Mica turned to her sister, her face pale and drawn.
"Octavia, please," she said bleakly. "Leave while you still can."
But Octavia shook her head, her resolve firm. She wasn't leaving. Not now.
Mica scoffed and turned away, fighting hard to keep her emotions in check. She swallowed the lump in her throat, then turned back to her sister.
"Whatever you do, don't look him in the eye when he speaks," she said, voice tight. "Always be polite. Mind your words. He kills for the slightest offense, Octavia."
She paused, her tone softening. "Are you sure you're ready for this?"
Octavia nodded slowly.
Mica exhaled deeply. She saw it now, two emotions in her sister's eyes: fear and determination. Nothing she said would change her mind.
"Let's go," she said at last, opening the door.
Octavia followed closely behind, head bowed. She repeated it like a mantra in her mind: I can do this. I have to.
She hated everything about this place already, but she needed to belong. She needed to be safe.
They walked in silence through the long corridors, until they arrived at a guarded door. Two boys stood in front of it.
"Master Khalid sent for me," Mica said. Her voice was bold, her posture even bolder. Octavia barely recognized her anymore.
One of the guards nodded and opened the door.
The room they entered was thick with smoke.stifling and bitter. Octavia coughed lightly, her eyes blinking against the sting.
As the smoke cleared, she took in the space: wide, dimly lit, and crowded. Boys lounged in corners. Girls some half-dressed whispered and laughed. It felt... corrupted.
Master Khalid sat on a high-backed chair like a king on his throne. A girl, nearly bare, draped herself over the arm of his seat, her fingers idly playing with his collar. Octavia averted her gaze quickly. She was too shy to stare, but even with that brief glance, she saw he was... striking. Not just handsome dangerous.
Mica stepped forward and bowed. "Good day, Master."
Khalid's eyes were fixed on Octavia.
"So," he said at last, "this is the stranger you let into my territory?"
Octavia's stomach twisted when she noticed two boys kneeling in front of him. She recognized them they were the ones who had let her in..
"We're sorry, Master," one of them stammered. "She claimed to be Mica's sister, and she was."
Khalid was quiet for a moment, his thumb brushing over his lower lip. "Draco."
"Yes, Master!" A tall figure responded instantly.
"Take them away. Make sure they lose four fingers each."
The boys trembled but didn't beg. It was pointless. No one defied Khalid's orders.
Draco and two others seized them and dragged them away.
Octavia's heart pounded. Sweat lined her forehead. She had to stay calm—had to.
"She's your sister?" Khalid asked, reaching for his pipe.
"Yes, Master," Mica answered quickly, eyes lowered.
"Name?"
"Octavia."
"What's she doing here?"
Mica hesitated, glancing briefly at her sister. "She wants to be part of the family, Master."
"We don't need a newbie," Becca snapped, her voice sharp.
"Let me do the talking, Becca," Khalid said without looking at her.
She fell silent.
"Did you tell her what this place is?" he asked Mica.
"I did, Master. But she insists on staying."
Khalid took another drag of his pipe. The silence stretched.
Then Octavia spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "Please… accept me. I want to join your clan."
His gaze turned to her fully now. It was sharp and unreadable. Dark.
"What can you do?"
Octavia took it as her chance.
"I can move people… and objects." Her voice trembled as she extended her hand. A table lifted off the floor and hovered mid-air.
Khalid raised a brow. "Seriously?"
Octavia turned the table gently, making it spin. She tried not to waver.
"And how is this special?" he asked. "Even a kitten could crash that."
With a snap of his fingers, the table dropped and shattered. Laughter broke out across the room.
Octavia flinched and lowered her head in shame.
"Get your sister out of here, Mica," Khalid said, standing from his throne. Becca followed suit.
"We don't need a cockroach," he added as he walked toward the door.
Octavia's heart caved in. Rejection. Failure.
But just as Khalid reached for the knob, it suddenly burst into flames.
Gasps filled the room. Khalid instinctively pulled his hand back. The fire didn't harm him, but the message was clear.
He turned, eyes narrowing.
Octavia stood with her arms extended, blood trickling from her nose.
"Please…" she whimpered, her voice hoarse. "I just want to stay."
Khalid's gaze locked with hers. No one laughed now.