The Child Lilia Vanrouge Didn’t Know Existed

The common room of Diasomnia was usually a place of quiet, dignified tension, or at least as quiet as it could be when Sebek Zigvolt was present. The emerald flames flickered in the hearth, casting long, dancing shadows against the dark stone walls. Malleus Draconia sat in his accustomed high-backed chair, a book resting forgotten in his lap as he gazed into the fire. Beside him, Silver was nodding off, his chin dipping toward his chest in a rhythmic battle against sleep.

The heavy oak doors creaked open, but it wasn't the usual heavy footfalls of a student. Instead, there was a frantic flapping of wings. A bird, blacker than the darkest ink and shimmering with an iridescent violet sheen, soared through the vaulted ceiling before diving toward the center of the room.

With a sudden burst of dark, glittery smoke, the bird vanished. In its place stood a young woman who looked like a monochrome reflection of the dorm’s vice-housewarden.

She stood barely five feet tall, her platform boots adding a deceptive inch or two to her height. Her outfit was a masterpiece of gothic architectural fashion: layered lace, silver chains that rattled with every movement, and a corset cinched tight over a velvet bodice. Her hair was a shock of deep obsidian with streaks of magenta that mirrored Lilia’s own, though hers was styled in sharp, jagged layers that framed a pale, mischievous face.

"I’m here! Did I miss the welcoming committee?" she chirped, her voice carrying that same playful, ageless lilt that often unsettled those who spoke to Lilia Vanrouge.

Sebek was on his feet in an instant, his hand flying to the hilt of his magical pen. "Intruder! State your name and purpose for entering the presence of the Young Master!"

The girl didn't look intimidated. Instead, she tilted her head, her dark eyes sparkling with amusement. "Goodness, you're loud. Do you come with a volume knob, or is this a permanent setting?"

"How dare you!" Sebek bellowed, his face flushing a deep red.

"Now, now, Sebek, lower your voice," a familiar voice rang out from the shadows of the upper balcony. Lilia Vanrouge descended, not by the stairs, but by dropping effortlessly from the railing and landing silently on his feet. A wide, delighted grin split his face. "You’re late, Dianne. I expected you at sunset."

The girl, Dianne Ravenwood, crossed her arms and pouted. "The winds over the Sage's Island are temperamental, Father. Besides, I saw a very interesting shiny object near the library and got distracted."

Silver blinked awake, his eyes widening as he looked between Lilia and the newcomer. "Father? Lilia... who is this?"

Lilia draped an arm around Dianne’s shoulders, looking every bit the proud parent, despite looking like he was barely older than a teenager himself. "Members of Diasomnia, allow me to introduce my daughter, Dianne. She’s finally joined us at Night Raven College. She’s a Raven Fae, a descendant of the Ravenwood line—specifically the Great Raven, Diablo."

Malleus rose from his chair, his green eyes narrowing slightly as he inspected the girl. "Diablo’s kin. The faithful shadow of the Thorn Fairy. It has been many years since a Ravenwood walked these halls."

Dianne performed a deep, dramatic curtsy, her lace skirts billowing. "Lord Malleus. My mother, Dianna, sends her regards, though she mostly sent me here so I’d stop rearranging her apothecary cabinet by color instead of function."

"She has her mother's spirit," Lilia chuckled, patting Dianne’s head. "And my sense of adventure. She’ll be staying with us in the dorm."

Sebek looked like he was having a minor internal crisis. "Lilia-senpai! You never mentioned having a biological daughter! I mean—the resemblance is... uncanny, but the logistics—"

"Don't hurt your head, Sebek," Dianne interrupted, stepping closer to him and peering up at his face. "You’ll pop a stitch. Yes, I’m his daughter. Yes, I can turn into a bird. And yes," she leaned in, whispering loudly, "I’m much better at hide-and-seek than you are."

Silver rubbed his eyes, still trying to process the information. "It’s nice to meet you, Dianne. I’m Silver. I suppose that makes us... siblings of a sort?"

Dianne’s expression softened, and she gave him a friendly pat on the arm. "The sleepy one! Father mentioned you. Don't worry, I brought extra-strength coffee beans from home. They’re roasted in dragon fire. They taste like charcoal, but they’ll keep you awake for three days straight."

