“Good,” Adele said curtly. “Now leave.”
Without another word, Violet yanked her arm away and stormed toward the revolving doors. Just before stepping outside, she glanced back.
To her shock, Adele was still standing there, arms crossed, her sharp gaze fixed on her like a hawk watching its prey, making sure she didn’t try to sneak back in.
No one in this academy was normal, Violet muttered under her breath as she left through the revolving doors that swished open, and the chilly air outside hit her like a slap, contrasting greatly the sterile warmth of the infirmary.
Something wasn’t right about the infirmary, or Lunaris Academy in general. Violet thought as she crossed the small road that led to the school building. Nothing about earlier was normal.
The way Adele had insisted she never stepped into that elevator, her harsh tone, and the strange ultimatum to go to a cardinal alpha for her check-ups, it all reeked of secrets.
Although it seemed like Adele was just being overbearing. But inwardly, Violet couldn’t help but sense that the woman was being protective. Except it was the kind of protective that screamed that something was hidden. And why involve the cardinal alphas in her medical matters? Not unless they knew whatever she – Adele – knew.
If the cardinal alphas held the answers, then approaching them would be like walking a tightrope over a pit of snakes. Each one of them was dangerous in their own way. Especially Asher.
Asher wouldn’t give it freely, not without asking her to participate in his game again. And she would be a fool to give him permission to mess with her head again.
Alaric would never tell her either. That one was the most tightlipped out of all the alphas.
Neither was she getting entangled with Roman either. The playboy might look harmless but then, whoever was friends with Asher could never be normal. He would probably want something from her as well.
Griffin was the key. The brute had shown a surprising softness at times, and she could use that to her advantage. However, Violet knew she had to tread carefully. Griffin might appear straightforward, but he wasn’t stupid, and getting him to open up wouldn’t be easy.
Not to mention, the cardinal alphas were really sensitive about their secrets.
By the time Violet returned to the school building, the first lesson of the day had already ended. Students were milling about, preparing for the next one.
She noticed a few lingering glances and hushed whispers as she entered the hallway, but she ignored them. If Lunaris had taught her anything, it was to keep her chin up no matter what.
She glanced at the schedule on her phone and just like Griffin said, her lessons had been adjusted. Her next class was History of the New World.
Violet found the class and unlike the other times, she decided to sit in the front seat seeing the cardinal alphas were fond of the back seat. This way she could avoid facing any of them.
Violet barely finished settling into her seat when someone called, “Hello, Violet.”
She looked up and froze. Standing in front of her was an impeccably dressed, stunningly beautiful girl. Violet’s breath caught as recognition dawned, and the blood drained from her face.
Oh, fuck.
“Urm, hey… hello,” Violet stammered, swallowing hard. It was the girl who had given her the makeup that day, the same girl whose tea party she had promised to attend, and had failed miserably to show up. Fuck her life indeed.
“Natalie Avax,” the girl introduced herself with a sweet smile, extending her hand for a handshake.
“It’s nice to meet you, Natalie Avax….” Violet trailed off, her voice faltering as the weight of the surname hit her like a truck.
Her mind raced as she hesitantly took Natalie’s hand, her grip weak. She said slowly, “Your name sounds similar to the company name on my phone.”
“Yes, that’s right. The one and only Avax.” Natalie giggled softly, her laughter melodic as their hands lingered in the handshake.
Violet gulped, her throat dry. “Your family made the phone I-no, the whole school-uses….” Her words trailed off again as the reality overwhelmed her.
She stared at Natalie, stunned. It was incredibly hard to get one’s hands on a good phone these days, and yet here this girl was, descended from a family that practically controlled communication in their world. Violet had always thought herself impervious to intimidation, but now, standing in front of Natalie Avax, she felt small. Insignificant.
No wonder the students at Lunaris did whatever they wanted. These weren’t just kids, they were the children of the pillars of the new world.
And she, Violet Purple, was a nobody.
Violet told herself she wasn’t intimidated, but it was a laughable lie. Still, she decided to play it cool.
Sure, Natalie was rich. Really rich. But that didn’t mean Violet would treat her any differently than she treated anyone else. Natalie would get whatever attitude she showed her, plain and simple.
As Natalie finally let go of her hand, Violet noted that, so far, the girl didn’t seem arrogant. She wasn’t looking down on her or sneering, as some elites were prone to do. Atleast, not intentionally. But there was no denying Natalie exuded that natural aristocratic aura, as if power and influence came as easily as breathing.
Now that Violet thought about it, she had seen Natalie before. She was the first person to clap when Violet had bested Sharon during the dining hall fight. It wasn’t until Natalie clapped that the rest of the room followed suit.
A furrow creased Violet’s brow. Natalie clearly had a certain sway over the students here. And, more importantly, what was her intention? Violet couldn’t tell if Natalie was friend or foe.
At least Elsie’s hatred was open and obvious. With Natalie, it was harder to tell. Why was she being so nice? Was it genuine, or was it a calculated facade? Violet wasn’t naive; the rich didn’t befriend the poor unless there was something to gain.
Was Natalie trying to turn her into her lackey? If so, she was barking up the wrong tree. Violet wasn’t some rich brat’s ragdoll to use and dumb when bored. And never would. She decided then and there to be careful and observe Natalie’s intentions.
Without asking, Natalie plopped down beside Violet on the empty seat and leaned in, a sweet smile on her face. “Now, if I remember correctly, you owe me a tea party.”
Oh great.
Violet went red from the embarrassment, fumbling over her words. “I forgot… I didn’t mean… Something happened…”
“Don’t worry, I know.” Natalie giggled, clearly amused by Violet’s flustered state. “The news was everywhere…” She leaned in conspiratorially and lowered her voice. “Is it real? Did you and Griffin really do it?”
What in the actual-? Violet’s jaw nearly hit the desk. What in the name of the moon were they saying about her now?
She stammered, “I-I’m sorry, but-“
“Of course,” Natalie interrupted with another laugh, her tone playful. “You wouldn’t tell me something private… Or would you?”
The sudden darkness in Natalie’s voice made Violet frown, her discomfort growing. Before she could respond, Natalie laughed again, dispelling the tension. Violet laughed too, though it came out awkwardly. She was officially freaked out.
“In that case,” Natalie said with a mischievous smile, “I’ll hold onto the debt, Violet Purple. You still owe me one, and I can’t wait for us to get to know each other better.”
And that was exactly what Violet feared.
Just then, someone cleared her throat. Violet and Natalie looked up to find Lila standing nearby, her expression tight as she stared at Natalie. It was clear she didn’t like the girl, eyeing her as if she were some kind of competition. Lila looked at Natalie like some thief who had come to steal the little attention Violet gave her.
Natalie must have picked up on the vibe because she rose to her feet with a grace that could rival a dancer’s.
“Until we meet again, Violet.” She air-kissed both sides of Violet’s cheek and sauntered away, moving to the back of the classroom with the poise of a queen.
“She’s weird,” Lila muttered once Natalie was gone.
Violet gave Lila a pointed look. “That sounds even weirder coming from you.” It was like the kettle calling the pot black.
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