Chapter 4 – I Hate This School.

Hazel didn't stop walking until we were completely alone.

She led me through a series of winding hallways ones I hadn't even known existed until finally, she shoved open a door and dragged me inside.

The second the door slammed shut, she let go of my wrist.

I yanked my arm back, scowling. "You know, normal people use words when they want to talk."

Hazel turned slowly, her expression perfectly blank. "You're not worth words."

Wow. Okay.

I crossed my arms. "Great. Glad we had this moment."

She took a step closer, her eyes locking onto mine like she was sizing me up.

"You need to listen carefully," she said, her voice smooth but cold. "Because I will not repeat myself."

I raised an eyebrow. "And if I don't?"

Something flickered in her gaze. Annoyance. A flash of impatience.

Interesting.

Hazel was composed to the point of perfection, so seeing even the smallest crack in her control was… telling.

"You don't belong here," she said.

I blinked. "Gee, thanks. I had no idea."

She ignored my sarcasm. "Stay away from them."

I frowned. "Them?"

She tilted her head. "Don't play dumb."

Oh. She meant Raphael and Azazel.

Of course.

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Look, I don't know what fantasy you have playing in your head, but I'm not trying to be around them."

Hazel's gaze sharpened. "And yet, somehow, they're looking at you."

The way she said it like it was unnatural, like it was offensive made something in me snap.

I dropped my arms and met her stare head-on. "And that bothers you, doesn't it?"

Her jaw tensed.

Ah.

Bingo.

I let out a short laugh, shaking my head. "This isn't about me. It's about him."

I didn't have to say which him.

Hazel's expression didn't change, but something in her aura tightened.

Raphael.

This was about Raphael.

Before I could push further, Hazel moved.

Too fast.

One second she was standing in front of me the next, she was right in my face, her presence cold and suffocating.

"I'm not warning you again," she murmured.

I didn't flinch. Didn't back down.

Instead, I smiled. Slow. Sweet.

"Then I guess I'll see you soon."

Hazel's eyes darkened.

For a second, I thought she might actually hit me.

But then

She exhaled, slowly, and stepped back.

"You should have stayed invisible," she said.

Then she turned and walked out, leaving me alone in the empty room.

I let out a breath and ran a hand through my hair.

Great.

Now I had another problem.

The door clicked shut.

Silence.

I stood there, staring at the empty space Hazel had just occupied, my heart hammering against my ribs.

The moment she was gone, everything I had been holding back crashed into me at once.

My hands shook. My breath came faster than I wanted it to. That hadn't been just a warning that had been a threat. A subtle, elegant one, wrapped in politeness and unspoken promises, but a threat nonetheless.

I let out a slow, careful exhale. Keep it together.

A few seconds passed. Then, without thinking, I let out a small laugh.

Because what the actual hell was my life?

Day one, and I had already managed to irritate the most powerful angel in the school. I had Azazel smirking at me like I was his new favorite toy. Raphael? Still unreadable. Still an ass. And now Hazel was personally delivering veiled death threats.

If there was an award for 'Fastest Person to Accidentally Piss Off the Entire Supreme Council,' I'd be holding a damn trophy.

I wiped my palms against my skirt, masking the last traces of my nerves. No one had seen the brief crack in my composure. That was what mattered.

I had learned a long time ago fear was only useful when no one could see it.

And I had no intention of letting anyone at Eldermire know what actually scared me.

Straightening my blazer, I smirked at the empty room.

"Well," I muttered to myself, "that could have gone worse."

Not really. But hey, no point in dwelling on it.

I had bigger things to worry about.

Like the fact that I still had no idea why any of this was happening in the first place.

The moment I stepped out of that room, I knew.

The whispers had spread.

Again.

Students moved through the hall, pretending to be absorbed in their own business, but I could feel it. The stolen glances. The hushed conversations.

It wasn't just about Raphael anymore. Now it was Hazel, too.

Fantastic.

I sighed and kept walking, resisting the urge to check my phone. I already knew what I'd find—more messages, more speculation, more unnecessary attention.

And I didn't need to see the school's group chat to know the latest rumor floating through Eldermire.

"What did Hazel want with the Forsaken girl?"

"Is she a threat?"

"No way. Maybe she insulted her and Hazel put her in her place."

"Or maybe Hazel was warning her to stay away from Raphael."

I clenched my jaw. They weren't wrong.

I just hated that they were paying attention to me at all.

I kept walking, pushing through the corridors, trying to get to my dorm before anything else insane happened.

Almost there.

Just a few more steps

Then

A wall of muscle appeared in my path.

FUCKING FANTASTIC.

I barely stopped myself from crashing into him.

I looked up.

And groaned internally.

Cyrus Vale.

Tall. Built like a brick wall. A Sovereign.

