Sera didn’t get any sleep at all last night.
She just sat on her bed staring at that piece of paper.
The words were still stuck in her head: “Your mother’s death was no accident.” By the time the sun came up she had made up her mind.
She wasn’t going to sit around and act like everything was fine.
She wanted answers.
But first she had to get through her morning class—Advanced Herbology.
Hands down the most boring subject in the whole academy.
She walked in and sat near the back sliding the note deep into her coat pocket.
A second later someone pulled out the chair next to her and sat down.
”So,” a guy’s voice said right beside her.
“Are you the girl who blew up her hands with light yesterday?” Sera turned her head instantly on guard.
Red-auburn hair amber eyes and a grin that was way too confident.
He had a silver fox crest pinned to his uniform.
”Who are you?” Sera asked moving away a bit.
”Lucien Moreau,” he said holding his hand out like they were at some fancy dinner.
He had a sharp playful look in his eyes.
”Fox Spirit Noble and easily the best-looking guy here.” He leaned in a little and whispered with a laugh: ”A few people might claim Caelum holds that title but honestly they don’t know what they’re talking about.” Sera stared at him actually surprised by how loud he was.
”Do you always talk about yourself like this?” ”Why shouldn’t I?” Lucien shrugged his grin staying right where it was.
”If I don’t say it who will?
Nobody in this place ever gives out compliments.” Despite feeling totally miserable Sera felt a small smile touch her lips.
”Are you always like this with everyone?” ”Nah only with people who aren’t boring,” Lucien said pulling his chair a little closer.
”And you Miss Voss are definitely not boring.” ”The whole dining hall was talking about you last night.” ”Golden light dragon rumors…” ”And Caelum actually coming over to talk to you.” Sera’s face went completely cold.
“How do you even know that?” ”Word moves fast around here,” Lucien said giving her a quick wink.
”Especially when it’s about Caelum.
He usually acts like everyone else is invisible.” ”You threw him off so bad he forgot to act cold for a second.” ”I really don’t care what people are saying,” Sera said her hand resting over her pocket.
”Sure,” Lucien said quietly tilting his head as he looked at her.
”So what’s actually bothering you then?
You look like you’re carrying the whole world.” Sera didn’t say anything turning back to the front board.
”Fine keep it to yourself,” Lucien said smoothly leaning back.
”Everyone has stuff they don’t want to share.
I’ve got a ton of my own.” ”Just wait though.
Sooner or later you’ll end up telling me.
And I’ll tell you mine.
Deal?” ”I never said yes to any deal,” Sera muttered.
”Not yet,” Lucien laughed under his breath.
“Give it time.” The teacher slammed a book on the desk telling everyone to be quiet.
Lucien actually stayed silent for about three minutes.
Then a small folded piece of paper slid across the desk stopping right by Sera’s arm.
Written on it was a quick note: ”Instructor Bramble is 100% wearing a wig.
Watch him when he bends down to grab the chalk.” Sera read it and had to bite her lip hard to keep from laughing out loud.
She didn’t manage to keep it in completely.
A tiny snort came out which she immediately tried to cover with a cough.
The teacher turned around staring right at her over his glasses.
”Is something funny about plant roots Miss Voss?” ”No sir,” Sera said quickly looking down at her desk.
Her lips were still shaking from trying not to laugh.
Beside her Lucien looked like he had just won an award resting his chin on his hand.
For the first time in days the heavy feeling in her chest didn’t feel as bad.
When class ended Lucien walked out right next to her down the hallway.
Hands in his pockets acting like they’d been friends forever.
”Alright,” he said lowering his voice.
“For real this time.
Is that dragon magic thing true?” Sera stopped walking looking at him suspiciously.
”Are you going to start asking me a million questions now too?” ”No,” Lucien said his grin disappearing completely.
”I just wanted to make sure you were doing okay.” ”Everyone else is looking at you like you’re a weapon a problem or a show.” ”I just wanted to see how you were doing Sera.” Hearing her own name spoken like that caught her off guard.
”I…
I honestly don’t know,” she admitted her voice dropping real low.
”I found a note outside my door last night.” ”It said my mother didn’t die in an accident.” Lucien’s playful mood was completely gone now.
His amber eyes went sharp and serious.
”Where did you find it?” ”On the floor near the corner.
Someone dropped it on purpose.” Lucien didn’t reply right away thinking it over.
”Sera there are families here who spend a lot of time making sure old secrets stay hidden,” he said softly.
”And if your mother’s death wasn’t an accident someone is going to panic the second you start looking into it.” ”So what am I supposed to do?” ”Keep your eyes open,” Lucien told her letting a little bit of his smile come back.
”And keep me around.
I’m actually pretty useful when things get crazy—good magic quick on my feet and I know everything that happens here.” Sera let out a small real laugh.
Before she could say anything else a cold voice came from down the hall.
”Moreau.” Both of them turned around.
Caelum was standing near the archway his blue eyes fixed straight on Lucien.
”Can I help you Your Highness?” Lucien asked his relaxed voice coming right back.
Though his shoulders went totally stiff.
”Get away from her,” Caelum said his tone flat and strict.
Sera stared at the prince totally annoyed.
“Excuse me?” Lucien raised an eyebrow a slow smile spreading across his face.
”Wait a minute.
Am I actually hearing this right?” ”Is Crown Prince Caelum Drayke getting jealous right now?” Caelum’s jaw tightened up.
”This isn’t about jealousy.
It’s about her safety.” ”Safety,” Lucien repeated barely keeping a laugh in.
”Right.
And where was all this safety when you were holding her hand in the dark last night?” Sera felt her face go red instantly.
“How do you even—” ”Everyone knows,” Lucien teased glancing over at her.
“You two are literally the main topic in every room right now.” Caelum took a slow step forward looking completely dead serious.
”Moreau I’m telling you once—” ”Or what?” Lucien cut in not losing his smile for a second.
”I’m just a classmate walking with a friend.
What right do you have to tell her who she can stand next to?” The hall went dead quiet as neither of them backed down.
Then out of nowhere a sharp burst of wind blew straight through the windows.
It hit them hard pulling at their coats.
At the exact same time a loud crack sounded through the whole floor—like glass breaking under pressure.
A sudden burning pain shot right through Sera’s palm.
It hit her so fast her knees gave out on the spot.
”Sera!” Both Caelum and Lucien reached out at the exact same time trying to grab her.
Hitting the cold floor was the last thing she remembered.
Darkness took over instantly.
And the last thing she caught sight of was her bare palm— Where a hard bright scale had pushed straight through her skin glowing with silver and gold light.