With a day of work behind me and my friends talking again, I navigate the bustling hallway, the castle’s stone walls echoing with the chatter and laughter of students heading to dinner in the cafeteria. The evening sun casts long shadows through the tall, arched windows, and the flickering torchlight adds a warm glow to the ancient stones. The air is filled with the delicious aroma of tonight’s meal, and my stomach rumbles in response.
My hunger might be louder than Nate’s words repeatedly going off in my mind: Stay out of the woods. I still can’t come up with any reason why I would be roaming in the woods, but okay.
As I approach my door, I notice someone sitting outside it. My heart skips a beat when I realize it’s Elijah.
He’s leaning casually against the wall, his long legs stretche
