"Okay, okay settle down...right this way. First years...come in a little closer now...okay...okay...I know you're all excited now shut up."  A middle aged man put his hand up to silence our apparently very chatty group. He was average height with sandy blond hair, sprinkled with grey pulled back in a short ponytail. He had a nicely trimmed full beard. That added mystery and allure to his otherwise handsome face. His light green eyes shone bright as he surveyed the first years.

I watched him as if in a  trance. He wore all beige. In fact the teachers lined up before us were all wearing varying degrees of that neutral tone. The guy that had told us all to shut-up as we filled the grand hall had an oversized linen beige shirt and whatever pants or jeans or tights or whatever he was wearing was skin-tight. As in I'm pretty sure they were leggings. Followed by some causal brown boots. He had several silver rings on his fingers and a brown necklace tucked inside his shirt, concealing the pendant it held.

Who was this guy? And had I stepped inside a fashion catalog.

"Thank you professor Merryweather." Headmistress Silva took a step forward.

Her I knew. In her all black long sleeved high neck dress. Her hair in a tight bun. Her oval faced poised, eyes searching each and every single face.

"Headmistress Silva is such a badass." Isla whispered in my ear. "I love her so much and would kill to be her assistant. I heard she always picks a first year and like that person is untouchable for the rest of the year."

"You like her or you like her son?" Willow jerked, nudging Isla playfully.

To my surprise, the pink haired girl blushed deeply and shook her head vehemently. "Don't---be----h shut-up Willow." She chewed nervously on her bottom lip but shot a quick glance to the group of boys actually facing us just a couple paces away, having formed a sort of semi-circle around the adults before us.

I didn't know who she looked at but, looking over my eyes quickly met the intense blue eyes of Prince Easton. It was just about two seconds of a glance but the strangest most foreign sensation passed through me.

I watched him turn his head and whisper something to the handsome guy next to him. The guy was shorter than him, but that didn't really mean anything as the prince was stupid tall. The black guy before him filled out with pure muscles. His arms over his chest only emphasized the bulging biceps pressing against it. His neck was thick, a chiseled face, smooth flawless dark skin. Full cupid bow dark lips. Thick eyebrows and a pair of eyes that just drew you in. One eye seemed almost the same crystal  blue as the prince and the other was a dark brown. I've never met him before but there was a familiarity  to his face. And those pointy black ears....I slowly lifted my head to the headmistress as she continued with her welcome speech. 

Oh....oh I see....that....that was the headmistress' son. 

I turned my attention back to her son and then to the guy with the green hair next to him too busy on his phone to be paying attention. His green hair fell in front of his face and covered any features for me to find out who his was. All I saw was thin tanned fingers typing away quickly.

I looked back up at the Prince and whatever he was telling the headmistress' son, I knew had to be about me. Not because I believe the whole world revolved around me or that I was acknowledging that there was literally a gap between my roommates and I and the rest of the school. No, it was because his friend's gaze finally drifted from his mother at whatever Prince Easton was saying and landed easily on me.

Geez, I guess they didn't go for subtlety around here. His eyes searched mine quickly and curiously as if trying to figure out who I was. And then he smiled, white teeth contrasted perfectly against his dark lips. He gave me an acknowledgment nod and I nodded back. He turned to Prince Easton and whispered something back.

I watched for the prince's reaction. Now that I was sure he knew who I was. He simply looked down with a brief nod before lifting his eyes up.

I chickened out and looked away. I knew what was said. There goes the witch. Or the halfbreed or whatever.

I turned my attention back up to the teacher Introductions.

Professor Merryweather I found out. Was the guy to shut us all up. He was the magic teacher and the creator of the DLC car series.

Professor Edna she looked the most normal and human out everybody in the group. In fact, she seemed nervous, slightly uncomfortable? She was short and well proportioned as my mother liked to say. Curves on the top and the bottom. She wore the same beige assemble as professor Merryweather but with a fitted  v-neck shirt. She had a nice round face with big red glasses. Her black hair was cut in a bob that moved with the slightest twitch of her head. Half of her bangs was white. Completely white. Like bleached white and it was a style I most certainly thought looked cool on a professor. She was to be our history teacher.

