"Come and get me out of here."
Luke stared at the message for a long moment. The glow of his phone screen illuminated his face in the dim hotel room.
The words were simple, direct, and utterly Cael. No explanation. No context. Just a request.
He let out a slow breath and typed back.
"What happened?"
A few seconds later, Cael's reply came.
"Seraphina grounded me. I am not allowed to leave the academy walls."
Luke shook his head. Of course. That was just like Seraphina. He typed back.
The night air was cool against his skin. He stared at the ceiling, wondering what mess Cael had gotten himself into this time.
"I will come to the academy tomorrow morning."
...
The next morning, Luke arrived at Everbright Academy.
The gates loomed before him, familiar and imposing, their iron frames gleaming under the morning sun.
Students moved through the roads, their voices carrying across the grounds like a low hum.
Some were training. Some were laughing. Some were rushing to class.
