Crimson Crest

Chapter 1

SERAFINA'S POV

"No! No! No!" The scream tore through the hall, desperate and raw, as the lady in the gold shimmering ball gown watched the man in armor. His face, obscured by the shadow of his helmet, was unreadable as he stepped forward with cold precision, his silver sword raised high. Without hesitation, he drove it into the older woman standing in front of her, the one who looked like a future version of herself.

Blood splattered, and the older woman collapsed, her white ball gown quickly staining red as her body hit the ground, lifeless. The lady in the gold gown went silent, her voice strangled by the shock gripping her. She could barely process what she was seeing. Her eyes blurred with tears as they fixed on the two still bodies before her- her parents, lying motionless on the cold floor.

"Mother... Father..." Her voice was barely a whisper, trembling with disbelief. She sank to her knees, her strength giving out, her hands hovering above the bodies but unable to touch them. The reality of the moment seemed to close in on her, suffocating, inescapable.

The man in armor turned toward her, his heavy steps echoing in the now-quiet room. He moved slowly, deliberately, as if there was no rush to finish what he had started. She didn't move, couldn't. Frozen in place, she barely registered when his gloved hand grabbed a fistful of her hair, yanking her head back with a sudden, violent tug. Pain shot through her scalp, but she was too numb to react.

"It's your turn," he said, his voice calm, almost indifferent. The words cut through her...

***********

My eyes snapped open, and a sharp headache hit me. I felt dizzy and numb from a weird kind of pain, my scalp was aching, and I couldn't remember how or why.

My memory was foggy. I glanced at the clock on my bedroom wall, eight o'clock, it read. "Oh no!" I exclaimed, getting on my feet and running into my bathroom, my headache suddenly vanished. I had a quick shower and stepped out, slipping into one of my simple work dresses. I wore my flats and styled my hair in a ponytail.

As soon as I was done, I grabbed my bag and books and rushed out of my tiny apartment. I even forgot to make my morning coffee, but it was not a problem; facing Mrs Gladys would be the real problem if I arrived at the school late.

I flagged down a taxi and soon I was on my way. I slide out my phone, checking the time, thirty minutes past eight.

Finally, I arrived at the school and immediately paid the cab driver, running off like I was being chased.

"Good morning, Miss Athena." A voice sprang out of nowhere.

"Morning."I waved, not bothering to check on who had mentioned my name. I arrived at my class, and my heart sank.

Mrs Gladys, the school's principal and an elder in The pack's council, was seated amongst my children, obviously teaching them.

"Good morning, ma'am," I said with shaky breaths. Miss Gladys turned to me, a sinister smirk playing on her face.

I stepped forward, "I can explain..." Her sideways nod had me shutting my mouth.

"Alright, children, your Teacher is here now. I will leave you to her. Be good kids." She addressed the children.

"Yes principal Gladys." The kids chorused. I held my breath as she approached me, an inch away from colliding with me. "Be in my office after school's dismissal." I nodded, my throat dry with tension.

I watched her leave and released a sigh of relief.

"Hey, kids!" I said, sitting on the spot where Mrs Gladys once sat. "So sorry for coming late again, but not to worry, that's never going to happen again," I said, and the children giggled; they knew I was cracking a big lie. Silly children, I snorted.

AN HOUR LATER

I calculated my steps as I made my way to Mrs Gladys's office, my hands rubbing against themselves. I had wiped my hands on my skirt countless times.

I knew Gladys was going to reprimand me, so I mentally prepared myself for her outburst.

I pushed the brown oak door open as I walked in, a bright smile on my face like everything was fine.

"Ma'am," I called, stepping fully into her office.

"Thank the Goddess you are not late again. Sit." She commanded, and I hurriedly sat on the chair, once again, wiping my sweaty palms on my skirt.

"Miss Athena." She began.

"Ma'am, I am so sorry. I was working late last night, and I somehow missed my alarm. I know I failed you, and I am sorry. Please don't fire me. The kids love me, and I know it's not an excuse, but I don't want to leave them behind because of my behavior. Please forgive me." I rushed out the words, cutting her off, which was disrespectful, and I knew how angry she would get.

"Serafina." She called calmly this time, her tone losing its usual strict touch.

"Ma'am," I replied slowly.

Mrs. Gladys smiled and drew something out from under her desk, placing it on the table. "Here, open it." She said, pushing a small pink box toward me.

I carefully took it, unsure of what was inside, "Ma'am, are you sure I should?"

"Go ahead." She urged. I nodded, trusting that she would not harm me, and I opened the box, and to my shock, there was a necklace in it. I took it out and admired its beauty.

It was a gold pendant necklace, the pendant was carved out as SA, which were my initials. "Ma'am..." I called, speechless.