Page 5 of Dancing with Vipers and Shadows

“My name is Blair Ivy Lysander,” she declares, as if she’s had to repeat herself more than once. “And you heard exactly what I said. She’s a Viper.”

“What’s a Viper?” someone whispers.

“If you don’t know what a Viper is, you’re at the wrong school, buttercup,” the male right behind me says.

I’m forced to look up because he’s tall, 6’3”, to be exact. His hair is as black as the night and rather long for a guy. He’s cloaked in black from head to toe, wearing combat gear like he’s ready to kill in an assassin-type way. Unlike many who are hiding their auras so one can’t see how strong you are, this man is letting it have free reign for shits and giggles.

Personally, I don’t like cocky men, especially when they’re showing off in an attempt to make it a ‘subconscious’ act.

“A ‘Viper’ is what every student at N.M.U. would kill to become. They’re not just Elites. They’re next tier. Just a shy way from the God Tiers.”

Many eyes are on me once more, but I ignore them, my eyes on Mr. Know It All.

“You guys love bickering about prestige families, but you all witnessed it yourselves. Professor North doesn’t acknowledge anyone who can potentially be on the same level as him at entry level.” He purposely points back at me with his thumb while the rest of his fingers are tucked nicely into the palm of his hand. “Don’t know about this older sister nonsense, but you’re looking at a potential prodigy.”

He then glances over his shoulder to give me a cocky smirk.

“Meaning, I want to make a peace offering now so you won’t kill me.”

I can’t fight it.

I HAVE to roll my eyes.

“Sure.” I don’t even care.

I turn around as a few people whisper and curse.

“Fuck you, Alaric! You just want fucking protection because you’re a weak ass, just like your brother.”

“If I was weak, I wouldn’t be second in line,” he argues, as if this line represents who the strongest and weakest links are. “And though I’ll confirm my brother is the weaker out of us two, I’m pretty confident he can get through some measly trial.”

“Do you have to try to start fights everywhere we go?” The second male voice sounds very familiar to this Alaric dude, but it’s extremely calm.

Taking a glance over my left shoulder, I confirm his almost identical appearance to Alaric. There’s no denying they’re twins.

Coincidence? Not sure.

Crazy how I’m here, standing in my sister’s place in the company of male twins.

We could have made a bet on which twin would bend to our witty personality first.

The thought is both amusing and agonizing.

“Of course. I’m trying to start my track record before we enter the gates of Nephilim, so I have an even higher chance of getting into the Mischief Society, Azrael. If I can’t get in, my purpose here is but a waste.”

Poor Azrael already has stress lines on his forehead.

“Why am I here again?”

“That’s what happens when you have divorced parents in two different factions.”

Okay then, that kind of makes sense.

A shame my parents are madly in love with one another, or else maybe Odessa and I would have had the opportunity to attend this school together.

In honor of our prestigious legacy. Blah blah blah.

“So, Barbie...”

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