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“When did you graduate?” she asked, her curiosity taking over.

“It feels like forever ago,” he answered, a smile curling the corner of his mouth.

That was an odd answer considering his relatively young age, but he didn’t notice her questioning glance since he was looking around the campus.

“Tell me, Alexandra, is Headmaster Marselle in residence at present?”

Her internal alarm bells started ringing and she looked at him suspiciously. “Why do you ask?”

Aven’s golden eyes blazed with suppressed emotion until he blinked, leaving her to wonder if she’d only imagined the fire in them.

“We’ve not caught up for a while,” he said. “I merely wish to pay my respects.”

It seemed like a normal enough answer to Alex. Figuring there was no harm in telling him, she said, “Then I’m sorry, but the headmaster is away at the moment. We’re not sure when to expect him back.”

Something unidentifiable flickered in his piercing gaze but it was gone before she could process it. Presuming it was disappointment, Alex hurried on to say, “Administrator Jarvis is here. I’m sure he would be happy to greet a former student.”

“No doubt you are correct,” Aven agreed, “but perhaps another time.”

She opened her mouth to argue but was distracted when his mesmerising eyes caught hers. He spoke again before she managed to form any words. “Are you enjoying your stay here?”

She blinked, but still she was trapped in his gaze. “I—uh—huh?”

He moved closer, stepping deliberately into her personal space. “Have you discovered your power yet?”

“Do you mean my gift?”

Aven shook his head. “Not your gifting, I couldn’t care less about whatever insignificant ability you possess. I’m speaking of the power you wield. Has it yet been confirmed? Have you learned how to control it?”

Okay, what?Alex had no idea what he was talking about, and from the near-fanatical look in his eyes, she wasn’t sure shewantedto know. What she did want was to get away. Especially because she was finding it difficult not to answer him. It was almost like she desperately wanted—no, sheneeded—to please him. Like it was out of her control. It was different to how she’d felt when Bear had used his gift on her, but she still wondered if Aven was attempting to manipulate her in some way.

He raised an eyebrow, prompting her to answer. Despite her battling thoughts, she couldn’t help but notice that his eyes were blazing again, like molten gold.

“I—” she started, not able to keep her mouth shut any longer. But before she could say anything, she was interrupted.

“Jennings! What are you doing out here? The meeting starts in five minutes!”

Alex tore her eyes away from Aven and looked up the path to see her roommate standing there, hands on her hips.

“Well?” D.C. called. “What are you waiting for? If you’re late they’ll blame me for not getting you, so hurry up!”

Alex sighed and waved in acknowledgement.

By the time she turned around again, Aven was gone.

Later that night, Alex collapsed onto Jordan’s bed after telling him and Bear about the events of her afternoon. The three of them had retreated to the boys’ dorm straight after the assembly where Jarvis had assured the students that there was nothing for them to worry about as the Lockdown had been merely a precaution. A precaution for what, he hadn’t said. And despite his reassurances, Alex had noticed his pale complexion even from the back of the room.

“Let me get this straight,” Jordan said. “You ran into the same strange guy that you first met when you arrived here, talked with him for a while, and then watched as he disappeared before your very eyes?”

Alex shook her head. “I didn’t see him disappear. He was just gone when I turned back around.”

“Right,” Jordan said, sounding sceptical.

“Is that so hard to believe?” she asked. “And anyway, his disappearing act wasn’t the important part of the story. It’s obvious he must have opened a Bubbledoor. The more important questions are, who is he and what was he doing here? And why is he so interested in me?”

“Come on, Alex, any guy with eyes would be interested in you,” Bear said, scooping up a handful of popcorn that they’d taken from the Rec Room earlier.

She choked out a startled laugh. “Excuse me?”