The morning sun cast a golden glow over Blackthorn Academy, illuminating the campus with a soft warmth that made it almost feel like a regular school day. But Alice couldn't shake the tension that filled the air. Every student she passed seemed to be whispering, their eyes glancing in her direction. She could feel their curiosity, and it unnerved her.
The bracelet her grandmother had given her felt heavier with each step she took. Though it was supposed to protect her, it made her feel as though she were being watched, as though her every move was under scrutiny.
She paused by the old oak tree that stood in the center of the courtyard, its ancient branches sprawling above her like a protective canopy. Alice leaned against the rough bark, staring out at the students bustling about, trying to calm her racing thoughts.
"Trying to hide, Alice?"
Alice's heart skipped a beat as she turned to see Michael approaching. His expression was relaxed, but there was something in his eyes that made Alice uneasy.
"I'm not hiding," she said quickly, though her voice betrayed her. "Just... thinking."
Michael raised an eyebrow. "About what? I thought you were trying to blend in, but it looks like you're already attracting attention."
Alice grimaced, her hand instinctively reaching for the bracelet. "I know. It's like everyone's looking at me. It's strange."
Michael smirked. "Maybe it's not you they're looking at. Maybe it's your new accessory."
Alice shot him a glare. "Very funny."
But before Michael could respond, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Alice," said a tall figure walking toward them.
It was Andrea. Her posture was stiff with arrogance, and her green eyes glinted with barely concealed disdain. She was flanked by two other Amazon students—twin sisters who towered over Alice by at least a foot.
"I see you're still wearing that ridiculous bracelet," Andrea sneered. "How very... witchy of you."
Alice's fingers tightened around the bracelet, but she didn't say anything. She wasn't in the mood to engage with Andrea again.
"Is something wrong, Andrea?" Michael said, his voice laced with amusement. "You look... upset."
Andrea's eyes flickered to Michael, her gaze hardening. "Stay out of this, Michael," she warned. "This is between me and Alice."
Alice could feel the tension rising between them. She wasn't sure if Andrea's hostility was purely because of the bracelet—or if it had something to do with Alice's growing reputation at the academy. Either way, she wasn't about to back down.
"I don't have time for this," Alice muttered, turning to walk away.
But before she could take another step, a voice boomed from across the courtyard.
"Move aside!"
The crowd of students parted, and at the front of the procession stood Lyanna, the head of the Amazons. Her commanding presence silenced the chatter of the crowd as she stepped forward, her gaze sweeping across the courtyard like a predator searching for prey.
"Lyanna," Andrea said, her voice suddenly respectful. "I didn't expect you so soon."
Lyanna's gaze landed on Alice, and for a moment, everything around them seemed to freeze. Alice felt her heart race as the Amazon leader's cold eyes studied her, analyzing her every detail.
"So," Lyanna said, her voice low and measured. "This is the girl."
Andrea nodded eagerly. "Yes, Mother. This is Alice. She's the one I was telling you about. The one who humiliated me."
Lyanna's eyes remained fixed on Alice as she stepped forward, her long cloak swishing around her feet. "You're not from here, are you?"
Alice swallowed, unsure of how to respond. Lyanna's presence was intimidating, and she couldn't help but feel that the Amazon leader knew something she wasn't telling her.
"I... I'm a student here," Alice said cautiously.
"Not what I meant," Lyanna said, her lips curling into a small smile. "I'm not asking about your status as a student, girl. I'm asking about who you really are."
Alice stiffened. She could feel her grandmother's warning echoing in her mind. Keep calm. Don't let them see anything.
But Lyanna's gaze was unyielding, her piercing eyes searching Alice's every movement.
"I don't know what you mean," Alice said, her voice growing firmer.
Lyanna tilted her head slightly, her gaze never wavering. "We'll see about that."
With a wave of her hand, Lyanna dismissed Andrea and the other Amazons who had been following her. The courtyard grew quieter, the students watching the exchange with bated breath.
"Come with me," Lyanna said to Alice, her tone brokering no argument.
Alice hesitated, her mind racing. She was trapped. Every part of her wanted to refuse, but she knew better than to defy the head of the Amazons. She had already crossed one line by refusing to back down from Andrea. She couldn't risk escalating things further.
Slowly, she followed Lyanna toward the school's main building.
---
Inside the building, Lyanna led Alice to a large, empty classroom, its windows darkened with heavy curtains. The door shut behind them with an ominous thud, and the silence that followed seemed to stretch on forever.
Lyanna turned to face Alice, her expression unreadable. "You will answer my questions, girl. And you will answer truthfully."
Alice opened her mouth to protest, but Lyanna raised a hand, silencing her.
"I'm not here to play games," Lyanna said. "I know who you are. I know what you are."
The words hit Alice like a blow to the chest. Her heart pounded, her mind reeling with fear. She knows?
"How do you know?" Alice demanded, her voice shaking.
Lyanna's eyes gleamed with an unsettling knowing. "It doesn't matter how I know. What matters is what you're hiding."
Alice gritted her teeth. She couldn't let Lyanna uncover the truth. Not now. Not ever.
"I'm just a student," Alice said, her voice steady, though her hands were trembling. "I'm not hiding anything."
Lyanna stepped closer, her presence overwhelming. "You may fool the others, Alice. But not me."
Alice swallowed hard, and for a moment, she feared that her grandmother's protections might not be enough.
But just as Lyanna raised her hand to cast a spell, a loud crash interrupted the moment. The door burst open, and Michael stormed into the room, his eyes blazing with fury.
"Stay away from her!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife.
Lyanna narrowed her eyes, but she didn't move. "You're getting involved in something that doesn't concern you, Michael."
"It does now," he said, stepping in front of Alice, his body blocking Lyanna's path. "I won't let you hurt her."
For a moment, the two leaders locked eyes, and the tension in the room seemed to intensify. But then Lyanna exhaled softly, stepping back.
"Very well," she said coldly. "But mark my words, Alice. I'll be watching you."
With that, she turned on her heel and left, her footsteps echoing through the hall.
Alice and Michael stood in silence, the weight of the encounter settling on both of them.
"That was too close," Alice muttered, her voice barely audible.
Michael turned to her, his expression softening. "I won't let them hurt you. You have my word."
Alice nodded, but her mind raced. Lyanna knew. And soon, the whole world would, too.
---