Chapter 10 Rune #3
“Hate to break up brotherly bonding, but would you mind showing us around campus?” Cora wrapped a possessive arm through his and smiled like she already owned him.
“We may be first years, but we need to learn the campus,” Nym agreed.
“Let’s go,” Sylver suggested.
Tibby’s confusion switched to excitement as a sly smile curved on his lips. He finally caught on to the fact that they weren’t messing around and were interested in him.
After the triplets took off with my brother, one-by-one our group stepped through the archway of our house, the magical lock tingling against my skin where the pin was on my shirt.
One second, we were outside in the crisp evening air, and the next, we were walking into a wide, softly lit common area that smelled faintly of fresh linens.
Warm light glowed from enchanted crystal sconces embedded in the white walls, flickering like natural firelight but casting no heat.
The flooring was a rich, dark wood polished to a gleam, laid in a spiral pattern that pulled the eye toward the center of the room.
This was our new home for the next year: level one.
“Damn,” Slater breathed from behind me. “They really went full elite for first-years.”
“Tibby says the official houses are even better than this,” I murmured, taking it all in.
The central common area was wide and welcoming, shaped like a sunburst, with a slightly-domed ceiling overhead that was enchanted to mimic an open sky.
The sun shifted across it in real time. In the middle was a square table with four pillows seated on the floor by each edge.
The kitchenette was tucked into one curve of the room, fitted with sleek black cabinets, glass-fronted cupboards, and a granite island.
A black refrigerator with glass doors sat against the back wall, fully stocked.
Four heating crystals had grates above them on the counters for cooking.
“There’s snacks,” Aura gasped, throwing open a cabinet and pulling out a sealed glass jar of chocolate-almond bars like it was her favorite thing.
“Not just snacks,” Eleanor said, opening the fridge. “We have magic-infused drinks. And milk. And cold brew.”
There were two arched doorways leading to opposite sides of the space, each etched with the same glimmering word.
Bathroom.
No door. Just softly glowing steam drifting beyond that acted as a privacy screen. I was curious to see what the bathroom looked like, but not enough to just barrel into it. How would we even know when someone was in there?
Slater bounded into the bathroom a second later, like he knew what I was thinking. The steam turned dark gray instead of foggy white, and then he jumped back out. It was white again. “Shit, that’s the nicest bathroom ever.”
I was glad to see there was a way to know it was occupied.
“At least there’s a way to tell if someone’s in there,” Aura murmured, echoing my thoughts.
“But is there a lock?” Eleanor asked softly.
“Yeah, I checked,” Slater said, rushing over to the rooms. “There’s a crystal lock you can put your hand on, and it’ll turn red when it’s locked. It’s green if it’s not locked.”
“That’s a relief.” Aura let out a breath.
Around the perimeter of the common room were ten evenly spaced doors. Each one bore a brass nameplate, already engraved with our names.
Mine sat between Zuko’s and Dimitri’s.
Slater paced in front of three specific doors like a restless phantom, glancing between his room, mine, and Dimitri’s with exaggerated grief.
“Come out please, Dimitri! Could you switch rooms with me?” he pleaded, knocking on his door.
“We’d be right next to each other, Rune and I. The Fates want that!”
Dimitri’s door creaked open two inches. His blood-red eyes narrowed through the crack. “The rooms are already assigned. Deal with it.”
He slammed the door in Slater’s face.
Slater stared at the wood like it had personally betrayed him.
“Rude,” he muttered, shoulders slumping.
“Guess it’s just me and my heartbreak tonight.
” He turned to me, dramatically placing a hand over his heart.
“If I scream in the middle of the night, it’s not nightmares.
It’s my longing for you. I accept any form of comfort you will offer me. ”
“Should I offer you comfort?” I tapped my finger against my chin.
Slater was just so easy to tease.
“Absolutely!” Slater pushed his bottom lip out in a pout. “I’ll be so lonely. You don’t want that, do you, venom baby?”
Before I could respond, a muscular guy with sun-warmed skin and shaggy brown hair peered out from the doorway across the hall. His black eyes lit up when he saw us, and I could’ve only assumed he’d been here for a while already.
“You’re Rune,” he said brightly, registering who I was even though I had no clue who he was. “I’m Hawk. It’s really nice to meet you.”
