***

- JABAMIAH - The Angel of Alchemy.

***

Upon waking up, an unexpected pleasant sensation overwhelms me. I sit on the edge of my bed, my thoughts already invaded by images of black wings.

It seemed so real, and Aéphyra was there, so are all my dreams real?

My arm tingles, but I don't pay much attention to it, thinking I must have slept on it last night.

- Ah, hey, finally awake. You were snoring like a baby last night.

Elise appears, always carrying that aura that draws attention, wearing a smile that lights up the room.

- What time is it? I ask with a morning-raspy voice.

Observing her with a glass in hand and ignoring my question, she continues to look at me while sipping her drink through a straw.

- What time is it, please? I repeat, thinking she didn't hear me the first time.

She takes out an old-looking golden pocket watch from her mini handbag.

- Mhh, it's 1:47 PM, she says, taking her sweet time.

So they do have time here after all.

- It's the afternoon?! I exclaim.

- Yes, you sleep an awful lot, I must say.

I get out of bed and notice she's already fully dressed in a chic style. She wears a black asymmetrical strapless mini dress, revealing her shoulder blade completely, along with a pair of black stiletto heels.

- Where are you going dressed like that? You look amazing.

- Oh, thanks. To the ceremony that starts in...

The ceremony?

She glances again at her pocket watch, then, at the same slow pace as before, she replies:

- Ah... 2:00 PM.

She looks me up and down and continues:

- You should hurry up, the ceremony starts soon, and if you miss it, you might not become a full-fledged angel, she says with a smile.

The passage ceremony, damn.

Without wasting another second, I rush into the bathroom to take a shower. When I come out wrapped in my bath towel, I see a dress with a pair of heels placed on my bed.

Did Hailey come in while I was showering?

I put on whatever is at hand to avoid being late, without questioning it further. As I look at myself in the mirror, I can't help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension.

How will this ceremony unfold?

The white dress hugs my curves perfectly, making me feel both elegant and daring. The light fabric glides over my skin, giving me the impression of floating. The high slit on the side reveals part of my thigh, adding a touch of sensuality to the ensemble.

I take a few steps, ensuring the lace-up heels fit well. They add height to my figure and give me a confident look. I wonder if Hailey really picked out this outfit for me. Without time for an elaborate hairstyle, I simply brush my hair and apply a bit of mascara to lengthen my lashes.

I run through the hallways, realizing I have no idea where I'm going, but I figure I'll just follow a group of angels heading in the same direction or go where there's the most noise. I won't make it in time if I keep running at this pace.

My heart pounds, and I keep wondering what will really happen at this event.

- Angellesse.

I jump at the sight of him there, leaning against the door with a red apple in his hand.

- Why is such a pretty girl running around like that? Are you lost?

Not him, again.

One shoulder pressed against the doorframe, he looks relaxed. His crossed legs give him a nonchalant air, and his right hand buried in the pocket of his classic black trousers adds to his carefree attitude.

Meanwhile, he bites into his apple, waiting to see if I ask for help, noticing the hallways are completely empty.

- What do we have here, late for her own ceremony? Not very smart, he continues, still in the same posture, taking another bite of his apple, letting a blonde strand fall over his eyes.

- Everyone knows it's today, but no one thought to inform me, great, I mutter to myself, crossing my arms.

Facing him, I relax my facial features, which had shown disgust the moment I saw him, then take on a casual tone.

- Hadrien, can you tell me the direction to the ceremony hall?

He smiles at me.

- I didn't quite catch that, can you repeat?

I recognize that smile.

I cross my arms and furrow my brows again, letting my expression of disgust resurface.

- I'm already late. Can you at least pretend, like I do, that we get along and help me?

- No, I don't want to pretend. I already like you.

I don't know why, but after that sentence, my heart skipped a beat.

As if it were trying to escape from my body, only to snap back like a stretched elastic band released suddenly.

Unconsciously, I relax my arms.

- What are you waiting for, Angellesse? There's no point in standing here in front of me—I have no intention of helping you.

- I know, I get it. I'll figure it out myself.

I bend down and start untying the laces of my heels to take them off.

- What are you doing? he asks, looking at me.

- I'm taking them off to run better.

Do you even know where to go?

He straightens up and throws the apple core into a small trash bin placed in the room just behind him.

Once I've removed the shoes from my feet, I grab them, and at that moment, my body floats in the air.

- What are you doing? Put me down! I complain, kicking my legs.

- Stay still, Angellesse. I'm not going to let you dirty those pretty little feet. I'll put you down once we arrive.

My heart plays the elastic band game again, snapping back just as quickly to its original place.

- You could have at least told me before I took off my shoes.

- Yes, but I wanted to see your bare feet, he says with a mischievous grin.

Pervert.

- How did you know I was going to take them off?

- I saw you trying to run with them, and knowing your personality, I knew you'd take them off to make up for lost time because you surely wouldn't have begged me for help. Besides, I was surprised you even made the effort to ask me.

- Alright, but you can talk and walk at the same time. We don't have all day, you know.

- Ah yes, your beauty made me forget about that.

I didn't contradict him or make a remark.

So, step by step, we head toward the depths of the castle, where I have yet to venture, straight into a dead end.

- Where are you going? There's no path that way.

- You always talk without knowing anything, Angellesse. Be patient.

Oh, stairs. How many basements does this castle have?

He still hasn't put me down and descends the stairs one by one without showing the slightest discomfort from carrying me. Despite his skinny appearance, he's actually quite strong.

In front of a massive golden door, he gently sets me down without saying a word. Facing him, I observe him from a different perspective.