I felt bad for her already as she did her brief introduction. She looked so unsure and I had a feeling she'd been bullied all her life. Especially when a couple of the first years started snickering and talking before receiving a sharp glance from who I found out was Sir Rooke.

Sir Rooke was Headmistress Silva's advisor. Whatever that meant here. It seemed like an advisor was a pretty big deal. He had tanned skin, but his features were ambiguous. Nothing stood out about him, he had an easily recognizable face with short curly black hair but at the same time a face that could also be forgotten.

Yet his looks seemed to put instant fear in the students who'd dared to laugh or tease Professor Edna.

Next professor Tallulah came forth with professor Cosmo. Every single first year seemed to be entranced by not only her beauty but her gorgeous smile and positive attitude. This darkskinned, lady with the long pale green dreadlocks reminded me so much of my mom, I got hit with a rush of homesickness.  She also wore the same attire as Professor Merryweather down to a tee. Along with several gold rings on her fingers instead of silver. 

"Now that's....a badass woman." Willow whistled appreciatively. 

Professor Tallulah was the nature's teacher. Which meant anything that had to do with the elements and earth was her forte.

Professor Cosmo simply bowed and everybody else bowed immediately to him. He looked a little younger than the others. He too had rings on his fingers, gold and silver ones to be exact. He wore a necklace under his oversized beige t-shirt just like Professor Merryweather.  He was light skinned with brown and blond dreadlock down his back but the most vacant blue eyes I'd ever seen.

"He's blind." Isla whispered in my ear as if sensing my question. "He was abandoned in the woods  actually and Headmistress Silva took him in when he was just a baby."

I frowned. "Wow...." Abandoned?

"Yeah, so he's basically Bolt's amazing older brother. He's the best skilled warrior in the realm. As in the best. Nobody can defeat him. Trust me."  Isla said proudly. "They're a cool family."

I smiled at her. "You seem to know a lot about headmistress Silva's family----"

My new friend blushed and shook her head. "No I mean....well they're like the last elves around...I don't....I think it's cool, that's all. It's not like I'm obsessed with Bolt or anything. I'm not. I swear." She quickly looked away and chewed her bottom lip nervously.

"Wait...oh yeah...elves..." I whispered still trying to wrap my mind around it. Headmistress Silva had said something along those lines to my mother just yesterday hadn't she?

"She's had a crush on Bolt since we were 7." Willow whispered to me. "The dated for like 6 months last year and then Bolt dumped her."

"Shut-up." Isla whispered.

I gasped. "No...why..."

Instead of answering Willow looked at Isla who looked away sadly. "Because I wasn't good enough for him."

I gasped again. "He told you that?"

Her eyes widened in horror. "No...no he didn't...not...." She sighed. "I don't want to talk about it." She cleared her throat. "It was...it was a very sweet and polite break up. He needs to focus on...." Her eyes lowered to the floor. "On becoming the best."

I nodded. Okay so there was a bit of drama to unfold.

"I'm sure you all noticed the extra security around the perimeters. I know the university's reputation proceeds itself but unfortunately for this year until further notice things are going to be stricter than they've had in a long time. Your safety is of the most utmost importance to you. That is why freedom will be a privilege that is earned. We must know of all your locations at any time to ensure that no ill will befalls on any of you. We will for the first term at least, limit excursions to other realms or the use of the DLC series."

Loud groaning fell amongst the students.

"Aww come on."

"We finally got away from home just to be locked away again."

"this is the only place with the DLC series to test drive."

"Yes...yes...privileged little brats." Professor Merryweather stood up. "But be grateful that we are so concerned about your safety that none of that gives us pause." he beamed at us teasingly.  To my surprise his eyes landed on me through the crowd. His smile widened and he gave me an acknowledged nod. I couldn't help but blush and smile back.

Did we just have a moment? Yes, yes I think we did.

I couldn't help but to also steal another glance at the prince, whose hands was now stuffed in his pants pocket as he leaned against a pillar. Jolis, from our sister dorm seemed to have finally approached him. He was smiling politely as she seemed 110% invested in whatever she had to tell him. Her movements animated as she touched his arm with frequent small taps from her delicate fingers.

I couldn't blame her. I wouldn't mind tapping that either.

