe of the beauty surrounding us.
"Beautiful, right?" Elaeya's voice was soft, almost reverent. "This is the center of the academy. A sacred space where everyone is equal. Both Elites and recruits are welcome here, any time."
Blue inhaled deeply, her expression serene. "You can feel Danu's embrace in the air."
"Danu?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "The goddess the instructor mentioned in Fae history?"
"Yeah," Elaeya confirmed. "She's the goddess every Fae serves. Her temple is just up ahead."
And ahead, the temple loomed. It stood nestled at the heart of the academy grounds, like a sacred relic. Its white stone walls gleamed softly under the moonlight, intricate carvings of mythical creatures adorning its exterior. Large, arched doors stood wide open, as if welcoming anyone who dared to seek what lay beyond.
As we entered, I was hit with the heady scent of incense and flowers. The familiar feeling was back again, stronger now. It tugged at the edges of my mind, but I couldn't place it. I took in the rows of benches filled with Elites, senior recruits, and instructors at the front—all here to witness the ceremony. We found seats two rows from the front, the buzz of excitement and nerves filling the air.
In front of the temple, surrounded by flowers and fruits placed at her feet, stood a white marble statue of a woman. Her hair flowed like a river down her back, and her gown swirled around her in graceful folds. The delicate curves of her face were serene, but her eyes—her eyes held a power that felt almost alive, as though she was watching, waiting. In one hand, she cupped a bowl, its edges worn smooth from centuries of touch. The more I stared, the more the familiar feeling in my chest intensified.
I tilted my head. Where have I felt this before?
I was jolted out of my trance as Aethera entered. Her presence commanded the room without a word—fiery red hair spilling down her shoulders and back, her leather armor glinting in the low light. She was stunning, in a way that was both fierce and undeniable, a force in every sense of the word. Ember stood behind her, his ember-glowing eyes sweeping over the crowd until they landed on me. He winked, and I rolled my eyes.
Aethera raised a hand, and the murmurs of the room silenced at once.
"Welcome, new recruits," she said, her voice smooth, yet firm. "Tonight, you will be chosen by your weapon—the one that will accompany you through your journey here and beyond. This choice is not to be taken lightly. The weapon you choose is not merely an extension of yourself; it is a reflection of your strength, your will, and your fate. Choose wisely." Her eyes lingered on me, and my heart skipped. "All new recruits, step forward."
Here we go.
We left our seats and gathered in front of the podium. My heart pounded in my chest as long tables were rolled out in front of us, each covered with velvet cloths, gleaming weapons resting atop them. Swords, spears, daggers, bows and arrows—some I recognized, others I didn't. And… was that a whip?
I ran my gaze over the weapons, each radiating powerful magic. I wondered which one was a god weapon. The last thing I needed was to get stuck with one of those. I tuned into the energy around me, trying to sense the pull, when I was distracted by a quiet, derisive snort from my left.
I glanced over and saw Lyris, the Fae who had confronted me this morning, standing beside me, her arms crossed.
"You think you're going to be chosen by a weapon tonight, freak?" she sneered. "I doubt even a kitchen knife would want to be wielded by you."
"Zip it, Lyris," Blue snapped from my right before I could even respond. "Don't bring your bitchiness to Danu's sacred temple. Show some respect."
Lyris scoffed, ready to retort, but was cut off by the sound of an Elite bringing in a small box the size of both my hands. He placed it reverently on the table, and when he opened it, gasps filled the room. Even I couldn't deny what I felt. That was a god weapon.
Blue gasped, "That— that's a god weapon. It was wielded by Danu herself during the God War. Do they really think it would choose someone?"
The weapon was… an arm cuff?
My mind screamed in confusion. A fucking arm cuff? Sure, it radiated immense power—so much so that I could feel it making me light-headed—but how the hell was anyone supposed to fight with an arm bracelet?
I couldn't look at it. I stepped back further into the crowd, hoping the weapon would choose someone else. The more people that went before me, the better. Then I wouldn't have to deal with it.
Aethera's voice broke through the tension. "Priest, begin the ceremony."
