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“Where are you off to in such a hurry, little Sera?” Drazhan called mockingly. “Don’t you want to catch up?”
Trapped, I backed away slowly. “Just leave me alone,” I whispered, betrayed by the quaver in my voice.
Drazhan’s smile turned wolfish, his handsome face alight with dark amusement at my obvious fear. He took a menacing step forward.
Panic clawed up my throat—I had to get away before they could hurt me further. Spying a gap between the bullies, I darted forward, ducking my head and making a desperate break for freedom.
A cruel hand snatched my arm, wrenching me back painfully. I crashed into a solid chest, breathing in the hated but familiar scent of Drazhan—pine and wood smoke.
Terror froze me as he leaned down to whisper in my ear. “Did you really think you’d get away so easily?” His low voice was edged with promised retribution. “Thanks to your whining, Gloria broke up with me and switched schools.” A growl. I squeezed my eyes shut, willing myself somewhere far away as his grip tightened painfully. “You’ve made my life a living hell, Sera. It’s only fair for me to return the favor…”
Revulsion roiled through me at his hot breath so close. I wanted to scream, to claw at the brute pawing me, but terror held me paralyzed. Drazhan reveled in his power over me, pressing closer in cruel delight.
Abruptly, the bruising hold disappeared. My eyes flew open to see a tall figure shoving Drazhan back against the wall, forearm pressed warningly across his throat.
Jasper.
“She told you to leave her alone,” he growled. Drazhan’s face purpled as he clawed uselessly at Jasper’s arm. My friend’s green eyes were thunderclouds, fury etched in every tense line of his body.
After an agonizing moment, he released Drazhan, who slumped against the wall, gasping. “Come on, Sera… We’re leaving.” With a glare, Jasper herded me protectively behind him towards the stairs. Only once we were out of sight did I finally let the tears fall, great heaving sobs of relief.
Jasper said nothing, merely lending a steady hand as we walked. But his presence alone soothed me. I knew he would keep me safe, no matter what malice Drazhan had in store for me.
By the time we reached my room, the tears had run dry, leaving me hollow but calm. Jasper gave my shoulder one last comforting squeeze before heading off down the hall.
Alone at last, I allowed the mask of poise to slip, revealing a soul-deep weariness. This was only the first day, yet already I had come so close to shattering.
Gods… How much more could I endure?
CHAPTER6
Sera
Weeks had passedsince Drazhan first unleashed his cruelty, and I bore fresh scars, unseen but no less real. His relentless torment had become the background static to my days, inescapable. Survival meant adapting—letting the daily cuts accumulate as armor against the next blow. I was a quick study in the art of endurance.
I slid silently into my seat for divination as Drazhan and his sycophants entered behind me. Their taunts had grown unimaginative with repetition. The words barely registered beneath my skin anymore. Let them cast their paltry stones; they would never penetrate the walls I’d built.
“How nice! We’ve got this class together, dear Sera,” Drazhan purred, claiming the desk directly behind mine. “We’ll get to spend some quality time.” His friends sniggered predictably.
I didn’t honor him with even a glance, unpacking my textbook with calm precision. Another trick I had mastered—utter indifference destroyed him faster than any reaction.
Professor Bishop breezed in, his colorful robes billowing. “Welcome, class. Find your centers as we open our minds to the whispered wisdom of the cards...”
As the professor guided us into meditative breathing, I let my thoughts drift, Drazhan’s airy voice fading to background noise. Divination was my refuge, a realm where obscure signs portended hidden truths. Mundane cruelty held no power here.
“Begin your practice readings,” Professor Bishop instructed, handing out worn decks of cards. “The future waits to be interpreted.”
I settled into the familiar ritual, shuffling my deck. With eyes closed, I drew three cards, laying them face down. As I concentrated on my question—“What path lies ahead this year?”—the cards began to glow, responding to the focused energy.
Flipping them over, I gasped, the sound lost in the murmur of other students. Dread pierced my calm façade. My cards spelled out an explicit threat—Death, the Tower, the Three of Swords.
Professor Bishop appeared silently beside me, concern etched on his face. Without a word, he flipped additional cards, his expression growing grimmer with each ominous reveal—the Five of Pentacles, the Empress, the Seven of Swords...I stared at the chilling tableau, struggling to decipher its meaning. But foreboding hung heavy over the reading.
“Seraphina.” He gripped my shoulder, voice hushed and urgent. “We must speak in private. Please come to my office after class.” His anxious eyes implored me to agree.
I nodded mutely, a chill spreading through my veins despite the room’s warmth. Whatever truth the professor had read in those terrible cards, it was not meant for listening ears.
Class ended not a moment too soon. I gathered my things quickly, hoping to escape Drazhan and his prying gaze. But he was expecting me.
