The grand dining hall of the Bastion was a spectacle Kaelen had never imagined, even in his wildest dreams. The ceiling stretched impossibly high, adorned with glowing crystalline chandeliers that cast prismatic light across the room. Tables lined with fine silverware and plates of decadent food stretched endlessly, buzzing with the chatter of students dressed in their finest.

  Kaelen adjusted the collar of his jacket, his fingers brushing against the green crystal concealed in his pocket. He felt out of place, even with Renik’s meticulous planning. The room was a sea of Radiant elegance, their laughter tinkling like glass, their postures exuding effortless confidence. But Kaelen forced himself to relax. He wasn’t Kaelen anymore. He was Kael of the Moons, a promising exchange student with a story so airtight even the Radiants wouldn’t question it.

  His gaze swept the room, noting the intricate social dances unfolding around him. Clusters of students jostled for position, their smiles razor-sharp. The Glimmers clung to the edges of conversations, trying to insert themselves without being too obvious, while the Radiants lorded over them with an air of practiced superiority.

  Kaelen wasn’t sure where he belonged in this hierarchy, but he wasn’t here to belong. He was here to infiltrate.

  “Kael, right?” A voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He turned to see a tall, dark-haired Radiant with piercing amber eyes. The boy’s smile was sharp, too charming to be entirely genuine. “You must be new. Draevin Solvar.”

  Kaelen extended a hand, his grip firm. “Kael. From the Moons.”

  “Ah, the mysterious moon colonies,” Draevin said with a chuckle. “I’ve always wanted to visit. Though I hear the air up there isn’t quite... pure.” Draevin was a well dressed brawny man with forearms the size of Kaelen’s calves. Kaelen couldn’t help but notice the haughtiness of the man and the way he puffed out his chest. The signals were clear. Mmm Draevin big man, Kaelen stay out of way or be crushed. Kaelen imagined the man beating his chest with his fists.

  Kaelen’s smile didn’t falter. “It builds character.”

  Draevin smirked, clearly amused by the retort. “Well, Kael, enjoy the banquet. It’s a tradition as old as the Bastion itself. A chance to mingle before the real fun begins.” A glimmer of pure joy passed across his eyes as he said it.

  Before Kaelen could ask what he meant, Draevin had already moved on, leaving Kaelen to wonder at his cryptic words. The way he had spoken to Kaelen gave him the chills.

  He found an empty seat near the center of the room, surrounded by a mix of Radiants and Glimmers. Across the table, his gaze landed on a girl who seemed almost out of place in this glittering assembly.

  She wasn’t like the others.

  Her dark hair framed a face that was more striking than pretty, her sharp green eyes scanning the room with a mix of wariness and curiosity. She wore a simple yet elegant dress that somehow made her stand out more than the ostentatious outfits of the Radiants. Her lips were painted a deep red and traced with a faint line.

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  When their eyes met, the world around Kaelen seemed to blur.

  Jessalyn.

  He didn’t know her name, but it felt as if he’d known her forever. Something deep within him stirred, an emotion so sudden and overwhelming it nearly took his breath away.

  Jess blinked, caught off guard by the intensity of his gaze. For a moment, she forgot the room, forgot Talia’s chatter beside her, forgot everything but the boy across the table.

  He wasn’t like the others.

  His sharp features carried a ruggedness that spoke of struggle and resilience, his dark eyes holding a depth she couldn’t quite place. He looked at her as if she were the only person in the room, and the weight of that gaze sent a flush to her cheeks.

  Talia nudged her with an elbow, breaking the spell. “Who’s that?”

  Jess shook her head, tearing her gaze away. “I don’t know.”

  Before either of them could say more, a loud, familiar voice broke through the din.

  “Well, isn’t this a cozy little gathering?”

  Kaelen’s heart sank as Renik slid into the empty seat beside him, grinning like a cat that had just cornered a mouse. He was dressed impeccably—too impeccably, Kaelen thought, the sharp lines of his suit a stark contrast to his usual crass demeanor. He had dressed sarcastically flamboyant. A high collar black jacket with tails and Noxflare embroidery between the gold buttons. Black pointed boots shined to mirrors and a set of silver rings in his ears.

  “Renik,” Kaelen hissed under his breath. “What are you doing here?”

  Renik leaned in, his grin widening. “Same thing as you, mate. Couldn’t let you have all the fun.”

  Kaelen clenched his jaw, glancing around to make sure no one had overheard. “You created a fake identity?”

  “Relax,” Renik said, waving a hand dismissively. “I’m Renar, son of a lesser Glimmer noble from the eastern provinces. Nobody cares about the details.”

  Kaelen pinched the bridge of his nose. “This isn’t a game, Renik.”

  “Of course it isn’t,” Renik said, grabbing a roll from the table and taking a bite. “It’s an adventure.”

  Across the table, Talia narrowed her eyes at Renik. “And who are you supposed to be?” Her lip curled up on its own as she looked him over.

  Renik flashed her a roguish smile. “Renar. A pleasure to meet you, love.”

  Talia’s expression darkened. “Don’t call me that.”

  Jess bit back a laugh as Renik shrugged, unbothered.

  Kaelen, meanwhile, couldn’t help but steal another glance at Jess. She was watching him now, her lips curving into a small, curious smile. He felt his heart race, the connection between them like a thread pulling tighter with every second.

  Before he could think of something to say, the elder from earlier appeared at the head of the room, raising his hands for silence.

  “Welcome, students, to the Bastion,” he said, his voice resonating through the hall. “Tonight, we celebrate your arrival. Tomorrow, we test your worth.”

  A murmur swept through the room, the tension palpable.

  “As you dine, reflect on the privilege of being here,” the elder continued. “Only the brightest, the strongest, and the most cunning will earn the right to stay. To those who succeed, glory awaits. To those who fail...” He paused, his gaze sweeping the room. “Remember, not all who enter the Bastion leave it.”

  Kaelen felt a chill run down his spine, his earlier confidence wavering. What did that mean? He didn’t like the ominous tone the old man’s voice took on at the end of the sentence.

  Jess glanced at Talia, her unease mirrored in her friend’s expression.

  Renik, however, looked utterly unbothered, popping a grape into his mouth as if they were discussing the weather. He scratched himself rather crudely when he spotted Talia glaring at him. He winked and snatched up an apple from the table.

  As the elder’s words sank in, Kaelen’s gaze found Jess’s again, and for a brief moment, the fear melted away. He was mesmerized at once and it seemed as if she had stopped breathing when her eyes met his again.

  A loud crunch broke his hypnotism and he turned to look at his friend. How would he ever be able to keep his cover with Renik right there. There was no way Renik could pretend to be of the Radiant ilk. Yet a part of him was glad to see a friend.

  “You're gonna need these.” Renik held out a small handful of gems about as large as grapes. “Snatched em for ya from the luggage room fore I came in here.”

  The corner of Kaelen’s mouth crept up on its own. Whatever lay ahead, he realized, he wasn’t alone.