Malleus looked intrigued. "A Raven Fae’s constitution is quite different from ours. Tell me, Dianne, have you inherited your father’s... culinary talents?"

Lilia beamed. "She’s a natural! She doesn't let those pesky, restrictive 'recipes' stifle her creativity. Just the other day, she made a stew using glow-moss and pickled lizard tails."

Dianne nodded enthusiastically. "The recipe said to use 'herbs and protein.' It didn't specify which ones! Why follow a book written by someone who isn't me? It’s an insult to my intuition."

A collective shiver ran down the spines of the Diasomnia students who had survived Lilia’s "Hell Kitchen" sessions. One Lilia was a threat to the plumbing; two was a threat to the structural integrity of the castle.

"I’ve brought a gift for the housewarming!" Dianne announced, reaching into a small, bottomless gothic satchel at her hip. She pulled out a tray of cupcakes that were a vibrant, neon shade of purple, topped with what looked like actual crow feathers made of sugar—or perhaps real feathers; with the Vanrouges, one could never be sure. "I call these 'Midnight Screams.' I substituted the sugar with crushed moon-beets because they looked prettier."

Silver reached out tentatively, but Sebek stepped in front of him. "Wait! As a guard of the Young Master, I must taste-test all unknown substances!"

"How noble," Dianne said, handing him a cupcake with a wicked glint in her eye.

Sebek took a massive bite, chewed twice, and then his entire face turned the same shade of purple as the frosting. His eyes bugged out, and he stood perfectly still for five seconds before let out a small, strangled squeak.

"It’s... it’s... very... bold!" Sebek managed to choke out, his voice three octaves higher than usual.

"See?" Lilia clapped his hands. "A triumph! You have the Ravenwood touch, Dianne."

Malleus stepped forward, his curiosity getting the better of him. "And your magic, Dianne? Aside from the transformation? Your lineage is known for scouting and shadows."

Dianne’s playful demeanor shifted slightly. She raised a hand, and the shadows in the corner of the room seemed to detach themselves from the floor, swirling around her fingers like silk ribbons. "I see what the wind sees, My Lord. And I can go where the light cannot. If someone is hiding a secret in this school, I’ll have it plucked out and brought to you before breakfast."

"A useful skill," Malleus remarked, a small smile playing on his lips. "It seems the Raven has returned to the Dragon’s side."

"Always," Dianne said, her eyes momentarily flashing with a sharp, predatory intelligence that belied her small stature. Then, just as quickly, she bounced on her heels. "Now, where is my room? I need to hang my collection of dried bat wings and find a place for my cauldron. I hope the curtains are heavy; I hate the morning sun. It’s so... bright."

Lilia laughed, guiding her toward the stairs. "I’ve picked out the gloomiest room in the east wing just for you, my dear. Silver, Sebek, help her with her trunks. They’re outside in the courtyard."

"Trunks?" Sebek asked, still recovering from the cupcake. "How many?"

"Just seven," Dianne called back over her shoulder as she skipped up the stairs. "But be careful with the one that’s growling. It hasn't been fed since we left the Valley of Thorns!"

Silver sighed, heading for the door. "At least life in the dorm won't be boring."

"Boring?" Sebek shouted, his voice returning to its usual volume. "It’s a disaster! We have another Vanrouge! The kitchen is lost! The Young Master’s palate is in grave danger!"

From the top of the stairs, Dianne’s laughter echoed through the hall—a sound that was half-human, half-corvid, and entirely chaotic. She looked down at the assembled boys of Diasomnia, her black lace fluttering like wings.

"Don't be so dramatic, loud boy!" she shouted down. "I promise to only cook on Tuesdays! Or whenever I feel inspired! Which is usually at three in the morning!"

Malleus watched them go, picking up his book once more. He looked at the purple cupcake left on the table and, with a flick of his finger, vanished it into a pocket dimension. He wasn't quite brave enough to try it yet.

"Welcome home, little Raven," he murmured to the empty air.

The dorm settled into a new kind of silence—not the silence of peace, but the silence of a brewing storm. With Dianne Ravenwood in the halls, Night Raven College was about to find out exactly why ravens were omens of change. And as Lilia’s proud cackle joined his daughter’s from the upper floors, it was clear that the "Father-Daughter Duo" was going to be the most terrifying thing the school had seen in centuries.