Page 2 of Just One Bite

Chapter One

Olivia

*A few hours earlier*

“Hurry and find our names,” I shout over the crowd.

My little sister dives for the bulletin board within the bustling crowd of other students. I try to keep track of the pastel-pink ends of her blonde hair, but she’s out of sight in seconds.

The entire system is inefficient. An almost four-hundred-year-old school hasn’t found a better way to announce dorm assignments than a piece of paper on a board in the courtyard.

Second by second, the crowd shoves me back as I examine the castle in the distance.

It’s the tallest building I’ve ever seen, so it’s hard not to stare at the turrets stretching into the sky to figure out the symbol on the end of each spire.

It’s a star, I think. Then someone else pushes me, so I grab onto my other sister for support.

Evangeline—the only thing I’ve ever called her is Eva—is sickly pale and biting her cheek.

I wrap my arm around hers, and she smiles sheepishly.

She may be the oldest, but taking charge was never her thing.

She prefers for my younger sister and me to take the lead.

Unless it involves any type of athletics, then she’d rather not be involved at all.

I don’t blame her. It was a tough afternoon.

Dad dropped us off late, and the car ride ended in tears and bickering—Eva had no time to plan, and her hair suffered for it.

She wanted it down and curled, but now, her blonde hair is frizzy and pulled into a bun that she swears is slightly lopsided—it isn’t.

“This is a disaster.”

I agree but instead say, “We’ll be fine.”

Eva is naturally a better socializer than I am when she isn’t feeling out of sorts.

“No. I haven’t eaten. I’m so nervous. We’re probably going to get split up.”

And hungry. I know the signs of an Eva panic attack when I see one, but I’ve come prepared. I rummage in my suitcase sitting at my feet, moving past my ballet shoes and silk pajamas.

“I have some crackers in my bag. Want some?” I ask.

She nods swiftly and snatches the crackers from me as soon as I dig them out of hiding.

Same as me, she likes to plan and have order.

Only, I like those things and she needs them.

As she eats the crackers and bits of crumbs pepper her uniform, she stops swaying and bumping into my shoulder. One crisis averted.

Behind her, I notice the attention of almost all the new students as they pass us to get their room assignment. Long-lingering stares, and some stop to gawk. If Eva notices, she’ll start hyperventilating.

“Emma, hurry up!” I call.

I adjust the skirt of my uniform and tug at the socks.

I should have opted for the longer skirt option.

Black is the only allowed color for orientation, and that includes sweaters and shirts too.

Emma and Eva weren’t thrilled, considering everything they typically wear is in a lighter color palette.

Doxlothia Academy’s orientation begins at sundown.

There are two moons in Vviveren. I used to love staring up at them back home, but I could never get a full view through the trees.

Now I have a complete, unrestricted view of the periwinkle sky as a contrasting blue crescent hangs overhead next to a full pink moon.

The campus is brimming with lofty brick and stone buildings and elegant iron streetlamps.

All are draped in strings of fairy lights and lanterns in different house colors, which are directly linked to the dorm assignments.

It’s easy to identify the new students by their lack of color.

The established pass by sporting one of the four house colors—purple, pink, blue, or green—on either their ties, slacks, accessories, skirts, or blazers.

“Got it!” Emma appears with her phone, her shoulder-length bob curling at her neck. She pulls up a picture, and we dodge the other students who don’t mind moving us out of their way.

With eyes sparking in excitement, she zooms in on the list :

Emma Osborne – Luxxia House

Evangeline Osborne – Stelliea House

“I told you.” Eva’s fingernails dig into my forearm.

“Maybe Olivia is in your house,” Emma says, jutting out her chin toward me.

It’s not-so-subtle sister code for “be encouraging.” And I am, but I’m not going to lie to Eva to make her feel better.

Before attending Doxlothia, we had to take a test. They made us come to the campus and tour before locking us in a room for two hours.

The test was filled with what would you do questions.

Students are sorted based on their compatibility and “ability to work together.” It’s not so much about like-mindedness as it is getting students to unify through differences.

Doxlothia is Vviveren’s leading university in interspecies connection, so its classifying system was hardly a surprise.

