Chapter 41

The first day back always had that same buzz—the one that filled the air with just enough chaos to keep me from being bored out of my mind. But today, Gideon had wandered off, lost in some tedious conversation with an old friend from his dorm. I watched him, half-hoping he’d finish up soon so we could do something… anything, really.

But he didn’t. He was too focused, too absorbed. I rolled my eyes, tapping my fingers on the side of my bag. Where was the fun in standing around, waiting?

That was when I caught a glimpse of her—Xiomara. She was sitting alone, looking just as pitiful as usual, slouched over her bag with those ridiculous stacks of books spilling out of it. Her hair was all wrong, too neat and shiny for someone who supposedly belonged to the Dark faction, and her posture… she might as well have had kick me scrawled on her forehead.

I smirked. Perfect.

Everyone knew Xiomara was an easy target, and she was as good a distraction as any. I hadn’t forgotten what Gideon had told me about her on the camping trip. He’d confessed it quietly by the fire, his face almost bashful, explaining how he’d gone down on her, how he’d made her feel good. I’d laughed it off at the time, but the confession had left a strange twist in my gut that I hadn’t managed to shake. Just thinking about it now stirred something ugly, something sharp. The idea of him… with her. It was infuriating, and yet, here she was, sitting all alone like she was waiting for something to happen.

I grinned. Maybe she was waiting. I could give her something to remember.

The moment I reached into my pocket, feeling the smooth edges of a few small stones, an idea formed. Perfect for a quick enchantment—just enough to make things… interesting. I focused on her bag, muttering a few words under my breath, then gave the stones a flick of my fingers. They shimmered, taking on a faint glow before flying across the room.

The first one clipped the edge of her bag, loosening the top flap. A small corner of parchment slipped out, unnoticed by her. The second nudged her pencil case, tipping it just enough for a few pens to roll across the floor. It was minor, barely noticeable. I stifled a laugh as she bent down, trying to gather her things, her face flushed as she scrambled to keep everything in order.

It was too easy. She was too predictable, too… naive. Always huddled in those dark corners with her books, acting like she belonged in a place that would chew her up and spit her out. What Gideon saw in her, I’d never understand. But this? This was a reminder of her place.

Then, I flicked the last stone. This one I aimed just right so it hit the base of her bag, knocking it wide open. Books, notebooks, everything went tumbling out in a chaotic mess, scattering across the floor. She gasped, her hands shooting out to catch what she could, but it was too late. The hall burst into laughter, a few voices echoing with mocking pity as she clutched at her things, her cheeks red.

I grinned, watching her struggle, her face a picture of utter humiliation. I couldn’t help it; I laughed, the sound carrying down the hall. The sight of her, crouched there on her knees, desperately gathering her books while everyone looked on, was almost too good. She deserved this. For taking up Gideon’s attention, for being a nuisance. She deserved every second of it.

But the longer I watched her scramble, her face growing redder with each snicker, a tiny flicker of something else tugged at me—a hint of unease, quickly smothered. Why did I care if it went a little far? She’d dealt with worse, right? I shrugged it off, my laughter bubbling up again.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a flicker of movement. Gideon was walking back, his gaze shifting between me and Xiomara, his brows pulling together as he took in the scene. He reached my side, his expression darkening as he watched her, humiliated and struggling.

My laughter tapered off as I met his gaze. There was no humor in his eyes—just something cold, something sharper than I’d seen before. I felt a flash of irritation. It was just Xiomara. She was nobody. Why did he care?

Gideon didn’t say a word. Instead, his hand clamped down on my arm, hard, and before I could make a snide comment, he was dragging me down the hall and into an empty room.

“Gideon, what the hell?” I snapped, jerking my arm free. “Can’t a guy have a little fun?”

But he didn’t let go. He shoved me further into the room, his grip tight, his jaw clenched as he closed the door behind us.