Page 8 of Oleander
Onyx turns to me. “Yes, what he said is true, but you should have learned about it the right way. In school. Fae do age. However, it takes centuries, not decades.”
I gasp at the thought of living for centuries when everyone I know in the human world won’t, and Birch fucking chuckles. “Nice one, Captain. You scared him worse than me.”
“Skyler, go through the doors and register,” Onyx commands, ignoring his lieutenant and pointing at the oversized oak doors and the intimidating girl beyond. “We’ll be waiting right here.”
I glance at Birch, who smirks.
Asshole.
I stroll into the administration office, knowing I probably look and smell like I hiked through the jungle before getting electrocuted, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
Sure enough, the receptionist wrinkles her nose as she eyes me up and down.
“Hi,” I say with as charming of a smile as I can muster.
“Can I help you?” she asks, bored and unimpressed.
“I’m a new student, Skyler Fairfield, and I’m here to pick up my dorm assignment and class schedule.”
She doesn’t reply or tell me her name, her red-tipped nails flying across the keyboard. The rapid tapping noise grates on my nerves. She pauses, her amber eyes scanning the computer screen before darting up to me in surprise.
“Wow. You reallyarenew here, huh?” she asks with a smirk, raising a dark brow in question.
“Uh, yeah,” I admit, running a hand through my crazy-ass hair.
The movement catches her eye, and her smile only grows when she spots the iron shackles.
“Did you touch a shield with those on?” Fairy girl nods to my wrists.
“Yeah.” There’s no point in denying it.
She shakes her head, chuckling condescendingly. “Rough first day.”
“Mhm,” I agree without elaborating. I don’t think I like her, and I definitely don’t like her laughing at me.
“Anyway, here’s your class schedule and dorm key. You're in Edgemoor Hall, and your room number is on the fob.” There’s an evil glint in her peculiar eyes, like she knows something I don’t.
My eyebrows pull together in confusion. “Do I have a roommate? Do you know who it is?”
“I’m not at liberty to discuss a fellow student’s residence or give out their information,” she says in a droll monotone like she’s repeating a script.
Whatever. Guess I’ll find out soon enough.
I grab the papers from her desk, my eyes scanning the nameplate I missed earlier.Ember Leroux. Administrative Assistant.She catches me looking and smirks, but I don’t have the energy for any more conversation. I’m ready to find my dorm, meet my new roommate, and crash for the rest of the day.
“Good luck, Skyler. You’re going to need it,” she says ominously before returning her attention to the computer screen and completely ignoring me.
Is this what fairy girls are like?
Good thing I’m done with all females.
I stride from the administration office like her words don’t bother me. Or worry me. “Can you take me to Edgemoor Hall, please? I need a shower and a fucking nap,” I say to Onyx, exhaustion lining my voice.
“Of course. Follow me. Edgemoor is the largest dormitory on campus. The most private as well. It’s set along the perimeter wall, with great views of the forest and mountains. If you’re high enough.”
I glance down at the number on my golden key fob.Room 800.“Eighth floor.”
“That’s the top.” Onyx sounds surprised.
