Seraphina Caldwell had always been trouble and she liked it that way.
She leaned back in the worn-out seat of the jet, her gaze fixed on the sprawling horizon beyond the glass. The sun had begun to set, casting an orange glow over the endless stretch of land below. Eryndale Academy. The name alone was enough to make even the most powerful supernatural beings tremble. Yet here she was, a human, a mere mortal, being dropped into the heart of it like a pebble in a lake.
The thought made her smirk.
For the past five years, she'd been expelled from the finest schools, not for lack of intelligence or skill, but because she was too much. Too reckless. Too unpredictable. Too.… powerful for her own good. And that was just the beginning. They didn't even know the half of it.
But no one here at Eryndale had any clue what she was capable of. And she intended to keep it that way at least for now.
The plane jolted slightly, snapping her out of her thoughts. She hated flying, hated the confinement, hated being in one place for too long. But the alternative was worse: back to the streets, the slums, the constant battle for survival. No, this place would have to do. It was either this or be thrown out onto the world again with nothing but her name and the damn fire in her blood.
A voice crackled over the intercom, a smooth, emotionless tone that barely masked the disdain, "Welcome to Eryndale Academy. Please remain seated until we land."
Seraphina rolled her eyes, exhaling sharply. The disdain in the air was noticeable. But it wasn't directed at her at least, not yet. She had a way of making people dislike her before they even met her. It was a talent, really. The whole "I don't belong here" vibe that seemed to drip from her every word. And she wore it like armor.
She might've been a problem child in their eyes, but she was their problem now.
As the jet began its descent, a flicker of movement caught her eye. She glanced out the window, spotting the sprawling gothic structure that was Eryndale Academy. It was as dark and imposing as the rumors had suggested, standing tall and silent against the setting sun like a fortress. In the center of the grounds, the main building loomed, its spires piercing the sky, as if daring anyone to challenge it.
Seraphina couldn't help the excitement that bubbled in her chest. This was where the real game began. She wasn't just going to be another forgotten student. No. She was going to burn this place down with her fire metaphorically, of course. The last thing she needed was another "unexplained incident" to get her kicked out.
The jet landed with a soft thud, and Seraphina unbuckled her seatbelt, standing up slowly, letting her gaze linger on the academy for a moment longer. A feeling of power surged through her veins, and for the first time in days, she let herself smile.
"Time to make an entrance."
Eryndale Academy didn't give warm welcomes. In fact, it didn't give anything remotely resembling hospitality.
Seraphina strode off the plane, her boots clicking sharply on the tarmac, the cool evening air kissing her skin. Her dark, wavy hair flowed behind her like a dark cloak, and her leather jacket, slightly worn but still fitting her perfectly, added an air of rebellion that made most people take notice. She didn't look like a student; she looked like someone who owned the place.
She wasn't even in the gates yet, and she could already feel the weight of a thousand eyes on her. She glanced around, spotting the small group of students who'd come to greet the new arrivals. They were gathered in a tight circle, talking among themselves, their eyes flicking over her like she was some sort of rare, strange creature.
Perfect.
One of them, a tall guy with dark hair and a glint in his eye, smirked as she walked past him. "Lost, newbie?" he called out in a low, mocking voice.
Seraphina didn't break her stride, her lips curling into a wicked smile as she shot him a glance over her shoulder. "Only if you're blind," she shot back, voice dripping with sarcasm. "But I guess it's not your fault. If I had to stare at that hair all day, I'd be blind too."
The group fell silent, all eyes on her now. The guy's jaw tightened, and his friends exchanged nervous glances. No one dared to respond. She had a way of making people back off with just a few well-chosen words. It wasn't a skill she liked to use often, but sometimes, it was necessary.
"Get used to it," she muttered, turning away and walking toward the grand entrance. The doors opened before her, an invisible force at work a power she hadn't learned to control, but was becoming increasingly aware of.
Inside, the academy was dark and imposing, just like the exterior. Stone walls lined with flickering torches, large chandeliers hanging from the ceilings, casting a dim, eerie glow. She could almost feel the weight of the history pressing down on her as she walked deeper into the main hall.
She didn't know what she was expecting, but it sure as hell wasn't this.
A voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts. It was low, gravelly, and the kind of voice that made her spine tingle in a way she wasn't sure she liked.
"You must be Caldwell." The man standing in front of her was tall, dark, and more intimidating than the entire building. His black hair was tousled in that way that suggested he didn't care about looking good but somehow, it worked for him. His sharp, chiseled features were set in a permanent scowl, and his black eyes drilled into her with something between curiosity and warning.
She raised an eyebrow, not breaking eye contact. "And you are?"
He didn't flinch. "Damian Blackwood," he replied, voice still as cold as the stare he was giving her. "Welcome to Eryndale. You'll find it… interesting here."
Seraphina smirked. "Oh, I'm sure I will," she muttered, stepping past him with the confidence of someone who knew exactly how to get under his skin.
She didn't know it yet, but that brief encounter would be the start of something much hotter than she expected.