A small carriage emerged from the shadows near the academy's walls, its wheels creaking softly against the uneven ground. Hidden beneath a canopy of trees in the dim moonlight, a young man with shifty blue eyes and brown hair leapt down, his long cloak billowing as he landed. He patted the horses gently, their restless movements quieted by his touch.
"Where is he..." he muttered under his breath, scanning the dark surroundings.
Before he could say another word, a calm voice spoke from behind him.
"Did you bring everything?"
The man jolted in alarm, clutching his chest as his heart raced.
"Goddess, Damon! Don't do that!" he exclaimed, his voice barely above a whisper. "You almost gave me a heart attack. Goddess forbid, I thought it was one of your professors sneaking up on me."