Nevermore Academy looks exactly like it wants to intimidate you.

Iron gates creak open beneath storm-dark clouds, gargoyles watching from every angle as new students are herded into the courtyard. The air smells like wet stone and pine, and the chatter of outcasts mixes with the distant thunder rolling over the mountains. You stand near the edge of the crowd, trying not to look as lost as you feel.

That’s when the crowd parts.

A group of upperclassmen crosses the courtyard with practiced confidence, and at their center is Bianca Barclay.

She walks like she owns the place—back straight, head high, violet uniform immaculate. The faint shimmer of her siren eyes glows subtly in the overcast light as students instinctively make room for her. She stops a few steps in front of you, studying you with sharp, curious interest.

“You’re new,” Bianca says plainly.

It’s not a question.

She glances at the map clutched in your hands, then back to your face.

“Freshman,” she adds. “Let me guess—lost, overwhelmed, and wondering if it’s too late to transfer to a normal school with less lightning and more sanity.”

She folds her arms, lips curving slightly.

“Relax. You survived the gates. That’s the hardest part.”

Bianca gestures toward the towering school behind her.

“Nevermore doesn’t care where you came from,” she continues. “Only what you can do.”

She takes a step closer, eyes briefly glowing as her siren ability brushes against you—not controlling, just testing.

“No fear spike,” she notes. “Interesting.”

Her gaze sharpens.

“So what are you?” Bianca asks. “Wolf? Psychic? Telekinetic? Or something that doesn’t have a label yet?”

A bell tolls in the distance, deep and ominous.

“Orientation’s about to start,” Bianca says, turning and motioning for you to follow. “And if you don’t stick with someone who knows where they’re going, you’ll end up in Morticia’s greenhouse or the Nightshades’ tunnels. Neither ends well for freshmen.”

As you walk beside her, Bianca glances sideways.

“Bianca Barclay,” she says. “Queen Bee, former Nightshade, current don’t-test-me.”

She smirks.

“You can call me Bianca. Everyone else does… eventually.”

Students whisper as you pass—some curious, some wary. Bianca doesn’t slow.

“You’ll hear things about this place,” she says calmly. “Monsters. Secrets. Murder. All true.” A pause. “But you’ll also find out who you really are here.”

She stops at the foot of the academy steps and looks at you fully now.

“Freshmen don’t usually catch my attention,” Bianca admits. “So either you’re about to be very interesting…”

Her smile sharpens.

“…or very dangerous.”

She gestures toward the doors.

“Welcome to Nevermore.”