It was a bright morning in Paradise High. The sun shone, illuminating the beautiful scenery of the school. From an outsider's perspective, Paradise High seemed like a dream—splendid and welcoming, perfect for tourists. But beneath its breathtaking exterior lay darker secrets.
Ezekiel had grown cold. No one knew the reason behind his sudden change. Harlan had tried speaking to him once, but Zeke responded with a powerful blow that broke his nose. Harlan clutched his face in shock, utterly unprepared for such a reaction from his friend.
"Get the fuck off and don't talk to me, Harlan," Zeke snapped, walking away without a care in the world.
He went straight to Asher's room and sat on the bed, his demeanor shifting instantly. As soon as he was alone, he broke down in tears. No one had ever seen this side of him. Not once had he cried—not for the cold, loveless household he grew up in, not for the cruelty he endured from his parents. Everyone saw Ezekiel as perfectly put together, but no one truly understood him.
Now, the only two people who had glimpsed even a fraction of his soul were gone—brutally murdered.
But he wasn't ready to let them go.
He would bring them back to life. He didn't care what it took. If he had to bargain with the devil himself, then so be it. Jeremy and Asher must return.
Zeke closed his eyes, and in an instant, he materialized into a fog-filled chamber. In the center of the eerie room stood two coffins, where he had hidden their bodies. No one knew about this secret place. He had made sure of it. No one could find out—not until they woke up.
Realizing it was time for class, Zeke composed himself, got dressed, and grabbed his bag. As always, he was dressed to kill. But tonight, he had only one mission—he would awaken them from wherever their souls had been taken.
As he walked into the classroom, he took his usual seat. At the same time, Slyvia entered with Harlan. But before she could settle in, a girl approached them.
"Slyvia Emerson, you're requested in the principal's office immediately," she announced.
Harlan raised a brow. Slyvia, too, was confused.
"Could this be about my blindness?" she wondered.
"Harlan, can you help me get there?" she asked.
"Of course," he replied without hesitation.
Harlan wrapped Slyvia's hand under his elbow as they made their way down the corridor. His mind was troubled—Slyvia had been acting strange lately. Reserved. Distant. Had she figured out something about him? If so, why wasn't she saying anything? Was she keeping secrets from him on purpose?
Before they could leave, Emily suddenly stopped them in their tracks. She took one look at Slyvia and smirked—a fake, condescending smile.
"How are you doing, Slyvia? You know, blind people shouldn't really be in school. You should be in a specialist hospital, friend. As a good friend, I'm just worried about you," Emily said sweetly, her words laced with venom.
Slyvia barely reacted. "That's not happening. I'm staying in Paradise Hills," she said nonchalantly. Then, as if mocking Emily's concern, she added, "You never know—there could be an evil person lurking around, doing something diabolical. If I leave, who will stop them?"
With that, she walked away with Harlan, leaving Emily momentarily stunned.
Emily watched Slyvia's retreating figure, dark thoughts creeping into her mind.
Why should that useless blind girl have Harlan?
Harlan was breathtaking—his emerald-green eyes were captivating, his golden hair perfectly neat, and his villainous smirk utterly intoxicating. She had wanted him for herself for so long. Why should Slyvia, of all people, be the one by his side?
No, that wouldn't do.
Maybe it was time to make Slyvia fly off a building.
Patience, Emily. Patience.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of approaching heels. The distinct click-clack sent a shiver down her spine. Emily knew that sound anywhere.
Impossible.
Wasn't she supposed to be locked in the fridge?
Sure enough, Rose appeared before her, looking both menacing and effortlessly gorgeous. Her silver designer handbag gleamed under the classroom lights as she sauntered toward Emily with slow, deliberate steps.
"Hello there," Rose said smoothly. "How was the last party? You disappeared so suddenly—I was so worried." She reached out and casually ran her fingers through Emily's brunette hair.
Emily flinched.