“Hi, Hawk. Good to meet you,” I replied politely, like my Pops had taught me to.
He looked ready to explode with joy just from my polite smile. It wasn’t cute the way it was when Slater did it, either. “Thanks! That means a lot. Really, a lot. You’re kind of…legendary already.”
Oh.
One of those supernaturals who knew my parents and the rumors around me.
“Oh shit,” Slater muttered, sliding his arm around my shoulders. “Venom baby, comfort me?”
“Venom baby?” Hawk muttered in confusion, looking between us.
I let out a breath of relief, turning to Slater, but the hall filled suddenly with the low crack of the dorm entrance opening again.
A bear shifter with red curly hair and dark brown eyes came in, ducking slightly under the entryway. His expression was unreadable at first, but he smiled kindly at us. “Hey. I’m Lorian. Didn’t get the chance to really introduce myself at exams.”
We all said hi, but Eleanor smiled sweetly at him.
“Hi, Lorian, I’m Eleanor. It’s good to finally meet you. Officially, I mean.”
“Wonderful to meet you as well, Eleanor.” His dark eyes zero-ed in on her, and she blushed.
Aw, how cute.
The first thing I noticed when the door opened once again was the scent of spiced vanilla. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up.
A succubus walked in confidently. I didn’t recognize her, but I knew she wasn’t a student. Smooth, deep wine-red hair spilled in cascading waves down her back. Her eyes were smoky lavender with faint glowing flecks that lit up when she saw us all standing there.
“Good evening, little legends,” she purred, standing just inside the threshold. “I’m Velestra,” she said, and her pheromones melted over us all like chocolate. “You may call me Vel, Miss Vel, or if you’re particularly obedient, Mistress Vel.”
Slater tensed, gripping my shoulder a little tighter.
Zuko’s arm slid around my waist on my other side, and Koa also took a step closer toward me. I felt the heat of his chest against my back. I wasn’t sure why, but I had to admit that I loved the fact they instinctively moved closer to me in her presence.
Her lavender eyes landed on me, and her smile grew. “Rune Bloodwyne, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard wonderful things about you from your parents. Lake, in particular, was rather worried about you, but honestly, you’re stunning enough to warrant his behavior.”
I hesitated as the three men around me noticeably tensed. “Thanks?”
Vel giggled and walked into the center of the common room, her hips swaying dramatically. “Don’t worry, little legends. I’m an equal-opportunity lover, and while I may be flirty, I don’t fuck students.”
Aura snorted and crossed her arms. “She’s always like this.”
Vel tossed a bright smile over her shoulder. “Don’t be like that, Aura dear.”
I looked at Aura, surprised.
“You know each other?” Eleanor asked.
“We go way back,” Vel told us with a flick of her wrist.
“Family friends.” Aura shrugged like it didn’t matter, but something about the way she didn’t meet my eyes made me uneasy. My instincts told me there was more to that story.
Dimitri’s door opened, and he leaned against the doorframe with a frown.
“Ah, finally. The entire squad is here.” Vel spun on one heel.
“I’m your house head. I’ll be monitoring your dorm in the evenings and early mornings.
You’ll see me every now and then, and anytime I catch wind of rule-breaking.
” She gave us a wicked smirk. “And I will know. I was an agent for some time before retiring.”
“You’re retired?” Hawk gasped.
“Yes, I know I look too young for retirement.” Vel gestured elegantly to the room.
“This level of the house belongs to Squad One. Congratulations, darlings. You are one of the elite ten for the year. You are the class that broke the record for entrance exams, hence my nickname for you, little legends. Well done.”
Her words hit differently, and it made my chest tighten a little. I’d worked so fucking hard for this opportunity, and it was here.
I had a chance to prove myself as Rune and not as my parents’ daughter.
“If you haven’t already, I’ll make introductions.
” She motioned to each of us, not pausing for us to tell her we knew each other already.
“Rune Bloodwyne. Dimitri Nocturnus. Koa Ashbourne. Slater Havoc. Zuko Vyre. Eleanor Fawnmere. Aura Whimzle. Raze Mournfall. Lorian Stonepaw. Hawk Moonfang.” Vel sighed dreamily. “What an adorable class this year.”
Most of us rolled our eyes, but a few smiled at her.