His gray eyes flickered with condescension, his expression set in a permanent smirk. He was surrounded by a few others other Sovereigns, their expensive uniforms worn like armor, their postures relaxed but ready for a show.

I did not have the patience for this.

Cyrus crossed his arms. "So, this is the Forsaken causing all the commotion."

I didn't respond. Didn't react. Didn't give him the satisfaction.

Sofia had told me about guys like him. They didn't care about truth. They cared about making people feel small.

His gaze swept over me, slow, deliberate.

Then, he grinned. "You must be really talented at something if you've got Raphael and Azazel paying attention to you."

I tilted my head, smiling sweetly. "Oh, you're right. My secret talent? Tuning out obnoxious people."

The smirk dropped from his face.

A few of his friends snickered under their breath.

I kept my expression calm. Unbothered.

Cyrus stepped closer. Too close.

"Careful," he murmured, his voice just loud enough for me to hear. "You might think this is funny, but people like me? We don't like it when nobodies step out of line."

A flicker of something cold passed through me. A warning.

But before I could respond.

A hand landed on my shoulder.

A familiar, lazy voice cut through the tension.

"Now, now," Gideon said smoothly. "Are we ganging up on Forsaken students? How embarrassing for the mighty Sovereigns."

Cyrus stiffened.

Slowly, he turned.

Gideon stood casually, one hand in his pocket, the other resting lightly on my shoulder, his signature grin in place. But his green eyes?

Sharp. Calculating. A challenge hidden beneath amusement.

The hallway felt colder.

Cyrus exhaled slowly. Then he smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"No one was ganging up," he said lightly. "Just having a chat."

Gideon nodded, voice smooth. "Of course. And now it's over."

A tense beat of silence.

Then Cyrus scoffed, rolled his eyes, and stepped back.

He didn't bother looking at me again.

Instead, he and his group of Sovereigns turned and disappeared down the hall.

I let out a slow breath.

Gideon grinned and squeezed my shoulder lightly before stepping back. "You're really collecting enemies at an alarming rate, huh?"

I shot him a flat look. "Oh, please, add yourself to the list while you're at it."

He chuckled. "Already did."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "What the hell was that about?"

Gideon shrugged. "Cyrus doesn't like people standing out when they're not supposed to. And right now?" He tilted his head. "You're the most interesting thing in this school."

I groaned. "Great. Love that for me."

He smirked. "You should. Makes life exciting."

I gave him a pointed look. "I hate excitement."

"Liar."

I narrowed my eyes. He just grinned wider.

I sighed and shook my head. "Thanks, though. For…" I gestured toward the now-empty hallway.

Gideon's expression softened just slightly. "No problem, Forsaken."

Then, as if he hadn't just casually defused a situation that could've ended in disaster, he stretched, turned, and started walking away.

"See you around, Mira."

I stood there for a moment, watching him leave.

Then I exhaled, adjusted my bag, and finally made my way to my dorm.

This school was going to kill me.

By the time I got to my dorm, my brain was fried.

The day had been a mess.

First, Azazel playing his little mind games.

Then, Raphael being his usual cold, confusing self.

And of course, Hazel's little kidnapping stunt.

Not to mention Cyrus Vale acting like a third-rate villain in a bad movie.

I barely had time to breathe before the door swung open and Sofia walked in, her expression far too energetic for this time of day.

"There you are!" she said, flopping onto her bed dramatically. "I was starting to think Hazel killed you."

I groaned, tossing my bag onto the floor. "Trust me, I thought about playing dead just to get out of that conversation."

Sofia smirked. "So, what happened? What did Her Royal Highness want?"

I sighed. "To warn me off Raphael and Azazel."

She whistled. "Damn. You really know how to make powerful people nervous."

"I'm not doing anything!" I threw my hands in the air. "They're the ones who keep showing up, and somehow, I'm the problem?"

Sofia grinned. "Welcome to Eldermire, babe."

I collapsed onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. "I hate it here."

"You love it here," she corrected. "It's a hot mess, but you'd be bored anywhere else."

I turned my head and gave her a flat look.

She winked.

I sighed. "Alright, what do you want?"

Sofia blinked, all innocent. "Me? Want something? How dare you?"

I raised an eyebrow.

She huffed. "Fine. There's a party tonight."

I snorted. "Good for them."

"No, you're coming."

I shot up. "Absolutely not."

Sofia groaned. "Mira, come on! It's not just any party it's the official welcome party for new students. It happens once a year, and it's hosted by none other than Hazel."

I paused. "Wait. Hazel is hosting it?"

Sofia nodded.

I squinted. "She literally just threatened me. Why would I go to her party?"

Sofia waved a hand. "It's not her party, it's the school's tradition. She just happens to be the one hosting this year. Trust me, she doesn't want to do it either."

I still wasn't convinced. "This sounds like a trap."

"It's not a trap."

"It feels like a trap."