I love my sisters, but it’s time for us to get a little distance. Twenty-one years of sharing a room is enough for me.

As soon as I think of the words, I spot my name a few lines down.

Olivia Osborne – Noxx House

My heart stutters. Mom’s House.

My house knowledge is limited, but I know the most about my mom’s old house.

I remember her old violet skirts hanging in her closet that she’d worn for uniforms. Noxx House boasts some of the most prestigious alumni to make up the Vviveren cabinet—the ones who run the country.

It’s best known for its strategic thinkers, perfectionists, and highly regarded leaders, varying from celebrity athletes to CEOs in the city.

“Eva. Breathe. It’s going to be okay,” Emma says, now supporting Eva from the other side.

“Okay, we’re going to get settled into our houses, then we can meet back in the courtyard. It’s not a big deal.”

“What if I can’t find it?” Eva says, and they both look at me.

“You have the map, remember?”

While they continue to exchange worried questions, I dig through my suitcase again, realizing I will be sacrificing my map.

We’re surrounded by cheers and howls as those around us celebrate their houses.

Hordes of students in their respective house colors wave their flags and posters.

They’re lining the circular courtyard in waiting, shuffling around us to scream directly in our faces with their house pride.

Eva’s eyes stay wide like they’re yelling at her for doing something wrong.

My father taught me houses at Doxlothia were a big deal.

They each create legacy students, have their own traditions and history.

But as I stare at the young adults around me screaming, running, and scaring my sisters, I can’t help but wonder if it’s more bullshit my dad peddled. Only time will tell.

I adjust the collar of my shirt and straighten my shoulders. We’re still being gawked at. Perhaps I’m not used to the attention. We grew up in a secluded area and were homeschooled all but two years in our teen years, and even then, the school was mostly human.

I never thought I’d get to attend university, let alone start the same year as my sisters. I’m not complaining, us starting together makes this change easier, but it’s not like we had any choice when Dad refused to let us out of his sight for more than a few hours.

Just like your mother, you and your sisters have special blood. I have to protect you. I don’t need you to like me. I just need to keep you safe.

My dad’s words ring in my head. Humans, werewolves, and vampires all live together peacefully, all the interspecies fighting ended centuries ago, and Doxlothia was founded shortly after.

Seeing the campus for the first time proves it; there are booths for humans, donors, vampires, and werewolves alike.

Most public schools are combined and with little issue from what I can tell.

The Donor Program doesn’t allow anyone under the age of twenty to join, and university doesn’t start for the majority until twenty-one.

But Doxlothia is known as the safe haven for all, even humans who choose not to be donors like my sisters and me. Upon entrance to the courtyard, an iron gate holds a slate with the words “ a bridge between worlds ” carved deep into the stone.

“According to the map, our houses are on the left side of the river,” Emma says to Eva, then looks at me. “Yours is on the far east side of the campus.”

I look over my shoulder to the dimly lit path leading into the trees. “Right. So we’ll settle in, and orientation is in a few hours at the front of the castle.”

“Plenty of time,” Emma says.

Eva’s eyes are dull from the redness.

“Maybe call Jared. Tell him about the campus on your way,” I say. I almost feel guilty for not having the same house assignment. Perhaps I should have prepared her better.

Jared is Evangeline’s boyfriend. He’s a human she met at the flower shop in our hometown, Groveshire. A safe match, but she’d never admit that. She says, “ He’s nice ” when asked. He came for dinner once, and Emma and I interrogated him so viscously he never came again.

“Good idea.” Eva grabs another cracker and chews.

“I’ll meet up with you in a bit.”

I sling my bag over my shoulder and head for the open path teeming with students.

The ground is covered in colored cobblestones.

Many are painted in various whimsical murals that resemble the constellations, with arrows and lettering that lead you to the various halls and houses.

It’s hard to see the full scope of the campus as the sun fades from the sky, but I’d memorized the map.

All classes reside in the castle, along with the academic clubs.

The other buildings are designated for arts and other extracurriculars.

I am thinking about taking a detour to find the dance studio but second-guess it after worrying how long I might keep my sisters waiting.