It's true—he is a handsome guy. He's wearing a black shirt, unbuttoned at the top, and classic black trousers, along with black leather shoes, matching the color of his dark eyes and highlighting his golden hair.

After daydreaming with my eyes locked on him, he smiles at me, and it sends shivers down my spine, snapping me back to reality. I quickly put my heels back on, then straighten up, standing just a few centimeters from him, my body feeling the warmth of his, plunging me into another reverie.

He's very handsome. Suddenly, I look at him differently, probably because he actually helped me for once.

- Little angel, you're very beautiful, and looking into your eyes like this is quite nice, I must say. But...

His voice breaks the silence, bringing me back to my senses. This sentence is off to a bad start, so I brace myself for the rest, remembering who I'm dealing with.

- But...

— Where did you get that dress?

Phew, I was expecting a rather daring remark.

— Oh, this? Hailey lent it to me... I think, I say, looking at the dress on me.

— Impossible. My sister never wears white. In fact, no one in this establishment wears white. Haven't you noticed?

Now that I think about it, he's right.

— Come on, you don't have time to think. Hurry up, you're late, and it's too late to change anyway, he says, forcing me to turn toward the door.

For once, he's not wrong.

— Thank you, Hadrien.

I take a deep breath and push the door open.

The moment I step into the immense hall, I realize there are no windows. The ceiling is so high I can't even see it, making me feel as though I've entered an entirely different building.

Long, floor-length curtains in deep red sway gently in the air. At the far end of the hall, in the center of the room, on a raised platform, stands a golden throne, surrounded by magnificent sculptures that rise almost to the ceiling, adding an air of grandeur to the scene.

The further I walk, the more I take in the vastness of the hall. The floor is entirely covered with a red carpet, matching the walls. I can't help but stare at the throne that draws me in, making me wonder why a throne would be placed in such an isolated part of a castle.

The engravings all around depict winged beings and other symbols I have seen before: the infinity sign, a cross, and many more.

I scan my surroundings, making sure no one is here, then sit on the throne. As soon as I settle, a shiver runs through me, starting at my toes and creeping up to the roots of my hair.
A strange sensation washes over me, a mix of comfort and unease. Maybe because this throne belongs to someone powerful. As they say, forbidden things are always tempting.

Suddenly, an itch on my arm turns into a burning sensation. I glance down, alarmed, and freeze.
On my skin, the same marks... Two small punctures. It wasn't just a dream—I have proof. The snake bite I felt in my dream last night is right here, exactly where I remember it.

A silhouette emerges from the shadows behind the throne, just to my left.

I immediately try to stand, but a firm hand presses down on my shoulder, forcing me back into the seat.
My wrist throbs in pain, but I refuse to let it show.

— This throne suits you so well. Stay seated a little longer if you wish.

— Oh no, I wouldn't want to be in the way, I reply, attempting to stand again.

— You're not bothering anyone, he says, pushing me back down once more.

Each time he touches me, the pain in my arm flares up.

He walks toward me with slow, measured steps, his gaze fixed on me with an unreadable smile.
I do the same, scrutinizing him with curiosity. He is older than anyone I have met in this world—probably in his thirties. His black hair, dark as a starless night, contrasts sharply with his pale skin.

He wears a black tunic reminiscent of a priest's robes, with a hood that makes him look even more ominous. He reminds me of those cult leaders in horror movies.

— I am the guardian of this place, and I oversee the passage ceremonies.

— The guardian?

— Yes, of the throne. And I preside over the passage ceremonies.

— Oh... I see. But... where is everyone? I thought I was late. Has the ceremony already ended?

— No, you're actually early.

The large doors suddenly swing open, revealing a group of dark angels. Among them, I spot Élise and Hailey arriving together.
But what strikes me the most is that everyone is dressed in black. Every single one of them.

Including this false priest.

Hadrien's words echo in my mind: No one in this establishment wears white.

I wish he had been lying. At least then, I wouldn't have to start believing him, even on such an unsettling truth.
The dark angels walk forward slowly, some of them glancing at me before resuming their conversations.
Their lingering stares make the tension rise within me, reminding me that I am sitting somewhere I shouldn't be. Worse still, I stand out because of my attire.

Why did Hailey give me this dress?

— Don't feel uncomfortable. See? You're not the last one, white angel.

My eyes widen. My heart skips a beat.

How does he know?

I lift my head and immediately meet his gaze. His eyes are as dark as his clothing.
A sharp, unbearable pain seizes my head. I clench my teeth to keep from crying out, lowering my gaze to the floor as the agony gradually fades.

This moment... I feel like I've lived it before.

As if this scene has already played out somewhere, in another time.

The sensation unsettles me even more.

My heart pounds as I struggle to regain my composure.
Meanwhile, he continues to stare at me intently.

— Are you all right?

His voice pulls me back to reality.

— Why did you call me white angel? I ask, fear creeping into my voice.

Does he know my secret? How?

He simply gestures toward my dress and replies:

— Because you're the only one dressed entirely in white.

I stand up, relieved by his answer, but dizziness overtakes me. I grip the throne for support until I steady myself.

— I... I'll go join the others now.

Feeling self-conscious about standing out, I walk slowly toward the group. Their gazes brush against me, but no one says a word.
When I reach Hailey, she smiles and waves me over.

She no longer seems angry.

— Hey, Marie. Quick question... What's with this dress? Where did you find it?

— Didn't you leave it on my bed?

I frown. If it wasn't her...

— No. It's very pretty, but I never wear any color other than black.

Once again, Hadrien was telling the truth.

Then... who gave it to me?