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