Page 6 of The Kingdom of Ruin

He probably thinks I’m interested now. I’m definitely not. Besides, I can sense the air of affection between him and Flora. Nonetheless, I’m focused on my mission. There’s no time for distraction.

I’m pulled from my thoughts as we take in the cobbled walkway. The academy building itself comes into view, but we walk around it. The pathway forks off from a central fountain in six different directions. One for each origin.

Fae.

Humans.

Mages.

Shifters.

Vampires.

Wolves.

“Form a line, registration is about to begin.”

FOUR

ADDI

The order rings out, and the student body falls into formation without a word. Peering around at everyone, the size differences between each group becomes more magnified when you consider the size of the lines forming.

Murmurs pick up as we wait as patiently as possible. I can sense Flora attempting to start a conversation with me multiple times, but each time, she rocks back on her heels, slamming her lips shut. By the fifth time, I can’t take it anymore, and I turn to face her. I hope the smile I’m attempting isn’t off. I am actually trying to be nice. I think.

“Small talk isn’t really my thing, I’m more likely to ask you what weapon you prefer rather than reference the weather. So, you’re going to need to spit out whatever is on the tip of your tongue because I really can’t guess it.”

Arlo chuckles, nudging Flora with his shoulder as her cheeks turn pink again. I’ve barely met the girl, but I already get the feeling I’ll be noting when her cheeks aren’t bright rather than when they are since it seems to happen so often.

“I, uhh, I was just curious what you did before you came here.”

Reasonable question. I can answer that. “I worked for my father. Our ranch is…isolated, but it gets us by. A huge contrast to this.” I nod at the looming academy building behind her and she nods in agreement. “What about you?”

She beams, lacing her fingers together as she bounces on the spot, and I feel a sense of pride seeping from her. I’m not joking when I say small talk isn’t my thing, much to my father’s disappointment, but seeing her response makes me reconsider my distaste for it. “I was interning. I only just finished school last year, and Summer Oak doesn’t have many jobs that can facilitate my powers.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask what specifically she was interning as, but I’m interrupted by a sneer.

“Move out of the fucking way.” I turn to my right, staring up at some ass who seems certain his glare is going to off me. When it doesn’t, and I don’t instantly move, his eyes narrow further and he folds his arms over his chest. “Are you dumb? I said move.”

Flora, Arlo, and I are standing as close as three people can, talking in a small group. Looking over my shoulder, I notice there’s a huge gap since I haven’t been moving along with the line to register. This idiot is just interested in causing a scene.

“There’s already plenty of space for you,” I state with a smile as I turn to him, pointing over my shoulder, but that only seems to make his nostrils flare.

“Come on, Addi, let’s?—”

“You don’t look like a member of the fae origin. Why don’t you go and join the line that you are connected with.” I recognize Professor Fairbourne’s voice from a few moments ago and he appears in my peripheral a moment later, but I keep my eyes locked on the guy beside me.

His lips are pursed, as though he’s considering whether or not to persist. His eyes widen with a sense of humor to them, but not the kind that has you preparing to laugh.

“That’s what I was doing, but this bitch doesn’t want to get out of my way.”

I grind my teeth, ready to give this guy a piece of my mind while my brain tries to settle on what he is. He seems to think he’s superior, but it doesn’t appear to be as natural as it is for vampires. There’s no warmth to him, no sense of endless knowledge.

He has to be shifter.

“I’m sure you could walk around this bitch easy enough.” Professor Fairbourne cocks a brow at the unwanted guest, who takes the hint but doesn’t miss the opportunity to shoulder past me as he goes. I sink my teeth into my tongue, forcing myself to let the moment pass as Fairbourne turns his attention to us. “You’re up next. Move along.”

He walks off without a backward glance as I spy Flora gulping nervously.

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