Chapter 5 The Academy's Obsession

The shrill ringing of the academy bell echoed through the dormitory in the morning, pulling Selene from another restless night.

She opened her eyes slowly and stared at the ceiling for a long moment.

She hadn't slept much. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw crimson eyes... sharp fangs... and the terrified expression on Lila's face before the supervisor led her away.

Her gaze drifted toward the empty bed across the room. The blankets were untouched.

Lila hadn't come back, a heavy knot settled in Selene's stomach. She already knew why. She closed her eyes briefly before forcing herself out of bed.

After changing into Ravenwood Academy's uniform, she adjusted the navy blazer over her white shirt and straightened the silver-striped tie resting neatly against her collar. The familiar uniform that had seemed so prestigious only days ago now felt more like a prisoner's clothing.

She picked up her bag and quietly left the room. The academy corridors were already crowded.

Students walked in groups toward their morning classes, their conversations filling the hallways.

The moment Selene stepped into view, several voices lowered, heads turned, whispers spread from one group to another.

"That's her."

"The human who knocked Lucien Draven down."

"I heard the council couldn't even touch her."

"No way she's human."

"Maybe she's hiding what she really is."

Selene kept walking. She stared straight ahead as though she hadn't heard a single word. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag, but her expression remained calm.

She had almost reached the end of the corridor when four students stepped into her path, and blocked the hallway completely.

Selene came to a stop, and looked from one face to another before letting out a quiet sigh. "Is there a problem?" she asked.

One of the boys laughed. "Seriously?" he said. "You're going to pretend you don't know why everyone's talking about you?"

Another folded his arms. "So... what exactly are you? a witch?, a demon?, or maybe an angel?"

The group burst into laughter.

Selene remained silent, looking at them.

The tallest boy stepped closer, studying her face with open curiosity. "You've become pretty famous around here, Selene Vale."

A crooked smile spread across his face.

"So why don't you share some of those amazing powers with the rest of us?" His friends chuckled.

"I wouldn't mind knocking Lucien Draven off his throne too."

Selene shook her head. "I don't have any powers."

She tried to step around them. "I just want to get to class."

A hand suddenly caught her wrist. "You're not going anywhere." The smile disappeared from the boy's face. "Tell us where those powers came from."

Selene pulled against his grip.

"I already told you, I'm human."

"Stop lying." His voice hardened. "No human can do what you did."

Before Selene could answer, another voice cut through the hallway.

"What's going on here?"

The hallway fell silent, every head turned.

The students' expressions changed immediately.

"Oh..." One of them took a step back.

"It's Cassian."

Without another word, the group quickly scattered, disappearing into the crowd as if nothing had happened.

Selene rubbed her wrist where the boy had grabbed her.

A familiar figure walked toward her. Cassian Thorn.

He wore the same academy uniform as the other vampire heirs, though somehow it looked more relaxed on him. His dark hair fell carelessly across his forehead, and unlike most of the vampires she'd met, there wasn't a trace of arrogance in his warm brown eyes.

He stopped a comfortable distance away. "I heard you were released yesterday."

A small smile crossed his face. "I'm glad you're still alive."

Selene managed a faint smile. "Thank you."

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke. Then Cassian slipped one hand into his pocket.

"Although," he said gently, "I wouldn't mistake your release for freedom."

Selene's smile faded."I know."

"They're still investigating you, everything about you.”

She nodded, “I already know.”

The morning bell rang again, louder this time. Selene glanced toward the academic building. "I should get going," she said. "It's my first class, and I'd rather not be late."

She had barely taken two steps before Cassian spoke again. "Selene."

She turned.

"I'm having a small party tonight."

He rubbed the back of his neck almost awkwardly. "Just a few friends at my place."

His voice remained calm. "I'd like you to come."

Selene looked at him in surprise. "I'm sorry..."

She shook her head. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"I expected you'd say that." Cassian smiled.

"But it's nothing formal, no politics, no academy business." His smile softened.

"I promise you'll be safe."

Selene hesitated. Something about him made it difficult to believe he had bad intentions.

Even so…Trust was becoming a luxury she couldn't afford.

Cassian reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black card.

"If you change your mind," he said, holding it out to her, "send me a message."

Selene stared at the card for a moment before finally accepting it.

"Our numbers are already registered through the academy network." He smiled. "So it'll reach me."

Selene slipped the card into her pocket. "Thank you."

With one last nod, she turned and continued toward the classroom, leaving Cassian standing alone in the hallway, quietly watching her disappear into the crowd.

Selene slipped into the classroom just before the third bell rang.

The conversations inside died almost instantly. Dozens of eyes followed her as she made her way toward an empty seat near the back.

She kept her head down, pretending not to notice.

The room buzzed with whispers until the classroom door opened again.

A middle-aged woman entered, carrying a stack of books beneath one arm. "Good morning, everyone."

"Good morning, Professor," the class replied in unison.

The professor placed the books on her desk and turned to face the students, as her eyes landed on Selene. For a brief moment, she simply stared, then she seemed to catch herself.

"Open your textbooks to page thirty-two." The lesson began.

Every few minutes, Selene felt someone looking at her. Sometimes it was the students. Sometimes...It was the professor.

Whenever Selene lifted her head, she found another pair of curious eyes fixed on her before they quickly looked away.

The whispers never truly stopped. She couldn't concentrate.

The words written across the pages blurred together until they became meaningless. She barely heard anything the professor said.

Minutes felt like hours. She silently begged for the class to end.

Finally...The bell rang.

The sharp sound echoed through the room. Before the teacher had even finished dismissing the class, Selene had already packed her bag.

She hurried toward the door. The moment she stepped into the hallway, voices called after her.

"Selene!"

"Wait!"

"I just want to ask you something!"

"How did you defeated Lucien Draven?"

More students appeared from nearby classrooms, curiosity written all over their faces. Some only wanted a closer look. Others pushed forward, desperate for answers.

The crowd grew larger with every passing second. Panic tightened around Selene's chest.

She turned and hurried down the corridor. Someone reached for her sleeve. She pulled away and broke into a run.

Behind her, the voices only grew louder.

"Stop!"

"Selene!"

"Wait!"

She didn't stop, she ran all the way back to the dormitory without looking behind her. Breathing hard, she fumbled with the keycard before finally unlocking the door.

The moment she stepped inside, she slammed it shut and locked it.

At last, She leaned against the door, her breathing uneven. Her heart refused to slow down.

After a long moment, she reached into her pocket. The small black card Cassian had given her rested in her palm.

She stared at it quietly. Then she let out a tired laugh and shook her head.

"There's no way I'm going to that party," she murmured. "Not after everything that's happened."

She was about to tuck the card away when…she heard a knock.

The sound froze her where she stood. Her fingers tightened around the card. For several seconds, she didn't move.

Another knock came, softer this time, Selene swallowed hard, then she slowly walked toward the door.

Her hand hovered over the handle. After taking a deep breath, she unlocked it and pulled the door open.

Her breath caught. Lucien Draven stood outside, alone. His silver-gray eyes met hers, unreadable as ever. For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Lucien turned away. "Follow me." His voice was calm and cold.

Selene remained rooted to the spot, unable to move.

Lucien took several steps before stopping. Without turning around, he spoke again. "Now."

The single word snapped her

out of her daze. Fear settled heavily in her chest. Her legs felt unsteady, but she forced herself to move.

With trembling steps, Selene followed him down the silent corridor, not knowing where he was taking her.