Page 9 of Ruined Wolfsbane

Lockwood Hall looks like something out of a fantasy novel. Its cathedral ceiling soars overhead, and dark wood hammer beam trusses frame the tall ceiling.

Stained glass windows sit between the beams. The windows depict various trees, shrubs, flowers, and other plants. The biggest window at the back of the hall has one wolf in the foreground, with three other wolves fanned out behind the first one. They’re in a pine forest. Among the grass are blue and purple wolfsbane flowers.

What an odd choice of flower to put next to wolves.

Old-world-looking chandeliers hang from the ceiling every dozen feet. Walnut wood paneling runs up the walls to the support beams, and the dark floors match the long wooden banquet tables and chairs spaced evenly throughout the hall. Most of the tables are full.

Spying smaller tables on the sides of the hall, I point those out to Rory. “Perfect!” Clapping her hands, she leads us over to an empty side table.

“I’m surprised she listened to you. Ror will ask my opinion, only to choose the one I didn’t pick.” It’s the most I’ve heard Ronan say at once the whole morning. His smooth, melodic voice fits his elven features.

“I don’t do that!” Rory rounds on her brother in mock outrage. Placing her hands on her hips, she tries to appear threatening. The hint of a smile coming through ruins the effect.

“You definitely do.” Ronan’s grinning as he teases Rory. Even though they’re twins, Ronan towers over his sister. He’s at least six foot, while I’d be surprised if Rory even clears five foot four. Without their similar coloring, it’d be hard to tell they’re twins.

“Okay, fine. But it’s only ’cause you always choose the wrong one.” After playfully sticking out her tongue, Rory turns back to our table. She slaps her pink bag on the table and plops down into one of the open spots.

Following her lead, I sit on the hard wooden chair next to her. I begin pulling out my lunch. I packed a turkey sandwich, apple, and bottle of water. My stepfather can be strict about food, so I make sure never to take too much.

“That’s all you’re having?” Rory asks, eyeing my plain lunch with pursed lips. At my nod, she continues, “Well, we’re gonna check out the buffet. I hear it’s outta this world.”

WHU is supposed to have some pretty great food. Its privileged students won’t accept anything less. I can see three tables full of food at the back of the hall. That’s not counting all the made-to-order options students can choose.

Since I don’t live in the dorms, I don’t have a meal plan. I have four years of bland bagged lunches to look forward to.

Yay.

I’m just finishing my sandwich when Rory and Ronan make their way back to the table. Their trays are piled high with multiple hot entrée options, fruits, veggies, and desserts. My mouth waters a little looking at the spread.

“I accidentally got too much. So, you’ll just have to share mine!” Rory shoves a plate of chicken fried steak, gravy, green beans, and mashed potatoes my way. She also places a huge slice of chocolate cake in front of me.

I bite my lip as I look at the spread, trying to figure out what to do. We both know she didn’t accidentally grab too much. She took one look at my pathetic lunch and decided to do something about it. Her kindness makes my throat close up and my chest ache. It’s been so long since anyone cared if I had basic necessities.

I want to refuse the food. She has to pay per item, so this doubled her lunch bill. But I’m so hungry from missing breakfast today and dinner last night. Decision made by my growling stomach, I mumble a thank-you and tuck into the delicious food.

Rory beams at my easy acceptance before turning to her lunch. She absolutely devours her plate. I’m impressed and mildly terrified by her ability to pack away so much food. Not like I’m one to judge, though. I’ve always had to eat as much as someone twice my size just to maintain my weight.

The rest of lunch passes in a blur of sibling bickering and laughter. By the time we finish eating, my cheeks hurt from smiling so much at Rory and Ronan’s interactions.

I don’t share my next class with either of them, so we part ways. Rory promises to call me. What for? I have no idea. She seems happy about it, though.

Heading back to Wyldhart Hall, I pull out my schedule. My next class is Latin 101 with Professor Grimm. That must be the third brother Rory mentioned—Kai, if I remember correctly.

Passing under the grand archway leading into the building, I make my way up the stone staircase to the second floor. Latin 101 is in the room directly across from where I had Western Civ.

Feeling better prepared to encounter another Grimm brother, I heave the solid oak door open. Instead of another blond god as I expected, the professor at the front of the classroom looks like a fallen angel. His black hair is almost as dark as mine. It’s close-cropped, with just enough length that I could run my fingers through it. Thanks to his golden tan skin, his hair doesn’t contrast as sharply as mine. He’s taller than his brothers by a couple inches.

This professor is also a bit older. I’d put him in his late twenties, early thirties.

Like the other Grimms, the professor has a strong, angular jaw. He has the same broad shoulders and trim waist. Although he’s wearing a black suit coat, it’s clear he’s muscular. His navy blue dress shirt strains across his broad chest, hinting at defined pecs. Black suit pants, tie, and oxfords complete his outfit. He definitely dresses the most formally of the three.

My gaze makes it back up to his face, where I’m met with dark, almost black, sapphire eyes. While locked in his stare, I idly note that his eyes match Ronan’s and Rory’s.

I feel like a fly caught in honey with how I’m unable to look away.

A hard shoulder jamming into my back breaks me free of his gaze. I bite back my cry of pain and swiftly move out of the way. I didn’t realize I blocked the doorway until the boy currently scowling at me crashed into me. With a dirty look, he continues toward the back row.

Wondering what it is about these professors that makes me act like an idiot, I make my way to the second row. My preferred seat against the wall is free. I slide into it with a low exhale, thankful I won’t be surrounded by strangers on all sides, especially after getting jostled by that guy earlier.

---