12. Truths by the fire

Kai was still teasing Freya about the drink when a voice cut in behind him.

"Are you going to introduce me, or should I start guessing names?"

I turned and nearly choked on my drink.

The guy standing there had messy dark hair that curled slightly at the edges, sharp cheekbones, and eyes so dark they looked like melted chocolate.

"Oh, hell," Kai groaned with a smirk. "Don't let his face fool you, Maeve. This is Aiden. He's my roommate and he's a second year. He's also trouble."

"I am NOT trouble," Aiden said with mock offense, flashing a grin that made me instantly doubt Kai's words.

He extended his hand toward me. "Well, hello there. You must be Maeve."

"Yeah," I said, shaking his hand. His grip was warm, firm, making me hyper-aware of my own clammy palm.

I didn't say it out loud, but my brain was screaming: Oh no. He's stupidly attractive.

The kind of attractive that should be illegal on school grounds.

His jaw was sharp enough to cut glass, and his smile… God, his smile. I could only hope I wasn't staring.

"Maeve," he said, rolling my name on his tongue like he was testing it. "Nice to finally meet you."

"Finally?" I blinked, trying not to sound as flustered as I felt.

Kai grinned. "Well, I may have mentioned you."

"Just a little," Aiden added, his lips curling in a lazy grin.

Freya's eyes flicked between me and Aiden, and she smirked. "Okay, Maeve and Mr. Charming, I think Kai and I are going to refill our drinks."

"Wait—what?" I stammered, but they were already heading off, exchanging knowing looks.

That traitor!

I considered following them, but Aiden tilted his head toward the glowing bonfire. "Do you want to sit? It's quieter over there."

My gaze shifted to the bonfire, where groups of students lounged on logs and blankets. And my eyes went to them again.

The heirs.

The girl Lucian had kissed was nowhere to be found, and they were laughing amongst themselves.

I tore my eyes away and met Aiden's eager look. "Sure. Let's sit."

We settled onto a log, the firelight casting golden hues on his face. He sat casually, elbows on his knees, and I tried not to notice how close his shoulder was to mine.

Around us, clusters of students laughed and talked over the crackling fire. Several couples near the edge were making out aggressively. I cringed and dragged my gaze down to my shoes.

God. Was this normal?

Aiden didn't seem fazed, his grin easy as he leaned in slightly.

"So," he said, leaning toward me slightly. "How's the first-year chaos treating you?"

I exhaled with a half-laugh. "It's… something. I like my classes, and most of my professors. I think the dorms look absolutely glorious. But people look at me like I've just landed from another planet, and it can get uncomfortable at times."

""Yeah, the first year here is always like that. And yes, the dorms are killer. I heard about you standing up to the heirs." His grin widened, teasing but impressed. "Not bad, Maeve. That takes guts."

"Or purr survival instincts," I muttered, fiddling with my cup. "They're terrifying, sure… but also insanely rude. Someone had to say something."

"Nah," he said, shaking his head, his dark hair catching the glow of the firelight. "It's good. Most people here worship them, or avoid them like they're gods who'll smite them if they breathe wrong."

I couldn't help but smile. "Yeah, I've noticed. Freya told me all about them and their wealthy backgrounds. But they've been really rude to me, so I don't know, I more or less hate them now."

Aiden laughed, a sound that made me relax. "Fair enough. For what it's worth, I think you're pretty cool." His eyes softened, lingering on mine just a second longer than necessary. "And very pretty, too."

The compliment landed like a dart straight in my chest, and my cheeks heated instantly. "Oh. Uh… thanks," I mumbled, my gaze dropping to my drink.

And then, because my brain hates me, my eyes darted back to the bonfire.

Big mistake.

All three heirs, Lucian, Elias, and Rowan, were staring at me. Not idly, not like I was just another face in the crowd. Their gazes were fixed, cutting into me like I'd stepped into their line of fire.

I whipped my head away so fast my neck twinged. "Okay. That's not creepy at all," I muttered under my breath. Before Aiden could ask what I was talking about, a female voice rung out.

"Maaaeeve!"

I turned to see Lila, one of my project group members, weaving her way through the crowd. Her long braids bounced as she walked, and she carried a plastic cup filled with something neon blue that looked suspiciously strong. She turned out to be really fun to talk to as we had spoken a bit over the phone.

She plopped down beside me with a wide grin. "Fancy seeing you here! I thought you wouldn't show up. Are you having any fun?"

"Uh… I guess so," I said with a small smile, trying to act normal.

Lila's gaze darted between me and Aiden, her smirk widening like she'd just caught me doing something scandalous. "Who's your friend?"

"Oh! This is Aiden," I said quickly. "Aiden, this is Lila. She's in my Global Cultures project group."

"Nice to meet you," Aiden said, giving her a friendly nod.

"Likewise," Lila said, her tone dripping with playful teasing. Her eyes flicked back to me with a look that practically screamed Well, well, Sinclair. "How many friends have you made so far?"

I rolled my eyes. "Lila—"

Before I could finish, someone appeared out of nowhere. It was a boy I didn't recognize, probably a fourth-year, and he handed us a folded piece of paper.

"From Rowan," he said simply, jerking his chin toward the bonfire.

Confused, we unfolded it.

"Truth or Dare. Play or chicken out."