Twisted Chains

r belonged in a

ges sharp as if meant to keep intruders out perhaps, to keep something else in. Beyond them, an estate of dark stone and whispered secrets stretched across the mist-covered hill

r past. The scholarship had been a miracle, a golden ticket into the world of the elite. She had studied harder than anyone and fought tooth and nail

where a set of marble steps led up to massive double doors carved with the academy's crest. A moment later, a student emerged-a girl w

ore expensive than the last. The students who exited were pristine, poised, and utterly untouchab

r her like she was something unfortunate that had drifted

's t

sn't bel

p girl. You

learning how to ignore the whispers, how to pretend she didn't hear the ridicule, d

just the casual curiosity or disdain o

res

eavy. W

up, and that's

ful about him, a quiet, self-assured confidence that made the others around him fade into the background. The breeze ruffled his dark hair as he exhaled a slow stream of

face. The intensity behind that gaze was enough to make he

hing far mor

ere

sem

has already

knew instinctively that showing weakness here,

amien tilted his head, his lips curling at the corners in something that wasn't quite a

di

though he were no different from the others, as though

e swore she he

tighter in her stomach, but s

covered walls, as intimidating as the rest of the academy. I

wealthier students had. A single bed, a desk, a closet-just enough. She dropped he

uld do

ha

ier still lingered, sett

her door ma

auburn hair, her uniform crisp but her posture far too relaxe

scholarshi

ated befo

gainst the doorframe. "You're either real

d. "And wh

g almost pitying in her eyes. "Because you've a

d. She didn't have t

en V

for the stares. No one tried to speak to her b

ad expected this. Sh

n't expected

l folded slip of paper tucked between her bo

d have lo

re. No nee

e hammering in her ears. She should have ignored

her head slightly,

leaning casually agains

, but the smirk on his lips told

s a gam

been chosen as hi