The morning after Zoe’s nightmare came too soon. Her sleep had been fitful, haunted by images of her parents and the destruction of her family. She could still feel the heat of the flames and the dark magic that had burned through everything. Her heart was heavy with the weight of loss, yet the sanctuary of Nighthaven held her in its embrace, offering a fragile kind of peace.
But even peace had its limits.
As the sun began to rise, a dull ache settled in Zoe’s chest, and she knew the others were likely struggling in their own ways. They were all survivors of the same m******e, yet the bond between them was fraying. She didn’t want to admit it, but she felt alone in the quiet aftermath of their grief.
In the dining hall, the air was thick with tension. Some of the students cast furtive
