A sharp knock startled Ivy awake. She sat up in bed, blinking against the soft morning light filtering through the tall, curtainless windows. The stone walls of the dormitory still felt foreign, and her sleep had been restless full of whispers she couldn't place and creaks that seemed to come from inside the walls.
The door opened with a gentle creak, followed by soft footsteps.
"Hey, finally awake?" came a overly feminine voice.
Ivy turned to see the auburn-haired girl.
Celeste walking in with a tote bag over her shoulder. She set it down beside her own half-decorated bed and gave Ivy a quick smile.
"Sorry if I woke you this early. I was trying to be quiet," Celeste said, tossing a few books on her desk.
"I'm Celeste. I guess we're roommates. I wasn't around when you arrived, the room was bored since I was alone. I went to a friend's room."
Ivy rubbed her eyes. "Oh, it's okay.
I'm Ivy. It's… been a weird 6 hours."
"Velmire does that to people," Celeste replied, kneeling to open one of Ivy's unpacked boxes.
"Want help?"
Together, they unpacked a few essentials books, a small photo frame, and Ivy's travel journal.
Celeste chatted casually about the layout of the school, which towers had the best views, and where not to sit during lectures if you wanted to avoid getting called on.
As Ivy folded a sweater and placed it into a drawer, Celeste glanced at the clock.
"You might want to hurry. Orientation's at nine in the morning.
It's better to show up early. And... maybe bring a pen.
There's always something to fill out."
Ivy quickly got ready and dressed in Velmire's uniform gray sweater vests, crisp white shirts, and navy skirts and they made their way toward the great hall.
The morning air was brisk, the scent of old stone and pine trees sharp in Ivy's nose.
As they walked through a vine-draped courtyard, Ivy spotted a familiar figure.
Valencia.
The elegant blonde stood chatting with a few other students near the hall's entrance.
She spotted Ivy, smiled, and waved.
"Ivy! Morning. Hope you're finding your way alright," Valarie said brightly.
A few students nearby turned at the sound of Ivy's name. Some stared, others whispered.
Celeste leaned closer and muttered, "That's Valencia D'argon.
One of the Bloodbound Six. Be careful."
Ivy gave Valarie a small wave, still caught off guard by the attention.
Before she could respond, the tall doors to the orientation hall swung open.
Students poured inside, finding seats on long wooden benches. The hall was vast and ancient, lit by hanging chandeliers and lined with portraits whose eyes seemed to follow everyone.
A man stepped up to the podium at the front. His silver hair was neatly slicked back, and his dark eyes were unreadable.
"Welcome to Velmire University," he began, his voice calm but commanding. "I am Principal Aldric Vane.
If you are sitting in this hall, you are one of the few chosen.
Excellence is expected. Failure is not an option."
He continued. "Velmire is a place of tradition. As such, there are rules. You are not permitted to roam the dormitory halls after 9 p.m., except during sanctioned school parties, which will end no later than 11.
Classes are mandatory.
No technology beyond the university's own terminals.
And most importantly respect the old wings.
They are off-limits for a reason."
A hush fell over the hall.
"You will each receive a class schedule and a list of faculty office hours.
Do not be late.
Do not skip.
Your education is a privilege, not a right."
The speech ended with a brief gesture toward the staff seated nearby.
As students began collecting their folders, Celeste tugged Ivy's sleeve and nodded toward a boy approaching.
"Steven!" Celeste called.
The tall boy with tousled chestnut hair and crooked glasses grinned.
"Hey, Steve. This is my new roommate?"
"Ivy, meet Steven Bones. My best friend and the only guy here who can beat anyone at chess."
"Highly debatable," Steven said, offering Ivy a hand.
"Nice to meet you, Ivy
Everyone hasn't stopped talking about the mysterious new girl."
"Really?" Ivy smiled awkwardly.
The news about her in the wrong dorm has spread.
"Let's grab our stuff. I'll show you both the library after this."
They exited the hall into the buzz of new students and rising morning chatter.
Ivy glanced back at Valarie, now deep in conversation with a tall boy in an all-black coat.
Bastian kade.
Even from a distance, he radiated something cold and magnetic.
He turned just slightly, and for a second, Ivy felt his gaze land on her.
Her heart skipped.
Steven noticed. "Don't stare too long. The Six don't like being watched."
"Why are they called the six whereas they are only five around" ivy asked.
Celeste's face grew serious.
"Stay away from them, Ivy. I'm not joking. They're trouble. And there is one missing person amongst them.
Lucien Valehart"
"Ivy what are your major?"Stephen asked and Celeste replied "we both are majoring in arts literature" what about you ivy asked " I'm majoring in science" steven replied.
They parted ways as ivy and celeste had their first class.
By afternoon, Ivy found herself in her first class Ancient Mythology & Preternatural Lore, taught in a wide, dimly lit amphitheater that smelled of dust and candle wax.
The professor, a stern-looking woman named Dr. Marlowe, wore a flowing black dress and half-moon glasses that glinted ominously under the flickering chandelier light.
Ivy sat in the middle row beside Celeste, notebook open, pen ready, and nerves firing on all cylinders.
"Now," Dr. Marlowe said, pacing the aisle, "someone tell me what is the significance of the year 1401 in preternatural European history?"
Ivy shrunk into her seat, hoping not to be noticed.
Dr. Marlowe's sharp gaze scanned the class… and landed on her.
"You," she said, pointing directly.
"The new student. Miss… Morrow, is it?"
Ivy's throat tightened. "Uh… yes, ma'am."
"Well then, Miss Morrow. What happened in 1401?"
She glanced around.
No one offered help.
Some even smirked. Ivy swallowed.
"Um… it was the year humans turned into wolves came to existence"
A few quiet chuckles echoed.
Dr. Marlowe raised a brow.
"Incorrect. That was 1624.
In 1401, the Arcane Accord was signed an agreement between the thirteen witch families and vampire nobility.
Very important. You'll want to take note, since you're decided to resume this late."
Ivy scribbled furiously, face flushed with embarrassment.
Celeste leaned over and whispered, "Don't worry.
She eats people alive for fun."
Ivy managed a small smile.
After class, still red-faced and flustered, Ivy made her way back to the administrative wing.
She'd been told that every student was allowed one scheduled email home each week, since Velmire still refused to allow mobile phones or internet access inside the school grounds.
She entered the principal's office and was directed to a side room where a dusty, clunky computer waited.
A young staff assistant hovered nearby, keeping a close eye.
Ivy typed quickly:
To:Conrad
Hi Dad,
I'm okay settling in.
Classes started.
Everyone here is intense, and the school is a lot more isolated than I expected.
The buildings are old and strange.
I got asked a question in class and messed up pretty badly, but I guess that's part of it.
Tell Helen I'm fine, and thank you both for bringing me here. I'll write again soon.
Ivy.
She hit send, her heart still racing from the morning's events.
She felt the weight of the day settle on her.
She glanced at Celeste her new friend.
At least she wasn't alone.
They went to the cafeteria to get something to eat, admist stares and whisper's of her classmates she ate and retired to her dorm.
But something told her something deep in her bones that Velmire was more than just a school.
And this was only the beginning.