Trey’s jaw tightens. “I don’t know. Maybe.”
“Wait—Silas?” Zoe glances between us. “What’s going on with Silas?”
“He’s had his eye on Nova,” Locke says.
“Shit.” Zoe’s expression darkens. “Since when?”
“Since she got here,” Rane says. “It’s been… a thing.”
“We’re handling it,” Vaelor adds quietly.
Zoe’s expression hardens. “That guy’s an asshole. Doesn’t help that he hides behind his daddy for everything. It’s like he’s untouchable.”
Murmurs of agreement from the guys. All of them—mine and hers.
“Well.” Eli crosses his arms, watching the vehicles disappear around a corner. “Better be on our best behavior.”
“Right,” Rane says. “Because that’s our specialty.”
A few laughs. Tight, and a little nervous.
The tension doesn’t break, but it eases. Enough to keep moving.
“Come on,” Kyron says. “We’ll be late.”
We head to class.
But I look back once. The vehicles are parked now. Figures in dark uniforms climbing out, moving toward the building with purpose.
Something cold settles in my stomach.
It’s starting.
I don’t know whatitis yet. But I can feel it.
Chapter 30
Nova
The man in black is sitting in the back of the classroom.
I notice him the second we walk in. Vaelor does too—I feel his hand press briefly against my lower back, guiding me toward the front.
We don’t sit in the back today.
As we pass, the man’s eyes find mine. Lock on. Don’t let go.
Something crosses his face. Disgust. Like I’m something he scraped off his shoe.
I look away first. I hate that I do.
We take seats near the front. I’m still shivering when I sit down.
“Hey.” Vaelor leans over, voice low. “You alright?”
“Yeah. That guy, he’s…”
“Yeah. I know.” His jaw is tight. “I saw it.”
