The golden morning light filtered through the blinds, casting soft patterns on the dorm room walls. Isabella stood by her closet, shivering slightly as cold air seeped in through the cracked window. She reached for her gray sweatpants, relishing the soft fleece against her skin, and paired them with a fitted white long-sleeve top. Her gray Uggs completed the cozy look, and she gathered her curls into a claw clip, letting a few strands frame her face.
The dorm was quiet except for the soft tap-tap of Claire's makeup brush against her compact. The faint scent of vanilla lotion lingered, making Isabella's chest tighten. Claire had no idea about the supernatural chaos unraveling around them. How could I keep lying to her?
Her thoughts drifted to her parents. They'd fought their own battles, carried their own burdens. Should she call them, confess what was happening? She bit her lip, shaking her head. No. She wanted to prove she could handle this, that she didn't need to rely on them every time the world turned dark.
"You've been staring at that clip for ten minutes," Claire teased, breaking her reverie.
Isabella blinked. "Sorry. Just thinking."
Claire tilted her head. "About what?"
"Nothing important." Isabella grabbed her bag, plastering on a small smile. "Ready to go?"
The air outside was sharp and crisp, each breath clouding in front of their faces. The frost-coated trees glistened in the morning sun, their branches forming a delicate, icy canopy above the campus paths.
Claire nudged Isabella as they walked. "You've been so quiet lately."
Isabella forced a chuckle. "Just tired, that's all."
"Uh-huh," Claire said skeptically, her hazel eyes narrowing. "You're a terrible liar, you know."
Isabella's steps faltered for a moment. Am I? Claire had no idea how many lies she was juggling, how heavy they weighed on her. "I'm fine," she said, her voice steady.
When they reached Claire's building, Isabella offered a weak smile. "Good luck on your midterm."
Claire hesitated. "Don't let your head get stuck in the clouds, okay?"
"I won't," Isabella promised, even though her mind was already far from the mundane worries of exams and essays.
Isabella slipped into her usual seat in Dr. Cross's lecture hall. The space buzzed with idle chatter as students prepared for another day of lessons. Dr. Cross stood at the front, his commanding presence silencing the room as he launched into a lecture on supernatural biology.
Isabella tapped her pen against her notebook, her thoughts drifting until the classroom door creaked open. Principal Voss strode in, his sharp gaze sweeping the room before he leaned in to whisper something to Cross.
Her heightened vampire senses strained to catch their hushed conversation.
"There will be a meeting tonight," Voss murmured, his tone clipped and cold. "Everyone is expected to attend. I want answers about this problem."
Cross's voice was low, almost trembling. "Yes, master. I understand. There won't be any more incidents."
The word "master" sent a shiver down Isabella's spine. She stared down at her notebook, pretending to take notes as Voss exited the room. Dr. Cross didn't miss a beat, continuing his lecture as if nothing had happened, but Isabella's focus was shattered.
By the time Isabella reached her biology class, the greenhouse's warm, humid air was a welcome change from the biting cold outside. Rows of thriving tomato plants lined the windowsills, their small green fruits catching the light.
Isabella knelt by the plants, her fingers brushing their leaves. "Grow strong," she whispered, weaving her plant magic through her words. The stems straightened slightly, the leaves perking up as if responding to her touch.
"You're good with them," a familiar voice said.
Isabella turned, startled, to see Nick sliding into the seat beside her. He looked at her with a small, knowing smile.
"I didn't know you were in this class," she said, frowning slightly.
"Transferred after… the attack," Nick said, his voice tinged with something she couldn't quite place.
Her stomach twisted at the mention of Dr. Knight. "Right."
Nick leaned closer, his green eyes sharp. "You're a good person, Isabella. I noticed it at the party. You're… different."
Before she could respond, he added in a hushed tone, "Be careful around campus. It's dangerous these days."
His words hung in the air, heavy with implication. Before she could press him further, the bell rang, and Nick disappeared into the crowd.
As Isabella left the building, a flash of red caught her eye. A sleek fox darted through the frost-covered bushes, its movements fluid and purposeful. It paused for a moment, looking directly at her. Its eyes glowed gold, intelligent and piercing, before it vanished into the trees.
In the cafeteria, Isabella joined Nathaniel, Juliette, and Elliot at their usual table. The noise of students chattering and clinking utensils filled the room, but their conversation was hushed.
"There's a meeting tonight," Isabella said, her voice low. "Cross called Voss 'master.' This is bigger than we thought."
