Chapter 3
“After you,” Marsh bows, and moves out of the doorway for our quiet tour guide to take the lead.
Blinking at the sudden change in light, we step out to a stunning courtyard.
“Wow, this place is beautiful.” I turn in a circle taking it all in.
Hedges starting from both sides of the building line a path spanning the length of about half a football field.
There is a huge beautiful fountain in the middle, periodic benches throughout, and flower beds with different types of flowers sprinkled about.
The air here is so light and fresh that it’s so different from being in Louisiana; even living outside the city on the banks of Lake Salvador you could tell the city was close.
“If you follow this walkway, it basically makes a circle around the entire island. It will take you to all four of the dorm halls, Valor Tower, and the edge of the forest where there is a running path that breaks off, as well as to the combat training field and Willow lighthouse. There will be power-specific classes in both the lighthouse and tower, but those rotate by semester. Raven House is the first hall; the bottom floor has the common room, a study room, and a small kitchen with a small stove and oven and a communal fridge. They don’t get used much since the food in the dining hall is surprisingly good.
” He’s rattling off details rapidly, it's hard to concentrate on what he’s pointing out, as though he wants to hurry and get this over with or would rather be anywhere else.
“Wait–” I say, cutting him off. “Do the dorm rooms each have their own fridges in them?” I hope the accommodations letter didn’t mean it only had a communal fridge.
“Yes, they each have a fridge; it’s not full size but they have one.
Don’t worry princess, you don’t have to share with the commoners,” Rune snidely remarks as he turns to walk off, but before he gets more than two steps Marsh yanks him back by his arm so they are toe to toe.
He definitely doesn’t want to be here, it seems. I feel both of their magics start to flare up around them.
My brother is a hot head most of the time, but especially when it comes to me.
“I don’t care what your damage is, but you will not talk to my sister like that.
She just fucking told you she’s a diabetic.
She needs a fridge because the medication she is dependent on to live has to be kept in a fridge.
I’m sure you can see why having expensive medication in a communal fridge wouldn’t be safe.
I suggest you watch how you talk to her from now on. ”
Marsh drops his arm and reaches around him to grab my hand. “I think we have it from here; let’s go, Maggie.” He maneuvers us away from Rune and starts leading me down the path toward our dorm. It’s a shame someone so hot has to be such a dick, I think to myself.
Once we are out of earshot of Rune, I glare at my twin.
“You really didn’t have to do that, you know.
Believe it or not, I can stand up for myself if I want.
” Not that he’s ever giving me the chance.
That’s one thing I want to change while at college; to be more confident to actually stand up and speak for myself and stop relying on my brother.
He leans over and bumps our shoulders together playfully. “I know sis, but you know you don’t have to. I will always be by your side to stand up and protect you since you are the most important person in my life.”
I nudge him back, grinning. “I love you, dork.”
We are almost to the entrance of Raven Hall when we hear hurried footsteps behind us, causing us to turn.
As Rune gets closer, I can see his chest rising from the exertion of catching up to us.
When he comes to a stop in front of us, cheeks pink and slightly breathless, he looks properly chastised.
“You’re right, and I’m sorry. I was wrong for taking my personal biases out on both of you.
Most of the students here are entitled, spoiled brats, and quite a few of them love to make life difficult for anyone they don’t find worthy, and I’ve been on the receiving end of their taunts and humiliation on more occasions than I care to remember.
” Well, maybe he’s not as much of an ass as I thought.
The supe community definitely does have its rich and entitled brats, but there will always be those in the world who see themselves as better than others, regardless of whether or not they have magic abilities.
Marsh and I look at each other and bust out laughing, causing Rune to look at us as though we’ve suddenly lost our minds.
Taking a breath, Marsh explains, “We grew up on a farm, in a town that still holds debutante balls, with only one school for kindergarten through 12th grade, and our Pop-pop was the only man of color in town when he moved there to be with our Nana after college. So we were the only kids whose ancestors didn’t come over willingly, then add the fact I was the only openly gay kid and Mags was the only witch with a disability…
Catty, bitchy, and spoiled witches are pretty much our specialty.
” That’s putting it mildly. I’m so glad none of the kids from home got into this school, too.
Rune steps around us, walking the couple steps to the door, and pulls it open with a sad smile on his face. “I truly hope you mean that, since we’ve had students drop out because it got too hard for them to handle.”
Marsh motions for me to walk through the door ahead of him, and Rune follows me.
I pause as we come to a stop in the foyer, noticing that the dorm is beautiful but there is so much white everywhere.
The floors are white marble to match the built-in countertops that are in the kitchen to our left, and an oversized, plush-looking, light gray couch to the right with several matching lounge chairs.
The room is broken into two by an elevator bay directly across from the main door where Rune stands silently, watching as we take in our new home.
I turn to look at our guide, continuing the conversation. “We’re lucky enough to have something most people don’t.” He stares into my eyes like he’s trying to see into my soul. My whole body feels like it's going to combust. “Each other.”
“I would set the whole world ablaze, everyone else be damned, for her,” Marsh cuts in.
Rune gives us an appraising look, complete with a raised brow and subtle nod. “Good to know. I have a feeling you will need that kind of attitude to survive here.”
None of us speak as we follow him into the elevator where he pushes the button to the second floor.
We step off toward the right and follow him down a long hallway.
He glances over his shoulder at us as he leads the way.
“It probably wasn’t easy to tell from where we came in, but all four of the hallways make a big square.
In each house, the grades are separated by floor, and dorm fifteen will be the corner.
Those are normally a coveted favorite since they have the most windows overall, and with you being in rooms two and three you’ll have the rooms with the best view. ”
We come to a stop in front of the door at the very end of the hallway. Rune turns toward us and gestures at the door expectantly. “The dorms will only unlock for whoever is assigned, remember? One of you will have to open it.”
Marsh smiles at me, “Go ahead Mags, you do the honors.”