The dorm hallway went silent when the door creaked open.
Zane stepped out, tugging the blindfold off his face.
For a heartbeat, the air froze. Not many had ever seen his face—at least, not uncovered.
The boys gasped. "H-his eyes!"
"Close your eyes! We are not worthy!"
"I can still feel the aura through my blindfold!"
Half the corridor bowed, fumbling to cover their faces with sleeves, towels, anything.
Zane sighed, utterly unimpressed, and placed a hand on Celeste's shoulder. Without a word, he dragged her inside the room.
The door shut behind them with a heavy thunk.
Celeste blinked. The sight before her looked like the setup to a theatrical villain's lair:
Mira, leaning against the desk, spinning a dagger idly between her fingers like an evil lieutenant.
Luna, tense and upright, her posture screaming I am so ready to fight if this goes sideways.
Asher, standing with his arms stretched out to the sides like he could open a hundred portals on a whim, a cocky smirk tugging at his mouth.
And Zane, dropping the blindfold onto his bed as if to complete the picture of a criminal mastermind convening his inner circle.
Celeste raised a brow. "…What a warm welcome."