Cora pushed open the heavy wooden shutters of her dorm window, letting in the crisp morning breeze. The vast expanse of Oscar Island stretched before her, its eerie beauty a blend of serenity and secrecy. The ocean shimmered under the early light, its waves crashing rhythmically against the rocky shore, creating a melody that resonated deep within her.
The salty tang in the air mingled with the scent of damp earth, evoking a strange mix of peace and unease. She stood still for a moment, her fingers tightening around the wooden frame as her thoughts drifted. The island felt alive, as if it were watching her—its whispers carried in the wind, promising secrets she wasn't sure she wanted to uncover.
She swallowed hard, shaking off the strange sensation, and turned to face the mirror in her bathroom. Her reflection stared back at her, the mask clinging to her face like a second skin, a constant reminder of the life she'd left behind.
Her fingers hesitated over the edges of the mask, a momentary flicker of doubt passing through her. With trembling hands, she finally slipped it off, her fingers brushing against the cool, smooth edges. She closed her eyes, letting out a slow, controlled breath, and leaned forward to splash water on her face.
The rules were clear—no one was to see her face. Not even her.
The mirror loomed before her, an ever-present threat, and she kept her gaze averted, refusing to glance at her own reflection. It wasn't the first time she'd felt this way—the strange weight of being unseen, even to herself. A part of her longed for freedom, for the ability to look at herself without fear. But freedom came with consequences, and she couldn't afford them. Not here.
She exhaled, wiping her face with a towel, and pulled the mask back on. The familiar pressure settled over her features, cold and unyielding. Every time she put it back in place, it felt as though she was sealing away a part of herself, locking it behind an impenetrable barrier.
"Cora, are you ready?" Amelia's impatient voice broke through her thoughts, followed by a loud knock on the bathroom door.
"Yes, coming!" she called, her voice steady despite the lingering tremor in her hands. She smoothed the fabric of her coat before stepping out into the room.
Amelia stood by the door, her arms crossed and her red hair tied in a messy bun. Her expression was sour, her green eyes glaring at the clock on the wall.
"Do you know what time it is?" Amelia groaned, her tone dripping with irritation.
Cora gave her a small, apologetic smile. "I know. But they said it's important."
"Important?" Amelia rolled her eyes, grabbing her bag. "I swear, if they make me do one more thing before I've had coffee…" Her words trailed off into a frustrated mumble as she opened the door and gestured for Cora to follow.
The two girls navigated the winding corridors of the dormitory, their footsteps echoing in the silence. As they approached the main courtyard, the low hum of chatter grew louder, the sound bouncing off the ancient stone walls.
When they stepped outside, Cora's breath hitched. The courtyard was packed with students, their faces a mix of excitement and apprehension. The air buzzed with nervous energy, and the morning sun cast long shadows across the uneven cobblestones.
At the front of the crowd stood a man dressed casually in a black shirt and jeans, his hair tied back in a sleek ponytail. Despite his relaxed attire, there was an undeniable authority about him. His sharp gaze swept over the students, silencing the murmurs with nothing more than his presence.
"I'm Slayer Copper," he began, his voice sharp and commanding. "Welcome to the first tradition of Oscar Island University."
Confused whispers rippled through the crowd, students exchanging puzzled glances.
"This event is an annual tradition for first-year students," Slayer continued, his piercing eyes scanning the audience. "It's called the Search."
Amelia snorted beside Cora, her arms crossed. "Search? What kind of name is that?" she muttered, earning a curious glance from a nearby student.
Cora furrowed her brows, a sense of unease settling over her.
Slayer gestured behind him, drawing their attention to a dense, shadowy maze that loomed ominously at the edge of the courtyard. The hedges stretched high, their twisted branches forming an impenetrable barrier that seemed to breathe with its own sinister life.
"You'll be grouped into teams of three," Slayer announced, his voice slicing through the growing tension. "Your task is to find a crow hidden somewhere within the maze. Simple, right?" His grin was anything but reassuring. "But remember—this isn't just a game. It's a test of your instincts, your endurance, and your ability to work as a team."
Cora's heart sank at the sight of the maze. Its shadowy depths seemed to pulse with menace, and the thought of entering its confines made her stomach churn.
Amelia groaned, running a hand through her hair. "This school gets weirder by the second."
Slayer pulled out a long scroll, its edges curling in the breeze, and began calling out names. "Amelia Hawthorne, Samantha Birch, and Hardwell Grayson."
Amelia swore under her breath, throwing Cora a betrayed look before stepping forward to join her assigned team.
Slayer continued down the list. "Cora Mercedes, Kevin Lyle, and Amara Singh."
Cora's pulse quickened as she stepped forward, her palms clammy. She caught sight of her teammates—a tall boy with glasses and a serious expression, and a girl with sharp features and an air of quiet confidence.
"Great," she muttered under her breath, hoping they'd be competent enough to get through this challenge unscathed.
High above the courtyard, perched on the rooftop of one of the grand buildings, three figures observed the scene.
"Slayer's mixing humans with vampires this year," Maximilian commented, his lips curling into a smirk. "He really likes to spice things up."
Beside him, Damien stood with his hands in his pockets, his piercing gaze fixed on the crowd below. His eyes never left Cora.
Even after centuries of waiting, he hadn't expected her to appear like this—masked, shrouded in mystery. Was it a mere fashion statement, or was there something deeper at play?
A mischievous smirk played on his lips. Whatever it is, I'll make sure to unmask you, little bird.
Cora, as if sensing the intensity of his gaze, turned her head and met his eyes. The air between them seemed to crackle, time slowing as they stared at each other.
Her breath hitched. His presence was overwhelming—dark, commanding, and magnetic. Even from this distance, she could make out his chiseled features, the way the sunlight highlighted the sharp angles of his jaw and the tousled strands of his jet-black hair. He was unlike anyone she'd ever seen, his aura exuding a dangerous allure that both captivated and unsettled her.
Amelia followed her gaze and let out a low whistle. "Damn, who's that? He looks like trouble in all the right ways."
Cora quickly averted her eyes, her cheeks flushing beneath the mask. But as she tried to focus on Slayer's instructions, she couldn't shake the image of that smirk from her mind—or the way his dark, penetrating eyes seemed to see right through her.
From above, Damien's smirk deepened as he watched her hurriedly look away. "Just a little while for you to adapt to the school ," he murmured to himself, his voice low. "And after that I'll unravel you ."