Elysium: Desired by the Cold-hearted Princess [GL]-Chapter 23: Nowhere to be found

Seraphina's Pov

I let out a tired sigh for what felt like the hundredth time today, scanning the crowded school hall with restless energy while hoping, maybe foolishly, that Electra would just appear out of nowhere.

It had been three days—three long, agonizing days since I'd last seen her, and it was driving me insane.

Despite everything Yuna had said and every warning she'd given me about staying away from Electra, I couldn't get her out of my mind. The longer I went without seeing her, the more this gnawing ache inside me grew, and I was immediately pulled back to her.

Yuna had been relentless in her warnings, and I could still hear her voice in my head and the seriousness in her eyes when she told me I should stay as far away from Electra as possible, but that was the thing—she never gave me a real reason.

She never told me what Electra had done or what made her so dangerous. She just kept dancing around the topic, telling me she knew better and that I didn't understand the kind of person Electra was, but without specifics, it felt... empty.

Her warning only felt like empty words that were meant to scare me away, but they were without any actual substance, and that wasn't enough for me.

I couldn't shake this feeling, this inexplicable pull toward Electra. Yes, I was conflicted, and yes, I knew on some level that chasing after her and waiting for her might be a bad idea, but I also couldn't deny how I felt.

I liked the way Electra made me feel, even though it was confusing and even though it scared me. There was something thrilling about her, something that stirred up a mix of excitement and anxiety whenever she was near, and I liked that feeling. It made me feel alive in a way I hadn't felt before, not in Aldoria, not with anyone.

I glanced over at the clock hanging on the wall, feeling the frustration build up in my chest. I was waiting, waiting for Electra to show up, for her to seek me out, and to call for me like she had before, but in the last three days, there had been... nothing. Not a single sign of her. Just complete radio silence, and it was starting to drive me mad.

What if she'd lost interest? What if I was just some fleeting amusement to her, and now she had moved on to something—or someone—else?

The thought bothered me more than I'd like to admit, and my usual insecurities only seemed to get worse the longer the silence dragged on.

I leaned against the wall, tapping my fingers anxiously on the strap of my bag, and replaying everything in my head.

Our last encounter was still vivid in my mind—Electra's kiss, the feeling of her lips on mine, the rush of emotions I hadn't been able to name, and then there was the way she looked at me, like she was seeing right through me, like I was something she could toy with.

It scared me, but it also thrilled me in a way I couldn't explain. It was as if being around her turned everything inside me upside down, and now that she wasn't here, I felt... empty.

After what felt like an eternity of waiting and seeing no sign of her, I finally gave up and started to head to class.

Today was already shaping up to be worse than usual, especially since Yuna had started shedding and had decided to skip classes for a few days.

She'd warned me ahead of time, saying it was better to lay low when her skin started peeling, but that left me completely on my own, and I wasn't looking forward to it.

Being alone in class meant being left to my own thoughts, which recently had been consumed with Electra, and I didn't want to spend another entire day obsessing over her absence.

I was also hoping that the other students would ignore me as they always had. No one, besides Electra, had bothered with me since I'd arrived at Elysium, which was honestly a relief. I could blend into the background and avoid any drama.

When I finally made it to class, I slipped into my seat at the back, dropping into the chair with a quiet sigh. I let my head fall on the desk, hoping to catch a few moments of peace before the teacher arrived.

My thoughts, despite my best efforts, drifted back to Electra. Where had she been for the past three days? Why had she suddenly vanished? And why did it bother me so much?

Before I could spiral further into my confusing thoughts, I suddenly felt a tap on my back. Startled, I jolted upright, my heart racing as I turned around to see who had touched me.

Standing there was a tall girl I didn't recognize. She was tall, with long black hair that framed her face in a way that made her look intimidating, almost... scary, and I felt my stomach drop.

Was she even in my class? I hadn't noticed her before, but then again, I wasn't exactly paying attention to my classmates.

"Um, can I help you?" I asked nervously, trying to keep my voice from shaking, but my anxiety was already creeping in.

Who was she, and why was she looking at me like that?

"Are you Seraphina?" she asked.

I blinked, confused as to why she would know my name or care who I was. "Yes, I'm Seraphina. Why?" I asked, the confusion evident in my tone.

The girl didn't respond. Instead, she turned her back to me, and that's when I noticed the two other girls standing behind her. They were watching me with the same cold, unsettling expressions, and I suddenly had the feeling that this wasn't just a casual encounter.

"She's the one we're looking for," the tall girl said to her companions.

My stomach twisted into knots. The one they were looking for? What did that mean?

"Wait, what's going on?" I asked, my voice rising slightly in panic.

I could feel my pulse quickening, and every nerve in my body was on high alert.

The girl didn't answer my question. Instead, she made a quick gesture with her hand, and before I could process what was happening, the two girls behind her grabbed my arms—one on each side.

Their grip was tight, and I was yanked out of my seat so abruptly that my breath caught in my throat.

"W-what are you doing?" I stammered, panic already rising in my chest. My heart pounded wildly as I tried to pull free, but their hold on me only tightened, and my legs felt shaky as I stared up at them, my voice trembling. "What do you want from me?"

I glanced around the classroom, desperate for someone to step in to help me, but no one did. The other students sat there, some watching in amusement, others looking away as if pretending not to see what was happening, and my heart sank.

No one was going to help.

The girl's expression remained unreadable when she spoke. "Stay quiet and come with us."

Before I could respond, the two girls holding me dragged me toward the door. My feet barely managed to keep up with their pace, and the more I struggled, the harder they pulled. My body shook uncontrollably.

I didn't know where they were taking me, but the fear that had taken hold of my heart refused to let go. What was going on? Why were they doing this to me?

"Please, stop," I begged, my voice coming out weak. "Just tell me what's happening."

I pleaded, but they ignored me. I kept trying to free myself, but it was no use. The more I struggled, the tighter their grip became, until I eventually stopped resisting, feeling utterly powerless.