I sensed the exact moment, his attention moved from her rambling to me across the room. I quickly looked away, my heart pounding.

Shut-up Saria. Shut-up. There was a creeping sensation in the pits of my stomach that the Prince could hear my thoughts. I don't know how, but call it, what my momma called  'the gift.' I could sense things and for the past half hour, I sensed that I was putting my foot in my mouth with the Prince, and I hadn't said a single word to him. 

"Alright, dinner will be in half an hour, you're dismissed." Sir Rooke concluded the meeting.

"This is going to be such a good year." Isla exclaimed turning back to me. "I can already feel it."

Willow smirked and turned around, surveying the faces of the students around us.

"How are you?" Isla asked me seriously. "Are you okay? Is it too much? It's a lot to take in. But don't worry we're all here for you------BOLT----HI!"

I turned at her abrupt panicked  tone, only to see Bolt a couple feet away from us.

"Isla, how was your summer?" Bolt asked, surprisingly in a kind, nonthreatening voice.

"Good." She nodded quickly. "Very good. And yours."

"Also well...it's nice to start at CKU, I've been waiting to attend this place."

"Me too." she squealed happily.

Which to me looks like he wanted to smile but swallowed back the urge to do so by clearing his throat. He turned to me and extended his hand. "Bolt, you must be Saria. Welcome to CKU."

I smiled as I took his hand. "Saria yes. My reputation proceeds me." I chuckled and he smiled. 

He truly was a handsome man.

He turned to the others.

"Willow."

"Bolt." 

"Hope you stayed out of trouble this summer." Bolt gave her a curt nod.

Willow shrugged. "Depends if you're climbing anymore trees."

"Okay you two...." Isla whispered softly.

Willow glared at him and Bolt seemed to purse his lips together. The guy must have came in peace because he was the first to look away even though I could tell it was taking everything in him to back down from Willow's blatant challenge.

"Oh Chloe..."

I almost jumped having forgotten her. She hadn't said anything in about an entire half hour.

"Sorry, didn't see you there." Bolt laughed apologetically. 

"I'm used to it." Chloe responded slowly and shook his outstretched hand. "Bolt, your shoulder healed nicely."

The smiling teen grabbed his right shoulder and nodded. "Yep...I'm back in the game." 

Was it my imagination or had he tried to look at Isla when he said that? I could just be reaching. Completely and utterly. But he did shoot Willow another annoyed looked before rubbing his shoulder once more.

"I just wanted to come and introduce myself to our sister dorm." Bolt replied. "We'll be together for practically everything, so it'll be good to know each other---"

"Does mommy dearest know Isla's in your sister dorm?" Willow interrupted him. "Maybe you should go remind her cause we don't want any surprises of who she thinks is a good fit for you  oh mighty elf."

My mouth dropped open at the attack Willow shot at him. Her hands on her hips, unrelenting of her fury.

Bolt and Isla turned their attention to each other. The latter who quickly grabbed her cheeks. "I uhm...I'll catch up with you guys later."

Isla quickly dismissed herself from the group, practically running away as she dodged through the sea of kids.

Bolt  looked after her departure and turned his attention on Willow. "You're a fucking bitch." He whispered.

"Hey, I told you. You hurt her and I'll be a bitch to you for the rest of your immortal life." Willow hissed. 

"Chloe...Saria...I'll see you two around." Bolt nodded and turned away. I noticed his eyes following the path that Isla had taken.

"Okay....so I just....walked into something messy." I whispered.

"Elves are elitist." Chloe whispered.

I turned to her.

"And he didn't have the balls to stand up to his mother." Willow replied. "Fucking goody-two shoes."

"Yikes Headmistress Silva broke them up?"

"Well we'll never really know." Willow shrugged. "Isla won't say. She overheard something but won't say what. She wears her emotions out in the open so we all knew something was off. They were great one day, like literally hanging all over each other and the next he says he needs to focus on his future and his combat skills and that it was best they broke up."

I nodded. "Yep, sounds like parental intervention."

"Headmistress Silva is strict and scary." Chloe spoke. "She pushes him more than anybody else around. He's really nice, so Willow being a bitch to him is just their thing. Get Bolt on your side and school will be a breeze."

