Chapter Four
Rey
My father’s car fades into the distance, but I don’t look back. I keep my eyes shut to center myself. I’m equipped for this. The air shifts, subtle but undeniable, and I can feel the charge beneath the surface. There’s a storm coming.
I open my eyes when a group of students walks past me. I need to get moving before more rain hits.
I grab my bags and start toward the dorms. I haul the trunk behind me, its wheels dragging over the stone like it resents being here as much as I do.
Just then, a breeze kicks up, lifting strands of hair across my face. The lake on my left doesn’t ripple. Doesn’t move at all.
I follow the shoreline with my gaze and finally take in the campus buildings, really see them—and what stares back doesn’t belong in this world.
Endir’s campus rises out of the landscape like it was never built—just unearthed.
It’s a mixture of buildings from the eighties scattered in between older-looking ones that aren’t even dated.
Most of the questionable buildings are carved from some unnamable black stone, slick with age and myth, rumored to be the last thing the Gods or Giants shaped before the world tore itself apart.
Behind them, the mountains loom, massive and unyielding, like sentinels keeping watch over something too old to name and too dangerous to forget.
My father says the oldest structure can’t be carbon-dated, but considering the source, I file that under maybe true, maybe propaganda. Either way, it doesn’t matter. The place feels ancient in a way that makes my skin itch.
This isn’t a normal campus.
And most of the students walking across it aren’t normal, either—even if they think they are.
A few, like Aric, are here for reasons they’ll never understand. The rest? For the most part, trust-fund humans pretending their bloodlines didn’t buy them a seat at something holy.
I walk along the stone pathway with my bags and almost trip when a wheel gets stuck in a groove.
Looking down, I see that etched into one of the small cobblestones is a mark shaped like the rune Thurisaz.
Wow, fantastic. I’m only a few minutes in and already I’m greeted by the rune that represents destruction.
My father always said there were twenty-six runes, each with different meanings and abilities. Humans, of course, are only aware of twenty-four of them. Regardless of the number, though, I’m really not a fan of running into this specific one.
It’s not like I needed a reminder of how dangerous this is.
I can’t help glancing around to see if I’ve triggered some sort of waiting trap, but no. Just another cool breeze hitting my skin greets me. Thank the Gods.
Is this how the entire semester is going to be?
Wondering what’s safe and what’s not? Always looking over my shoulder, doubting everyone and everything?
I didn’t expect even the air to taste different here, but it does.
My father said the bag he gave me had all the information I’d need to complete my mission.
Yet I’m only a few minutes in and already thinking he exaggerated.
Maybe that’s why he didn’t step foot on campus.
I wonder.
Is this school protected from him? From us?
I sidestep the rune and shake my head. I didn’t think to ask my father, but the question gnaws at me now.
I grip my bags tighter, reach for my trunk’s handle, and start walking again toward the door to the dorms. Students are everywhere, smiling under the bright signs welcoming them to Endir like it’s going to somehow change their lives.
I’d laugh if my sense of humor still existed.
A lanky redhead bumps into me, and he pauses to mutter, “Oh, sorry.”
His eyes roam up and down my body. Nope. Not today.
I’d like to think that I’m good at keeping my emotions in check, so I merely tilt my head and do what I do best—I charm him. “Don’t worry about it. I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
His brown eyes widen. “Oh, um, right, okay. But I really am sorry. What’s your name? Are you new?”
I smile. “I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
He frowns like he’s confused about where he is. “Right, yeah. I’ll just be more careful while walking.”
“It’s a dangerous sport.”
He laughs and then turns around and immediately trips over his feet.
My father says it’s a gift that people momentarily forget themselves around me, but I always want to ask him how he’d feel if he never knew if people genuinely liked him. Of course, he always knows. In what world would they have anything but fear?
“Already making friends?” A familiar voice sounds from behind me. “What’s next? Adopting a puppy so you look approachable, only so you can abandon it later?”
Great.
I don’t even have to turn. “Reeve.”
Aric’s tabloid prince of a brother, born for headlines and allergic to responsibility. The kind of guy who makes parties feel like war zones and somehow always walks away untouched. He isn’t dangerous in the traditional sense—he just doesn’t care who gets burned as long as he stays entertained.