Nathaniel frowned, his hand tightening around his fork. "Voss is controlling them. This isn't just some rogue attacks."
"And Nick warned me to be careful," Isabella added. "I think he knows something. Maybe he's part of this."
Juliette tapped her fork against her plate thoughtfully. "Then we follow Cross tonight. See what they're hiding."
Elliot's jaw clenched. "And if they catch us?"
"We can't keep turning a blind eye," Isabella said firmly. "People are dying. We have the power to stop it."
When Claire and Jason approached, the group quickly shifted the conversation, plastering on smiles as they discussed mundane topics. Isabella hated the secrecy but knew it was necessary.
Later that night, Isabella dressed in dark clothing—a black hoodie and jeans—and met Juliette, Nathaniel, and Elliot in the parking lot. The cold bit at her skin, but the tension in the air was sharper. Claire was still studying, blissfully unaware of what was happening.
They followed Cross through the shadows, his silhouette cutting through the frosty night. He led them to an unmarked door in the woods, hidden beneath layers of frost and ivy. Inside, the air was damp and cold, the metallic tang of blood faint but unmistakable.
Crouched behind crates, they watched as Voss addressed the group gathered in the underground chamber.
"This sanctuary was built on discretion," he said, his voice sharp. "If we can't control ourselves, we risk everything."
A man in his mid-thirties stood, trembling. "Rebecca… I couldn't stop myself."
Voss's glare was icy. "No more mistakes. This is not a feeding ground. If I have to clean up another mess, there will be consequences."
Isabella's breath caught when her eyes landed on Nick, standing at the edge of the group. His expression was conflicted, his green eyes flicking toward her hiding spot briefly before looking away.
Suddenly, Nathaniel shifted his weight, accidentally knocking over a barrel. The clattering noise echoed through the chamber.
"What was that?" Voss demanded, his tone sharp.
Before anyone could investigate, Elliot grabbed their hands, his magic surging. The room blurred, and they reappeared outside the dorms, their hearts pounding.
Isabella returned to her room, her nerves still frayed. Claire was asleep at her desk, her head resting on a textbook. Guilt weighed heavily on Isabella as she gently lifted her friend and tucked her into bed.
Her phone buzzed, and her heart clenched when she saw the name. "Hi, Mom."
Isabella felt her heart settle as her mother's voice came through the phone, warm and familiar, like a blanket on a cold night.
"Hi, sweetie," Bella said, her tone laced with both excitement and concern. "How are you? I miss you so much. It's too quiet without you here. Even Edward says so."
"I do," Edward chimed in the background, his voice calm and reassuring. "It's not the same without you, Isabella. How are you holding up?"
Isabella hesitated, her fingers playing with the hem of her sweatshirt. She glanced at Claire, now peacefully tucked into bed. "I'm okay," she said softly, though her voice lacked its usual conviction.
There was a pause, then Bella's voice became more serious. "Isabella… are the nightmares starting again?"
The question hit her like a bolt, and she swallowed hard, instinctively clutching the phone tighter. "What? No, I'm fine," she lied, though the quiver in her voice betrayed her.
"Sweetheart," Bella said gently, "I know you. I taught you to read others, but don't forget I can read you too. Are you doing the exercises I showed you?"
Isabella exhaled shakily, her mind flashing to the breathing techniques and grounding rituals her mother had taught her after the Eternal fight. She had stopped doing them, thinking she didn't need them anymore.
"Not… as much as I should," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Then start again," Bella said firmly but with love. "You're incredible, Isabella. Everything you've been through, everything you've accomplished—it doesn't define you, but it's made you stronger. And your abilities? They only add to how amazing you already are."
"Listen to your mother," Edward added. "You're more than capable, Isabella. And you're never alone. If you ever need us—day or night—we're here."
Isabella blinked back tears, her chest tightening at their unwavering support. She nodded, even though they couldn't see her. "I love you both," she said softly.
"And we love you," Bella replied. "Now get some rest, and don't forget to take care of yourself too."
When the call ended, Isabella lay back against her pillow, letting their words wash over her. For the first time all day, she felt the smallest flicker of calm. Yet, as she closed her eyes, the weight of the night settled in her chest. She couldn't afford to let her guard down, not now. Too much was at stake.
She breathed deeply, just as her mother had taught her, and allowed herself a moment of stillness before the storm she knew was coming.