---
Curfew at Ashbourne was strict.
Not because they cared for safety…
But because nighttime was when the real monsters roamed.
The assassins-in-training.
The alchemists working with poisons.
And worse—those who didn't need permission to kill.
---
So of course, I did the smartest thing possible.
I snuck out.
Hood up, uniform switched for black, hair pinned tighter.
I moved like shadow—silent, efficient, invisible.
At least, I thought I was.
---
I slipped through the West Wing corridor, headed for the off-limits library tower. Ryan had hinted at secret files stored in a hidden chamber below it.
Intel was my mission. And instinct screamed that something about this school wasn't what it claimed to be.
As I reached the spiral staircase, my fingers brushed the wall—
And I froze.
Footsteps.
Not echoing from afar.
Not slow.
Not… random.
Deliberate. Following.
---
I darted into the shadows behind the curtain near the display case of antique daggers.
Held my breath.
Silence.
Then—a gloved hand suddenly pulled back the curtain.
I slammed my knee upward on instinct—right into a solid chest.
A grunt.
A chuckle.
"You kick like a girl," the figure whispered.
---
Mikhail.
He wasn't dressed in school uniform.
He was in tactical black.
Like a soldier. Like… an assassin.
"What the hell are you doing?" I hissed.
He leaned closer, eyes gleaming.
"Protecting a rookie who leaves footprints like a toddler."
I was speechless.
Mikhail knew I was out of bounds. And instead of reporting me, he… followed me?
Why?
---
We moved in silence up the stairs until we reached the forbidden level—where even professors didn't go.
Mikhail produced a black card.
It beeped the hidden scanner open.
I stared.
"Where'd you get that?"
He smirked. "Stole it from the Headmaster."
---
Inside was pure dust and darkness.
Old files. Maps. Framed wanted posters.
Some photos were crossed out in red ink. Others had the word "TRAITOR" scribbled in bold.
I moved closer and picked up a document.
It was a confidential student profile—but with real names, fake identities, and blacklisted flags.
---
And then… I saw mine.
Code name: Ash Vane
Status: MONITORED
Threat Level: UNKNOWN
Suspected Background: Possibly military-trained / external infiltration
I blinked hard.
It couldn't be…
The school knew about me.
---
Suddenly, Mikhail was behind me, reading over my shoulder.
His voice was quiet. Almost too quiet.
"Funny. You're not even on the official registry."
I jerked back, hiding my panic.
"Neither are you."
He didn't deny it.
Just gave me a slow, dangerous smile.
"We all wear masks here, Ash. Some of us just wear them better."
---
Before I could respond, a faint alarm blipped twice.
He tensed.
"Go. Now."
"What? Why—"
"They're coming."
---
We dashed out. I barely managed to slide down a laundry chute Mikhail opened last second.
We landed in an empty hallway near the kitchens.
As we caught our breath, I looked at him.
"Why did you help me?"
He didn't answer right away.
Then:
"Because I hate liars."
"But I hate rules even more."
---
The next morning, nothing was the same.
Ryan was gone. His bed, untouched.
Axel hadn't returned from detention.
Caden didn't even show up in class.
And Mikhail?
Back to being cold. Silent. Absent.
---
At my locker, I found a slip of paper folded into quarters.
My stomach dropped.
Another note?
I opened it.
But this time, it wasn't a threat.
It was a riddle.
> "Silver shadows hide the truth,
Eyes that burn, hands uncouth.
The third will find what first ones lose—
And teach the fox to pay its dues."
---
I looked around.
Someone was still watching.
Still playing with me.
But now?
The game had changed.
And I was no longer just pretending to be a student.
I was being hunted.
---
End of Chapter 12
---