Koa leaned against the fridge, arms crossed, gold chain glinting through the slit in his collar. “Rune, I know your system is basically half toxins already, but that stuff might dull your brain for Charm and Deception.”
“Good point,” Dimitri muttered. “You sure that’s smart?”
“I’ve been taking shit like this since I was eight,” I replied defensively. “My brain is fine. Chill, guys.”
Slater gave a deep, theatrical bow. “If my venom baby says she’s fine, she’s fine.”
Zuko, still far too close, added, “You want real focus? Give me twenty minutes, and I’ll dose you with something better. My venom works wonders.”
I tilted my head, desire flaring hot in my blood. “You’re on.”
Dimitri growled, “Are you all insane? We have class in ten minutes.”
“If they can make it work with five minutes, they can manage it,” Vel suggested.
Zuko tilted his head back with a groan. “Definitely need over five to enjoy ourselves.”
From behind him, Hawk mumbled, “You shouldn’t be sexualizing her. It’s not right.”
My smile dropped. “I’m not being sexualized,” I snapped, turning to face him. “I’m just not ashamed of my desires, and neither are they. There’s a difference.”
“I—ah—I didn’t mean—” Hawk stuttered.
I tossed the remaining drops of my tea back in one swallow and then slammed the cup on the counter. “I know what you meant.”
Slater clapped once, sliding up beside me again. “Damn right. She can be whoever the fuck she wants to be.”
“And fuck whoever she wants,” Zuko snarled at my other side.
Vel whistled to get our attention. “What a team! Full of barely restrained desire and potential sexual misconduct. You’re going to be so much fun.” She grinned and pulled out a large velvet pouch. “Speaking of fun, I have new tech for you! These are academy-issued phones. Enchanted. Trackable. Unbreakable. Don’t lose them, or I will be the one in trouble.”
She handed them out, one by one. Sleek black phones with shimmering AEA crests on the screens were slapped into our palms.
Vel checked the time, and her smile faded into mock horror. “And now…go. You’re going to be late for Charm and Deception, little legends.”
With a gleeful wave, she physically started pushing us out the door.
We scrambled, grabbing our bags, tech, and piling out onto campus with curses.
The early morning light cast golden streaks across the cobbled path as our group moved toward the towering gates of Apex Nexus, where we had our first class. The academy’s spires loomed in the distance, piercing the cloud-draped sky like they were daggers.
We made our way over the long arched bridge stretched across mist made up of magical essence.
Before we made our way inside, a familiar shout cut through the morning fog.
“Roo!”Tobias appeared, jogging down the bridge with a massive grin, but something in his green eyes set me on edge. He reached me quickly and instantly scooped me up into a tight hug.
“Put me down, Tibby!” I groaned as he spun me once before setting me down.
“Sorry, but I love having my little sister at the academy with me,” he said proudly.
I beamed up at him. “I’m happy to be here finally.”
“Glad we convinced Dad.” He ruffled my hair, and I didn’t even mind.
“Alright, we need to go,” Dimitri said. “We don’t need to be late for our first class.”
Tobias grabbed my wrist before I could turn to follow the group inside. “Wait, Rune. Be careful, alright?” His voice dropped low.
