Sophia's words echoed in my mind long after she left, her warning a constant presence, like a storm cloud hanging just above my head. The Council. They were the ones who controlled everything—every student, every teacher, every secret hidden within the walls of Nocturne Academy.
I hadn't realized how deep the web of lies ran until now. The game I had been caught in wasn't just between the Houses. It was much bigger, and it was orchestrated by the Council.
But who were they? What did they want from me?
I knew I had to find answers. The problem was, the deeper I dug, the more I realized I was surrounded by enemies, and trust had become a luxury I couldn't afford.
The next morning, I made my way to the heart of Nocturne Academy—the Council's chambers. It wasn't a place anyone went unless they had to. Few knew exactly where it was, and fewer still ever returned after they'd been called.
I had no invitation, no official reason to be there. But I didn't care. I needed answers, and I would get them, even if I had to break every rule in the book.
I stood in front of the large, iron doors, the weight of them heavy in my chest. I had a feeling that crossing this threshold would change everything, and I wasn't sure if I was ready for what lay beyond. But there was no turning back now.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed the doors open.
The room was dimly lit, with a large round table at its center. Around it sat six figures cloaked in shadow, their faces hidden by dark hoods. The air felt thick with power, oppressive in a way that made it hard to breathe. I could feel their eyes on me, even though I couldn't see them.
"Eira Valen," one of the voices said, its tone cold and unyielding. It came from the figure seated at the head of the table. "You have been warned, yet here you are."
I didn't flinch, though my heart pounded in my chest. "I need to know who you are. And what you want from me."
Another figure chuckled, the sound dark and mocking. "You are bold, girl. But foolish. You think you can just waltz in here and demand answers?"
I stood tall, despite the unease that crawled beneath my skin. "You control everything at this Academy. You've been watching me. I want to know why. I want to know what you've done to my father."
There was a long silence before the figure at the head of the table spoke again, this time his voice colder than ice. "Your father was a mistake. One we thought we had eliminated. But now… now we see you."
My stomach churned. I hadn't expected them to admit it so easily. But their words only confirmed what I already suspected—my father's death wasn't an accident. It had been orchestrated, planned. And I was their next target.
"You killed him," I said, my voice steady, though fury burned inside me.
A low laugh rippled through the room. "He was a threat to our plans. As are you."
The words hit me like a slap. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as the rage simmered beneath my skin. "What do you want from me?"
The figure at the head of the table leaned forward, his voice taking on a more sinister edge. "Your power, Eira. We know what you are. Your father's blood runs through you, but you have something he didn't—something far more dangerous. The power that you haven't even begun to understand."
I felt a cold chill creep down my spine. They knew. They knew what I was capable of, and they were using it against me.
"I'm not going to be your weapon," I said through gritted teeth.
"We'll see," the figure replied, his voice soft but filled with menace. "You don't have a choice."
Before I could respond, the door behind me slammed shut, and I spun around, startled. Standing there was someone I didn't expect to see—Lucien.
His eyes locked onto mine, his expression unreadable. "I warned you," he said, his voice tinged with something I couldn't place—concern, maybe? Or was it regret?
The Council remained silent, watching the exchange. Lucien walked forward, his steps deliberate, as if weighing each one.
"You're playing a dangerous game, Eira," he said, stopping just a few feet away from me. "But you're not alone in this. Not anymore."
I stared at him, torn between disbelief and suspicion. "What are you talking about?"
Lucien's gaze softened for a moment, a flicker of something genuine in his eyes before it was masked by the usual cool detachment. "I know you're not the pawn they think you are. But I can't help you if you're going to keep pushing everyone away."
I didn't know what to say. His words were like a thread of hope, fragile and dangerous in the face of everything I had learned about the Council. But in that moment, I understood something—Lucien wasn't just a part of this game. He was a player, just like me.
The silence stretched on, the tension thick in the air. I could feel the eyes of the Council on us, waiting for something to happen, waiting for me to make my move.
"I don't need your help," I said, my voice firm, even though part of me wanted to reach out. To trust him. But I couldn't. Not yet. Not until I knew the full truth.
Lucien's lips twitched, as if he were about to say something, but the figure at the head of the table interrupted him.
"That's enough," the figure said, his tone final. "Eira Valen, you have two choices. Join us, and become part of something far greater than yourself. Or refuse, and face the consequences."
I looked at Lucien, then at the figures of the Council. There was no hesitation in my decision. "I'll never join you."
The room grew colder at my words, the shadows thickening as if the very air itself were pressing in on me.
The figure at the head of the table smiled, though there was no warmth in it. "Then you have chosen your path, Eira. But remember this: there is no escape from the Council. And no one—not even you—can stand against us forever."
With that, the doors behind me opened, and I turned, walking out of the room without looking back. I could feel their eyes on me as I left, the weight of their threat lingering in the air like a heavy fog.
I wasn't ready to confront them head-on—not yet. But I had made my choice. And now, the war was on.
I had no allies here. Only enemies in disguise.
And I was going to make sure they knew exactly who they were dealing with.