Serena, still caught in a lingering haze, bowed her head slightly in instinctive respect to Elder Ileus. She did not fully understand the words spoken moments ago, nor the weight they seemed to carry, but her body reacted before her mind could catch up. Her thoughts were consumed by the vision she had just witnessed so vivid, so terrifyingly real that it felt less like a dream and more like a memory she had lived once before. Every detail clung to her consciousness, especially the face of the creature that had spoken to her. She feared that if she blinked too long, it would vanish.
"Elder Ileus… I wasn't expecting you at the gates, my lord," Edmund said, bowing his head with practiced restraint. His jaw was clenched tight, a muscle twitching beneath his skin, and his eyes remained fixed on the elder's face as though daring him to reveal his true intentions.
"This is my castle, Edmund," Ileus replied smoothly, a mischievous smile curling across his lips as he folded his arms over his chest. "I am allowed to roam wherever and whenever I please."
His gaze drifted lazily past Edmund and landed on Missy, who stood just behind him. The air seemed to tighten the moment his eyes found her.
"My, my," he said lightly, though his eyes darkened. "It's been far too long since I've seen such an appealing face. You must be Missy, I presume."
Missy bowed deeply, her movement precise and respectful, but when she straightened, she deliberately avoided looking at him. The subtle defiance amused Ileus far more than open rebellion ever could.
He hummed softly, then turned toward the towering gates.
"Open the gate, Rickon, and let our guests in."
Serena frowned and turned, scanning the courtyard. There was no one else in sight.
"Who is he speaking to?" she whispered to Missy.
Missy did not answer. Her face had gone grim, her lips pressed into a thin line, and her fingers curled slowly into a tight fist at her side.
A loud creak shattered the silence as the massive iron gates began to open. Standing beside them was a small, grey old man, hunched and frail-looking, his head completely bald. One of his eyes appeared infected, milky and swollen while the other stared vacantly ahead. His clothes were tattered, hanging loosely from his thin frame, and his skin was deeply wrinkled, dusty, and worn.
That must be Rickon, Serena thought, unease curling in her stomach. How could such wealthy people treat their servants this way?
"Come now, Ms. Serena," Ileus said, already walking toward the castle. "You've wasted enough time. If you want to make it to campus today, you'll need to keep up."
She hesitated only a second before following him.
Missy released a long sigh and shrugged her shoulders, preparing to follow, but Edmund suddenly caught her wrist.
"Whatever happens, Martha," he said firmly, his voice low and urgent, "I want you to know I won't let anything happen to her ever again. I won't allow that night to repeat itself. You have my word."
There was no hesitation in his eyes only resolve. He didn't care if it was Michael, the Hybrid, or something far worse. He would never let anyone hurt her again.
"I know you would, Edmund," Missy replied softly, gently pulling her hand free.
They stepped into the castle.
Serena's gasped.
The interior was magnificent far from the gloomy ruin she had imagined. The space was vast and regal, yet eerily untouched by time. There were no light bulbs, no screens, no visible technology of any kind. Instead, enormous candle chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, their flames flickering softly, bathing the halls in a warm golden glow.
The corridor stretched endlessly ahead, silent and empty, leading to a grand staircase that split into two sweeping arcs toward the second and third floors. Serena noticed immediately that none of the rooms above were lit. Dust clung thickly to the steps, as though they had not been walked upon in decades.
"How old is this castle?" she asked before she could stop herself.
"Curious, huh?" Ileus said without looking back. "That's a good quality for a student."
He glanced at her briefly, his sharp eyes capturing every flicker of emotion that crossed her face.
"About four hundred years old. Built by our ancestors," he added, chuckling softly.
"Ancestors," he repeated, a trace of bitterness slipping into his tone. "I really don't like that word."
This elder is strange, Serena thought. But then again… what isn't strange about this place?
They continued until they stopped before a massive double door adorned with gold trimmings from top to bottom. The door handles sat at the center of an intricate web-like design shaped like wings butterfly wings. When closed, the two halves formed a complete butterfly, its body perfectly aligned between the doors.
Without realizing it, Serena reached toward the birthmark at the back of her neck.
Missy's hand shot out, gripping Serena's wrist and pulling it down.
"Not here," she whispered urgently. "Please."
Her face had gone pale almost ashen.
Ileus noticed. A slow smile spread across his face as his eyes glowed brighter for a fleeting second before he pushed the doors open.
Beyond them lay a large circular chamber, dimly lit and eerily silent. At its center stood a round table with five seats. Four were already occupied.
The elders.
"Elder Ileus," one of them said coldly, "it is always a pleasure having you keep us waiting."
"Oh, Reiner," Ileus replied cheerfully. "You know that when I keep you waiting, it's the only way I ever get anything done."
He stepped aside.
"This is Ms. Serena Johnson," he announced. "The newest candidate of the scholarship program."
The reaction was immediate.
The four elders already pale looked as though they had seen a ghost.
"My, my," Elder Reiner said slowly, a cold smile forming. "You've outdone yourself again, Ileus."
Serena felt suddenly very small, like a lamb surrounded by hungry lions.
"These are the Elders of Eldermere," Ileus said casually. "Including myself. We oversee the affairs of the five founding families."
He leaned toward Serena and lowered his voice.
"The red-haired pale one is Elder Reiner Emberfalls, High Leader of the Emberfalls family." He smirked. "They're all red-haired, by the way. Very aggressive."
Reiner's face hardened further, clearly having heard them.
"This lovely lady," Ileus continued, gesturing, "is Elder Elara Slivermist, Lady Paramount of the Slivermist family."
Elara was breathtaking porcelain skin, flowing blonde hair that seemed to move on its own, and piercing blue eyes that studied Serena with unsettling intensity.
"Next is Elder Frost," Ileus said, nodding to a calm-looking man. "High Councilor of the Frostborns of the Eastern Lake. Beautiful people. Peaceful. Unlike the Emberfalls."
"And that one," he added, pointing to a dark-haired figure wearing a strange mask, "is Thorne. Overseer of the Ironforge clan."
He turned back to Serena, startling her.
"And lastly… me. Elder Ileus Eldridge. High Commander of the Eldridge family."
The leader of Eldermere.