Rowan’s POV
Rain always smells like metal before it falls.
I smelled it the moment I stepped outside the dorms, that sharp, electric bite that warned a storm was coming. Ferris said patrol would keep us sharp. I think he just wanted to see me drenched.
Ash showed up late. Of course he did.
He moved like the rain had already chosen him to drench on so quiet, too damn quick, head down.
The hood of his jacket couldn’t hide the shape of his face though. Too smooth for a rogue. Too damn… pretty.
I shouldn’t notice that.
“Ready?” I asked, pretending I didn’t notice the way he flinched at my voice.
He nodded once. “Let’s just get this over with.”
Always the same. Polite enough to pass for respect, but actually mockery.
Most people didn't know he was mocking them.
We started down the p
