Needless to say, Nia had to get a glimpse of the so-called “Fallen One” after Finlay and Aoife spoke about the creature so haltingly. Before Aoife could close the door to the saferoom, Nia had darted out and was now racing through the halls. Figures ahead were heading in the direction of the front gates—dhampirs, by the looks of it—and Nia did her best to speed up as the voices of Aoife and Finlay sounded behind her, calling for her to turn back.


Having attended St. Vladimir’s for over seven years now, Nia wasn’t exactly new around the place, and she knew the fastest path to the academy’s front gates as well as any other rebellious but sheltered royal did. Less than five minutes later, Nia skidded to a stop at the top steps of the gates, panting as her eyes took in the sight in front of her.


Two dhampir guards towed a hunched figure towards the gates, trailing a glistening blood red smear in their wake. The body between them was a canvas of blood and pain, smeared with scarlets and browns of both fresh and drying blood, and Nia stared in transfixed amazement until the metallic scent floated up with a breeze.


Never in Nia’s life had blood smelled so terrible, so filled of loathing and pain. Immediately she shrank back from the smell, eyes wide in alarm. The boy was no human, but nor was he of Moroi blood. No, he was something else altogether.


“Princess Cordellenia Conta!” a voice boomed from within the academy. The St. Vladimir’s Academy Chancellor, Dolorante Mortuge strode out, hair tied high in an impeccably smooth bun and sharp silver eyes flashing as she glared at the royal-blooded eighth year. “I demand to know where your dhampir guards are and why they have not yet escorted you to the safe room!”


“Chancellor Mortuge!” Aoife said, skidding to a halt beside the respected moroi and bowing her head. Finlay followed suit, and Nia caught a shade of fear in his eyes before they flicked to the ground. “We are very sorry. There is no excuse, and we will humbly accept our punishments, but please allow us to first escort Princess Cordellenia to the safe room first.”


[color=moccasin]“What—that’s unfair!”[/color] Nia exclaimed, eyes widening. Of course she knew that her dhampirs would get in trouble for her antics, but she’d seldom seen Aoife simply accept the punishment like this. Usually both sides were more affable and lenient, and the senior dhampir guard’s quick concession scared the Moroi princess. [color=moccasin]“Chancellor Mortuge, I was the one that ran ou—”[/color]


“Silence, Princess Conta,” Dolorante interrupted, eyes blazing. Nia shrank back, muted against the much older Moroi’s fury. “Do you know what is at stake right now?” she asked. At Nia’s silence, she snarled. “Evidently not. Aoife, I leave her in your hands,” the Chancellor said, eyes passing over Finlay without sparing him a glance before waving her hand to dismiss the trio. “And I pray that, for your sake, you do your job better this time.”


Nia allowed herself to be led away quietly, silenced at last. She allowed herself a final look behind her at the mysterious boy before the gates closed with a solid thud behind her.


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[@TheMinorFall]