Didn't Rose remember slamming her head so hard she passed out? Or was she pretending?
"Rose, you don't have to play dumb," Emily said, feigning bravery while her hands trembled. "You can't expose me."
Rose tilted her head, her expression unreadable.
"Emily, are you confusing me with someone else? Because you sound wack," she replied coolly. "I came to say hi, and here you are talking about exposure. Darling, if it's still the alcohol messing with you, I have a great remedy for hangovers."
With that, she took her seat, her gaze briefly flickering to Asher's empty chair before facing forward.
Emily clenched her fists.
What the hell was going on?
She immediately dialed Rowan's number. No answer. Then Simon's. Nothing.
Panic surged through her.
"Why aren't they picking up?" she hissed, glaring at her phone.
Before she could think further, a firm hand landed on her shoulder.
"Waiting for someone, Miss?" a smooth, deep voice asked.
Emily turned sharply and instantly recognized it.
Mr. Ares.
For a brief moment, she forgot all her worries. The man was too attractive.
"Yeah, but now that you're here, I should probably sit down," she mumbled, fidgeting under his gaze.
Meanwhile, Zeke's crimson eyes locked onto Ares, who was studying Asher's empty seat with keen interest.
"Good morning, class," Ares began. "Why is Asher's seat empty? And isn't that Jeremy's seat—the one behind Ava?"
Ava barely looked up.
Why should she care about Asher and Jeremy?
Her biggest worry was that her parents would skin her alive when they found out about her thing with Rowan. She'd probably be disowned. Now, more than ever, she needed to study hard—if her parents cut her off, she had to secure a full scholarship.
Still, a creeping dread filled her when she thought about Rowan's plan. If he had gone through with it, then why was Rose sitting here so casually?
And yet, beneath Rose's composed exterior, she was barely holding it together.
She was still crying—inside, at least.
Asher and Jeremy's deaths haunted her.
Ares' voice cut through the tension.
"Since no one seems to know where your classmates are, we'll begin revisions. Also, point of correction—your exams are now next tomorrow. Study if you want to pass, because failure means expulsion."
His cold words sent a ripple of unease through the class.
Zeke, however, was focused on only one person.
Nina.
After class, he would interrogate her. If she had anything to do with Asher's disappearance, she would die a painful death.
His gaze darkened to a sinister red, his aura growing dangerously cold.
Even Ares, who was writing on the board, took notice. He smirked.
"The child of light has been killed," he mused to himself. "What an easy task."
Meanwhile, outside the principal's office, Slyvia knocked hesitantly.
"Come in," a deep voice called.
She stepped inside, leaving Harlan at the door. But Harlan couldn't just stand by. Pressing his ear against the wood, he strained to hear what was being said.
Inside, Ken Waters eyed Slyvia coldly.
"Slyvia Emerson," he said bluntly, "due to your blindness, you are hereby issued an immediate withdrawal from Paradise High. The sooner, the better."
Slyvia's breath hitched. Her heart pounded in her chest.
She was being expelled.
She stumbled out of the office, tears spilling down her face.
"Harlan… I'm being withdrawn… Harlan…" she sobbed.
Harlan sighed. Life really isn't fair.
But then—
A voice rang out from the corridor.
"I have come to visit Slyvia Emerson."
Both Slyvia and Harlan turned sharply.
Their eyes widened.
Standing there, looking breathtakingly gorgeous, was Lamia Alexandria.
Slyvia wiped her tears and grinned.
Her plan could finally begin.
*******
After the classroom exercise, Zeke stormed toward Nina, his steps deliberate and menacing. Without hesitation, he grabbed her hair violently, yanking her head back.
"What did you do to Asher, you cheap slut?" he snarled, his voice laced with fury.
His grey eyes darkened into a deep, blood-red hue, and an eerie chill filled the air around him. His entire body radiated an unnatural, bone-piercing cold, sharp enough to send shivers down the spine of anyone nearby.