I shrug at the smug smile on her face, playing off her words as if they don’t hurt—but a part of me does, just a little.
“She really does not like you, Mistress.”
“No shit,” I mutter.
The woman turns back to the guys, her fake smile back in place. “Secondly, you will also get first choice of classes and housing. Take your packs with you, and at the end of the day, hand them back in with your decisions.”
Without a word, I take my pack and my bags and head toward the statue of Nyx, my goddess always a comfort whenever I need Her... Well, She used to be.
I drop my bags on the ground at her feet and sit down cross-legged on the floor. I stare at the packet in my hands. “I guess we’re in, Lore.”
She hoots, jumping from my shoulder and landing on my leg. She nips at the packet with her beak. “We are, indeed, Mistress. Now let’s see what classes we can choose from and then we can hopefully find a group that will take us in.” Her voice comes out as an excited squawk, the prospect of learning naturally filling Lore with happiness.
I scratch her head as I open my packet, but four sets of feet stop in front of me. I follow them up, and the guys stare down at me with amusement and confusion.
“What are you doing?” Declan asks, nodding toward my bags and my odd position on the floor.
My eyebrows pinch together as they chuckle, except Paxton; he just smiles widely. “I was going to decide on my classes and then find a group to join.”
Rory bends down and takes my bags, rolling his eyes at my screech of protest. “Did you honestly think we’d dump you after you helped us get here?”
I nod slowly, my eyes flicking between the woman at our desk and the grimace filling her face and the guys who don’t seem to care. “What about her? She basically told you guys to choose someone else.”
Dane leans down next and picks up Lore, who hoots in protest but quickly succumbs as he strokes her head and takes my pack in his already full hands. “You’re on the team, Serena. Get used to it.”
Standing up straight, he walks off, quickly followed by Rory, who chats excitedly about the dormitory they’d chosen. I still don’t move, eyeing the group warily.
Sighing, Declan crouches. His hands move under my arms, lifting me from my position on the floor with the ease of a child lifting a rag doll. He ignores the scowl on my face as he sets me down on my feet and steps back beside Paxton.
“Don’t I get a say in whose team I’m on?” I ask them.
Declan shakes his head. “Not at all. It’s been decided. So, let’s get going. We have classes to pick.” He stalks off with Paxton and gestures for me to follow. A fluttering feeling fills my stomach. They actually want me on their team.
So why do I feel so guilty?
Chapter 4
Given first choice, the guys had decided on taking one of the elite dorms, which were, in fact, houses—with quaint picket fences and manicured front lawns. And… is that a cat? The evil in me shudders, but a part of me remains curious, maybe even eager. I haven’t lived in a house for a very long time. I squint; the wreath on the front door looks oddly familiar, but I can’t place where I’ve seen it before.
Whispers of happy memories float through my mind. A woman and a man, smiling as they swing me in the air between them. How long has it been since I’ve thought of them?
“Serena?” Rory draws my attention from a distance this time. He stands on the top step of the porch, and I realize I’m frozen on the footpath.
With a smile, I scratch Lore’s head to give my hands something to do. “Sorry, I was daydreaming.”
Lore hoots, her scoff filling my mind. “We will have to talk about it someday, Serena. I haven’t pried out of respect, but I need to know everything. We can’t be one if you do not allow me to see everything.”
I nod, my eyes moving from Rory to the house and the memories it stirs up. “Someday, Lore.”
I approach the steps while Paxton fumbles with a key chain at the door. “So, who thought it would be a good idea to pick the biggest dorm? There’s no way I’m cleaning up after you guys. You’re on your own.”
Declan speaks without looking at me, “There are only four houses like this. The others get to stay in halls in rooms of two and three. This has five en suite bedrooms, a dining area, a kitchen, a garden, and a common area. It’s perfect to fit all of us. And besides,” he turns to me, smirking, “I didn’t think you’d want to bunk with any of us.”
I narrow my eyes on him. “You… are correct.”
As I place my foot on the bottom step, I notice the cat again. It sits not far away, on the porch railing. It swishes its black tail, letting out a mighty meow for such a small thing. I pause, watching it, and it watches me right back. Lore bristles next to my head, letting out a low hiss.
“Uh… hello?” I say, glancing at the guys, but they’re busy arguing over which key on the chain opens the front door. I look back at the cat’s bright, emerald eyes and tilt my head. “I don’t know who your owners are, but you should probably head on home. They’ll be worried.”
But the cat doesn’t move. If anything, she looks at me like I’m stupid.
“Guys?” I call over my shoulder. None of them
