Page 15 of The Kingdom of Ruin

I offer him a fake smile, standing tall as I turn away and head down the path. I have no idea where I’m going, but that doesn’t matter right now. “I take it you’re not good at being out of control,” he hollers, humor in his voice, but I don’t bother to respond. “You know you’re going the wrong way, right? Your first class is this way.”

My body tenses and a shrill growl of exasperation burns out my throat as I push past every objection in my body to turn around, stomping past him without a single millisecond of eye contact.

Fucker.

EIGHT

ADDI

Irritation still stirs inside me as I fumble into the classroom. A woman stands at the front of the room, circular glasses perched on her nose as she silently assesses everyone. Long wooden tables are lined up in front of her, three rows deep, but no one is seated. Everyone stands at the back of the class, huddled in their origins while waiting for their first direction from the professor.

Glancing around the students present, my gaze instantly latches on to deep brown eyes and perfectly styled black hair as their stare penetrates my skin, threatening to infiltrate my mind.

Raiden.

It seems like this guy is everywhere.

It takes far more effort to tear my eyes from him than I would like to admit, but when I do, I also notice the same wolf from yesterday. His brown hair is just as messy as it was then, like he makes a habit out of running his fingers through it. He’s wearing the forest green cloak designated for his origin with a pair of faded jeans and a checkered shirt underneath.

He exudes a different kind of presence than Raiden, but it’s still just as enticing and consuming if you let yourself fall under his spell. Not that I would. I one-thousand percent do not have the time for that.

With that reminder firmly swirling in my mind, I search for the gray cloaks in the room and find Flora standing with Arlo and a few others. I can still feel the intense stares from the group at the far end, but I force my eyes to remain locked on the fae as I approach.

Flora’s eyes widen with relief when she spots me, and as I come to a stop beside her, she rubs my arm gently. “Is everything okay? I don’t even know how to begin unpacking what any of that was,” she murmurs, eyes peering toward Raiden, who now has Vallie vying for his attention again.

Not that I care or would even know if I. Just. Stopped. Looking.

“It’s all good. I guess this is what’s to be expected with that target on our backs,” I admit, folding my arms over my chest as I turn to face forward, only to find the professor already staring at me with a raised eyebrow.

“I’m glad you could join us, Miss…”

Everyone follows her line of sight, finding me under her watchful eye. I clear my throat as my shoulders roll back, and my defenses instinctively rise.

“Addi.”

She tilts her head, waiting for my last name. She can have it if she wants, but she’s going to have to repeat herself if she does. The stare-off lasts a whole ten seconds before she nods, and I could swear there’s a smile threatening to tilt her lips, but she looks away before there’s a chance to confirm it.

“Miss Addi,” she states, clasping her hands together. “Take a look at those in here with you now. This is the same group you will have all your classes, trials, and tests with going forward,” she explains, making my spine tingle.

Raiden, Vallie, and their group that appears to bleed into the other origins is going to be a pain in my side for the foreseeable future it seems.

Peering around the crowd again, I notice a few mages huddled together, a flash of auburn hair among the shifters, and a gathering of humans who look like they’re ready to throw hands at any moment.

It’s crazy how we’re all here for the same thing, yet we’re all so different. It would be exciting if I weren’t concerned for my safety on top of it all, but that’s the reality of this life and not something I will ever have the luxury of being free from. So we’re rolling with it instead.

A flash of red flutters forward as Vallie steps toward the professor. Her hands are braced on her hips, and even from her side profile, I can see the sly tinge to her smile before she even speaks.

“Can someone explain to me why there has to be any fae in attendance? It’s wasting all of our time.” She looks over her shoulder for added effect, her eyes finding mine instantly. I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone look so smug.

Ever.

My hands curl into fists, the words calm and collected swirling in my mind, but doing little to actually make me either of those things.

“And you are?”

My gaze pulls from Vallie to the professor, who stares at my least favorite vampire with a quirk to her eyebrows. At least it’s not just me who earns that look from her.

“Vallie. I’m Vallie Drummer.” She preens—literally freaking preens—extending her fingers and batting her eyelashes like she truly believes she’s that fabulous.

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