CHAPTER 8
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Dune chose to ignore the twisting shadow he'd seen earlier, convincing himself it was just his imagination playing tricks on him. It wasn't like strange things didn't happen around him — he'd learned to live with it.
"Let's check out the rest of the school," Christine suggested, stretching her arms above her head. "Might as well know where we're going before we get lost."
Dune nodded, keeping his hands stuffed in his pockets. The lingering weight of being watched hadn't fully left him, but he didn't want to ruin Christine's excitement.
They wandered through the college grounds, the gothic architecture looming over them like a fortress. Stained glass windows painted splashes of color onto the stone floors, and intricate carvings of mythical creatures lined the walls.
The campus was massive — multiple buildings connected by arched walkways, and a sprawling garden with a fountain at its center. Eventually, the pair ended up in the cafeteria, the scent of coffee and pastries filling the air. The space was lined with long tables, but Christine's attention zeroed in on one specific group.
Her steps slowed.
"Oh no," she muttered, eyes locked on a familiar face.
At a table near the window sat the guy she'd awkwardly crashed into during registration. He had messy auburn hair and sharp golden eyes, his posture relaxed as he lazily twirled a spoon in his fingers.
Next to him sat a blond girl, casually perched on the edge of the bench with her legs crossed, grinning like she already knew every secret in the world. And across from them, a quiet figure with silver hair quietly flipped through a book, ignoring the chaos around him.
Christine froze. "I can't believe this," she hissed, voice barely above a whisper. "Why is he here?"
The blond girl noticed them first. She tilted her head, eyes glinting with amusement as she waved them over.
"You two look lost," she called out, voice syrupy sweet. "Come sit with us."
Christine shot Dune a pleading look, but he just shrugged. Avoiding the group now would only make it worse.
They sat.
The blond girl leaned forward, resting her chin in her palm. "I remember you," she said, eyes flitting to Christine. "Didn't you literally catch Leo in your arms during registration?"
Christine's face turned scarlet. "That was an accident!" she hissed, burying her face in her hands. "I tripped, and he just... happened to be there!"
Leo chuckled, propping his chin on his hand. "You fell right on top of me, sweetheart. I thought it was a confession."
Christine shot up, glaring daggers. "It was not a confession! And I caught you.
Dune snorted. "I'm surprised you didn't break his ribs."
Leo laughed, the sound loud and unbothered. "Lucky me, huh?"
The blond girl grinned. "Oh, this is gonna be fun," she mused. "I'm Selene Everhart. Siren bloodline, if you're wondering. I can charm people with my voice — make them see, feel, and hear things that aren't there." She winked. "Try not to fall in love with me."
Dune raised an eyebrow. "I'll manage."
Selene chuckled, then gestured to the silver-haired boy.
"And that brooding statue is Aiden Vale, he's from the fae bloodline he has telekinesis.
Aiden didn't look up from his book. He simply lifted a hand in greeting, fingers barely twitching before he went back to reading.
And Leo you already met him he's from the phoenix blood line. Abilities are fire and regeneration.
Christine leaned over, whispering, "Wait, these guys are kind of normal they're different from the school articles.
Leo snorted. "Normal? We're royalty, sweetheart." He gestured between himself, Aiden, and an empty seat. "We're two out of the three princes of Blackthorn Academy. Aiden's the quiet one, I'm the fun one, and the third guy..."
His voice dropped, a shadow crossing his face.
Selene took over, her grin turning sharp. "Valen Blackthorn. The strongest of the three. He left school last year, had something to do with his family or something but rumor has it he's coming back soon." I kind of miss his stone cold face.
Dune stiffened at the name, his fingers twitching again.
"People are terrified of him," Christine continued facing Dune, her voice dropping to a low, theatrical whisper. "They say he doesn't like people getting close. He's cold, brutal, and his abilities are..." She trailed off, tapping her chin. "Well, I don't really know the full extent of what he can do. Only that he hates noise and doesn't tolerate weaklings."
Leo leaned back, propping his feet on the table.
You do know you're taking about my best friend right, any ways "He'll be back eventually," he said, voice laced with something unreadable. "So enjoy the peace while you can."
Dune didn't respond.
Because for some reason, the name Valen Blackthorn made his chest ache.
Like he already knew him.