Willow shook her head. "Chloe you are so disloyal."

"I'm only loyal to death." She answered seriously.

I shuddered from the immediate chills that ran through my body at her words. What was she? 

She turned to me and smiled. "Do not fear death Saria. She is here, but not for you." she slowly turned around and scanned the crowd.

I watched as Chloe moved forward, slowly as if gliding, her path being widened as fairies seemed to part like the red sea out of her way. She stood behind a tall girl with straight black hair.

The girl in question slowly turned around and shrieked. "Uuugghhh Chloe get away from me." she groaned. And with her group of friends they quickly scattered away, leaving Chloe to stand in the middle of the room as others tried to scoot further away.

"Weirdo."

"Creep."

"Oh....should we....." I trailed off not knowing what to do or say.

Willow chuckled. "I hope you don't feel bad for Chloe. She truly enjoys every single moment of this. It's pretty morbid."

I blinked in confusion. "She....predicts....deaths?"

The tall girl besides me grinned. "You pick up quick. That's going to come in handy soon-----oh and well, look who's coming towards us now."

I turned just in time to see Prince Easton making his way over with the boy with the green hair by his side. Now I could see his features. Green hair, tanned skin, brown eyes, somewhat long goofy face but in an adorable way. You know how you can tell somebody likes to laugh. That's what he looked like. A person who found things to be ridiculously funny. Even right now, his mouth was tilted up as if he held a secret he couldn't wait to share but would never share.

"Aww didn't we just get lucky with the prettiest sister dorms?" The green haired boy asked with a slight twirl. In a second he was by my side, my hand somehow in his as he bent down and kissed the back of my hand. "Enchante Saria the witch. The name is Mason, more than pleased to meet your acquaintance." 

I smiled. "Same. Nice to meet you."

Mason released my hand and looked up at Willow. "Oh my precious----"

"Don't." Willow cut him off, her hand almost in his face. 

"Ohhhh." He grinned and shivered. "Is it cold in here, or is it just me?" He asked.

And I shivered also, feeling the temperature of the room drop a couple degrees. I rubbed my arms.

Willow rolled her eyes. "Anyways, hi Prince Easton. I see they've decided to let you free of those castle walls and actually attend school with us regular beings."

I looked behind Mason and noticed that for a Prince he seemed to always take the back seat. But it didn't fit. Everything about him stood out. From his height to his pale skin, to those icy blue eyes.

"Just Easton is fine." Prince Easton leaned over and shook her hand. He turned to me. "Easton."

"Saria." I replied accepting his hand. His touch was cold but soft.

"Pleasure." He shook my hand.

"Same." I replied softly. The handshake in my opinion lasted 2 seconds longer than a normal handshake but that could just be me. I mean I didn't know what was considered normal here or not. But I knew the way my heart was pounding was most definitely not normal. I was the worst with a crush. The absolute worst.

"Oooh Easton, oh Easton...come let me show you around." Jolis bumped into me, breaking our handshake. Could she have been more obvious? "Remember I was assigned as your personal tour guide. We don't want the prince getting lost. We're going to be in the cafeteria for lunch." she took his hand. "You don't have to associate with your other sister dorm. We're enough. Come let me show you some other areas of the school and then our table in the cafeteria is the absolute best table. It's fit for royalty really, right in the center."

"Yeah, only the privileged can sit there." Naki confirmed and shot me a look that I couldn't confirm as either good or bad. I didn't think she could either.

"Uhm bye...." Easton spoke as he was literally yanked away. Jolis' voice ringing through everybody's ear as she loudly pointed things out to him. Holding on to his hand tightly as if to never let go. Naki tagged along behind her.

Willow took my hand. "Come on, let's get you settled before we head to dinner."

"Ooohh can I come?"

"Mason get lost....like literally." 

"We're both mother Earth's children Willow. I love you." Mason called out and laughed as Willow pulled me away.

"Uhm...."

"That's Mason." Willow pointed out. "He's my distant cousin and he is literally unstable. Be careful." She warned. 

My eyes widened. "Oh like...unstable...unstable.....?"

She sighed. "If unstable, unstable means be very wary of him then yes, unstable, unstable."

