Prologue The difference between me and them, I accept my Darkness. I know who I am. Theres no way to survive hell without taking a piece of it with you. Something only dark souls can fully understand. - B. Vigil Did it feel like being broken? No tears, no pain and no fear. Just an emptiness expanding from within. I saw the boy. How old might he be - I guessed him to be no more than 12 years old. Clearly much too young for all that... He approached. Together with HIM. I closed my eyes. Was that now? Should I die like this? Probably. “What do we do with traitors?", I heard the familiar icy voice. We kill them." the boy replies. Loud and clear. No shaking, no uncertainty. Do it." He was so young... So that's how I ended up - at the hands of a child. Look up!" I heard the child's voice right in front of me. I wouldn't beg for my life, so I just looked silently into his cold ice blue eyes. My last thought was that the devil really existed and that I was facing him personally. Then everything would go black forever... Chapter 1 5:45 a.m. Glistening sunlight flooded my new bedroom, which was still filled with far too many moving boxes. They had been stacked against the opposite wall in rows for weeks. Actually, it could have been a good day if it hadn't been for that one small snag. It was Monday and I hated Mondays. But even more I hated first Mondays at new schools - or rather, at a super chic etepetete high society academy. I briefly considered turning off the alarm clock, turning around again and just pretending I hadn't heard the ringing. Unfortunately, my father would not buy this pathetic excuse. "Jolien, your alarm clock is ringing." My father's voice came through the closed door. I heard that myself. The cell phone ended up right next to my pillow. "Turn it off please, this ringing is driving me crazy!" He accompanied every word with a knock on the closed door. That drove ME crazy! I groped for my iPhone and turned off the alarm. "Get up now!" He pounded harder on my room door so I wouldn't fall asleep again. "Okay, okay. I'm getting up." I reluctantly swung my legs out of bed and shuffled barefoot into the adjoining bathroom. At least I didn't have to share a bathroom with my two younger sisters in our new house. We had moved to Silverside that summer. My dad wanted to move back to the city where he grew up after my mother died. And I couldn't blame him. Silverside was a beautiful town - if you liked quaint seaside towns. I got into the shower and let the warm water run over my body. When I was done, I blow-dried my long blonde hair and tied it in a loose, loose braid. Before I put on my makeup, I changed into the red and gray school uniform that hung neatly and freshly ironed (thanks Dad!) over my desk chair. Of course, this school had a uniform. Must have been some rich school thing. Then I went down the stairs to the kitchen, where my sisters were already waiting for me at the dining table. My dad handed me a plate of pancakes. My youngest sister Amelie looked at me in admiration and said, "Jolien looks great!" Amelie was 4 years old and looked most like our mother. She had her auburn hair, with the natural wave, and her bright green eyes. I knew that seeing Amelie hurt my father the most. "Yes, look at me. I'm wearing a uniform," I said, spinning theatrically. Amelie giggled, Silia rolled her green eyes in annoyance. Silia was 16 years old and therefore only a year younger than me, unfortunately she had the soul of an old woman. Just like me, Silia had blond hair and green eyes. The eyes were the only thing we inherited from our mother. However, she didn't wear her hair long like I did, but in a long bob. I guess she wanted to be different from me visually since we already looked very similar. "I still don't understand why Silia doesn't go to this stupid academy." I said offended while poking around in my pancake carelessly. “Because I attach great importance to my academic future. I don't need to be reminded to get up in the morning and I don't have any trouble at school," she answered instead of my dad, who the question was originally directed at. I rolled my eyes in annoyance and stuck my tongue out at her: "Buckethead!" "That's exactly why you're going to this academy, Jolien!" She retorted sternly, almost as if she were my mother. Dad cleared his throat, "Can I go like this? Today is also my first day at work. Do you want me to take off my tie? Does that look too stuffy for a real estate agent?" "Definitely!" I replied while Silia said, "No way, Dad! That exudes professionalism!" I rolled my eyes again, which made Amelie giggle again. "Are you really okay with taking Amelie to daycare?" my dad asked me. "Sure, no problem at all. However, Silia has to pick her up. This wonderful institute that calls itself Academy has classes until 4 p.m.." About fifteen minutes later I pulled up in the kindergarten parking lot. Amelie looked at me anxiously. "You don't have to be afraid, dear. I think you'll love it there!" I got out, walked around the car, unbuckled Amelie, and helped her out of the white Range Rover. I nervously checked my watch. Well, getting to the Academy on time was going to be difficult. It took three tries and more persuasion before Amelie was content to stay in her kindergarten group. Now I also knew why this task had been shifted onto me. With quick steps I hurried back to the Range Rover and put the pedal to the metal. It was already after 8:00 am when I reached the Academy grounds. Wow. That was the first thought that came to my mind. The building was huge. A large barred gate separated the main street from the driveway, which was planted with colorful flowers. To the left of the gate I saw a sign that said "Parking." I turned and pulled into a huge parking lot. The first thing that struck me was the many expensive cars. Apparently, the kids at this school had money. A lot of money. Was that actually a black matte Lamborghini?! After finding a parking