Chapter 3 The invitation (iii)

POV: Sienna

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I didn't go back inside right away. I stood there under the stars like I was trying to read the truth written in constellations.

But the sky offered no answers. Just silence.

And when I finally descended the staircase, something felt... wrong.

The air was thicker. Heavier. Like the walls were breathing.

I reached my suite and pushed the door open slowly, half-expecting something-or someone-to be waiting.

At first glance, the room looked untouched.

But the window was open.

I knew I hadn't left it like that.

The curtains fluttered gently, and with trembling fingers, I stepped forward to shut it-only to freeze at the sight on the sill.

A dead raven.

Its eyes were missing.

Its wings twisted unnaturally.

I stumbled back, gasping, hands over my mouth.

What kind of message was this?

A slip of paper was tucked under its claw.

I almost didn't want to read it.

But I did.

"You're not safe here. He'll consume you... like the rest."

My knees buckled. I dropped the note and gripped the edge of the dresser, trying not to scream.

What did that mean? Like the rest?

I rushed to the door and threw it open-only to slam into someone.

Hard.

"Whoa!" a voice yelped.

Not Kade.

This boy was younger. Maybe my age. Pale hair, dark eyes, and a mischievous smirk like he lived to cause trouble.

"Easy there, new girl. You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Who are you?" I choked out.

"Luca," he said, still grinning. "Kade's cousin. The one they keep out of sight because I talk too much."

My eyes narrowed. "Did you leave that note?"

"What note?"

I grabbed his shirt, fury bubbling under my fear. "Don't play games with me!"

He blinked. And then, to my surprise, his smirk faded.

"You found something, didn't you?" he asked quietly. "Something you shouldn't have."

I didn't answer.

He leaned closer. "Listen to me, Sienna. If he marked you, it's already too late."

"What do you mean marked me?"

Luca stepped back, gaze darting toward the hallway like he expected it to come alive.

"He chooses one girl every ten years. They call it fate. I call it a death wish."

My blood ran cold. "What happens to them?"

He looked me dead in the eyes.

"They disappear."

My throat went dry.

"I've already stayed too long," he whispered. "If you're smart, you'll leave before the full moon."

And with that, Luca was gone-like a shadow vanishing into the cracks of the cursed building.

---

Later that night, I stood in the bathroom, brushing my hair, trying to act like everything was normal.

But it wasn't.

I kept glancing at the mirror.

And then, for one second-just one-I saw something that shouldn't have been there.

A figure behind me.

Tall. Shadowed. With glowing silver eyes.

I spun around, heart thundering.

No one was there.

But I knew what I'd seen.

And in the mirror's reflection, a single word had appeared, scratched across the glass:

MINE.