6: Fears, Fucks, and The Four

The boy’s lips hovered a breath away from hers. Seraphine felt a sudden jolt, her cheeks igniting with warmth as her mind raced in confusion. What is happening?

But just as she held her breath, ready for the unexpected, he smirked. That wicked, self-satisfied grin sent a thrill down her spine.

“Relax, new girl,” he drawled, his tone teasing. “I was just checking to see if you’d flinch.”

He didn’t go in for a kiss. Instead, he straightened, flipping his inky black hair back as if he hadn’t just toyed with her sanity.

Seraphine blinked, trying to collect herself.

And that’s when…

It struck her, they were walking together.

Behind him stood three others, each exuding their own brand of irresistible charisma. They moved in sync, like shadows of the same storm, effortlessly drawing every eye in the room. No wonder everyone whispered about them. They weren’t just boys. They were…something else.

The first boy leaned casually against the railing, his eyes like molten silver, glimmering with every flicker of starlight. His sharp features and elusive smirk gave him an air of untouchability, yet the way his gaze tracked her with predatory intensity sent a shiver racing down her spine.

Then there was the second boy, who stood a few steps away, hands jammed in his pockets. His dark, tousled hair framed a face defined by a stormy glare, his gray eyes flashing with irritation at her very presence. Unlike the others, he wore no mask; his annoyance was palpable, a wall that felt formidable and unyielding.

But it was the last boy who ensnared her attention completely. He didn’t bother hiding his gaze, watching her with an almost unsettling intensity. His golden eyes radiated a primal energy, and his every stance spoke of restrained power, like a predator waiting for the right moment to pounce. When their eyes locked, her chest tightened, as if he could plunge deep into her soul and lay bare her innermost secrets.

The first boy, the one who had almost kissed her, leaned in again, tilting his head with a sly smile.

“You’re new here,” he said, his voice smooth and laced with a hint of danger. “Clearly, you don't know who we are.”

Seraphine gulped, her heart racing. “Should I?”

His grin widened, as if she had just delivered the punchline to a particularly good joke. He moved even closer, his eyes glinting like sharp crystals in the dim light.

“Oh, sweetheart. You’ll find out soon enough.”

With a casual swagger, the boys brushed past her, leaving behind a trail of smirks and lingering glances. Their footsteps echoed softly on the star-lit platforms before they vanished into one of the glowing arches. Seraphine felt her pulse quicken, warmth flooding her skin where he had leaned too close, making it hard to catch her breath.

Just as she was about to breathe again, three figures appeared, hurrying toward her.

A girl with bouncy curls and wide hazel eyes gripped Seraphine’s arm, as if they were long-lost friends. “Oh my god, girl! How did you pull that off?”

Seraphine blinked in confusion. “Pull off… what?”

The tall boy beside her snorted. He had sandy blond hair falling into his eyes and an expression of permanent curiosity. “She’s definitely a witch. Or maybe a vampire. No normal human could make them stop like that.”

The second girl rolled her eyes and swatted his arm. Her sleek black bob swung as she shot him a sideways glance. “Calm down, Caleb. Look at her, she’s clearly still figuring things out. You can tell she hasn’t even awakened yet.”

“Yeah, but…” Caleb muttered, not looking convinced. “Sometimes it happens early. Some kids just know spells instinctively; they only need a bit of training to harness them.”

Seraphine felt caught in a whirlwind, her mind racing as she tried to process their words. Witches? Vampires? Spells? Each term was more baffling than the last.

Finally, she blurted, “What the hell is happening? Who are you people? And those four boys, what was that all about?” The confusion in her voice was palpable, revealing the depth of her bewilderment.

The curly-haired girl instantly let go of her arm, her expression softening. “ “Sorry about that! We got a bit carried away. I’m Lyra,” she said, flashing a radiant smile, almost as if to make amends. “This dork over here is Caleb, and she’s Mina.”

Mina gave a subtle nod, her eyes carefully scanning their surroundings. “Yeah, we realize this place is… well, overwhelming.”

Seraphine folded her arms, irritation creeping into her voice. “Overwhelming? Try downright insane.”

Mina arched an eyebrow, her gaze sharp and assessing as it bore into Seraphine. “You genuinely don’t know who they are?”

Crossing her arms defiantly, Seraphine shot back, “Should I?”

Caleb let out a low whistle, shaking his head in disbelief. “Wow, you really are clueless. Unbelievable! You’ve just crossed paths with the Four.”

“The Four?” Seraphine echoed, confusion etched across her face.

Lyra leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with intrigue, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Alaric Vortemont. The vampire. He’s the one with those molten-silver eyes, always looking like he can peer into your very soul and tear it apart. He’s heir to one of the oldest vampire bloodlines in the world.”

Mina jumped in, her tone smooth yet serious. “Then there’s Kade Thorne, the brooding werewolf. Tall, dark-haired, forever shoving his hands in his pockets like the universe has offended him. He’s Alpha-born, dangerously quiet, a real liability if you annoy him, especially on a full moon.”

Caleb smirked, thrilled to add his piece. “And let’s not forget Damien Drakaris, the dragon. With his golden eyes and a sharp smile, it’s like he’s always plotting how to set the world ablaze. His family’s bloodline is draconic royalty.”

Lyra’s lips curled mischievously as she concluded, “And last but certainly not least, Lucien Virelith, the incubus. Darkly charming and playfully dangerous, he’s the one who leaned in close to you just now. He has a talent for getting under your skin, both literally and figuratively.”

Seraphine blinked, her gaze darting between them in disbelief, as if they had just performed a scene from some twisted dark fantasy film. “You’re joking, right?”

“No one jokes about the Four,” Mina said, her tone icy and resolute. “They’re not just powerful; they’re a force of nature: famous, feared, and utterly dangerous. And let’s be real… they rule this academy. They don’t just ‘notice’ people. Especially not new girls.”

Lyra’s eyes narrowed, curiosity igniting a spark in her expression. “So, Seraphine, what’s the deal? Why did they actually stop to talk to you? They never do that with anyone else.”

Seraphine let out a dismissive scoff, crossing her arms defiantly. “You guys are seriously hyping them up way too much. Honestly? Those boys are just dorks; rude, arrogant, and downright bizarre. I can’t fathom why you’re singing their praises. Next time they try something like that again, I will seriously slap them so hard they won’t be the Four anymore. They’ll just be the Fucks.”

Caleb burst out laughing. “The fucks? Wowww.”

But the laugh died in his throat as his eyes darted over her shoulder.

Seraphine turned her stomach dropping.

The Four stood a few paces away, watching her.

And they had heard everything.