Raine’s POV
I spent my break doing what I had quickly perfected over the last few days avoiding Lucian Thornfield like he was a freshly cast curse. I stayed hidden on the rooftop longer than necessary, letting the wind cool my thoughts and pretending the academy below didn’t exist. Eventually, nature won. I slipped down the stairs quietly, just intending to use the bathroom and disappear again.
I didn’t make it far.
A group of students intercepted me in the corridor, their expressions tense, almost frightened. One of them cleared his throat like he’d rehearsed this moment.
“Uh… Raine,” he said, lowering his voice, “Lucian Thornfield is looking for you. He told us to inform him immediately if we saw you.” He swallowed. “He said we’d regret our existence if we didn’t.”
My jaw tightened.
