Page 33 of Heir of Shadows

15

Marigold

“You survived yourfirst week,” Raven said, tugging me along Wyckhaven’s Main Street. “That deserves a celebration.”

“I don’t know,” I said, trying to smooth down my skirt. I didn’t know how they’d convinced me to come, let alone dress up for this. After yesterday, I wasn’t sure I’d ever even want to wear a skirt again.

“Maybe I should study more,” I hedged, but the truth was, I wanted this. A normal night. A chance to feel like I belonged here—not just as the heir no one wanted, but as Marigold, a girl having fun with her friends.

“Which is exactly why you need this.” Lucas’s British accent made everything sound more reasonable than it was. “Everyone goes to The Cauldron after orientation week. It’s tradition.”

“Besides,” Raven added, waving her bangle-covered arm, “you haven’t even seen the town properly yet. There’s more to this place than just the college.”

I glanced around at the mountain town’s main drag. At first glance, it looked like any other tourist trap—cutesy boutiques, a coffee shop with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves visible through the windows, and an antique store that probably charged a fortune for actual junk. But something felt… different.

“Is everyone here…” I lowered my voice. “Like us?”

Raven hushed me. “No, this is mostly just a regular human town. But there’s some bits that are extra special.” She pulled me down a side street, past a row of abandoned storefronts with boarded windows.

“What do they think about the college?” I asked, trying to keep up with her quick steps. “About us?”

“Most of them are charmed not to think about it too hard,” Lucas said with a laugh. “But we’re not supposed to do any magic in front of them just in case.”

“This way!” Raven led us onto another street, this one darker.

Most of the buildings looked like abandoned remnants of old mining operations. We stopped in front of one hulking brick building with faded letters spelling out “WYCK MINING CO.” across its facade.

“This is the famous magical nightclub?” My skepticism must have shown because Lucas laughed.

Raven pressed her palm to a section of brick wall where the mortar formed a subtle spiral pattern. Scout scampered down my arm to investigate, his tiny skeletal form clicking excitedly.

“Most people walk right past this place,” Raven said, tracing the spiral with her finger. Magic rippled through the air, making my teeth ache. The dead things stirred, but not with their usual eagerness–more like they were simply acknowledging another kind of power.

The wall melted away, revealing a doorway spilling out music and laughter. Two older students flanked the entrance, their hands glowing as they checked magical signatures.

“Fresh meat?” one asked, smirking at me. His eyes lingered on me. “There’s something unusual about this one.”

Raven stepped forward. “She’s with us. She’s the Shadow Heir.”

His smirk vanished. The glow around his hands intensified briefly, then he nodded. “Welcome to The Cauldron. Mind the wards—they bite.”

Inside, the space stretched impossibly large, industrial bones transformed by floating orbs of light. The music thumped with a familiar song, and I couldn’t help but smile, even as my eyes automatically sought out the other royals in the crowd.

“Freshmen to the left,” Lucas guided us toward the bar. “Upperclassmen get the good spots.”

I found them easily enough—they commanded attention without trying. Elio held court on floating cushions, his illusions creating a private aurora borealis overhead. A group of admirers hung on his every word.

When his gaze met mine across the room, something cold curled in my stomach. I swallowed hard. What game was he going to play tonight? And would I get out of it with anything intact?

The memory of that damn uniform still burned against my skin—tight fabric, too-short hem, their eyes like hands.

I forced myself to blink it away. This wasn’t then. This was just a party. Just noise. Just fun.

Couldn’t they leave me alone for one night?

Cyrus was by the massive fireplace, his fire wards pulsing with protective energy as flames danced higher. Even with the thump of the music, I could hear bits of the group around him discussing the upcoming trials.

“Everyone’s really serious about these trials, aren’t they?” I asked, anxiety creeping in as I watched older students practicing control exercises even while socializing.

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