space, I took a last look in the mirror (what's the point?), got out of the car and approached the front gate as it opened automatically. Okay, there was something almost spooky about that. I entered and tried to ignore the queasy feeling. "Pretty late huh?" a security guard greeted me from a cottage just inside the gate. So that's how it was, he had opened the gate for me - so no magic after all. "I'm new and I got lost," I lied to the guard who stuck his head out the window of the little cottage. He was an elderly, gaunt man in a blue uniform. “Let's go. You should go to the principal first so he can give you your schedule. You go up the stairs and then directly on the right, the first door," he explained gently. I nodded my thanks and walked quickly towards the entrance. I was still overwhelmed, almost intimidated - and it became even more impressive after I saw the huge double iron doors and stood in the Academy's entrance hall. In the center of the huge hall, a staircase of white marble led to the second floor. Long corridors with closed doors stretched left and right to nowhere. It took me a moment to process this impression. Shit, I really ended up in one of those snotty institutions. My footsteps echoed off the marble floor, which had a checkerboard pattern, as I crossed the completely empty hall and climbed the stairs. What did the security guard say? The first door on the right? Damn, I forgot. Yes, it was right, I was 90% sure of that. I just ignored the other 10%. I hoped I wasn't mistaken when I knocked softly on the door. "Come in." I heard a woman's voice from inside. I opened the door and found myself in a kind of registration. Phew, lucky - I was right! A young woman was sitting behind a dresser, in front of a computer. She looked up as I entered the room. "Yes, please?" she asked, giving me a friendly look with warm brown eyes. "I should introduce myself to the headmaster." I shifted nervously from one foot to the other. "Oh, then you must be Jolien Chesterfield. You can sit down for a moment; I'll sign you in." She gestured to five chairs on the opposite side. One was already occupied. In the middle, on one of the five chairs that were placed neatly in front of the wall, sat a young man with jet-black hair. Strands of his slicked-back hair fell across his forehead as he looked up from his phone to see me sit in the chair furthest from him. He ran a hand through his hair and then turned to me: "A new face." Wow, he figured that out like a pro. I ignore him. Which he probably didn't notice (or didn't want to notice?) as he held out his hand to me and said: "I'm Malio." I looked at his outstretched hand and coolly replied, "And I'm not interested." A crooked grin that made him look outrageously handsome curled his lips as he withdrew his hand. "Interesting," he fixed me with his piercing, icy blue eyes. Only now, as I took a closer look at him, did I realize how good he actually looked. Outrageously good to be honest. His grin widened even more, much more arrogantly and confidently, when I stared at him for a second too long. I quickly looked away and hoped someone would finally call my name. "Malio, you can go to class now. Jolien, you can follow me." the secretary said with perfect timing, I nodded and followed the woman into another room. "Jolien, I'm pleased to welcome you to our Academy Silverside." An older man with long white-grey hair immediately greeted me as I entered the principal's office. Oh god, did I end up at Hogwarts? "I'm Headmaster Gibbons and I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have." He handed me a piece of paper and then continued. “This is your current timetable for this semester. You're probably wondering why you can't choose your own subjects. Like regular schools, there are NO electives here." The word 'usually' he emphasized pejoratively. "That's because our academy is of a very high standard. Among other things, we train future politicians, diplomats, military leaders, judges or professional athletes, just to give you a glimpse into your future. When you graduate from the Academy, all doors are open to you in terms of career, reputation and money. In return, however, we expect discipline, obedience and hard work." He finished his speech and looked at me expectantly. I quickly nodded, having stopped listening halfway through the lecture. "Well then, why are you still standing here? Then hop on, off to class!" With these words he shooed me out of his office. *** I glanced at my forced schedule and sighed in annoyance. First up was history - I hate history. "Well, what do we have first?" I heard a deep, rough voice. I turned around and saw Malio leaning casually against the wall next to the door. "Are you stalking me?" I asked annoyed. He laughed. " Not yet, Jolie. I only want to help you. That's how we are here.", he spread his arms in both directions at the word here to underline his words. "I can do without your help," I said coolly. "Really?" He looked at me amused. I didn't like his arrogance at all. She provoked me. "Then I want to see where you're getting at today." He said even more arrogantly. "I can help you.." His voice changed. He pushed off the wall, closing the gap between us. "You don't want me as an enemy." Yes, there was something menacing in his voice now. I instinctively took a step back and my body automatically went into defensive mode. He grinned even more sardonically and took another step towards me. "I think I can very well decide for myself who I want to have as an enemy and who not." A grin played on his lips again. This time, however, it was dripping with arrogance. He shrugged, then snatched my schedule out of my hands. “You have history in the west wing. And if you want it back (he waved the leaf in front of my face) you'll have to get it." He turned on his heel and hurried down the stairs. What an asshole! This academy was so big that I got lost right away and got to the history room just