I blinked. At the beginning of the year, it had seemed rather obvious that being a Dane meant something at Spellcasters. But since then, I’d felt like it didn’t matter as much. Particularly when my magic had sucked, I’d felt like I needed to try just as hard as everyone else.
But then again, if I hadn’t been a Dane, would I still be here?
We followed signs to the restroom down a long hall, past the library, what looked to be a study room, and through a secondary living area with a built-in theater.
“The third years live in the lap of luxury,” I muttered.
Eva nodded. “I think it’s to prepare them for the real world. They expect spies to get into high-profile places and situations and act like they belong. After living in dorms for two years, you need time to acclimate to nicer surroundings.”
I could sort of relate. It had been an adjustment to move from my Beverly Hills home into a small dorm, but I’d ended up loving it. A lot.
We did our business and split off, Eva to join Hunter, while I searched for Alex. I found him again, rubbing Mina’s back while she sat with her head between her knees.
It was a sweet scene, except for one thing.
Diana Wake sat on the opposite side of Mina, holding our classmate’s hair back and chatting animatedly with Alex.
I huffed. While Diana either avoided or sneered at me, she sought out my boyfriend whenever she got the chance. Of course, I couldn’t really blame her, Alex was a stud. But that didn’t mean I had to like her talking to him.
Pushing away my negative thoughts, I went to join him.
“Hey. Thanks for getting her water, Alex.”
“No problem, sweets.” Alex stood to kiss me and offered me his seat. “I was just about to go get more. She guzzled two cups down like a camel in an oasis. I think she really needed it. Do you want something?”
As much as I did not want him leaving me alone with Diana, it would be smart to get Mina more water. “I’m good. I’ll wait with her.”
Once he left, an uncomfortable silence descended over our trio, punctuated only by Mina mumbling the lyrics to the song that was playing.
“Sooo, Diana, how have . . . things been?” I took a stab at being civil.
The smile that had spread across Diana’s face when Alex had been around vanished, and her blue eyes hardened as she assessed me. “Still at the top spot for our class. I’ll take that as a win.”
“Yes, it’s very impressive,” I admitted. “You always perform well.”
“I do,” Diana sneered. “In all aspects of my life.”
This girl just can’t help but get sassy with me. What the heck do I say to that?
I decided on nothing. It wasn’t worth my energy.
Seconds ticked by in silence, and I suspected that Mina had fallen asleep, when suddenly, Diana spoke once again.
“He’s too good for you, you know that right?”
“Excuse me?” I asked, my tone super high-pitched.
“You may be a Dane, but Alex is aWardwell. Their family lineage has been the strongest in our community for centuries. And even if he’s from a different branch than that playboy, Hunter—”
“Hey! Hunter is not a playboy, he—”
“Maybe not anymore. Your little friend got her hooks in him good, but that doesn’t matter. Their family is renowned for serious espionage and magic. Alex needs someone who can match him. Not just waltz in and bank on having a pretty face.”
“Diana,” I said, my tone dripping with exasperation. “I’m sorry that my relationship with Alex offends you, but it’s none of your business. And when are you going to get over me not taking the entrance exam? I’ve been progressing a ton. Are you telling me that counts for nothing?”
Diana’s blue eyes pierced through me. “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying.” She pursed her lips, and I could sense something else coming. “You know we kissed, right?”
I blinked, and a wide smile spread across Diana’s face, making my gut sink like a rock tossed into a lake.She’d kissed Alex? When? And why hadn’t he told me?