I nodded quickly. "Uhm....nice to know."

"Oh and Easton was giving you major vibes back there." 

I chuckled and shook my head. "No...he barely said anything."

Willow smirked. "He doesn't talk much from what I've heard." She shrugged. "He's a newbie like you. The precious prince of the land was not allowed to attend schooling with us. He just had his own private tutors you know. So, imagine our surprise when he's able to attend university with us this year."

"He's a pretty big deal huh..."

"Well if being future king is a pretty big deal, than I guess yes." Willow chuckled. "Jolis puts her claws in him because her family is close friends with the royal family. Last year she made a whole speech like when the Prince joins us, back off." Willow rolled her eyes. 

"You like him?" I probed curiously.

Willow stood in front of our door and turned to me in surprise. Then she smiled and reached out and pinched my cheek. "He's handsome, but not my type." Her eyes lingered on my lips and then made it a point to roam my body with a small smile before letting me enter our room.

Oh boy. First day and I was already questioning my sexuality.

**

"How are you?"

"I'm good, I really am." I said, putting away the rest of my clothes. "My roommates are really nice. The dorm is huge. I share my room and like everything is fine. Tiger is totally digging it." I gave my one eyed cat a playful look as he slipped underneath my bed.

"I'm serious Saria...careful with those fairies. They're vain and mischievous. I don't want you getting caught up."

"Uhm this is your daughter you're talking about. When have I ever gotten caught up?" I asked as I hung my dress. "Besides, I think I'm good. Besides hearing those annoying whispers that I'm not full fairy, I don't really think anybody cares about me." I admitted. "It's going to be a breeze."

"I don't like you being so far away."

I turned to my phone that was floating by my head. "Mom, you don't like a lot of things. Let me have this." I looked over the pattern crop top that I was tempted to change into for the bonfire. 

Last party before the start of the school year.

"Everybody's going to be there. And it's one of the few times all the grades mix. It'll be so fun, especially when parties are so rare."

I plucked the top off the hook. I liked a good party. "Alright mom, it's almost night out, I gotta go."

"Okay, call me tomorrow"

"Well do."

"Love you."

"Love you too." I blew her a kiss and grabbed my phone suspended in midair and threw it on my bed. I turned and looked at myself in the mirror with a smile. 

I jumped at the shadow behind me but then quickly realized it was Chloe.

"Sorry." She apologized. "I get that a lot."

"How long have you been on your bed?" I asked.

She smiled soft. "About half an hour. Your mom is pretty."

"Thanks." I said unbuttoning the top. "She worries too much."

"As all mothers."

I smiled at her through the mirror and took off my shirt to put on the new patterned tank. "I guess. You coming?"

The blond girl with the deep bags under her eyes shook her head. "Sleep calls...." she whispered and I watched as she simply fell back and closed her eyes. Her hands clasped over her chest as she immediately began to emit soft snores.

I blinked in surprise. It really didn't' sound like she was faking it.

"Saria!"

Isla's head popped into our bedroom door. "Ready?"

I laughed and turned around. "You look like a unicorn." she was sparkling, literally. Glitter all over her face. She had on a unicorn headband over her pink hair as she did a small shimmy in her pink top, black leather pants and violet tutu.

"Everybody's a unicorn!" she laughed grabbing me and turning me round and round. She reached into the breast pocket of her shirt and pulled out a tube. "Saria, I need to glitter you up. The last party right before the first day of school, is completely about the glitter."

I grinned as she applied the soft cream on my cheekbones, neck and ran her hands over my hair to distribute the rest.

"Let's go!" Willow yelled as she slid across my room, flower petals scattering everywhere. I laughed as I watched her. Isla wasn't joking. The theme must be glitter. Willow was glowing. Silver and gold glitter shimmering around her. A flowing crown of red petals hovered over her head. She turned and threw two more crowns at us and I looked up as a crown of sunflowers settled perfectly above my head. Isla squealed at the crown of daisy's.

She grabbed my hand and Willow's. "Enjoy your sleep Chloe!" she yelled back as we laughed and dashed out of the dorm.

**

Teenagers, Fairies or humans knew how to party. The music was loud. The vibe was strong and there was an inexplicable happy presence in the place. Flashing lights, dancing bodies. Neon drinks being passed around.

