The moment Adaeze stepped off the plane, the air around her felt heavier. Not in the way of jet lag, but something deeper, like the weight of unseen eyes pressing against her skin. Heathrow Airport bustled with the usual chaos of travelers, but despite the sea of people, she felt strangely... alone.
A sleek black car idled outside, exactly where her itinerary said it would be. The driver, a pale man in a crisp suit, stood waiting without a sign. His expression was blank, his posture rigid.
"Miss Nwosu," he said, opening the door. "Edevane awaits."
The words sent a shiver through her.
As she slid into the car, the scent of old parchment and damp stone filled her nostrils. The seats were leather, but worn, as though countless students before her had made this very journey. She wanted to ask questions, but something about the driver's stillness made her keep silent.
They drove for hours, the city fading into rolling hills and mist-laden valleys. The deeper they went into the countryside, the thicker the fog became, swirling around them like ghostly fingers. The GPS screen on the dashboard flickered oddly, displaying nothing but static.
When they reached a narrow, winding road, a wrought-iron gate loomed ahead, barely visible through the mist. Tall, ancient, and covered in rusted runes that seemed to pulse faintly in the dim light. As they neared, the gates creaked open on their own, revealing a long, lantern-lit driveway leading to what could only be Edevane Academy.
The school wasn't just old, it was ancient. Gothic towers speared the sky, windows aglow with an eerie golden light. The stone walls were weathered, darkened by time and secrets. A grand archway led into a courtyard, where the car came to a halt.
Adaeze stepped out, gripping the strap of her bag as the cold air wrapped around her. The driver did not follow. He only nodded once before the car door swung shut on its own.
A bell tolled in the distance. Not a chime of welcome, more like a warning.
Then, the great wooden doors of the academy groaned open.
From the darkness within, a voice called.
"Miss Nwosu. You're just in time."