His place is packed with people. I didn’t know there were this many people attending the academy. I also have no idea how he manages to get so many inside his suite. It’s big, but not that big.
“How about a drink?” Reuben asks, yelling over the music.
“Yes, thank you.”
He holds up a finger to indicate he’ll just be a minute. I lean against the wall and watch the room. Most people here are dancing with a few trying to have conversations around the perimeter.
I quickly spot Brad. He looks bored as he listens to a girl talking to him. Her hands are waving everywhere. I haven’t seen him with this girl before so that makes it number three? Three in two days is pretty impressive.
I shouldn’t even be wasting my time looking at him. I have to force my gaze away. Doug waves at me from across the room. He’s standing with another guy as they have a drink.
Reuben seems to be taking a long time. I feel awkward standing around by myself so I go wandering. I almost run straight into a guy heading in the opposite direction.
“Sorry,” I mutter.
He looks up from the drink he just saved from going all down my top. Recognition hits. I really hate that everyone knows who I am.
“Hello, Princess. I’m so glad you’re here,” he says. “My name is Crestley. I’m in the same year as you are.”
Thankfully, the music isn’t as loud here. Hopefully, Reuben will be able to find me.
“It’s nice to meet you,” I reply.
He holds his hand out for me to shake. I take it so I don’t leave him hanging. He pushes his black-rimmed glasses further up on the bridge of his nose. In this light his eyes look violet—is that even possible? I guess in a world where I’ll have wings one day, any eye color is possible.
“How are you enjoying the party?”
“It’s…busy,” I say honestly. “I only just got here. This place is incredible.”
“Yeah, Seb goes to a lot of trouble. His parties are legendary around here.”
“So I’m told.” Although, besides the magical décor, I’m yet to be impressed. It just seems like every other teenage party I’ve been to. This music might be a touch better.
“I’ve been allocated to be your advisor in the palace,” he says happily. “I was so excited when I received the notice. I hope I can do a good job for you.”
So he’s advisor number three. I wonder who the fourth person is. He seems nice enough. “I’m sure you’ll be great. You already know a bunch more than I do about Fae and the kingdom.”
“I can answer any questions you have. It must be weird coming here after so much time away. Was it nice in the human world?”
“Yeah. My family were fantastic.” A stab of longing hits me. I would like to call my mother and tell her all about this place. She would love the idea of Faeries so much.
He smiles warmly. It could be the lighting, but he has a ginger tinge to his hair. It complements his beautifully colored eyes.
“I grew up with adoptive parents too,” he says. “I know it’s not the same because mine were Fae too, but I can kind of understand your situation. Have you been to the palace yet?”
“No, not yet.” I wonder when I will and how far away from here it is. How do people get around here? I haven’t seen any cars or buses, or even a road. I make a mental note to ask Mercury later.
I still can’t believe I have to ask my cat these basic questions.
“You’ll be amazed when you do.”
Reuben finds me and hands me a drink. “I got you cola, hope that’s okay. Hey, Crest, how’s it going?”
The cola is chilled and goes down smoothly. I didn’t realize how thirsty I was until I took a sip. The guys have a chat while I tune out and scan the crowd. Brad’s gaze meets mine across the room. I hold it instead of looking away.
He’s so intense, I’m not sure if it’s pure arrogance or something more. Maybe I’m giving him too much benefit of the doubt. He’s probably an ass. Definitely so if he’s a womanizer.
“Would you like to dance?” Crestley asks, bringing me out of my daze.
I look at Reuben. “Would you mind?”
“No, go ahead.”
I place my drink on a nearby table and accept Crestley’s hand as he leads me into the dancing fray. It’s too loud to talk so there is nothing to do except dance.
He’s actually a good mover as he keeps up with the music’s rhythm and manages not to look like a lanky idiot. I’m aware of people watching us but I try not to care. I enjoy dancing and nobody can take that away from me.
I spot Hayley dancing with two guys at the same time. She’s having the time of her life, judging by the huge smile on her face.
The song changes into one of my favorites. I guess they get human music here too. I let the rhythm reverberate through my ribcage as I dance up close and personal with Crestley. He keeps up with me and the smile never leaves his face.
We end the song by singing the last verse together—at the top of our lungs. We fall into a fit of laughter afterward. I may have only met this guy not half an hour ago, but it feels like I’ve known him forever.
Another song comes on. Crestley holds his hand out for me to take so we can continue on. I take it. The dancefloor is way too much fun to leave yet.
For the first time since I arrived at the academy, I’m completely relaxed and actually having fun. Maybe it’s not going to be all hard work and homework here. Seb’s parties will keep me sane through it all.
Whoever Seb is, anyway.
Halfway through the next song, there are loud noises that aren’t part of the track. Crestley grabs my elbow and pulls me close to him as the crowd surges toward the outside walls.
Over the music, I can hear two people yelling and screaming as if they’re arguing. I can’t see anything through the crush of bodies. The heat of the room is starting to make me burn from the inside out.
The screaming intensifies as more voices join in. Crestley pulls me close to him. “We have to get you out of here.”
He tugs my arm. I’m not ready to leave yet. We were only just getting started having fun. The people fighting should take it outside. They shouldn’t be ruining it for the rest of us.
“Princess,” Crestley growls in my ear. “We have to go. Now.”
He’s overreacting. It’s just a little argument. They used to break out at my old high school all the time. Teachers would step in, detention would be dished out, and that would be it. They were only ever dangerous to those swinging punches.
Doug suddenly stands in front of me. He addresses Crestley behind me. “She needs to get out of here immediately. The Dark Fae are here.”
“I hoped that wasn’t the case,” Crestley replies.
“We’ll go out the back.”
I no longer have a say as the two men crowd me and force me to shuffle away. Doug holds my hand as he pulls me along behind him. Right behind me is Crestley. Somehow, Reuben also appears at my side and hurries with us.
The shouting gets louder as students start to move in all different directions. The music continues to play over the top of the noise, making everything chaotic as others yell to be heard above it all.
“We need to check on Hayley,” I scream at Reuben. He’s the closest to me and the one most likely to hear me. I tug on Doug’s hand so he can’t pull me along any further. “I can’t leave until I know Hayley is okay.”