RAVENNA

Part 23

Nieve's POV

Outside the house, I drew in a few sharp breaths, trying to calm the storm inside me. But before my heart could settle, another sound cut through the street—harsh, sickening, the crack of a whip against flesh.

I turned, and there was a small crowd gathered only a few meters away. A man stood in the centre, thrashing a girl who couldn't have been older than fifteen. Her clothes were tattered, faded rags clinging to her frame, now soaked in blood.

"You're a slave," the man spat between strikes. "No one will look at you. No one will save you. You live at my mercy—and you dared to defy me!"

The whip came down again. The girl cried out, her body shuddering.

My eyes darted to the bystanders, the passersby who had stopped to watch. Faces blank, eyes averted. No one moved to stop him. No one even flinched. My fists clenched. If no one else will do it, then I will.

I had taken only a step forward when a hand gripped my arm, pulling me back.

"What are you doing?"

I turned sharply—it was Professor Maria.

"He's beating her!" I snapped, anger cracking in my voice.

Maria sighed, his expression unreadable. "So?"

I stared at him, stunned. "So? She's bleeding!" "She's his slave, Miss Winston," he said flatly. "He bought her. That means he can do as he pleases. It isn't new here."

For a moment, the words stole my breath. Then fury surged hot in my veins. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from shouting. "I wonder," I said, my voice low, trembling, "if you'd say the same thing if it were your daughter in her place."

His brows knit tightly, his jaw clenching hard. I'd struck where it hurt most. He sighned.

"This world is not like yours," he muttered.

"Maybe not," I fired back. "But you can save her. You have the money. I don't."

He opened his mouth to protest, but I didn't let him.
"Let's make a deal. I'll top alchemy. It'll shut your father's mouth once and for all. You won't be humiliated again— not in front of your wife and child. I know for certain no child enjoys seeing their parent torn down the way he does to you."

For a long moment he looked at me, then up at the sky. With a heavy sigh, he nodded.

A smile tugged at my lips—victory. I stepped forward, just as the man raised his whip again. I seized it mid-swing, yanking it from his hand.

He spun, scowling. "What do you think you're doing?"

"The girl," I said evenly. "She's mine now. You can't touch her again."

"She's my slave!" he barked.

"Was, I'm buying her."

Behind me, Professor Maria's voice rang out, deeper and more commanding than I had ever heard it—an intimidating resonance that didn't match his usual higher tone.

"I'll take her," he declared, stepping forward. A heavy pouch clinked as he shoved it into the man's chest. "One thousand gold coins. She's mine now. The changeling belongs to me." His eyes flicked to Maria, recognition dawning. He saw not just a scholar, but a vampire—one who would not hesitate to snap his neck if pressed. His grip loosened. Greedy fingers closed around the coins instead. Without another word, he let the girl go.

Author POV

The girl lay crumpled in the middle of the road, her small frame trembling. Nieve crouched beside her, lowering her voice to a whisper.

"Hey."

Through the curtain of matted hair, her eyes flicked up at me—tired, wary, but alive. Slowly, with Nieve's arm steadying her, she pushed herself upright.

"You're bleeding," Nieve said gently. "Let's get you treated."

She didn't answer. She hadn't expected her to. Changelings weren't known for talking much. So instead, she offered her a simple gesture—her hand, open and patient. After a pause, she took it.

Together, they rose. From behind, Professor Maria's gaze lingered on Nieve, his expression unreadable. "Remember the deal," he said flatly. "Otherwise, I'll be taking my thousand gold coins back—with interest." Nieve shot him a look, then turned away. Her steps quickened toward the school infirmary, the changeling's light footsteps trailing after hers.

The truth gnawed at her—she had spoken those words in the heat of the moment, reckless as fire. But now? Now she was stuck with them.

Alchemy wasn't her doom. It was just the world's most elaborate way of giving her wrinkles before twenty.

Nieve POV

Dr. Larissa finished wrapping the changeling's wounds, her tone clipped but not unkind. "She's got a few fractures. Nothing that won't heal soon, but she needs bed rest."

I nodded, glancing at the changeling—Nieth. That was her name. She looked so fragile, curled up on the infirmary bed, yet there was something steady in her eyes.

Of course, the doctor didn't let me slip away so easily. "Miss Winston, you'll need to file a report with your house head. Formality."

Paperwork. Always paperwork. I mumbled an agreement and left.

By the time I reached my room, my whole body felt like lead. Today had wrung me out—reading thick volumes, facing Maria's father, making a deal I wasn't ready for, and dragging a bleeding changeling out of the street. Enough. I needed sleep more than anything.

I dropped onto the bed without grace, fumbling just enough to set my alarm for three in the morning. My eyes were already shutting.

"Goodnight, Esme," I whispered, letting the words drift into the darkness.

And then the world slipped away.