The next day,

Aria

I woke up at 1:47 in the morning.

Years of training had taught me the difference between a nightmare and a warning. This wasn't a nightmare.

Something was wrong.

For several seconds, I remained perfectly still beneath the blankets, listening to the silence of the villa.

Nothing.

No intruders.

No signs of attack.

No immediate threats.

Yet the feeling remained.

A faint disturbance brushed against my senses before vanishing again.

Spiritual energy.

Unstable.

Unfamiliar.

I sat up.

The room was dark except for pale moonlight filtering through the curtains. Outside, the city slept peacefully.

My instincts did not.

Ten minutes later, I was crossing the academy...