as the bell rang for break. "Great," I exclaimed, annoyed. I already hated that day. A dark-haired girl pushed past me when she heard me and stopped. "New?", she asked friendly. "Yes, unfortunately. I have the feeling I'm in a labyrinth." The girl laughed out loud, but not at all overbearing like the guy did earlier, and tucked a dark strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm Becka. Nice to meet you." "Jolien." This time I shook the hand I was offered. "What do you have after the break?" Bekka asked as she showed me the way to the cafeteria. "Well, I'd like to know that too. Some guy stole my timetable. I have to get another one from the office ." Bekka stopped abruptly and then said, "You can't do that." "Why not?" I asked her. "Discipline is the most important thing at this academy. If you walk into the office on day one and say you want a new schedule, people will think you're making fun of the Academy. Who has the plan?" "So a million." "You mean Malio?" "Yes, that can also be the case, a guy who thinks he's pretty important," I replied. Bekka's look suggested he wasn't just any guy. "What's going on?" I asked confused. "You have a problem." She said pale as a sheet. "Anything other than the timetable?" "Malio." I didn't understand what she wanted to tell me. "What about him?" "He's dangerous. He's the eldest son of a long-established clan," she explained to me. "So?" "You don't get it. When I mean he's dangerous, I mean dangerous. I'm not talking about those - he's dangerous, that's so sexy - dangerous. I'm talking about he's dangerous, dangerous ." What? I stared at her in bewilderment? Didn't understand what she really wanted to tell me. We got to the cafeteria and she said, in a low voice so only I could hear, "I've got some advice, Jolien. Go out to his table, apologize for whatever you may have done or said, and pray that he settles for that." "Bekka, are you serious? I know guys like that. It's just fuss." I dismissed her sentence with a wave of my hand. "Then you can come to my table." A cold voice answered instead of Bekka. I didn't even have to turn around, I had already recognized her. Malio. "Okay." I said challengingly. He arched his dark brows and scrutinized himself for the second time that day. Way too intense. I heard Bekka hissing in the air next to me. I follow Malio out of the cafeteria into a small courtyard under the curious gaze of the others. "So what do you want from me?" I asked annoyed as he sat down on a bench in the back of the yard. "You're pretty arrogant," a big guy with blond hair spoke up next to him. Malio gave a short laugh and then made the big guy (who must have been hanging out at the gym every day) understand with a single hand movement, quiet and then turned back to me, "I want your respect." His dark eyes sparkled defiantly. This time I was the one who laughed. "Respect is earned and I don't think you'll ever be able to do that with me. And there's nothing you can do about it or do you want to bully me like a 12 year old until I respect you. You're hurting yourself more than me. You will be kicked out." His ice blue eyes narrowed - and I knew right away that I had gone too far when I saw the change in his face. "I'll never get expelled from the Academy. I own this academy.", he hissed angrily. "Yeah, no, of course. You're megalomaniac," I reply snappishly while suppressing a grin. His shoulders squared under the red and gray jacket. "Want to bet?" he finally asked challenging. The calm in his voice worried me. His buddy gave him a warning look and whispered to him: "Malio, leave it." "Fine with me," I said, shrugging, which apparently provoked him even more. Maybe I should have stopped provoking him when I still had the chance, but I couldn't let him win now. If I did that, I would be his victim for the rest of my time here. He got up and sat casually on the edge of the table, right next to me. I felt his arm right next to mine. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pocket knife. "Next one out the door," he said coldly, flipping it open with a swinging motion. The blade glittered dangerously in his hand. "Are you serious?" I asked him in horror. He grinned dangerously. He actually meant it. That was just completely insane! Just how bad was this guy? "You can't do that." I was stunned. "And if I can! Where should I throw?" He asked even more challenging. His eyes flashed dangerously. "What?" I just stared at him. "Tell me where to throw the knife, if you don't, I'll throw it at my own discretion...", he paused. "..and then the person is dead," he finished his sentence. So matter-of-factly, as if he were asking whether you wanted a hamburger with or without fries. I alternately stared at the knife in his hand and at his face. "Jolien, time is ticking." He ran the knife through his fingers. Yes, he played with it like he'd done it a thousand times before. I stared at him in desperation. As if I was hoping for his deadpan expression to change to a grin and someone to jump out of the bushes and yell "fucked". But no one jumped out of the bushes - they just kept staring at me blankly. "Okay, that's enough Malio. I'll do what you want." "But that's not how it works. You provoked me. So now bear the consequences. Where should I throw it?" I looked around desperately. But nobody seemed to notice this absurd scenario. "You let him do that?" I turned to his blond friend. "Choose." He just answered and stared at the door. I turned back to Malio. "You don't have to do this." I begged him. And then suddenly the door of the cafeteria opened. "Too late," he said coldly, swinging back. I yelled the first two words that came to mind: "On your feet." Actually, I was expecting that everyone would start laughing and tell me how crazy I was to think that Malio would do something like that and they had screwed me so badly on my first day. Instead, Malio rose from the table in one smooth movement and threw the pocketknife.