Sofia rolled her eyes. "Mira, listen. You can sit here in your room all night, sulking about the fact that the entire school is talking about you, or you can come to the biggest party of the semester, blend in, have some fun, and make sure people realize you're not some scared little Forsaken who hides in her room."

I scowled. "That was manipulative."

She smirked. "I learned from the best."

I sighed, debating.

I wasn't really a party person. Too much noise, too many people, too much unnecessary drama.

But… Sofia had a point.

If I didn't show up, I'd just make myself look even more suspicious.

And besides what's the worst that could happen?

…Okay, scratch that. I knew better than to ask that question.

I sighed again. "Fine. I'll go."

Sofia grinned. "That's my girl."

I shook my head, already regretting my decision.

One time. Just one party.

What could possibly go wrong?

Raphael's POV.

Midnight.

Laughter, music, the clinking of glasses. The scent of alcohol expensive, aged mingled with the faintest trace of magic in the air. The ballroom pulsed with supernatural energy. Nobles dressed in black and gold, shimmering under the dim, enchanted lights. Power dripped from every movement, every whispered conversation.

I leaned back in my seat, scanning the crowd with mild disinterest. Same faces, same pretentious bullshit.

Daniel sat beside me, nursing a glass of something dark. Across the room, Hazel was twirling a strand of her silver hair, her usual knowing smirk in place. She was enjoying herself.

Azazel, on the other hand, was simply watching. Amused. Relaxed. Too relaxed.

I followed his line of sight, and

Oh.

Mirabel had just walked in.

Dressed in black.

A simple dress nothing flashy, nothing over the top but somehow, it worked. The fabric hugged her frame just enough to catch eyes, but it wasn't the dress that made people stare. It was her presence.

She didn't shrink.

She didn't fidget.

She walked in like she belonged.

Except, of course, everyone in this room knew she didn't.

A Forsaken. A human.

An outsider.

It didn't take long before someone decided to remind her of that.

"Look who finally decided to show up," a voice sneered.

I didn't bother looking at who it was didn't have to. Just another spoiled noble, too drunk on their own self-importance to keep their mouth shut.

Mirabel simply tilted her head. Not amused. Not offended. Just… looking.

"You got lost, Forsaken?" the noble girl continued. "Or did you think dressing in black would make you less of a nobody?"

Hazel was grinning, sipping from her glass like this was her own personal entertainment show.

Mirabel exhaled through her nose. "Wow," she said dryly. "Did you practice that in front of a mirror?"

The girl's smirk faltered.

Sofia stepped forward. "Careful, darling," she purred. "You're embarrassing yourself."

Gideon, standing behind them, grinned. "Oh no, let her keep going," he said lazily. "It's been a long day. I could use a laugh."

I almost smiled.

Almost.

The professor James chose that moment to step in, offering Mirabel a small smile before murmuring something to the noble girl. She immediately shut up.

Typical. No one wanted to look bad in front of the faculty.

Mirabel didn't say anything else, but there was a flicker of satisfaction in her eyes. Not fear.

Interesting.

Minutes passed. The music changed.

Sofia and Gideon eventually drifted off to dance. Mirabel, however, stayed put, arms crossed, watching from the sidelines.

Then Azazel stood.

I felt it before I saw it the shift. The momentary hush.

The moment Azazel moved, the room noticed.

Mirabel noticed.

She didn't move when he reached her. Didn't even blink when he extended a hand.

Sofia, from across the room, was furiously shaking her head.

Mirabel hesitated.

For a second, I thought she'd walk away.

Then slowly, deliberately she took his hand.

The silence that followed was loud.

Azazel pulled her onto the dance floor.

The crowd watched. Whispered.

I felt something hot and ugly settle in my chest.

"Ah," Daniel murmured beside me. "There it is."

I didn't respond.

Azazel pulled her in, his hand low on her waist, his smirk just a little too satisfied. He leaned in, murmuring something in her ear, brushing her hair away from her neck with the back of his fingers.

Mirabel's shoulders tensed.

I clenched my jaw.

Daniel exhaled. "It's funny, really."

I didn't look at him.

He leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "You think you're unaffected." A pause. "You think you don't care."

I said nothing.

His gaze flicked to me, amused. "So why are you gripping your glass like you want to break it?"

I loosened my grip.

Hazel's hand suddenly tugged me back.

"Raphael," she murmured sweetly, pressing close. "You're staring."

I forced myself to look at her.

Her smile was sharp. "Dance with me."

It wasn't a request.

I exhaled through my nose, stood, and took her hand.

The moment I pulled her into a dance, she leaned in, voice soft against my ear.

"Jealous?"

"No"

But Hazel knew me better than that.

She laughed under her breath. "You don't even know why you're mad," she mused. "Do you?"

I didn't answer.

Because I didn't.

All I knew was that every time Azazel touched her, something inside me twisted.

And I hated it.