THE HOLO CROWN

The Key a

gends. Before I knew who I was-or what I w

rock, wrapped in runes older than time itself. No hing

p. T

The Holo. Others dare

heartbeat stopped,

e. They called it Infinito-where knowledge never ends, and secrets never sleep. Student

s never meant to forget

to was wai

****************

:The Boy Wi

didn't sto

ge floating lanterns that flickered like watching eyes. We weren't tol

pped off

n I saw it

stretching far into the clouds. The towers shimmered in shifting colors-gold,

ck and sharp. It buzzed ag

ide with wonder-or fear. They came in packs. Banshee-born with hair like smoke. Vampyric royals in coats stitched w

n there

ma

faction. Just a name and a

ne. Not eve

before we even r

nito again after nearly a hundred years. Most thought

tress Alara stepped out onto the stairs. She wore robes made of something that looked like starlig

-years. You walk

gaze lock

ly

didn't rea

lly you, M

-

e was

gs whispered. Books flapped. The ceiling changed with

heard from other schools. There

ed the Well o

till. Cold. It

It would show your truth, and then it would assign you to a House: Umbra (the shado

led my n

n Tho

Alone. The entire

's gaze pinned m

kn

e, a scream tore through my head-not my

ol shi

sigil a

l rejec

eone whispered, "

than a

hands shook. My l

e spread out, glowing faint gold. Not eno

atching crowd. Their e

en-they were

of anythin

use of w

-

t. No House colors. No roommates. Just walls of

e in my pocket like it could e

ne. Not ev

ething beneath Infinito had st

beat, deep be

p. T

knew I