19

I awoke with a sense of accomplishment that morning – I’ve survived my first day at Alcove Academy without being discovered. If that doesn’t count for something, I don’t know what will.

For a minute, I remain in bed to observe my roommates getting ready for the day. Eisley is already dressed and ready and occupies herself with some last-minute homework for extra credit. Delphi is loading her bag with multiple crystals to help with focusing her third eye. And Elsa is at her mirror, cursing while styling her hair – every time she puts in a hairband or scrunchie, her hair would incinerate it.

I can’t help but grin at how ordinary it feels to be a student with roommates. Maybe, in another life, I would’ve enjoyed being an Acolyte and just be…normal.

Something stirs beneath my blankets and Siri’s head pops into view. She flicks her tongue and I hurriedly tug the blanket over her head. No one can know she’s here. Magnus knows what the Academy will do to unwanted animals on the premises.

At last, I get out of bed to get ready. Dressing in my uniform and styling my hair and makeup as Melina taught me, I stand before the mirror to ensure I look presentable.

Siri, who’s been hiding in the inner pocket of my blazer, sticks out her head and flicks her tongue.

“Yeah, I know. I look ridiculous,” I whisper, pulling a face at the formal attire. “Don’t worry. I’m burning it as soon as we’re back home.”

Behind me, Delphi announces that they’re ready for breakfast. Tucking Siri back into my blazer, I follow them out, feeling strangely hopeful and determined for the new day to start.

At a leisurely pace, we reach the dining hall in five minutes. Eisley decides that she’s in the mood for a proper French breakfast and leads the way to a sector of the room where the tables are situated on a bridge with a river coursing underneath it.

“Oh, I love dining on the Seine,” Delphi exclaims once we’re seated and sighs at the view we have of the Eifel Tower towering above us. It’s like we’ve been teleported to France and experiencing it all in real time.

“Have you ever been?” I ask casually, helping myself to the croissants on the table. “To France, I mean.”

“Once or twice,” Delphi says. “I come from a family of seers. Whenever one of them foresee something of interest happening somewhere in the world, we’re travelling. Mostly in the pursuit of clairvoyance and knowledge, but I enjoy it nonetheless.”

“What about you?” Elsa turns to me, munching on a breadstick. “Have you travelled before?”

My heart sinks a bit, but it doesn’t erase the smile on my face. “I’ve never been anywhere outside of my hometown, actually.”

“Too poor to afford it?”

We all look up to find none other than Dinah approaching our table. Her blonde hair reflects the light streaming through the windows, and her dark gaze flashes challengingly.

Next to me, Eisley groans underneath her breath. That response alone is enough to tell me the sentiments she has towards this girl. If Eisley doesn’t like someone, there is a logically good reason for it. Either they bumped heads in the past, or this Dinah is truly vile.

Looking the viper dead in the eyes, I respond to her question, “Money isn’t a problem. But if you must know, my responsibilities at home are what’s keeping me from travelling.”

“Let me guess, babysitting or taking coffee orders?” Dinah grins wickedly, flipping her hair over her shoulder.

“As if you’d know what an honest day of work looks like, Dinah.” Elsa snaps at the girl, the tips of her hair sparking ablaze.

The tension in the room increases tenfold, and I have no doubt if allowed to escalate, neither of them would think twice to throw a spell at each other.

Placing a hand on Elsa’s shoulder, I gently push her back on her chair and turn my gaze on Dinah. “I own an apartment building, if you’re so interested in my private life. And yes, I have actual residents I’m responsible for. Is there anything else you’d like to know?”

She glowers at me for what feels like an eternity, her gaze scorching and sinister. At last, she clenches her jaw and leaves our table, stomping off to join her group a few tables up. As soon as she’s gone, the air feels lighter. I stand by what I said – plants must wilt in her presence, she’s that cold.

“I swear she sucks the joy right out of my soul,” Eisley speaks through gritted teeth, balling her hands into fists.

Pulling a face, I ask in a low tone, “What’s her deal anyways? It’s the second time I’ve encountered her, and she’s no more pleasant than she was yesterday. Does she have a cactus stuck up her ass or what?”

The three of them are about to answer that question when a masculine voice suddenly speaks behind me, “Who’s got a cactus stuck up their ass?”

To our surprise, Gilbert appears next to me with a chair in his hands. He set it down and takes a seat, scootching in between me and Elsa. He’s grinning from ear to ear, seeming all to satisfied with himself for joining our little circle.

“No, seriously, who?” He asks again. “Because that actually sounds painstakingly dangerous and twistedly kinky. Whoever it is should probably go see a healer.”

I want to open my mouth and speak but find myself speechless instead. Gilbert had stretched his arms, and one is now resting on the back of my chair, grazing my upper back. And although his hand hangs limply beside me shoulder, his fingers are lightly brushing my upper arm almost…tenderly. Whatever he’s doing is on purpose, and the playful gleam in his eyes tells me I’m right.

“It’s just a figure of speech,” Eisley quickly covers for me, also noticing his little gestures. “My cousin has a unique way of expressing her thoughts through speech.”

“I don’t always have a filter,” I mutter, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks.

Gilbert breathes a laugh. “Now I’m really looking forward to our study session after school. I’m still tutoring you, right?”

“*Study session*?” Delphi’s eyes widen in wonder.

“*Tutor*?” Elsa’s grin is anything but innocent.

“*Yes*!” I blurt out, covering my blazing cheeks with my cool hands in hopes to get rid of the blush. “I mean, yes, we’re still on for after school. Should I bring anything?”

Elsa coughs, muttering ‘condoms’ before coughing again to cover it up. Eisley kicks her shin underneath the table, complaining how she’s in the middle of eating. And Delphi is clapping her hands excitedly, only taking joy of this entire situation.

However, the moment is ruined when a voice calls from a few tables up, “Gilbert, over here!”

This time, I nearly groan upon recognizing Dinah’s obnoxious tone. Doesn’t she ever stop?

Gilbert lazily looks over at her and at the empty seat beside her. She pats it briskly, a silent order that he is to leave us – or me to be exact – and join her. I should’ve known she’d think she has some sort of claim over him. Every school has its designated mean girl, and Dinah is our typical Regina George. And Gilbert being the most eligible and hottest guy at Alcove, has, no doubt, unknowingly been chosen as her boy-toy.

Or perhaps he knows it and just chooses to entertain her.

After a moment of consideration, he turns back in his chair and calls to her, “I think I’m good here, Dinah. See you in class.”

To add more sting to his words, he publicly lifts his hand to rest it on my shoulder, sending a silent message to Dinah that his loyalties lie elsewhere.

And that is the first time I felt her glare actually burn my skin as she beheld the scene – me tucked underneath Gilbert Whitlock’s arm with his fingers grazing across my shoulder, silently staking his claim.