I turn to face him as though I have all the time in the world.
His light brown hair is in such disarray, I wonder if it’s just directionally challenged the same way Reeve is.
His green eyes zero in on me, and I can’t help but notice the taunting edge to his smile.
He’s begging me for a verbal fight; I can feel it in my soul.
He’s waiting for my answer, so I get in his face. “Boo.”
He chuckles. “Nice try. But nothing’s more terrifying than graduating and getting a real job.” He shoves a hand into his front pocket, his other gripping an iPad, and rocks back on his heels. “You grew into your ears. Good for you.”
I shake my head. “And you’ve sadly failed to grow out of that mouth of yours.”
His grin only widens as if to prove my point. “No complaints.”
“Well, this has been fun, but I need to get moved in. Orientation starts tomorrow. It was nice, though; we should do this again sometime.” I flip my fingers in a careless wave, then sidestep him, dragging my bags with me.
When a whistle goes off, I stop walking and turn. You’ve got to be kidding me. “They gave you a fucking whistle?”
“Life isn’t fair, I know. It was the only way I’d volunteer to help the new students move in.” He puts it between his full lips again in a taunt.
I glare. “Blow. I dare you.”
He takes the whistle out immediately. “Weird. Normally it’s the other way around with this sexy banter, but okay, if you really want me to—”
I groan. “I don’t have time for this.”
Reeve grins and holds up his iPad. “Then let’s get started. Here you are on the list… Welcome to your first year of college, ‘Rey Stjerne.’”
So it’s going to be like this. Great. “You say my name like a curse.”
“Yup.”
“Yours isn’t any better.”
“Pretty sure it is.” He snorts, then taps his iPad screen and begins reading.
“At Endir University, we believe the world is our students’ oyster.
Your freshman year will take you as far as you are willing to invest in yourself and your future.
Note the godlike mountain range, the beautiful forest surrounding the campus, the majestic Lake Stevens—” He pauses to look up at me again.
“Do I really have to read this to you? It’s going to be a long day already, and knowing you, this will just make you angrier. ”
Well, at least he has some self-preservation. “Please stop.”
“Aw.” He presses a hand to his chest and winks at me. “You learned how to say please. It has been a while.”
“And you learned to read. We’ve both grown up, made amazing improvements in life. There’s no goal too small, right?”
“Have I ever mentioned how charming you are? No? Well, I’m so glad your murderous father spent a shit ton of money to buy your way into Endir, when there are plenty of schools far, far, far away from us.
” He sighs. “How sad, though, that you took a spot here, meaning some poor innocent college student is sitting at home wondering why their straight A’s and volunteer service at the local pet shelter weren’t enough. ”
Somewhere deep down, my stomach bottoms out. I’ve never thought of that before. But I can only smirk. “Life’s hard. They’ll save a puppy and get over it.”
“You’re a monster.”
“I’m worse.” I channel all my pain into my voice, which comes out as a growl, and I’m not mad about it.
He says nothing. Maybe his silence is my answer, like he actually knows what sort of person my father has turned me into. But of course he doesn’t.
Reeve looks up at the daunting building we’re standing in front of.
“If you’re nice for the next five minutes, I might help you carry those bags upstairs.
” He snaps his fingers. “And before I forget, we recommend that all students leave their windows open at night. Fresh air lets the school’s many ghosts escape so they don’t hurt you.
” He taps his chin. “Hmm…maybe keep your windows shut.”
I take a steady breath. Dear Gods, I’d forgotten how annoying Reeve can be. “Good thing I don’t believe in ghosts.”
He shrugs, gaze flicking away from mine. “Yeah, well, spend a night here and you just might.”
An athletic guy with warm brown skin jogs past us in an Endir hoodie, flicking Reeve on the shoulder in greeting. “Party’s on.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Reeve fires back, holding up his hand for a quick high five before the guy disappears into the crowd. The whole exchange lasted maybe two seconds, but it’s seamless—like Reeve has done this a hundred times before.
He turns back to me with the same easy grin, as if the interruption hadn’t happened at all.
