I don’t know how long I sat there with my hand over the grate like I could reach through and grab hold of him like I had done every day these last six years.
I pulled away from the grate, my heart still racing with Finn’s words echoing in my mind. The tension of his absenceweighed heavily on my chest as I stepped back into the hallway. I couldn’t let my thoughts linger too long on him—not now, not when I was still stuck here.
I glanced around, feeling the prickle of unease crawling up my spine. The hallway was quieter now, though the low hum of voices still drifted from the mess hall. But something about the silence felt too thick, too charged. I wanted to get out of here before anyone noticed I was still roaming.
As if on cue, Leo appeared, stepping out from the shadows like he’d been waiting for me. The usual cocky grin was stretched across his face, and something about it made my stomach twist.
“I thought I saw you lurking around here,” he grinned.
“Leo – “ I began to back away slowly.
"Where are you running off to, angel?" His voice was smooth, almost playful, but it carried an undertone that made my muscles tighten.
I didn’t have a chance to respond before Leo’s hand was on my elbow, guiding me away from the noise of the party. My arm jerked against his grip, pulling free, but he didn't seem to care.
Slade was already waiting for us by the entrance to the mess hall, looking unsurprised, his expression unreadable.
"It’s funny, Slade and I were just talking about you," Leo remarked, voice too casual.
Slade gave a single grunt, as if that was his response.
"Sure, you were," I muttered under my breath, bitterness curling my words. "Knowing grumpy bear, I’m sure the conversation was scintillating."
Leo burst out laughing, the sound loud and mocking. "Grumpy bear?" He howled with delight at the nickname. Slade’s eyesnarrowed in response, a low growl rumbling in his chest, but he didn’t speak. He simply followed us down the hall, silent and imposing, like a shadow trailing behind us.
I barely had a chance to catch my breath before Leo shot back, “Oh, that’s perfect. I love it.” His grin was manic, but there was something darker beneath it, something far more dangerous. His hand tightened around my arm again, and I struggled against his hold, my pulse spiking.
“What are you doing?” I demanded, my voice rough with a mixture of frustration and fear, the hint of panic clawing at my chest. I tried to yank away, but his grip was solid, unyielding.
Leo’s grin only widened, a flash of teeth that didn’t reach his eyes. “Taking you somewhere a little quieter," he said, his voice low, almost teasing. "Let’s get a drink.”
I followed him in silence, my heart hammering. He didn’t answer any of my other questions, and I felt the air around me shift—too still, too heavy. The familiar halls that I thought I knew now felt like a maze, every turn unfamiliar, every step heavier than the last.
We turned down another hallway, the lights here dimmer, flickering slightly. The shadows seemed to press in on me, thick and suffocating. I glanced over my shoulder, my instincts screaming at me to be careful. No one was behind us, the silence stretching out in a way that made the air feel colder.
At the end of the hallway, Leo stopped in front of a door, pushing it open with a fluid motion that felt rehearsed. I hesitated for a split second before stepping inside, the cool air of the room hitting me. The atmosphere was instantly different—quiet, almost oppressive. Slade followed us inside without a word, his massive form barely making a sound as he moved, like a predator in the shadows.
The room was dimly lit, more of a lounge than anything I expected. Dark wood panelling covered the walls, with heavy curtains blocking out the light, making it feel even more secluded. Low couches were scattered about the room, and the scent of tobacco and something faintly sweet lingered in the air. It was the kind of space that felt like it had secrets buried deep within its walls, secrets that could swallow you whole.
I froze as my eyes adjusted to the low light, scanning the room. Phoenix leaned casually against one of the couches, amber eyes glinting with an amusement that sent a shiver down my spine. His smirk was too knowing, too sharp. Slade, ever the silent giant, moved to stand by the window, his arms crossed, his gaze calculating as always. And Thorne—Thorne was sitting in one of the armchairs, his posture rigid.
The tension in the room crackled, the air thick with the weight of their stares. Thorne's eyes locked onto mine the moment I stepped inside. They narrowed with anger.
The door clicked shut behind me, the sound final, and I felt the space around me close in, the air growing heavier. The silence stretched out, suffocating, with none of them breaking it. They were all watching me, but not a single one of them spoke.
“Dammit, Leo, what is she doing here?” Thorne's voice broke through the silence, a sharp, demanding edge to his tone.
Leo leaned casually against the wall. “Found our little friend here galivanting through the halls.”
“I was taking a walk. That’s all! I couldn’t sleep!” My words came out faster than I intended, the defensiveness creeping into my tone as I crossed my arms over my chest.
Thorne’s eyes narrowed, and he sneered. “First years don’t get hall privileges. You should have stayed in your room.”
“The door wasn’t locked,” I shot back, my voice strained, “and I was feeling restless. What’s the problem? It’s not like I can go anywhere.”
“So that’s all it was?” Thorne's sneer deepened, dripping with suspicion. “A little insomnia?”
I met his gaze head-on, refusing to back down. “Yes.”
