*Chapter 5: Midnight Ritual*
209 Words
Laila's eyes snapped open, the keep's clock tolling midnight ๐. Shadows danced around her bed, and Lyra's voice whispered, "Time for the next trial ๐."
She followed Lyra to a hidden courtyard, torches flickering ๐ฎ. Demon students gathered, their eyes gleaming with anticipation ๐. Kaden stood among them, his expression unreadable ๐ฎ. Professor Vex announced, "Tonight, you prove loyalty ๐ฅ. The Blood Bond ritual binds you to the academy... or breaks you ๐."
Lyra explained, "You'll swear an oath, sealing it with a blood drop ๐. But be warned - hidden curses lide ๐ฎ." Her eyes seemed to gleam with excitement ๐ฅ.
Laila hesitated. What if her human blood triggered something? ๐ญ Kaden stepped forward, cutting his palm ๐ช. "I'll go first." He let his blood drip onto a parchment ๐ฎ, words igniting in fire ๐ฅ.
As others followed, Laila's doubts swirled. What was the true cost? ๐ Lyra handed her a dagger ๐ฎ. Laila pricked her finger, a drop welling ๐ฅ...
When her turn came, she whispered, "I swear... but what does it cost?" ๐ The blood reacted, words etched in fire ๐ฅ. Laila's vision blurred, the courtyard dissolving into shadows ๐...
The others' eyes seemed to glow brighter ๐ฎ. Kaden's face blurred, his voice distant. "Laila..." ๐
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