Blood moon; the first curse

much-needed reprieve, it was the beginning of her final semester. Just a few more months, and then, graduation. She felt the weight of it, the promise of freedom, mingling with the

rful families, a fortress of social class and status, renowned globall

purring impatiently, while others arrived with their own chauffeurs, stepping out with an air of quiet detachment. The air here was thick with a rich, intoxicating aura: the crisp scent of expensive designer perfumes, the polished gleam of countless sports cars and high-end bikes, the murmur of privileged voices. Elara, howev

formality, and on the left chest, the school's distinctive HG logo was embroidered with subtle elegance. A delicate smoke waist chain adorned the skirt's waist, a small rebellion against the strict uniform code, and a simple black ribbon tie held her long, dark hair neatly backward, away from her face. Completing her look we

often struggled to keep up with the rigorous curriculum. Harrowgate's academic standards were merciless, demanding perfection, and she often found herself spending long hours studying late into the night, the qui

tudy in silence. No one was in the mood for conversation, the tension thick and unspoken. They parked the car in the sprawling lot, pulling into a vacant spot next to a lineup of other luxurious vehicles, each one a testament to the school's elite population. They had just been changed schools

o school, a point of pride. Their eyes, along with those of almost everyone else in the parking lot, darted instinctively towards the bus. Whispers rippled through the crowd, some curious, some tinged with mockery, some outright laughing. Damien, already out of the car a

ity, looked incredibly good on her, tailored perfectly to her slender frame. She carried a simple tote bag and a stack of books clutched in her hands. What truly caught their attention was her demeanor. She didn't even look arou

ending to be engrossed in his phone. "Don't tell me you didn't see her, bro!" he pressed, a hint of playful exasperation in his voice. Damien finally looked up, his eyes, usually intense, now filled with what could only be described as disgust. "I did... nothing special," Damien replied flatly, his head still l

rst, then Lucas's. Then, without warning, she embraced Damien in a friendly, almost familiar hug. It wasn't reciprocated. Damien stood rigid, his arms unmoving, his gaze fixed on a point beyond her shoulder. He didn't even bo

anca... Bia, for short," she introduced herself, her voice sweet and confident. "I'll be your guide. I must admit that it's my first time seeing this school accept students in a second semester. It's... massive." She gave a friendly, disarming smile. "I have all your information, so I'll help you get settled in your classes. You all are studyin

Damien; she couldn't even hide it. Her attempts at casual conversation were all directed his way, her eyes constantly flicking to him. On the way, she pointed out various landmarks within the sprawling school, from the state-of-the-art science labs with their gleaming equipment to the expansive library filled with what she claimed we

smile. Damien just looked at her, his internal monologue a desperate plea for her to just

nstantly losing its sweetness as she shoved the person roughly to the ground. Damien then got his first clear chance to see the person Bianca had just assaulted. It was the girl his brothers had been so "crazy" over in the parking lot earlier-the one who had st

fter a moment, his voice flat, he answered, "Back, next to a window." That was all he said. Bianca looked around at the back of the room, her eyes lighting up as she spotted an empty desk. "Come, let me show you," she said, her voice bright, and to Damien's disgust, she reached out and pulled his hand, making him follow her towards the back. He could feel the stares of the whole classroom on him, a thousand eyes piercing him, assessing him. H

gue in irritation and walked hastily to the front of the classroom. She headed straight to the girl she had bumped into earlier, who was now kneeling by the trash bin, seemingly looking for something. Bianca, with a sudden, cruel jerk, pulled

classroom. Then, just as quickly, everyone burst into cruel laughter again, a wave of gleeful malice. Bianca then grabbed the girl's books and her tote bag, which were now scattered on the floor, and sent them flying out thr

She flashed him a bright, innocent smile, one that you'd think belonged to the kindest person alive, and then walked out to her seat at the front of the class. Just seconds later,

addressing someone unseen. "Wait there until I'm done with my class, or just go back to whatever you were doing." She then continued with her lecture, unfazed. Every

e then walked directly towards Damien, her eyes downcast, and took the seat next to him, the only one remaining open in the entire classroom. She packed her damaged books into the locker beneath the desk, then took out one particular book and, without a word, walked out again. "She has gone to the libra

th every fiber of his being. But something about his father's unwavering gaze, the quiet desperation beneath his stern resolve, had made Damien relent. He still didn't understand the full depth of their fear, but the look in