"Okay, spill," Freya said, nudging me with her elbow as we left the East Lecture Hall. "First day of classes, how'd you survive?"
I exhaled, rubbing my temple. "I mean, it wasn't bad. The class wasn't nearly as terrifying as I thought. Professor Duncan also explained the concepts quite well." I paused, frowning. "But... I swear, during our second class, people kept sniffing. Like, actually sniffing. And looking at me funny."
Freya froze mid-step for just half a second, so quick I almost missed it, before forcing a laugh. "They were probably just trying to make you uncomfortable. Some of the kids here are... let's just say, weirdly territorial. Ignore it. I do."
I gave her a suspicious look. "Are you sure?"
"Positive," she said too quickly, looping her arm through mine as if to distract me. "You smell perfectly fine. Actually, you smell nice. I'd tell you if you didn't, trust me."
I tried to shake off the unease but couldn't help noticing the way Freya's smile didn't quite reach her eyes. Weird, I thought. I smell fine. I know I do.
Just then, my phone buzzed in my pocket, playing the obnoxious pop ringtone Ava had set for herself.
I fished it out and answered. "Hey, Ava."
"Maeve! How's the fancy school? Have they crowned you queen yet?" she said, her voice crackling with excitement.
I laughed softly. "What? Of course not. I am literally just settling in. Although I feel like I'm walking through a dream, or a nightmare."
"Girl, you'll own that place by the end of the week," she said confidently. "Anyway, I'm just checking in. Call me later and give me all the gossip, okay?"
"Will do. Miss you already," I said, smiling.
"Miss you too. Don't let the rich kids bite."
"So, where do we eat around here?" I asked after I ended the call, trying to lighten the mood.
Freya grinned, pulling me down a wide hallway. "Come on, rookie. Let me show you the food hall. It's not as fancy as it sounds, but it's where everyone hangs out between classes. Just... keep your head down. Things can get chaotic during lunch rush."
She wasn't kidding. When we reached the double doors, the sound of chatter and laughter hit me like a wave. Students darted between long polished tables and sleek counters where hot food was being served. Others lounged in booths near the windows, scrolling their phones or gossiping in cliques.
"Whoa," I muttered, taking it all in. "It's like a mix of a five-star restaurant and a zoo."
Freya laughed. "Pretty accurate. Those tables over there—" she pointed to the far end, where older students were gathered— "that's mostly the fourth years. They think they own the place. Don't stare too long, they'll take it personally."
I was about to ask why when the air shifted. A ripple of silence moved across the room like someone had just turned down the volume knob. I glanced toward the hallway behind us and saw them.
Three guys.
They walked like the world belonged to them, like they were the world. The one in front had striking white hair and sharp features, his amethyst-colored eyes so unusual I immediately assumed they were contacts. The second had perfectly styled golden-blonde hair, his green eyes bright and piercing, like sunlight filtering through leaves. The third, slightly behind them, was less flashy but no less handsome, with tousled brown hair and warm hazel eyes that made him seem almost approachable, almost.
I couldn't help staring.
"Don't," Freya whispered suddenly, her tone sharp.
I tore my gaze away, looking over my shoulder as if someone had called my name, only to misstep and slam right into the chest of the brown-haired one.
"Oh my God! I'm so sorry!" I stammered, stepping back so fast I nearly tripped over my own shoes.
The brown-haired guy didn't say a word, just tilted his head slightly, his hazel eyes scanning me like I was some kind of puzzle. His two friends stopped too, all of them now looking between me and Freya.
Freya's entire demeanor changed. She looked... tense. Almost guilty, like she'd just been caught stealing. She turned her face slightly, avoiding their eyes.
The white-haired one gave me the kind of look that could freeze fire.
"Don't block my path next time. If you do, you won't like yourself." The brown haired eventually hissed, and my eyes widened.
"Wow," I said loudly, my face heating. "That was rude. Blind much?"
Several heads turned in our direction, including Freya's, she covered her face with both hands like she was praying. "Maeve. Please, please stop talking."
"What? It's true!" I said, indignant.
But before I could say more, the white-haired one stopped mid-stride.
He turned around slowly, his expression hard and unreadable. His eyes, those strange amethyst eyes, locked on mine and my heart skipped a beat.
He walked toward me with a deliberate slowness that made my pulse thrum in my ears. He stopped just close enough for me to feel his presence, his gaze sweeping over me like he was memorizing my face.
Then, he sniffed. Not a casual sniff. A sharp, deliberate inhale, like he was smelling the air around me.
"What the—"
"Open your eyes when you walk," he said, his voice low but cutting. "Or are you blind?"
I froze, my jaw dropping.
Before I could fire back something snarky, Freya grabbed my arm with both hands and yanked me away, practically dragging me toward the other end of the room.
"Okay, what is your problem?!" she hissed under her breath.
"My problem? He was—he was sniffing me! Who does that?!" I spluttered.
Freya groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You have no idea who you just mouthed off to, do you?"
"Some guy with purple contacts and a bad attitude?"
Freya gave me a look like I'd just told her I wanted to play chicken with a speeding truck. "Those three? They're the sons of three of the most powerful people in the entire country. People here call them the Heirs. And trust me, you do not want to be on their radar."
I blinked, trying to process that. "...Well, it's too late for that, I guess."
Freya groaned again. "You're going to get us both killed."