Three days came and went like it was nothing.
Maria packed my bags with robotic efficiency, folding each item like it was a sacred artifact. I didn't help - I refused to have a hand in my exile.
My parents avoided me like the plague until it was time to go. Maybe they thought the less they said, the easier it would be.
It wasn't.
The morning of my departure, I dressed in silence. My mother had laid out a travel outfit for me: a deep navy turtleneck sweater, charcoal jeans, and a tailored black coat. I didn't wear it. I chose my usual hoodie instead, threw on some combat boots, and pulled my red hair into a careless ponytail. I stood in front of my full length mirror and stared at my reflection. I raised a hand to slowly touch my hair. It was really bright, really long and really noticeable, just like my mother's. I would definitely stand out, become an easy target.
Letting out a groan, I pulled the hood over my head and turned to leave. I stopped at the door and took one final look at my room.
I would miss it. I would even miss this stupid house. God, would i gove anything to stay here, but i knew that wouldn't happen. Once my father had made up his mind, nothing could change it.
I blew a kiss into the empty room and shut the door firmly, walking downstairs to meet the man responsible for my exile.
My father stood at the front door, hands behind his back, staring out into the foggy driveway as the sleek black car waited for me. He didn't say goodbye. Just nodded once, like a general sending a soldier to war.
My mother hugged me, lightly, the scent of jasmine clinging to her silk scarf. "You'll be okay," she whispered.
I wanted to believe her.
Guillaume opened the car door, and I stepped in.
The drive took hours.
I tried to distract myself with music, but my phone lost signal an hour in. Even Spotify gave up. That left only the hum of the engine and the pounding of my thoughts.
I looked at Gullaume through the rearview mirror. He was a quiet fella and a little old too. I don't know how many years he had been with my family, but it was enough to get him used to weird things.
His eyes flickered to mine for a moment and i smiled to ease the tension. He gave me a sad smile before returning his attention to the road.
Ugh, there it was again - the pity. I turned to look out of the window. If he wanted to sit in silence, i could do that.
Eventually, the forest gave way to an opening and an intimidating building loomed into view. Perched on a hill like something out of a gothic fairytale was Balth High.
The building looked ancient. Stone towers clawed at the sky, their sharp edges veiled in climbing ivy. Iron gates stood wide, like open arms or open jaws, depending on how you looked at it. A tall sign carved from black slate bore the words:
BALTH HIGH: SCHOOL FOR THE GIFTED AND CURSED.
My stomach dropped. It looked like something out of a horror movie. Did places like this actually exist?
The car rolled to a stop in front of the large, black double doors.
A woman stood at the steps. She was tall, dressed in dark plum robes with silver embroidery. Her hair was silver-white, but her face was ageless. Eyes sharp, calculating. I hadn't even stepped out yet, and I already felt like she knew everything about me.
Maybe that was my mother's doing.
Guillaume opened the door and I stepped out reluctantly. The air felt different here. Heavier. As though gravity here had a mind of its own.
"Miss Trident," the woman greeted. "Welcome to Balth. I am Headmistress Elowen. We've been expecting you."
I didn't answer. I was too busy trying to decide if I was still dreaming.
She turned. "Follow me."
We passed stone archways, carved fountains, and students who barely glanced at me. Some whispered. One girl with midnight hair and violet eyes stared openly, then smiled slowly, like she knew something I didn't.
Inside, the school was breathtaking and eerie. High-vaulted ceilings. Portraits whose eyes followed me as I walked. Hallways that curved where they shouldn't. Candles floated mid-air, their flames flickering without wind.
"This place is insane," I muttered. I half expected to hear crows outside and complete the scene.
Elowen stopped abruptly and turned. "Balth is a sanctuary. But it is also a mirror. What you find here depends entirely on what you bring."
Great. She had started spewing bullshit quotes at me already. What on earth was that supposed to mean?
She gestured to a large wooden door. "Your dormitory. Room 306. Your roommate has been informed. Orientation begins tomorrow. Dinner is at seven. Don't be late."
Then she was gone.
I stood frozen for a second, her words echoing.
A sanctuary and a mirror.
I pushed open the door.
The room was spacious and strange, with deep green walls, an antique wardrobe, and a bed with curtains. A girl sat on the windowsill, one knee pulled to her chest. Her dark curls shimmered with flecks of blue when they caught the light.
She looked up and smiled at me a little too widely.
"So you're the new siren." She squealed.
My heart nearly stopped.
"What did you just say?"
She grinned. "Oh honey. You really don't know yet, do you?"
I took a shaky step back.
She slid off the windowsill and walked toward me hand extended for a shake and eyes twinkling with curiosity.
"I'm Mildred and this is going to be fun."