Page 38 of Wild Fury (Fallen Royals 6)

I follow Ruby into the dining hall. LBU West has its own, and since classes haven’t started, everyone in here should be from this campus. She explained that there’s an assortment of different years living in the residence hall—from freshmen up to juniors. Apparently, seniors have their own living space behind the library.

The dining hall is small—and full. We grab food and find two empty chairs. She smiles at the girls surrounding us and introduces me. I hide my surprise that she knows them and shake their hands.

“Attention, please.” A girl stands on a chair, clapping. “Welcome to LBU West!”

A cheer goes up, and automatically, everyone’s attention is riveted to her.

She might be one of the seniors. Her light-brown hair is curled and pushed forward around her shoulders. Her glasses frame her face perfectly. And she has the classic sorority-girl vibe with the cream cardigan and high-waisted jeans.

I should know: my sister is one of them. Well, she would’ve been if my parents let her go to college…

“As you know by now, LBU West is a family of its own. We live together, study together, party together.” She grins amid whoops and shouts. Once it settles, she continues, “Classes start Monday, which means this is our weekend of freedom. So consider this your formal invitation to our bonfire tonight.”

“Where?” someone shouts.

The girl smirks. “If you can find it, you get to party with us.”

I lean across the table toward Ruby. “What’s this? Some sort of initiation?”

She winks. “Nope, just an exclusive party. It keeps out the people who don’t want to network. You’ve got to make friends if you want to survive on this campus—or just stay a loner.”

I stare at her. She knows the people around us, even though we’ve only been here for a day. She’s not surprised by this bonfire, doesn’t seem concerned about where it is.

“You know something,” I say.

She glances at me. “Of course I know something.”

The girl on the chair has stepped down, and she makes her way through the crowded rows of tables. She stops beside Ruby, touching my roommate’s shoulder.

“Welcome back,” she says. “Although I didn’t expect you.”

Ruby stiffens. “I’m allowed, aren’t I?”

My curiosity is officially piqued, and that’s never a good thing. It gets me into trouble more often than not, but sometimes I just can’t help myself. Like Felicity this afternoon with her gentleman suitor. Why not kiss him on school grounds? Who is he?

But a secret bonfire? Forced socialization? It makes me wonder if more people apply to this campus and get denied—a sort of exclusivity, as Ruby said. Maybe forcing students to find the party on their own is a sort of hazing ritual.

“As I said, welcome back,” the girl repeats to Ruby.

I have to wonder if I didn’t miss a silent exchange between the two.

Her attention comes to me. “Lucille Page, right?”

“Lucy,” I correct.

Her eyebrow quirks up, then returns to normal. “Right, of course. I’m Aberdeen. It’s unusual for a freshman to be living with a sophomore. If you want to transfer back to the main campus, where there are more new students, just let us know.”

I narrow my eyes. “Ruby’s been perfectly lovely.”

My roommate lets out an uncomfortable laugh. “Lucy.”

“No, it’s fine. I mean, I don’t know why I was put with a sophomore, but maybe that’s something you should address with the school administration for future incoming freshmen if you’re so worried about it?” I lift my chin. “I appreciate the concern. I think.”

Aberdeen smiles. “That’s so good to hear. I expect we’ll see you later, then, at the bonfire?”

“Of course,” I say smoothly. It’s more than just curiosity now—it’s open intrigue.

Ruby grimaces.

---