Crimson Ivy

Rain hammered against the tinted windows of the black town car as it rolled through the iron gates of Blackthorn Academy. The school looked less like a campus and more like a palace built for monsters. Towering gothic buildings stretched into the gray sky, their dark stone walls covered in crimson ivy vines that crawled like veins. Expensive sports cars lined the circular driveway. Students dressed in tailored black-and-red uniforms stood beneath umbrellas, diamonds flashing from watches and necklaces worth more than most people’s homes. Blackthorn Academy. A school for the children of billionaires, politicians, celebrities, and criminals wealthy enough to buy respectability. And now— Kylie Jonson was being thrown directly into it. The driver cleared his throat awkwardly from the front seat. “We’re here, Miss Jonson.” Kylie stared out the window silently. Every news article from the last two weeks flashed through her mind like a curse. JONSON FAMILY UNDER INVESTIGATION HOTEL EMPIRE SCANDAL KYLIE JONSON VANISHES FROM PUBLIC EVENTS Her father had called this transfer “a fresh start.” She called it exile. Kylie reached up slowly, adjusting the collar of her uniform blazer. Blackthorn’s colors suited her annoyingly well—deep black fabric lined with dark crimson stitching that hugged her figure perfectly. Her long dark hair spilled over her shoulders in soft waves, reaching almost to her waist. Gray-blue eyes reflected coldly in the glass. Beautiful. Composed. Untouchable. At least that was the image. Inside, her chest burned. “Miss Jonson?” “I heard you.” She opened the car door. The second her heels touched the wet pavement, conversations stopped. Not faded. Stopped. Dozens of students turned toward her at once. Judging. Watching. Whispering. Kylie shut the door behind her and lifted her chin slightly. If they wanted a show, she’d give them one. A group of girls near the staircase immediately leaned together. “That’s her.” “She actually came?” “I heard her father paid to keep her out of jail.” “No, I heard—” Kylie walked past them without a glance. Years of elite parties had taught her one thing: The rich smelled weakness like blood in water. A sharp whistle echoed across the courtyard. “Well,” a male voice drawled lazily, “the rumors didn’t do her justice.” Kylie turned. And immediately regretted it. He stood beside a matte-black motorcycle near the fountain, one hand shoved into his pocket. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Dangerously attractive. Messy black hair fell into dark eyes filled with amusement. Tattoos disappeared beneath the sleeves of his partially unbuttoned uniform shirt, silver rings glinting as he flicked ash from a cigarette. Dante Reyes. Even Kylie recognized him. Everyone did. The bad heir of the Reyes empire. Trouble wrapped in expensive clothing. His gaze dragged over her slowly, shamelessly. “You always stare at girls like that?” Kylie asked coolly. The students nearby went silent. Dante grinned. “Only the interesting ones.” A few people laughed nervously. Kylie should’ve walked away. Instead, she stepped closer. Rain dripped from the edge of her umbrella as she stopped in front of him. “And here I thought Blackthorn had standards.” A low chorus of “oh s**t” spread nearby. Dante’s grin widened. There it is, he thought. Fire. Most girls either feared him or worshipped him. This one challenged him within thirty seconds. His eyes darkened with interest. “You’re pretty brave for someone new here.” “And you’re pretty arrogant for someone leaning against a bike like a movie extra.” That actually made him laugh. Real laughter. Students stared in shock. Dante Reyes almost never laughed. Before he could answer, another voice cut through the courtyard. “Move.” Soft. Calm. Cold enough to freeze the rain itself. The crowd immediately parted. Kylie turned slightly— And saw him. Adrian Devereux. Everything about him looked expensive. Platinum-blond hair brushed neatly back. Pale skin untouched by stress or sunlight. Sharp blue eyes focused directly on her with unsettling calm. Unlike Dante’s chaotic energy, Adrian was controlled perfection. The kind of beautiful that didn’t feel human. His black umbrella rested over one shoulder as he approached slowly. Students lowered their gazes instinctively. Fear. Not admiration. Fear. Dante rolled his eyes. “Look who finally crawled out of his tower.” Adrian ignored him completely. His attention stayed on Kylie. For a moment, neither spoke. And somehow, that silence felt more intimate than conversation. Kylie