Celestial Invasion

Nyxira POV

I don't belong here.

The thought loops in my head like a curse as I stare at the iron gates of Valemorth Academy, taller than any tree I've ever seen, carved with ancient symbols I can't read. The air is colder here, sharp against my skin. Even the wind seems to whisper warnings.

I clutch the sleeve of my jacket, making sure it covers my hand completely. I can still feel the mark burning faintly beneath the fabric, the one I've hidden all my life-the one that could get me killed.

Dragons don't exist anymore. Everyone knows that.

At least, they're not supposed to.

I breathe in slow, steady. I've trained myself not to react. No fear, no trembling, no signs that I'm anything but normal. I've gotten good at hiding. Years of running teach you that. Keep your head down, stay quiet, don't draw attention.

Valemorth is the exact opposite of everything I've ever known.

Students walk past me wearing tailored cloaks, enchanted jewelry, and glowing tattoos. They're confident, powerful, dangerous. Wolves, witches, vampires, fae-creatures I've only read about in the shadows of stolen books. Some look human, but most don't bother hiding what they are.

I'm not like them. I'm not anything.

I'm just Nyxira Rayn. Or at least, that's who I pretend to be.

The academy looms like a fortress carved into the mountainside. Spires twist into the clouds, and floating bridges connect the towers like spider silk. It's beautiful and terrifying at the same time. I don't know why I was accepted here. I never applied.

Someone sent my name.

Someone who knows what I am.

The thought chills me more than the mountain air.

"Name?" A voice snaps me out of my thoughts. A guard-tall, silver-eyed, armor laced with runes-waits with a glowing tablet in hand.

I swallow and step forward. "Nyxira. Nyxira Rayn."

He taps the name in. For a second, I think he'll laugh and tell me it's a mistake. That I don't belong.

Instead, he nods. "Dorm 6A. Orientation starts in the Hall of Scepters. Don't be late."

I nod back, not trusting my voice. As I pass through the gates, the magic hums against my skin-like it's scanning me. Testing me. I keep walking.

Inside the courtyard, everything is alive with power. Trees with golden leaves whisper secrets. Statues move when no one's looking. A girl with wings disappears into mist. A boy breathes fire like it's nothing.

I slip through the crowd unnoticed, just the way I like it.

But the moment I step into the Hall, I feel it-eyes.

Watching me.

The room is massive, shaped like a dome, lit by floating crystals that shift color with emotion. Students fill the tiers, chattering, laughing, sizing each other up. I find a seat near the edge, back against the wall.

Safe.

That's when I see him.

Zeryn Verridan.

Even I recognize him-the Wolf Prince. Alpha of the Crescent Claw bloodline. Everyone knows the stories. Born in battle. Stronger than anyone his age. Untouchable.

He strides into the hall like he owns the world, eyes sharp, golden, wild. People move out of his way. He doesn't smile.

And then his gaze sweeps over the crowd-pauses-lands on me.

My stomach tightens.

He frowns. Just slightly. Like he's trying to place me. Like he senses something off.

I look away first.

Then I see him.

Darian Ravelle. The Vampire heir.

He's the opposite of Zeryn. Still, composed, too perfect. Pale skin, silver hair, eyes like frozen glass. He moves like a shadow-quiet, smooth, calculating.

And he's staring at me too.

Why? What do they see?

I pull my hood up. I shouldn't have come. This place isn't safe.

Someone knows. Someone always knows.

A loud crack silences the room. A figure appears at the center of the hall, standing on the crystal platform-an old man in long silver robes, eyes glowing faintly.

"Welcome," he says. "To Valemorth Academy. Only the strong survive. Let's see what you're made of."

The floor shifts. Magic pulses through the room. Walls slide open to reveal corridors. Doors slam shut behind us. Students begin to rise, confused.

This isn't just orientation.

It's a test.