l as possible, a difficult task when every nerve ending in her body felt painfully electrified. The heavy, suffocating weight of Professor Kael Drave

f her, but her skin prickled with the terrifying awarenes

he even began his lecture, a casual display of raw, unspoken power that made Elara's stomach twist into tight knots. She was a pre-law sophomore. She was used to study

esh wave of shivers tracing down her arms. "It is the foundation of our world. Treaties are not

shoulders shifting gracefully beneath the dark fabric of his tailored shirt. Elara risked a glance upward. It was a grave mistake. His amber eye

ummed with that same electric heat she had felt on the floor.

. The words were a velvet whip, striking her with deliberate precision. "They rely on fragile human laws, believing bureaucracy and pi

life. She understood intimidation tactics. She recognized a hostile prosecutor dismantling a helpless witness on the stand. But

a heavy, magnetic pull. She could still smell him from across the amphitheater. The sharp pine and thunderstorm scent cut cleanly through the musty smell of the old library book

e, every tick of the grand clock on

ng the vampires, shifters, and sirens file out through the heavy oak doors. She needed to fix this. Her parents' memories were gone, wiped away to protect them from the magical disast

podium. Kael was organizing a stack of thick parchment. He did not look up as she appr

Her voice sounded far too qu

und the polished wooden desk dropped a staggering ten degr

fixed firmly on his papers. "I thought my instruct

k cedar washed over her in a heavy wave. "I am a transfer student. I was thrown into this world just three

e utterly devoid of warmth. They were twin

her neck stand up. "There are no study guides. There are no grading curves for effort. You are a fragile creature sw

white around the handle. "Do yourself a favor. Pack your bags

wake made her shiver violently. He took all the oxygen out of the roo

Northwood were swarming with students moving to their next classes. The architecture was towering and oppressive, filled with shifting shadows a

force slammed in

or. She threw her hands out and caught herself against the cold stone wall

glowed a faint, venomous pink. She was flanked by two massive boys who looked like t

d. Her voice was highly musical, like wind chimes, b

rm jacket, forcing her breat

personal space. The smell of cloying roses and burnt sugar filled the air, thick and nauseating. This was Seraphina. Elara had

ngerous slits as she took a deep, sudden breath. A

ped to a lethal whisper meant to terrify. "Y

, just a few feet away at his desk, but the strange, electric tether

perfectly manicured nail down Elara's cheek. The touch burned li

ened softly. "He belongs to the elite. If I ever smell his scent on your

wled in deep agreement, their eyes

clicking sharply against the marble, her lackey

med to fade into a dull, rushing roar in her ears. The terrifying reality of her sit

rd her, by singling her out as weak and pathetic, he had painted a massive, glowing target on her ba

ay. He was trying to make her

ng else. It morphed into a cold, stubborn anger. She was a pre-law student. S

t begun. But they were about to find o

or's

phina. What do you think about Elara's pre-law mindset kicking in? Is she brave or just a little bit reckless for not running away? Let me know your thoug