Chapter 3After Cutting Ties, I Became the Royal Academy’s Only Dark

It was a long time before Mom finally found me in the potions room.

She broke the petrification spell and pulled me into her arms. "Ella, what happened?"

I breathed in her familiar scent, desperate for comfort. But my throat tightened, and I couldn't say a word.

Even if everyone else had turned against me, I still had Mom.

Mom patted my back gently. "There, there. You're all right. But there's something I need to talk to you.

"I've received both your acceptance letters, but the tuition at the Royal Academy of Light is very expensive. I was thinking..."

She paused as if choosing her words. "What if you went with Liana as her maid and studied whenever you had free time? You're talented enough to teach yourself, and we wouldn't have to pay two tuition fees."

Sunlight fell over her shoulder, so bright it hurt my eyes.

My eyes stung, but they were completely dry.

I had no tears left.

When I didn't answer, Mom smoothed a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Think it over. You've always been the understanding one."

"No." I forced the word out, cutting her off. "I can apply for a student loan."

Mom sighed. "Everything we own is already tied up in loans. We still have to cover Liana's living expenses for the next three years, not to mention her wand and spellbooks."

I stopped listening.

There was no point anymore.

I pushed her away and ran out with my head down.

Early the next morning, I went downstairs for breakfast.

The family had already finished eating, but they were still sitting around the table as if they had been waiting for me.

Caden sat to one side, watching me with a faint, unreadable smile.

"Ella." Dad's voice held no warmth. "We need to talk."

"I am not going to be Liana's maid."

Dad gave me a cold look. "That's already settled. We're not discussing that. This is about something else.

"There's one last test before Liana can enroll at the academy and we're worried she won't pass."

He looked straight at me. "We'd like to take some of your blood to make Liana a temporary power-boost potion."

I stared at him in disbelief.

How could he ask for my blood as casually as if he were asking about the weather?

I shook my head. "No."

Dad's face darkened, but Marcus cut in before he could speak.

"It's just a little blood. Do you have to make such a big deal out of it? You want your sister to fail?"

Liana kept her head down and gently tugged at Marcus's sleeve. "Don't, Marcus. I think Ella's angry."

Tears slid down her face. She looked up and forced a smile. "I'm fine. Nobody should hurt Ella's feelings because of me."

Before I could say anything, Caden scoffed.

He gave me an icy look. "Liana cares about you, but you don't care if she lives or dies."

He shook his head, his face full of disgust. "Ella, I never thought you were this kind of person."

Suddenly, the boy I'd grown up with looked like a stranger. It felt as if the ground had opened beneath me and I was falling.

Marcus stood up. "Enough talking. Take her to the potions room."

Caden stood too. He and Marcus grabbed me by the arms and dragged me to the potions room.

The strong, bitter smell snapped me out of my daze.

I fought against them. "Let go of me!"

Marcus impatiently drew his wand, aimed it at me, and cast a silencing spell.

My throat closed at once. No matter how hard I tried, only a weak rasp came out.

Caden had already pulled a screaming mandrake from its pot and carried it toward me.

The mandrake opened its mouth, revealing rows of needle-sharp teeth. It sank them into my arm and began sucking my blood.

My eyes widened in terror. My whole body shook from the pain, but I couldn't scream.

The mandrake kept drinking until its green body turned bright red. Then it gave a satisfied belch and finally let go.

Caden dropped it into the cauldron, and everyone gathered around, waiting for the potion to finish brewing.

The blood loss made my head spin. My legs gave out, and I hit the floor.

Not one of them even looked at me.

The potion worked.

They all crowded around Liana and cheered.

As darkness closed in, only one thought remained.

I would leave this place for good.