Chapter One. NatashaLoud music poured out from the speakers placed at specific positions around the bar.“A glass of Black Martini, please,” I said to the bartender with a flirtatious smile. He smiled back, his gaze slipping down my face and to my cleavage.“This one's on me,” he said with a wink. I faked a smile, grabbed the glass and turned away with a “thank you.”Barcon wasn't as noisy as it usually was on other days. I gulped down the content of my glass, and glanced around the bar. My gaze finally landed on a guy seated a few tables from mine. He nursed his glance of wine, while scrolling through his phone.Although he wasn't so handsome, he wasn't bad looking either. He'd serve my purpose just fine.I approached him, already feeling tipsy. “Hey handsome, care for a dance?” I asked coquettishly.“I'm afraid not...” He began saying as he lifted his head up. A dazed look crossed his face, before his eyes lit up almost immediately.“Of course.” He said, rising to

Chapter Three. Natasha Stepping through the gates of the Academy was like walking into a different world. Towering stonewalled buildings, with winding staircases that led to their individual entrances. My eyes widened when I spotted flying gargoyles in the sky. I ignored my guide, as he warned me to stay close. And regretted it almost immediately. I ducked just in time as one headed straight for me. My knee scraped the gravel floor, and I cursed. “And you didn't deem it fit to warn me?” I hissed, rising to my feet. Thankfully, my pants had lessened the effect of my fall. “I told you to stay close. The gargoyles are hostile to non-students.” He said, and that was it. He didn't offer further information. He led me to one of the buildings that stood out. If I'd thought the Academy was majestic on the exterior, then the word for the interior would be; grand. Breathtaking. Paintings adorned the wall, and I let myself admire them as my guide led me

Chapter Five NatashaThe shock only lasted for a few seconds, before I pushed him off my body. His lips tugged up in an unrepentant smirk. Our lips had merely touched, and couldn't qualify as a kiss, but repulsion crawled over my skin. “Did you just kiss me?” It was a stupid question. But my brain wasn't moving in sync with my mouth. The question was out before I could stop it.“Head back to the dorm, Natasha. Now.” Kai ordered. The smirk had long disappeared, and he was now looking around warily.But I was way past caring about whatever was happening around the Academy.“If you don't answer my question, I'll break your jaw, by the Goddess.” My chest heaved. His watch had begun glowing again, and I observed it without appearing to.“It was barely a kiss. Don't think highly of yourself, Pest. I've kissed many girls, than I can probably keep count of.” He scoffed.I shook my head. Of course he had.“Don’t give me that crap.” I rasped, raising my forefinger. B

Xavier.‘Don’t do it.’ My inner voice warned. I watched as the boy led Natasha out of the class. She didn't look good, with bruises covered over her body. I didn't care. She'd learn how to fight as time went by. But for now, even with all the strength she boasted, she was still weak compared to an average student of the Academy. I claimed that I didn't care, yet my tie seemed tighter than usual. And I wasn't even putting on a tie. They walked past me, and the boy dipped his head differentially, but Natasha walked past. A new rage brimmed within me, more at the fact that Natasha hadn't noticed me, than at the fact that the boy had saved her.I should've been the one to. Wait-I shook my head, and donned on my non passive look before walking into the class. The girl was still giggling over her triumph. Her back was turned towards the entrance of the class so she didn't notice my entrance until one of her cohorts gestured towards my direction.Her

Kaleb The hall was eerily dark, with soft cold air flowing in through the opened shutters. Different masked men trooped into the meeting room. We were all dressed in the normal black midnight cloaks and a black ski masks to hide our individual identities. No one knew each other in the Sacred Order, even if you might be best friends outside. Inside here, no one was your friend. We were asked to keep the secret of the society from everyone including our spouses and close friends. No one here knew me. Or maybe they did… But it didn't matter. We were strangers to each other. Strangers who wouldn’t hesitate to kill each other. People who wouldn't hesitate to drive a sword into another's back without hesitation, all for a higher rank. I sat on my chair, my leg bouncing beneath my cloak. I was extremely hot inside, and goddess knew how I hated wearing this damned costume to this fucked up meeting. The head of the society was nowhere near the arena and we were already full and waiti