Thalia’s POV
Afew weeks into the academy, the rhythm of my days settled into a familiar pattern. Mornings were a blur of lectures in the Leyndell Hall, where dust motes danced in the sunbeams slicing through the arched windows. Lunch with El, her easy grin chasing away the shadows that always seemed to linger at the edges of my mind. Combat training was a grueling dance of sweat and aching muscles. Evenings were spent hunched over books in the flickering lamplight of the library. For the first time, the gnawing loneliness that had been my constant companion for so long began to recede. El wasn't obligated to be my friend—shechoseto be.
The Shadow Brothers, with their intense gazes and apparent annoyance towards me, hadn't been seen in days. Their presence, though brief, still lingered in my mind. According to El, this was normal. While the academy’s attendance rules were strict for everyone else, the brothers seemed to be above them. I found it... irritating. Maybe it was the fact they could ignore the rules, or maybe it was because I hadn’t seen them at all.
I pushed the thought away.No, Thalia,I told myself firmly, you don't need to worry about them. They clearly don't think you belong here anyway—just like everyone else. Why waste any more energy on them? They already get enough attention elsewhere.
My thoughts were interrupted as El burst into my room, a whirlwind of energy that filled the space. It was my own fault for not locking the door, but I barely had time to register that before she launched into her announcement.
"Listen," she declared, hands on her hips, "there's a party tonight, and we are going. I'm not sure what you did in the human territory, but you've been cooped up studying since you got here, and as much as I love you, it's time to live a little!"
Her eyes sparkled with determination as she nodded to herself, marching toward my closet and rifling through my clothes as if she owned the place. "I won't take no for an answer," she declared from the bathroom, pulling out a few outfits and holding them up with a critical eye.
"I really don't think—" I began, but she waved me off, her vibrant energy drowning out my protests.
"Girl!" she exclaimed, tossing the clothes onto my bed. "You don't have anything that screams 'fun' or 'party' in here!"
I opened my mouth to argue, but she was already shaking her head, cutting me off with a playful grin. "You need to borrow something of mine. I'll be back with a more appropriate outfit!" With that, she dashed out of the room.
After a couple of hours, El finally pulled back, beaming at her handiwork. She had insisted on doing my makeup, claiming she knew just the trick to make my eyes pop. I turned to look in the mirror and was stunned by the transformation. The woman staring back at me was polished and confident—my hair styled in loose waves that cascaded just above my waist, eyeliner wings sharp enough to kill, and bold red lipstick that contrasted beautifully against my pale skin. I had to admit, I looked damn good.
My confidence surged as I admired the black sequined shirt that hung loosely around my torso, leaving my back open, paired perfectly with dark jeans that hugged my curves. El had agreed to the jeans as long as I wore the shirt—there was no way I was leaving this room in some of the other...interestingoptions she had brought over.
El herself looked incredible in a red dress that clung to her in all the right places, exuding the fierce energy she was known for. Her hair was straightened, and smoky eyeshadow emphasized her tinted red eyes, making them smolder. As I took in our reflection, I felt a surge of excitement for the night ahead. Maybe this party was just what I needed.
* * *
The party pulsedwith life down by the lake—the same one I'd spotted when I first arrived. Wooden stairs leading to the shore were strung with fairy lights that twinkled against the darkening sky, casting a soft glow over the gathering. As we descended, the crackle and pop of a bonfire filled the air, sending sparks dancing into the night. Familiar faces filled the space, their laughter and chatter mingling with the pulse of the music.
“The academy doesn’t have a problem with this?” I asked El, scanning the crowd of students who looked a little more than tipsy.
"Nope, not when the hosts can do whatever they please," she replied with an eye roll. "But honestly, I'm thankful they can throw parties like this."
I hesitated, a wave of insecurity washing over me. Two of the three Shadow Brothers had made it abundantly clear that my presence was a nuisance, and the other probably just wanted to study me for some twisted scientific curiosity.
"Oh, come on!" El urged, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I know you would've fought me harder if you knew whose party it was, but I promise you, basically half the campus is here. They won't even notice you." She tugged me playfully toward the drinks.
"Fine," I conceded. "But if I hate it or one of those psycho brothers tries to kill me, it'll be on you." I laughed, accepting the drink El offered with a dramatic flourish.
As we made our way to the bonfire, its warmth radiated through the cool night air, mingling with the gentle breeze from the lake. El introduced me to a few of her friends, their curious eyes studying me like I was some exotic creature. While they were cautious, their demeanor wasn't hostile—it felt more like they were unsure how to approach the human girl with no gifts. I could sense the unspoken questions hanging in the air, a silent weight I tried to ignore.
"Don't mind them," El said, her gaze softening as she read my expression. "They just need a little time to warm up, just like this fire." She gestured toward the crackling flames, their dance casting flickering shadows across our faces. The music pulsed around us, vibrating through my bones.
"Let's dance!" El cheered, pulling me toward the swaying crowd. The alcohol loosened my limbs, and I found myself moving to the rhythm, surrendering to the beat.
After a few songs—and maybe a few too many drinks—a sudden urge to explore overcame me. The liquid courage coursing through my veins made me feel fearless as I waved El off mid-story—something about accidentally setting a house on fire as a kid. "I'll be right back," I called over the music, ignoring her protests as I grabbed my jacket. My feet carried me forward, the sound of crunching leaves and snapping twigs underfoot growing louder as I approached the tree line.
Stepping across the invisible boundary where the manicured grounds gave way to untamed wilderness, I felt an irresistible pull deeper into the forest. Curiosity battled with a growing sense of unease. This part of the campus felt different—darker, wilder, almost forgotten. The shadows seemed to both beckon and repel, while the trees swayed around me with a life of their own, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. Moonlight struggled to penetrate the dense canopy, dappling the forest floor in an eerie, silvery glow. The music from the party faded to a distant hum, replaced by the rustle of unseen creatures in the undergrowth.
An outline of a strange structure began to emerge from the gloom, its silhouette taking shape against the moonlit sky like a jagged tooth. A mixture of fear and fascination washed over me, prickling my skin with goosebumps. Whatwasthis place, and why did it feel so… significant? So familiar, like a half-forgotten dream. Before I could get a better look, a deep, raspy voice sliced through the silence from right behind me, freezing me in my tracks. My breath hitched in my throat, and every instinct screamed at me to run.
"What are you doing here?" the voice asked, calm but laced with an underlying current of something darker, something that made the hair on the back of my neck prickle. "It can be very dangerous out here, especially for a human."
My heart hammered against my ribs as I slowly turned, my pulse a roar in my ears. Tilting my head back to meet his gaze, I found myself staring into piercing green eyes. Nox. He towered over me, easily six foot five, his hood pulled up but doing little to conceal those damned black curls that peeked out, tempting my fingers to reach out and touch them.
"I—I was just curious about that," I finally managed, my voice a shaky whisper as I gestured towards where the structure had been. For a fleeting moment, his gaze softened, but just as quickly, the icy mask was back in place. He glanced past me, following the direction of my pointed finger.
"There's nothing there," he stated flatly, his voice devoid of any warmth.
