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It’s bullshit.
Straight. Up. Bullshit.
Not a single person here knows the Hell that place has become. I’m not saying they don’t have their own demons, but they have a roof over their heads, endless food on the table, and above all else, they have a sense of hope that doesn’t exist there.
A bell rings out, startling me from my inner turmoil, and I watch as everyone starts to stand. The books and quills are gone so I quickly drop my pen back into my pocket and rise to my feet.
“Are you okay? You seemed to space out there,” Leila says, concern etched into the pull of her eyebrows as she looks at me.
“I’m fine, just lost in thought. I’m trying to catch up with all of this, that’s all.”
It’s not a lie, but it’s also not the entire truth. No one needs to deal with my wrath, especially not her, since she’s been nothing but friendly to me since I got here.
“No worries. Do you have ordnance training next, too?” she asks, happy to leave it at that, and I smile. I love it when people don’t push for information they don’t require. It only makes me like her more.
“She does,” Creed interjects, and I glare at him. I’m still annoyed about earlier. I don’t need him inserting himself into my conversations too.
“Let’s go then,” Leila chirps, a grin on her lips like this is amusing to her or something. I freeze a little when she links my arm again, but we fall into step and head for the door.
Thankfully, Genie is nowhere to be seen as we leave, but a guy plants himself in my way before I reach the door. He has curly blond hair, crystal blue eyes, and a toothy smile that spreads wider when my eyes lock on his.
“Hey, Raven, right? I’m Finn,” he offers, tucking his hands into his pants pockets as he rocks back on his heels.
“Hi.”
“Are you settling in okay? I can be your unofficial tour guide if you like. Maybe I could show you around after classes. We could grab some food, go to—”
“Fuck off, Finn.”
My eyes squeeze closed at the sound of Zane’s voice cutting him off. When I blink them back open again, I find Finn and Zane in a glare-off. I turn further, hoping to get Eldon, Brax, or Creed to put a stop to it, but I only find them holding the same feral snarl on their lips too.
What even is my life right now?
Side-stepping Finn, none of them pay attention to me, so I use that as my opportunity to hightail it out of there with Leila chuckling as she holds on tight to my arm.
“I knew it would be exciting with your arrival after meeting you yesterday, Raven, but holy hell, the double dose of drama surrounding you is crazy.”
8
RAVEN
It’s almost reassuring that the locker rooms at Silvercrest Academy are no different in layout from those at Shadowmoor High. Coat hooks line the walls with oak benches beneath them, only breaking off for the exit and the opening that leads to the showers.
The main difference is watching each student press their thumb against the tip of the coat hook to reveal a set of shorts, a t-shirt, and a pair of sneakers moments later. Glancing at Leila, she nods for me to do the same, and I nervously wet my lips. The cool metal presses against my thumb and nervous energy has my pulse ringing in my ears but, to my relief, I’m treated to the same garments appearing in front of me.
Switching out my clothes, I’m not shocked that the shorts and t-shirt fit me perfectly, and the sneakers too.
“Please tell me why you have the Bishops glaring at anyone who looks in your direction?”
“Who?”
Leila shakes her head with amusement flickering across her lips. “The Bishops. Eldon, Creed, Zane, and Brax.”
“The Bishops? Why are they called that?”
“Do you always answer a question with one of your own?” she pushes, cocking her eyebrow at me.
“No…well, maybe, but that’s beside the point,” I admit, both impressed and irked by the fact that she can call me out so quickly.