I could get used to this life. I truly could. I met a couple more people but after a few of the neon drinks I doubt anybody expected me to remember their names. The greetings went all of two ways, completely interested in me to the point I felt I was part of a zoo. Or I wasn't graced with a single glance of acknowledgment. Could take some getting used to, especially since I'd worked so hard to be popular and maintain the popularity while being Aaron's girlfriend.

As I danced with Isla and Willow, I wondered if maybe....maybe this was what I wanted all along. Something like this. People like this. For the first time in my life, not to be the strangest person in the room. What was a witch to a room of fairies?

By the time I saw prince Easton again, I knew that whatever was in the neon drinks, I had more than reached my limit.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm sorry---I'm sorry..." I hiccuped and covered my mouth in embarrassment. "I'm not usually such a light weight."

"Oh sorry---my bad." 

Somebody bumped into him, causing him to bump into me. Whatever remains was in my glass spilled on the front of my shirt.

"Oh, I'm sorry...I'm sorry." He grabbed my elbow.

I laughed and shook my head as he shielded me from the crowd. My back resting against the cold wall. "There's a lot of sorrys going around. It's okay." I grinned.

Easton leaned in to talk over the music. "Saria right?" he shouted in my ear, but even then I barely heard him.

I nodded. "Yeah."

"What perfume do you use?" He asked again.

I grinned. Was this the Prince's pick up line?

"Not a pickup line, genuinely curious." He answered, pressing his lips against my ear.

My mouth dropped open as I stared at him, eyes wide. He took a step back and watched my expression. He leaned forward again. "Your thoughts are loud."

I dropped the glass in my hand and it shattered, but he took my arm and moved us over a couple steps.

"Oh my God I knew it! I knew it." I pointed my finger at his chest. I pressed my palms against my cheeks. "Okay just for the record, let's be honest, we all have lewd thoughts throughout the day but it's okay because nobody is ever supposed to hear them." I yelled at his mouth.

He smiled. "It sounded like you wanted me to hear them."

I shook my head vehemently. "Just for the record no. Nope. And I do not have a problem with your height. I do not want to climb you like a tree." I stated. "I just say stupid things sometimes in my head."

"No?" He shook his head in amusement, his eyes drifting to my lips. 

Hey I agree, I was talking to his mouth and I was drunk and he was looking so delectable. I mean he was the one that had me cornered against the wall. His height hovering over me, shielding me from the party behind him. I shook my head.

"I'm actually not wearing any perfume." I responded with a smirk. "This is my natural scent....maybe with a spritz of a secret tonic...." I giggled.

He smiled and leaned down again to my ear. "You smell really good." he moved his head, barely an inch when I turned to meet his eyes. "Not like the regular fairies."

"Maybe because I'm not a regular fairy." I stated and shrugged. "Haven't you heard? I'm a Fayke." I elongated the last word for him, watching his reaction. 

Instead I was surprised by the lack of reaction I got from him. His eyes if I weren't mistaken was momentarily guarded.

He leaned down again. His lips brushing my ears. "And you're okay with that?"

I shrugged. "I am who I am." I smiled. "If I was anybody else, I wouldn't be me."

The prince took a step back, his blue eyes roaming my face and then drifting down to take in my outfit of my patterned shirt and the rainbow leggings I wore. His eyes settled on my newly painted white toes in my cute brown sandals. He looked back up at me and I watched as he ran his tongue underneath one of his upper canine teeth before closing his mouth.

He nodded. "I see."

I grinned. "Do you? Do you see?" I teased playfully.

He smiled  his eyes still roaming my face. "You're a light fairy." He stated simply his gaze piercing mine as if he was looking into my very essence.

I blinked in confusion. "Wait---how----how do you know that?" I looked up and around. "Did I do something?"

"The smile." He replied. "Lights up the room."

My eyes widened, my smile growing bigger.

"That was a pick up line." He nodded.

I gasped and then threw my head back and laughed, leaning my weight against the wall "Okay, okay, not bad prince...not bad."

"Not bad huh?" A small tug reached the end of his lips. "Sorry, I'm a bit rusty."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah okay, like all these girls are throwing their panties at you prince."

