Serena lay on her bed, writhing, muffled whimpers slipping past her lips. The shutters were drawn tight, sealing her away from the College outside. Sweat drenched her thin clothing until it clung to every curve, nearly translucent against her skin.
It was a sight that might have driven onlookers mad with desire, if not for the poisoned steam rising off her body, hissing as it seared a Serena-shaped imprint into the mattress.
Pained groans filled the room as she endured, refusing to give in. If she fainted now, the trial would reset as it had so many times before.
This time she endured. This time, she did not faint. When the pain at last broke, it did so in an explosion of violet light across her arm.
