CHAPTER TWO
The Secret
Looking up at the only building in front of her, Seraphinna tried to take in her surroundings.
Her brothers walked ahead of her, leaving her at the back with enough time to observe everything around her. However, by the time she finished looking around, Ethan and Nathan were already far ahead.
With a sigh, she hurried to catch up.
When she finally reached them, she looked around once more before asking, "How come this school looks so deserted? Where are all the students?"
At her question, both brothers stopped simultaneously and exchanged glances. After a few seconds, they resumed walking without answering her.
Seraphinna blinked.
Seriously? They're just going to ignore me?
She was about to ask again when Ethan finally spoke.
"That's because you haven't entered the school itself."
"What do you mean?"
Confused by his answer, she couldn't help asking.
"You'll find out soon enough. Just be patient," Nathan replied this time.
Still confused, Seraphinna could only nod and wait until she discovered what they were talking about.
After turning several corners and walking through numerous doors, they finally arrived at their destination.
A large sign hung above the door in front of them.
HEADMASTER'S OFFICE.
Ethan and Nathan stood before the door, with Seraphinna behind them.
Ethan raised his hand and knocked rhythmically.
Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.
A moment later, the door creaked open.
Seraphinna immediately felt goosebumps spread across her skin.
Ethan entered first, followed closely by Nathan.
Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Seraphinna reluctantly stepped inside.
The moment she crossed the threshold—
BANG!
A loud noise erupted behind her.
Instinctively, she spun around and stared at the tightly closed door.
Her heart pounded.
Without thinking, she reached for her brothers and grabbed their hands.
"I'm scared," she whispered.
Both boys turned to look at her simultaneously.
Then they burst out laughing.
"It hasn't even started yet!" they chorused.
Seraphinna stared at them, confusion evident in her misty eyes.
"What do you mean?"
Before either brother could answer, a loud, eerie cry sounded from behind her.
She slowly turned around.
"Boo!"
"AHHHHHHHH! BROTHERS, SAVE ME! IT'S A GHOST!"
Without a second thought, Seraphinna released Nathan's hand and threw herself against Ethan, wrapping her arms around him and burying her face in his chest.
The entire room erupted in laughter.
Even the supposed ghost couldn't contain himself.
"Hahahahaha!"
"This never gets old!" the man exclaimed, still laughing.
After finally catching his breath, he looked at the two young men.
"Well, well, well! If it isn't Ethan and Nathan. What do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"
His gaze then shifted to the frightened girl clinging desperately to Ethan.
"And who might this cute little bundle in your arms be, Ethan?"
Before Ethan could answer, Nathan eagerly beat him to it.
"This little bundle is my adorable younger sister! Her name is Seraphinna Abaddon."
The old man raised an eyebrow.
"Seraphinna? Meaning a fiery, feisty one? How can someone so tiny be feisty? I don't believe it!"
"Oh, she is!" Nathan replied with complete seriousness.
The old man chuckled.
"Is that so?"
"It's been a long time, Headmaster Demetrius," Ethan finally greeted him.
Unfortunately, he couldn't even offer the older man a handshake because of the little girl's tight grip around his body.
With a helpless sigh, he gently patted her back.
"Seraphinna, you're not a child anymore," he said, a hint of irritation creeping into his voice.
However, despite his annoyance, Ethan knew his sister well enough to understand that losing his temper wouldn't help matters.
He sighed again before attempting a different approach.
"Fine, little sis. You win. What do you want?"
Seraphinna remained silent.
"Little demon, don't be scared. Your brothers are here, and we'll always protect you."
"Yeah, that's right!" Nathan echoed.
After much coaxing, Seraphinna finally loosened her grip and slowly lifted her head.
The first thing she saw was a pair of smiling eyes belonging to an elderly man with grey hair and a matching beard.
For a moment, the two simply stared at each other.
"Little sis, this is Headmaster Demetrius, the headmaster of this school," Nathan explained.
Seraphinna glanced at her brother before turning her attention back to the elderly man.
"You're the one who scared me?" she asked with a frown.
"Yes," Demetrius answered without hesitation.
"How did you know I was scared of ghosts?"
"I just know."
They continued staring at each other, neither willing to back down.
Demetrius seemed amused by the little girl's boldness, while Seraphinna appeared determined not to let him get the better of her.
Watching the exchange, Ethan finally lost his patience.
He tapped his sister on the head.
"Stop disrespecting your elders! Now, go and wait for us outside."
Seraphinna's eyes widened in disbelief.
What did I do wrong this time?
Feeling thoroughly wronged, she huffed and turned toward the door.
However, before leaving, she made sure to throw one final glare at the headmaster.
Then she stormed out of the office.
Demetrius watched her leave, amusement lingering in his eyes.
"I can see why she was given that name. It really suits her."
He turned back toward the two brothers, and his smile slowly disappeared.
A frown settled across his face.
"Why doesn't she know?"
Ethan's expression grew serious.
"We've tried telling her, but things didn't go as planned," he explained. "We couldn't think of another option except to bring her here."
He paused before continuing.
"Do you know what the worst part is? Not only does she know nothing about our existence, but we don't even know what she is."
Although they had expected the headmaster to discover the truth eventually, they hadn't anticipated that he would figure it out so quickly.
"Headmaster, that's precisely why we brought her here," Nathan added, unable to remain silent any longer. "It's becoming increasingly dangerous for her out there."
Demetrius remained quiet for a moment, considering their words.
"Even if I agree to this arrangement, I suppose we'll have to tell her the truth before she can enter this school."
---
Outside the office, Seraphinna sat on a chair, staring at the tightly closed doors.
"What on earth are they discussing in there? Why is it taking so long?" she muttered to herself.
Minutes passed.
Then more minutes.
Soon, almost an hour had gone by before the door finally opened.
Seraphinna immediately jumped to her feet.
The moment she saw who stood in the doorway, she frowned.
"Still holding a grudge?" Demetrius asked with an amused smile.
He stepped aside and gestured for her to enter.
Seraphinna continued glaring at him for another moment before reluctantly walking back into the office.
She heard the door close behind her.
However, she quickly forgot about the headmaster and turned her attention to her brothers.
Something was wrong.
Both Ethan and Nathan looked unusually serious, and their expressions made her uneasy.
She walked over and took a seat between them.
"So, what's up?"
Neither brother answered immediately.
Seraphinna looked from one to the other.
"Okay, what is it? What do you guys want to tell me? Just say it once and for all."
She hated the silence.
Both brothers sighed.
"We've been keeping a very big secret from you," Nathan began.
Seraphinna raised an eyebrow.
"And what's that?"
"Do you remember what Mom and Dad always told you?" Ethan asked.
Seraphinna thought for a moment.
"That no matter what problems I face, I should face them head-on?"
"Yes," Ethan replied.
"Well..."
He hesitated.
Before he could continue, the headmaster interrupted them.
"Sorry to interrupt, but you three are taking far too long. I'll just do it for you."
Demetrius turned his attention directly to Seraphinna.
"I'll tell you on their behalf. No, actually..."
A mysterious smile appeared on his face.
"How about I show you instead?"
Seraphinna barely had time to process his words.
Snap!
The sound of his fingers snapping was the last thing she heard before everything changed.
Her brothers called out her name.
And then—
Everything went silent.