I bite the inside of my cheek, annoyed for no reason that he has friends and a life—and I don’t. “Scared of ghosts, Reeve?” I taunt.
“Concerned.” He nods, his gaze catching mine again. “Maybe this is where I give you all the warnings we give newcomers on campus who are too curious for their own good. That includes you, by the way.”
“I figured. All right, let’s hear the scary things. Get ’em off your chest and make it fast. I’m already bored.”
“You really are lovely.”
“Likewise.”
“I was being sarcastic.”
“Likewise.”
Reeve rolls his eyes. “All right, keep up. Rule number one, don’t go near the lake after midnight.
Sounds weird and superstitious, but there have been many dares to do just that.
” He shrugs as though any resulting misfortune was their own.
“We aren’t sure if it’s because the lake is so dark that once they jump in, they get confused which way is up, but, point is, most don’t survive a midnight swim. ”
“Awesome.” I’m a decent swimmer, but my fear of drowning pretty much guarantees I won’t be wading into any creepy lakes.
He ignores me. “Moving on, rule number two. Don’t enter the Hall of Ormir without being invited by someone. Basically, the state has lauded it as a historical landmark, so we want to keep it that way even if it’s creepier than shit.”
“Got it, creepier than shit, Hall of Ormir, get on a tour.” I nod. “Isn’t Ormir another name for Ymir? The original Giant in Norse mythology?” I wait for him to flinch or give me a hint that he knows more than he should.
Father always enjoyed sharing how he was responsible for putting every God and Giant to sleep, hiding their memories to temporarily end the war, as though he were a savior or something.
But it doesn’t hurt to test his bragging, to see if everyone really is unaware.
I can’t imagine forgetting who and what I am—although, oddly enough, the idea warms my chest.
“Pay attention, Rey. We’re only sharing useful facts today.
” He offers me another insufferable wink, and I resist the urge to kick him in the shin.
“The next rule, and I know this will be hard for someone of your refined breeding to resist, but please don’t drink the lake water.
People say it has magic properties, but it doesn’t.
It’s just quite toxic, and in every single scenario where someone has drank the water, they’ve had to be committed for at least three days in a catatonic state while also shitting their pants from all the bacteria.
Zero out of zero, do not recommend. Actually, I changed my mind: go chug, little daughter of Odin. I’ll wait.”
My spine locks. Just for a second, my stomach tries to crawl into my chest.
He can’t know who my father is. Not really. He already passed my earlier test…
“What does my being Odin’s daughter have to do with anything?”
Reeve blinks once. Twice. Then lets out a snort.
“You’re not seriously going to stand there and pretend your dad isn’t the most notorious mob boss on the West Coast, right?
I’m sure he’s already sent three guys swimming with cinderblocks today—and that’s before lunch.
” He gestures vaguely in the air. “No doubt you inherited his same…joie de vivre.”
Relief hits me so hard, I almost feel a little dizzy, and a giggle escapes the back of my throat. “Time will tell, I suppose.”
He barks out a laugh. “Can I just say I missed our cheerful conversations, little mobster daughter?”
“Hey, my father has legitimate businesses.” Total lie.
The air shifts.
Reeve’s smile vanishes like it was never real—just something he put on for show. His posture doesn’t change, but the temperature does. Like a room with the heat suddenly cut.
He leans in, voice low. “Your hands reek of the blood he’s spilled.”
I don’t flinch. Don’t look away. “As do yours from your family’s crimes, Erikson.” I lift my chin. “Now, any other pithy advice before you carry this heavy bag up those stairs like a good little boy?”
“Only one more left,” he mutters.
He glances around, making sure no one’s close enough to hear, then leans in again. His green eyes sharpen—like frost forming over something that used to burn. “Stay very, very far away from Aric. Time has not made the heart grow fonder.”
Then he straightens, grabs the handle of my trunk, and hauls it toward the dorm without another word.
I follow slowly, eyes lifting to the building carved against the side of a mountain—massive, shadowed, half eaten by the trees. It doesn’t look built. It looks grown. Claimed. Like it’s always been waiting.
Just like me.
I cross the threshold.
No turning back now.