3. The Rude Ones

"Okay, spill," Freya said, nudging me with her elbow as we left the East Lecture Hall. "First day of classes, how'd you survive?"

I exhaled, rubbing my temple. "I mean, it wasn't bad. The class wasn't nearly as terrifying as I thought. Professor Duncan also explained the concepts quite well." I paused, frowning. "But... I swear, during our second class, people kept sniffing. Like, actually sniffing. And looking at me funny."

Freya froze mid-step for just a split second, so quick I almost missed it, before forcing a laugh that sounded just a little too high. "They were probably just trying to make you uncomfortable. Some of the kids here are... let's just say, weirdly territorial. Ignore it. I do."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Are you sure?"

"Positive," she said far too quickly, looping her arm through mine like she was trying to distract me. "You smell perfectly fine. Actually, you smell nice. I'd tell you if you didn't, trust me."

Her tone was breezy, but I couldn't ignore the faint tension in her jaw. Weird.

Just then, my phone buzzed in my pocket, playing the obnoxious pop ringtone my best friend, Ava, had set for herself.

I fished it out and answered. "Hey, Ava."

"Maeve! How's the fancy school? Have they crowned you queen yet?" she said, her voice crackling with excitement.

I laughed softly. "What? Of course not. I'm literally just settling in. Although I feel like I'm walking through a dream, or a nightmare."

"Girl, you'll own that place by the end of the week," she said confidently. "Anyway, I'm just checking in. Call me later and give me all the gossip, okay?"

"Will do. Miss you already," I said, smiling.

"Miss you too. Don't let the rich kids bite."

"So, where do we eat around here?" I asked after I ended the call, trying to lighten the mood.

Freya grinned, pulling me down a wide hallway. "Come on, rookie. Let me show you the food hall. It's not as fancy as it sounds, but it's where everyone hangs out between classes. Just... keep your head down. Things can get chaotic during lunch rush."

She wasn't kidding.

When we reached the double doors, the sound of chatter and laughter slammed into me like a wave. Students darted between long polished tables and sleek counters where hot food was being served.

Others lounged in booths near the windows, scrolling on their phones or gossiping in tight cliques.

"Whoa," I muttered, taking it all in. "It's like a mix of a five-star restaurant and a zoo."

Freya laughed. "Pretty accurate. Those tables over there—" she pointed to the far end, where older students were gathered— "that's mostly the third and fourth years. They think they own the place. Don't stare too long, they'll take it personally."

I was about to ask why when the air shifted.

No, changed.

A ripple of silence swept across the hall like someone had just pressed pause on the world. Every head turned, every whisper died. I followed their gaze, and saw them.

Three guys.

They walked in like they owned the place. No, like they were the place.

The one in front had striking white hair and sharp features, his amethyst-colored eyes so unusual I immediately assumed they were contacts.

The second had perfectly styled golden-blonde hair, his green eyes bright and cutting, like sunlight slicing through leaves.

The third, slightly behind them, wasn't as flashy but no less magnetic, with tousled brown hair and warm hazel eyes that seemed almost approachable. Almost.

My breath caught. I couldn't look away.

"Don't," Freya whispered suddenly, her tone sharp. I flinched at the edge in her voice.

I tore my gaze away, looking over my shoulder as if someone had called my name, only to misstep and slam right into the chest of the brown-haired one.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry!" I stammered, stepping back so fast I nearly tripped over my own shoes.

The brown-haired guy didn't say a word at first. He just tilted his head slightly, his hazel eyes scanning me like he was trying to read every secret I'd ever had. His two friends stopped, all of them now looking between me and Freya.

Freya's entire demeanor shifted. She went still. Her knuckles were white where they gripped her bag, and her shoulders trembled.

The brown-haired guy leaned down just a fraction, his voice low and dangerous, the kind of tone that curled down your spine.

"Watch where you're going," he hissed. "Next time, you won't get a warning."

My stomach lurched, but my mouth moved before my brain could stop it.

"Wow," I blurted, heat rushing to my face. "That was rude. Blind much?"

Several heads turned in our direction, a few gasps echoing across the room. Freya slapped her hands over her face like she was praying to every god in existence. "Maeve. Please, please stop talking."

"What? It's true!" I said, indignant.

But then the white-haired one turned.

Slowly.

He pivoted on his heel, his amethyst eyes locking on me. Something in his gaze made my breath catch and my heartbeat hammer against my ribs.

He stepped closer, each footfall unnervingly silent.

He stopped just close enough that I could feel his presence, his height and intensity towering over me like a storm. His eyes swept over my face in a way that wasn't just looking, it felt like he was memorizing.

Then he sniffed.

Not casually, sharply, deliberately.

My pulse spiked. "What do—"

"Open your eyes when you walk," he said, his voice low and edged with authority. "Or you'll regret it."

I froze, my jaw dropping, and my brain completely blanked.

Before I could fire back something snarky, Freya grabbed my arm with both hands, her fingers digging into my sleeve as she yanked me away, practically dragging me toward the other end of the room.

"Okay, what is your problem?!" she hissed under her breath.

"My problem? He was—he was sniffing me! Who does that?!" I spluttered, glancing over my shoulder. The three of them were still standing there, watching me with unreadable expressions.

Freya groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. Her hands were trembling now. "You have no idea who you just mouthed off to, do you?"

"Some guy with purple contacts and a bad attitude?"

Freya gave me a look like I'd just told her I wanted to jump into shark-infested waters. "Those three? They're the sons of three of the most powerful people in the entire country. People here call them the Heirs. And trust me, you do not want to be on their radar."

I blinked, trying to process that. "...Well, it's too late for that, I guess."

Freya groaned again. "You're going to get us both killed."