Phantom’s kiss still tingles on my lips as I step out of the car, his gaze burning into my back until I vanish into the chaos of school. My pulse thrums, tethered to him even as lockers slam, sneakers squeak, and gossip ricochets down the hall. After last night, the noise feels cartoonish, like the world forgot how heavy everything feels when you’re caught between kingdoms and secrets. Shadows cling to the corners, whispering what I can’t say aloud.
The classroom hums with chatter, voices overlapping like static. I spot Israfil and Anna, my pulse skipping, breath catching in my throat.
“Seriously, people, I miss one day of school and all hell breaks loose?” I announce, referring to the witch‑made earthquake I heard rattled the halls while I played hooky. Apparently, that’s what tipped
