2. Looks That Bite

Pandora's second day at Arkanum began with a different kind of thrill. The air on the floating island seemed denser, like it whispered secrets she wasn’t yet ready to hear. When she descended to the enchanted dining hall for breakfast, she was greeted by warm, sweet aromas that shaped themselves into exactly what she craved: croissants filled with crystallized flowers, glowing fruit, and moon nectar tea that warmed her chest.

Amy was already there, smiling like they’d known each other forever.

"Sleep well?" the Bean Nighe asked, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Too well. I think the bed tried to trap me," Pandora joked, making Amy giggle sweetly.

But what Pandora didn’t expect was what came next.

The Ancestral Runes Room was one of the largest in the central tower. A high dome, living walls covered in ever-shifting symbols, and windows that filtered light in silky magical veils.

Her eyes widened as she stepped in, feeling the power pulse through the air. But her heart really skipped a beat when the professor entered.

Raven.

Tall, with firm posture and eyes dark as midnight, she looked more like a gothic painting than a vampiric fairy. Her black dress fit elegantly, and each step echoed like a silent spell. The students fell into instant silence as she crossed the threshold, and Pandora froze. Raven saw her.

And didn’t look away.

For long seconds, Raven’s eyes locked on her as if reading every shard of her soul. Pandora looked down, her cheeks burning. But her heart—well, that refused to calm down.

"Welcome to Ancestral Beings. Today, we’ll talk about forgotten pacts… and the danger of awakening old memories."

Raven’s voice was low and husky, like a forbidden whisper.

Pandora tried to focus on the lesson, but Raven’s gaze was making her restless. Every time she spoke about ancient vampires, warrior fairies or sealed dragons, her gaze returned to Pandora, deep and unreadable. Like every word carried hidden meaning.

"Ancestral beings aren’t always relics of the past," Raven said, walking between the desks. "Sometimes, they return… disguised in familiar forms. And when their power awakens, no one is truly ready."

Pandora swallowed hard. Raven stopped behind her just a moment too long.

"Pandora, what do you know about the royal lineage of fairies?"

She turned slowly, feeling every eye on her.

"That… they went extinct centuries ago, after the War of the Mists. The last descendants vanished into legend."

Raven smiled. Satisfied. Or tempted. Hard to say.

"Exactly. But… what if one of them was here?"

The room fell silent, as if cursed. Pandora’s heart pounded. Was she… talking about her?

Before she could ask, the door flew open with a loud slam.

"I'm here."

Everyone turned to see who dared interrupt Raven’s class.

Morgana.

Alpha of the Eastern werewolves. Delicate features, almost fragile in appearance, but with a presence that made the ground feel narrower. Her uniform was slightly undone, clearly not caring about rules. Her golden eyes locked onto Pandora like claws.

"Late again, Morgana?" Raven asked with a trace of irritation.

"I was busy being interesting," she said, strolling to the only empty seat — right next to Pandora.

"So, you’re the famous Pandora?" she said with a smirk, scraping the chair on purpose. "Expected more sparkle."

"Maybe you’re blind in one eye," Pandora shot back without missing a beat.

A few students stifled laughter.

Morgana blinked, then chuckled.

"I like someone who bites back."

From there, the class turned into a silent battle of sarcasm, fiery stares, and rising tension. Raven watched everything, unreadable, but Pandora knew she was paying attention to every move.

When class ended and students began leaving, Raven remained standing, arms crossed. As Pandora tried to slip out, her voice rang through the room:

"Pandora, stay a moment?"

Morgana paused, eyes briefly locking with Pandora’s. Pandora nodded, a little reluctantly. Alone now with the professor, the silence grew heavier.

Raven approached slowly, like walking across secrets.

"You felt it, didn’t you?"

"Felt what?"

"The island. The castle. The magic flowing through you."

She gently touched Pandora’s necklace—a violet crystal glowing against her skin.

"That’s… not common."

"I don’t know what it means. I just… feel like I’ve belonged here for a long time."

Raven smiled, almost sadly.

"Maybe you do belong here."

Pandora frowned.

"Professor, why were you staring at me in class?"

Raven glanced away for a moment. When she looked back, her expression was darker.

"Because... you remind me of someone. Someone I loved and lost. And that… disarms me."

Pandora’s words caught in her throat. Her heart thundered. Raven then turned, picked up a note, and handed it to her.

"Tonight, come to my tower. We have much to talk about. And… don’t bring anyone."

Pandora clutched the note, her fingers trembling. Written in graceful ink:

“East Tower. After the midnight chime.”

Raven vanished like a graceful shadow, leaving Pandora breathless and alone with a thousand questions — and the strange certainty that her life had just shifted forever.

High above, in a window ledge, a crimson-eyed owl watched her walk away. And whispers echoed through the tower walls:

"The heir awakens. Let the gates of the past open… once again."