“Some of this doesn’t translate to our schooling,” I murmur, letting my eyes continue to scan. “Is it okay if I cross some things out and write in what does?”
“Of course,” she rushes to agree. “We haven’t exactly had a welcome to Praeditus, despite the attempts to mend the rift between realms, so we were unsure of what to list.”
My head nods absentmindedly. Despite the humans attempting peace and changing their ways, no one in our realm will be quick to forget the past, except for apparently me.
Each blank box stares up at me, demanding not just facts, but pieces of the life I’ve spent years trying to keep contained.WritingBriar Van Helsingin tidy black ink feels like carving truth into stone. If this ever reaches the wrong hands…hunters won’t need to track me; the paperwork will do it for them.
The woman taps her manicured nails on the desk, impatience bleeding through even as her excitement lingers. “This could change everything,” she whispers under her breath.
I force my lips into a faint smile, nodding like the thought thrills me too, while my chest knots tighter.
When the last line is scrawled out, I slide the application back. She tucks it neatly into a folder and stands, smoothing her wrinkled white blouse beneath the cardigan. “Two o’clock tomorrow. Don’t be late.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I murmur, though the idea of waiting until tomorrow for a decision feels unbearable.
She ushers for me to head out the door before her and I hesitate, staring at the folder with my information. “Ms. Tomlinson, can you do me one more favor?”
Her head tilts slightly, waiting for me to continue.
My throat suddenly feels tight as I try to find the words. I don’t want to ruin my chances of getting in, but my priority must be my safety. There’s no point in thinking this could be the beginning of my new life, if it immediately starts with being hunted.
I lift my chin and let my resolve fill my words. “I need to know that nothing will be spoken about, with my being here, until I agree to it. That’s my condition.”
Her lips part and she blinks rapidly, as if seeing me for the first time. Not just the news story. “Of course, dear. I’m sorry for how my excitement came across. Only myself and the dean will know about you, until you feel comfortable to share that. You being here is already a huge step for us.”
Relief crashes through me and immediately my shoulders deflate as I let out a breath. “That means a lot to me, thank you.”
I head out of her office as she shuts off the light, the shadows in the long hall suddenly stretching wide as we make our way to the front doors. I push the door open and step back out into the night, bidding Ms. Tomlinson goodnight as she turns and pulls on the door, seemingly to ensure it’s locked properly.
With a satisfied nod to the door, she gives me a short wave. “I’ll see you tomorrow, dear.”
For a moment I stand on the steps. The city noise filters around me as I draw in a deep breath, but it does nothing to steady the tangled emotions inside me. Excitement and dread coil tightly in my chest, each one pulling me in opposite directions.
I should be thrilled. A program that was supposed to be closed suddenly cracked wide open for me. A chance at NYU’s art school, a full scholarship, a future I’ve begged for in dozens of silent sketches. I just somehow need to trust that they’ll respect my wishes.
My boots crunch over fallen leaves as I follow the narrow path back toward the edge of campus. The glow of streetlamps gives way to darker stretches, where the city beyond hums in restless colors and noise. My hand tightens on my satchel strap as I focus on getting through the night.
I need to find a place to rest and hide before tomorrow at two. After that, maybe I’ll breathe easier.
A pang of uncertainty tightens my throat as I scan the row of benches lining the sidewalk. Two familiar figures steal my attention.
Callum is slouched across a bench like he owns the night, long legs sprawled, posture dripping with the kind of arrogance that seems effortless. A lazy grin tugs faintly at his lips when his crystalline blue gaze catches mine across the dim stretch of lamplight.
The broody one stands a few feet away, arms folded, gaze locked on the ground as though the weight of his thoughts keeps him rooted there. His presence feels heavier than Callum’s cocky ease, though neither is remotely comforting.
My spine stiffens and the small knot of unease I’ve been attempting to untangle tightens again. Of course they’re still here. Two shadows haunting the edge of campus like they’ve been lying in wait to bother me further.
Heat sparks low in my chest, irritation rising faster than fear. I can already feel the sharp retort curling on my tongue, ready to launch before they can get a word in.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I mutter under my breath as I stalk closer, boots striking the ground harder than they need to. My satchel thumps against my hip with each step, a steady reminder I have better things to worry about than two strangers with nothing better to do.
Callum’s grin widens like he can sense my annoyance from where he sits. He shifts, spreading his arms along the back of the bench as though to frame himself for my benefit.
“Miss me already, baby?” he drawls, head tilting lazily as his bright blue eyes rake over me.
The other one doesn’t move or speak. Just stands there like I’m not worth his notice again, dark gaze still fixed on the street instead of me.
“Let me guess,” I muse, my eyebrows lifting as my lips purse. “You didn’t get enough of harassing me earlier, so you decided to loiter out here until I came back out?”
