Crimson Covenant: The Blood Oath

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

After the Words Appeared

No one spoke on the walk back.

The forest, usually filled with the quiet rustling of leaves, seemed to hold its breath.

Professor Vale led the class through the winding path without looking back once.

Even the older students remained silent.

The words carved into the stone had stolen every conversation before it could begin.

The Covenant Remembers.

Luna replayed them over and over in her mind.

She had touched her own name.

And the stone had answered.

Why?

The academy gates came into view just before noon.

As soon as they crossed into the courtyard, the silence shattered.

Whispers spread like ripples across water.

"They say it happened in the Hall of Witnesses."

"I heard the stone changed."

"Impossible."

"But Professor Vale was there."

"Then it has to be true..."

Students who hadn't attended the lesson stared openly as Luna passed.

Some stepped aside.

Others lowered their eyes.

A few simply watched.

Not with hatred.

With uncertainty.

It was somehow worse.

By lunchtime, the entire academy knew.

Luna sat near the window of the dining hall, absentmindedly stirring her tea.

She had barely touched her food.

Across from her, Rowan sighed.

"I was hoping the rumors would exaggerate."

"They didn't."

"No."

He pushed his glasses higher on his nose.

"If anything..."

"They're making it sound smaller."

Luna looked up.

"What do you mean?"

He leaned closer.

"People aren't talking about what appeared."

"They're talking about the last time something appeared."

A chill settled over the table.

Luna lowered her voice.

"When was that?"

Rowan's fingers tightened around his cup.

"I don't know."

"No one does."

"Every record disappeared."

"Even the professors won't speak about it."

Before Luna could ask another question, someone approached their table.

Celeste Ravenscroft.

The dining hall quieted almost instantly.

She stood with her usual graceful posture, one hand resting lightly against the back of an empty chair.

"May I?"

Rowan looked surprised.

"Of course."

Celeste sat.

For several moments, she simply folded her hands neatly in front of her.

Then she looked at Luna.

"I owe you an apology."

Luna blinked.

"...You do?"

"I judged you before I had enough information."

There was no embarrassment in Celeste's voice.

Only honesty.

"I assumed you were seeking attention."

She paused.

"I no longer believe that."

Luna wasn't sure how to respond.

"Thank you."

Celeste inclined her head.

"However..."

The single word changed the atmosphere.

"My concern has only grown."

"I still believe your arrival places this academy in danger."

Rowan sighed quietly.

"Celeste..."

"I'm not accusing her."

Her eyes never left Luna.

"I'm warning her."

Luna met her gaze.

"Then tell me what everyone else refuses to."

For the first time...

Celeste hesitated.

She looked around the crowded dining hall before speaking softly.

"There are stories."

"Older than the academy itself."

"Stories about names."

Luna frowned.

"What kind of stories?"

Celeste's answer was almost a whisper.

"When stone remembers a name..."

"It never forgets."

The lunch bell rang.

Students immediately began gathering their belongings.

The conversation ended before Luna could ask anything more.

Celeste rose from her chair.

As she turned to leave, she stopped beside Luna.

Without looking at her, she said,

"If I were you..."

"I wouldn't be alone tonight."

Then she walked away.

That evening, rain clouds gathered once again over Ebon Hollow.

Lightning flashed beyond the mountains.

The dormitory windows rattled softly in the wind.

Unable to settle her thoughts, Luna stepped into the corridor.

The castle was unusually quiet.

Most students had already retired to their rooms.

She wandered without purpose, her footsteps echoing through the empty halls.

Then—

She heard music.

A piano.

Soft.

Melancholy.

The melody drifted through the corridors like a forgotten memory.

Luna followed it.

One turn.

Then another.

The sound grew clearer.

It led her to an old music room tucked away in the academy's northern wing.

The door stood slightly open.

Warm candlelight spilled through the narrow gap.

She hesitated.

Then gently pushed it open.

Inside...

A grand black piano rested beneath a tall arched window.

Rain traced silver lines down the glass.

Someone was playing.

The melody was beautiful.

Haunting.

Familiar...

Though Luna couldn't remember where she'd heard it before.

The pianist's back faced her.

Dark hair.

Straight posture.

Long fingers gliding effortlessly across the ivory keys.

Damian.

He didn't turn around.

He didn't stop playing.

Without interrupting the melody, he spoke quietly.

"I was wondering how long you'd stand outside."

Luna froze.

"I..."

"I didn't mean to interrupt."

"You didn't."

His hands continued moving across the keys.

"The music was waiting for someone."

Silence settled between the notes.

After a long moment, Damian finally looked over his shoulder.

Those warm sienna-brown eyes met hers.

Calm.

Thoughtful.

Almost... sad.

He studied her for a heartbeat before asking,

"What did the stone show you..."

"...that it didn't show the rest of us?"