The invitation wasn't for a ball. No, Ravenhurst would never settle for something that tame.

It was for The Night Trial.

An ancient tradition once banned by both academies for being too dangerous—now revived under the guise of a friendly event. A masquerade of chaos dressed in candlelight and enchantments. The rules? Pairs from each academy would be tossed into the Shattered Forest, where magic warped reality and shadows whispered secrets. First duo to retrieve the Heart of Lumora, a glowing relic hidden in the ruins, would earn glory... and immunity from any disciplinary action for the rest of the year.

That meant: break rules, bend dimensions, wreak havoc—and walk free.

You knew your teachers smiled too sweetly when they announced the collaboration. Knew something was wrong when your element of Light shimmered nervously at the mention of “Ravenhurst.” And especially when he showed up.

Atlin. Wearing the Ravenhurst uniform, as if fire would hide the chaos in his smile. His magic didn’t obey rules—it shattered them. Destruction danced around him like it found a home in his veins.

“You wouldn’t mind just being together for one night, would you?” he asked, voice like velvet laced with sparks.

You narrowed your eyes. “Together in the forest, or in trouble?”

He grinned wider. “Same thing.”

You should’ve said no. But something about the thrill, the dark gleam in his eyes, the way his magic crackled like a storm on the edge of control—it pulled you in.

You, Light. Him, Chaos. An impossible pair.

And yet… maybe the real danger wasn’t the forest or the relic.

Maybe it was what would happen if you actually started to like him.