"Can you call me Easton?"

"Oh trying to blend in with the civilians Easton?" I teased, swaying slightly towards him, before leaning back against the wall.

"No, just wanted to hear my name on your lips." He responded.

I laughed and looked around in disbelief. "Okay now I know you're playing me." I pointed at him accusingly. "You cannot be rusty and have such effortlessly flirty comments."

"I practiced in front of the mirror."

I laughed again and covered my mouth, tears welling up at the corner of my eyes. Proud of himself he allowed his smile to grow hesitantly, almost as if he wasn't used to it.

He moved his head swiftly to the side. It allowed me to take in his profile. That perfect jawline. His hair looked soft enough to touch. Easton turned back to me. "Hey wanna get some fresh air?" He suggested quickly.

I looked behind him, seeing Jolis' scanning the dancing bodies frantically. Pushing people out of the way, once she was sure, it wasn't the prince.

"Aww, running from your future queen?" I pouted.

Easton grimaced. "No, just want some fresh air."

I chuckled. "Yeah."

"By the way, she's not my future queen." He spoke pointedly.

I lifted my chin in amusement. "Oh....does she know that?"

Then kiss me. I stared directly at him.

His lips parted in surprise.

I bit down on my bottom lip and smirked as I held his gaze. Kiss me.

Easton took a step closer to me. I tilted my head up to meet his gaze, my heart racing. For a minute it really felt like we were the only two in the room. Staring at each other. A strange pull once again in the pits of my stomach.

"Are you sure?" He whispered. "I'm not the hero in this story."

What a strange thing to say. I grabbed his shirt and closed my eyes in anticipation.

Luckily he didn't keep me waiting because I felt his lips brush against mine. A slight spark tingled my lips, before he opened his mouth and captured my top lip in between his lips.

Holy sh------

Easton's hand carefully wrapped around my neck as he deepened the kiss.

On my first night? I was wilding for real. I moaned and applied more pressure as he captured my bottom lip between his lips. The touch lingered before our heads slowly parted. I looked up at him. His blue eyes looked to me like it was swirled with red but he closed his eyes and opened them again slowly. His blue eyes returning to normal. It must have been a trick of the light.

Whatever just happened, he quickly released me as if in shock. "Uhm....I....." He clamped his mouth shut.

I shook my head and bopped his nose. "No time for regrets prince. Nice kiss." I grinned and moved off the wall. "I'm going to go join my friends."

"Prince Easton!" Jolis gasped. 

We both turned to her mouth wide, jaws almost hitting the floor.

I wanted to make a smart comment, until I heard the loudest piercing scream, I'd ever heard in my life. "What the hell?" I yelled covering my ears along with everybody else.

The music and lights stopped flashing as Chloe appeared out of thin air, in the middle of the warehouse, her long white nightgown a couple sizes too big. The crowd gasped as they stared at her eyes, completely black. No whites, no pupils, no iris just black, with black veins running down her cheeks.

"What the fuck..." I whispered pressing myself against the wall. What was she? 

Easton stepped in front of me as he watched Chloe curiously. His head tilted to the side. I watched as he moved his head sharply his gaze on the front door.

Chloe moved her head back and forth. She let out a low wail that resonated through our bone and then the softest melodic humming escaped her lips. "Jaqueline."

Another scream was followed by the main door being yanked open. "They took Jaqueline!"

Everybody gasped and rushed towards the front door.

"Who? What? What happened?"

"I don't know it was so fast----so fast. I was looking for her, she was by the blue stones and somebody was there. I don't know! I don't know and they just like shot into the air! Just fucking shot up!" the girl looked around frantically as everybody started talking all at once.

"Saria!" I turned to Isla who grabbed my hand.

"What's going on?" I whispered.

"Jaqueline's been taken." Willow answered. "And by Chloe's song. She's dead."

I looked at them in alarm. "What?"

I turned as a siren blasted throughout the campus. 

"That's for everybody to meet in the cafeteria." Isla gasped. "Oh we're dead. We're so dead."

I looked around helplessly following Isla and Willow and the rest of the crowd as we ran from the warehouse back to the main campus.

What the hell? What the hell was going on here?