A priest stepped forward, his robes flowing around him like a river of shadows. He raised his hands high, and a soft hum filled the room, a low, almost imperceptible vibration that made the air itself feel thick with magic. As he began the prayer in Danu's name, the words seemed to resonate in the very stone of the temple. "Blessed be these recruits, chosen by fate and will. May Danu guide them on their journey, may her wisdom fill their hearts, and her strength fuel their hands."
The prayer hung in the air like a delicate thread, and as the priest stepped back, a wave of anticipation seemed to swell throughout the room. The recruits shifted, restless but eager. The priest picked up a shallow bowl filled with clear water, the surface rippling with faint, shimmering light. He spoke again, his voice calm but firm. "Each of you will dip your hands in this water. Let it cleanse you, connect you, and guide you toward the weapon that calls to you."
One by one, the recruits stepped forward, hands trembling or steady, depending on the person. Elaeya was among the first, moving with unwavering confidence. She dipped her hands into the water, watching the droplets cling to her skin as she walked toward the weapons laid out before her. She ran her fingers over the first row—blades, staffs, and maces, each one silently waiting. None of them responded to her touch, no pulse of power, no spark of recognition.
It wasn't until she reached the third row that something shifted. A jagged blade with a silver hilt thrummed beneath her fingers, pulsing with energy as if it had been waiting just for her. She gripped it, her fingers curling around the hilt, and a surge of satisfaction rushed through her. It felt right, as though the weapon and Elaeya were one. She grinned, pride lighting her features.
The others followed suit, each selecting their weapon, some with surety, others with hesitation. But every one of them found their choice, or so it seemed.
All the while, I fought to ignore the almost palpable pull of magic, tugging at the very core of me. It came from the bracelet. Fuck no. I wasn't going to look at it, much less touch it.
Then, it was my turn.
I stepped forward, my heart hammering in my chest, my palms slick with sweat. I dipped my hands into the water, and instantly, I regretted it.
The magic from the bracelet surged like a tidal wave, crashing against my senses, making the already unbearable pull feel a thousand times stronger.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
I hovered over the first few weapons, my hands skimming across their surfaces, but none of them spoke to me. No call, no connection. They felt… empty. Distant. I moved down the line, my frustration building, trying to ignore the weight of that damn bracelet at the edge of my awareness. But the more I searched, the more the emptiness of the other weapons pressed in on me.
Nothing.
For fuck's sake.
I took a step closer to the bracelet, my body rejecting it even as my heart screamed at me to just fucking pick it up. I even went back to the weapons I had already touched, hoping for something, anything. But nothing came.
Please, please, come on!
Behind me, I could hear snickers—whispers, barely audible but still there. I could feel the eyes of the recruits on me, their impatience and amusement radiating. Lyris's voice drifted through the air, sharp and condescending. "I knew it."
I ignored them, though every second felt like an eternity.
I must have stood there for too long, because the priest spoke again, his voice cutting through my growing frustration. "Recruit, if you do not feel a pull, please step away and let others come forward."
Annoyed, I shot a glare at the offending bracelet. And for the first time, the fucking thing seemed to lock eyes with me. It was as if it had been waiting for me to look, to finally acknowledge it. Magic flooded my mind—whispers, promises, demands. The pull deepened, digging into my soul like a burning brand. The more I resisted, the deeper it went.
My breath caught, a sharp intake of air, and before I could stop myself, my hand reached out, trembling as it neared the bracelet. The instant my fingers wrapped around the bracelet, a surge of power exploded through me. It was like a tidal wave, a rush of ancient, raw energy flooding every fiber of my being. The room seemed to shift. Time felt as if it slowed, the air thick with an electric hum, almost like the world itself had paused to witness the moment.
I fell to my knees, blinking rapidly against the onslaught of magic. The bracelet now pulsed on my arm, warm yet unyielding, and I could feel its power—old, ancient, and terrifyingly familiar—seep into my veins. It was overwhelming—beautiful, terrifying, and yet so, so fucking right.
It was mine.
Well, shit.