Helion stood at the head of the grand hall, his presence commanding attention. In one hand, he held a golden goblet filled with deep amber liquid; in the other, a golden knife that glinted under the candlelight. 

His single uncovered eye swept over the assembled students, scanning their faces as if measuring their reactions before he spoke.

“I have an announcement to make,” he began, his voice smooth yet edged with authority.

Notham took his seat, his brow furrowed in thought, while Celeste settled into place with Cleo at her side. Cleo’s ears twitched, sensing the tension before the words even came.

“Some of you may have noticed by now,” Helion continued, “but several students have gone missing this past week.”

A ripple of unease passed through the hall. Some gasped, others exchanged wary glances. Celeste straightened in her seat, her fingers gripping the edge of the table.

“It appears,” Helion went on, “that only male students have vanished thus far. But! Until we can determine the cause, we will be enforcing a nightly lockdown. No one is to leave their dormitories after sundown until further notice.”

He sat back down, his expression unreadable, as hushed voices broke into frantic whispers.

“I didn’t know students were missing,” Celeste muttered as she speared a piece of roasted potato with her fork. “Did you two?”

Ophelia shook her head, her fingers tightening around her glass of water.

“You didn’t hear?” Lily piped up, her voice hushed but eager, her blue eyes gleaming with excitement. “It’s mostly been fourth and fifth-year boys. But I heard a first-year like us disappeared the night before last!”

Cleo watched as Celeste twirled her fork absentmindedly.

“I wonder where they went…” Celeste mused. “You think the Vargulf got them?”

Ophelia shuddered slightly. “I doubt anyone would be reckless enough to jump into the lake, knowing that thing is lurking beneath.”

Lily smirked. “True, but we are talking about boys. Boys will do anything if it sounds exciting.”

“The dumber the dare, the better,” Celeste added, rolling her eyes.

They laughed, the dark mood briefly lifted—until Cleo stiffened. She flicked her ears, noticing something the others had yet to see. 

Across the room, a group of girls sat at another table, their gazes sharp, unfriendly. They weren’t whispering, weren’t trying to hide their open disdain.

Cleo nudged Celeste with her paw.

“Hm?” Celeste swallowed her food before following Cleo’s gaze. Her amusement vanished. “What’s their deal?”

Lily pursed her lips as she glanced back at them briefly. “Do you think it could still be about you and Cleo?”

Ophelia shook her head. “I doubt it. It's practically old news by now.”

But before they could speculate further, a voice cut through the air like a blade from further down the table.

“You dolts seriously don’t know?”

The sneering tone was unmistakable. Alicia.

Cleo’s tail bristled.

Alicia leaned forward, eyes glinting with malice as she let her gaze flick between them. “Allow me to enlighten you, then! Rumor has it that just before each boy disappeared, a hiss was heard.”

Her smile widened as she looked pointedly at Ophelia. “As far as I know, there’s only one person in this entire school with a snake familiar.”

Cleo’s blood ran cold. Ophelia instinctively reached for Siren, the serpent coiled protectively around her neck.

“What?!” Celeste slammed her hands onto the table, rattling the plates and cups. “You seriously think Ophelia and Siren are behind the disappearances? That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard!”

Alicia smirked, feigning innocence. “If the shoe fits.”

Celeste’s eyes blazed with fury, and she moved to give Alicia a piece of her mind—but Cleo acted faster. She bit down on Celeste’s cloak, yanking her back before she could do anything rash.

“Wha—Cleo, let go of me!” Celeste hissed, struggling against her.

Cleo whimpered, ears drooped, then turned her gaze to Ophelia.

Ophelia exhaled sharply, her head hung low in shame. “Please don’t… don’t do something you’ll regret. Not for my sake.” Her voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried a weight of vulnerability that stilled Celeste’s fight.

Celeste clenched her jaw, her anger still simmering just beneath the surface. Then, with a deep breath, she forced herself to sit back down. “…Fine,” she muttered. “But only for you.”

Alicia and her group laughed amongst themselves as if they’d already won. Celeste ignored them. They finished their meal in tense silence before slipping out of the dining hall together.

The dormitory building loomed before them, an offshoot structure with a grand staircase splitting into separate halls. 

The girls entered the leftmost door on the main floor, revealing a spacious changing area that smelled faintly of lavender and steam.

Cleo sat by the entrance as the girls disappeared into the changing rooms, only to perk up when Celeste called for her.

The adjoining room was vast, lined with wooden baths and a large communal pool at the back. Steam curled lazily in the warm air. Cleo padded forward, hesitating as she eyed the pool.

“Come on,” Celeste grinned, rolling up her sleeves. “You need a bath too.”

Cleo sighed but relented, stepping into the water’s embrace. It was soothing, the warmth seeping into her muscles as Celeste gently lathered her fur with soap. The sensation was… strange. Foreign. Yet oddly comforting.

Once Celeste finished, Cleo slipped beneath the water, rinsing off the suds. When she surfaced, she gave a quick shake, sending droplets scattering. As Celeste worked the shampoo through her own hair, Cleo’s thoughts drifted.

Her gaze lowered to the necklace hanging subtly beneath her fur. The one Lumosa had given her.

She hesitated.

Then, gathering her courage, she spoke aloud.

“…Thank you.”

The words were soft, perfectly said even. No barks, no growls.

Celeste froze. Her hands were still raised, soap foaming between her fingers.

Wide-eyed, she whispered, “You can speak without barking? What'd you do to make that happen?”

To be continued…