hated that immediately. Adrian’s gaze moved across her face carefully, analytically. Like he was memorizing her. “You’re blocking the entrance,” he finally said to Dante. Dante scoffed. “You own the hallway now?” “No,” Adrian replied calmly. “Just everyone in it.” The tension snapped through the courtyard instantly. Kylie could practically feel students waiting for violence. Instead, Dante smirked lazily. “You interested in her too?” Too. The word hung strangely in the air. Adrian’s expression didn’t change. But his eyes sharpened slightly. “Yes.” Direct. Certain. Kylie blinked. Dante barked out a laugh. “At least you’re honest.” “Honesty saves time.” The two boys stared at each other like predators deciding who would strike first. And somehow— Kylie had become the center of it. Annoying. Dangerous. Interesting. A teacher hurried down the staircase before things could escalate. “Mr. Reyes. Mr. Devereux. Enough.” Dante clicked his tongue. “Ruining my fun already.” The teacher turned toward Kylie with immediate nervousness. “Miss Jonson, welcome to Blackthorn Academy. I’ll escort you to—” “She can find her own way,” Dante interrupted. Adrian finally looked at him. “You’re still talking.” The temperature in the courtyard seemed to drop. Kylie exhaled slowly. Rich boys and their ego problems. Fantastic. Without another word, she stepped between them. That surprised both of them enough to create silence. Kylie looked at the teacher. “I can manage myself.” Then she walked up the academy steps alone. Even with hundreds of eyes on her back, she refused to look nervous. But she could feel them watching her. Especially them. — The academy halls were lined with marble floors, gold-framed paintings, and chandeliers hanging overhead like royalty lived there. Students moved in groups like factions. Old money. Political heirs. Celebrity children. Future CEOs. Every single one of them whispered as Kylie passed. She ignored it until— “That skirt looks illegal on her.” “She thinks she’s better than everyone.” “I heard Adrian Devereux looked at her.” “That means Dante definitely will.” Kylie stopped at her locker hard enough to make nearby girls flinch. She turned slowly. “If you’re going to gossip,” she said calmly, “at least be entertaining.” Silence. One girl crossed her arms. “You think you’re intimidating?” “No,” Kylie replied softly. “I think you’re boring.” The girl’s face flushed red. A laugh sounded behind Kylie. Deep. Male. Dangerous. Dante. Of course. He leaned against the lockers beside her casually. “You’re making enemies fast.” Kylie shut her locker. “Shouldn’t you be smoking illegally somewhere?” “Already did.” “You’re insufferable.” “And yet you keep talking to me.” His eyes flicked toward her lips briefly. Kylie noticed. Unfortunately. “You flirt with everyone?” “Nah.” He tilted his head slightly. “Just people I want.” Before Kylie could answer, another presence approached. Adrian. Again. The hallway quieted immediately. Dante sighed dramatically. “Do you teleport?” Adrian ignored him. His eyes settled on Kylie. “There’s a rumor about you already.” Kylie crossed her arms. “Only one? Impressive.” For the first time— The corner of Adrian’s mouth almost smiled. Almost. Then he spoke quietly. “People here destroy each other for entertainment.” “And?” “And you should be careful.” Dante scoffed. “You saying that like you’re not one of them is adorable.” Adrian finally looked at him. Something cold flashed behind his eyes. “I never said I wasn’t.” Even Dante went quiet for half a second. Kylie studied Adrian carefully. Beautiful. Controlled. But there was something wrong underneath him. Something fractured. Before she could think further, a student suddenly rushed down the hallway shouting. “Oh my god—someone posted it!” Phones came out instantly. Murmuring spread through the corridor like wildfire. Kylie frowned slightly. “What now?” A girl nearby looked at her with open pity. Then showed her the screen. A photo. Taken outside earlier in the rain. Kylie standing between Adrian and Dante. The caption underneath read: BLACKTHORN’S KINGS ALREADY FIGHTING OVER THE NEW GIRL? Comments flooded underneath rapidly. She’s dead. Adrian NEVER looks at anyone. Dante Reyes is going to ruin her. Pretty enough to start a war honestly. Kylie stared at the screen blankly. Then sighed. “Idiots.” Dante burst out laughing beside her. Adrian remained silent. But his gaze stayed fixed on the picture. On her. Like he was already imagining something dangerous. And somewhere deep inside him— Something else smiled too.