The morning light filtered through the tightly shut windows as Cora tossed and turned in bed. Sleep had been elusive, her dreams haunted by the cryptic words Damien had left her with the night before. The image of the crow and his piercing black eyes lingered, a constant whisper at the back of her mind.
Her body jolted awake, and for a moment, she stared at the ceiling, disoriented. She rubbed her temples, trying to piece together the fragments of her dreams. They'd been strange and vivid—too real to dismiss as mere imagination.
She found herself standing before the clock tower once again, its stone facade looming ominously against a darkened sky. The last time she'd seen it, the hands were frozen at 11:59, unmoving, but now they ticked steadily, the clock reading 11:40.
Cora took a deep breath, exhaling in a foggy mist. The air was cold, biting against her skin, and the world around her seemed more oppressive than before. She didn't know why she was here or what she was looking for, but a pull—something she couldn't name—kept her rooted.
As she walked closer, faint noises reached her ears. She froze when she saw two men dressed in Victorian-era guard uniforms dragging something heavy across the ground. Her heart thudded painfully in her chest as she squinted to see what it was.
A woman, dressed in simple servant clothing, appeared from the shadows, rushing toward the men. Her voice was sharp, almost desperate. "Who are you, and what are you doing here at this hour?"
The guards turned to face her, their expressions hard and unyielding, but Cora's gaze shifted to what they were dragging. An unconscious woman.
Her breath caught when she saw the tail.
Cora's eyes widened as she stepped closer, her heart racing. The unconscious woman was impossibly beautiful, her features ethereal, but it was the shimmering tail that left Cora breathless. A mermaid.
Suddenly, a loud voice pierced the air.
"Cora! You almost gave me a heart attack!"
Cora gasped, her surroundings dissolving in an instant. She blinked rapidly, disoriented as she found herself staring at the familiar ceiling of her dorm room. Amelia hovered over her, eyes filled with concern.
"Are you okay?" Amelia asked, her voice softer now.
Cora nodded, her throat dry. "Just a bad dream."
Amelia didn't press further, though her gaze lingered as if she wasn't entirely convinced. "Well, hurry up. We're supposed to gather in the courtyard again."
The duo joined the crowd outside, the murmurs of students buzzing around them. This time, it wasn't Slayer addressing them but a striking woman with sharp features and an air of authority.
"You're probably wondering why you've all been called here again," the woman began, her voice commanding immediate attention. The students fell silent, their nervous glances shifting toward her.
"There's no need to worry," she continued, "because today is a day of celebration. We're hosting a grand Victorian-era party. This is a tradition we uphold every year, and it marks the beginning of your time here."
Excitement rippled through the crowd, though Cora noticed some students shifting uneasily.
The woman smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "For the first part of the event, you'll all be dressed in period-appropriate attire. Dignitaries and reporters will be arriving soon to observe and celebrate with us. Afterward, you may change into more modern designer outfits for the latter half of the evening. Make sure to enjoy yourselves—your studies officially begin tomorrow."
A mix of relief and anticipation spread among the students as they began whispering to one another.
"Looks like we'll need to get dressed soon," Amelia giggled, nudging Cora.
Cora nodded absentmindedly, her gaze scanning the crowd. Something felt off, like the dream had bled into her waking reality. Then, she saw him.
Damien stood near the edge of the courtyard, leaning casually against a pillar. His black shirt clung to him effortlessly, the faint glint of an earring catching the light. His tousled hair gave him an air of defiance, a look that drew stares and whispers from the surrounding students.
Cora's breath hitched as their eyes met.
He held her gaze, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as if he could read her thoughts. The two men he'd been speaking to glanced at her briefly before turning back to Damien, continuing their conversation.
Amelia followed her gaze, her lips curving into a knowing smile. "Seems like someone's caught your attention."
Cora quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing. "It's not like that."
"Uh-huh," Amelia teased, but her tone was lighthearted.
Cora's thoughts remained on Damien, though. His presence was magnetic, pulling her toward him despite her better judgment. Something about him felt dangerous yet undeniably captivating, and it left her questioning everything she thought she knew.
As the crowd began to disperse, Cora's mind raced. The dream, the mermaid, Damien's warning—everything felt connected in a way she couldn't yet understand.
One thing was clear: the school held secrets, and if she wanted answers, she'd have to step further into its shadows.