Page 6 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos (The Rossi Legacies #7)

“This suddenly feels like a prison,” Heaven says as she looks out of the window. “When they wanted our biometrics, I thought it was for a dinner pass or something.”

“It’s for that too and more,” Tatum replies as he drives past the trees and around the side to a vast car park.

There are lots of students all over, and I sink a little lower in my seat, a little unhappy whimper escaping my lips.

Tatum and Heaven both look at me.

“Really, Si?” Heaven giggles. “Come on, it’ll be different, alright?”

Will it, though?

“Well, I’ll begin unloading the car. Pep talk yourself, Si, this is it.” Tatum gets out, and I pull my hood over my head, sinking lower.

“Wow, I never knew you were part snake. Stop slithering down into the seat. Come on, stop being so gloomy and let’s go,” Heaven tuts as she opens the door and gets out gracefully, tossing her blond hair over her shoulder and placing her handbag on her arm.

I spot several people glancing towards her, and she smiles slightly, loving the attention.

I hate school.

I open the door, grumbling as I push it wide. It feels so tedious…

Maybe I’m a vampire, but I suddenly feel ill. I want to go home.

Keeping my head down, I shuffle over to Tatum and look up at him imploringly. “Si, I can’t do anything. Only Aunty Del has the power to get you out of here, and she said no, remember?” he whispers, as he takes out Heaven’s never-ending set of matching sky-blue luggage.

“Watch those don’t get dirty,” Heaven says with a flick of her finger.

Tatum narrows his eyes at her. “Goddess, am I fucked if I’m going to be running errands?”

I smile slightly, but nothing is going to help me feel any better. “Come on, you have to wait in the hall until rooms are assigned,” I tell Heaven, about to grab one of her suitcase handles, but she whispers a spell allowing her suitcases to float around her, only drawing more attention to herself.

“See, Tatum? I don’t need your help. And yes, please, Si. Allie is already here. Grandad Al arrived early.”

I nod, grabbing my small, red pull-along suitcase, and lead the way towards the entrance, hoping no one notices me as everyone we pass turns to look at Heaven.

In her branded clothes, with her perfect hair and her model-like strut, she’s clearly here to make a statement, and she’s already making one.

I wish there were such a thing as an invisibility cloak, like in Harry Potter! It would come in handy! I need one!

Yes, I know I’m sulking, but I hate this place. We’re almost through the car park when I spot a familiar bike.

Jayce’s…

Once inside, it’s even more packed. Students are all over the place, talking and shouting, and one couple is even kissing. I walk down the large, spacious entrance hall, glancing back to see if Heaven’s following when she enters. The hall visibly goes a little silent.

“Raihana Rossi’s daughter…”

“That’s High Witch Seraphina’s daughter…”

“Heaven Rossi, some say she’s powerful already…”

“She’s strong. I can sense her aura!” a girl close to me whispers to her friend.

I smile proudly and nod in agreement. “She is,” I say to them.

They give me a strange look, and one of them wrinkles her nose. “Weirdo,” she mutters before they both snicker, and I remember where I am and what I’m thought of here.

I don’t say anything else as I wait to the side for Heaven. Her heels click against the stone floor as she smiles at me and walks over, stopping in front of the two girls. She gives them a haughty once-over.

“Weirdos.” She rolls her eyes at the obviously appalled seniors, and I want to hide away.

“Come on, Heaven, let’s go,” I say, tugging her towards the hall. The sound of chatter is even louder, and when we enter, it’s full of so many kids and luggage.

I scan the crowds, looking for Allie, but can’t find her anywhere.

“Call her,” I say to Heaven since she’s holding her phone in her hand.

“She’s on the far side, lets-”

“If you’re not a first-year, then out!” someone thunders, and I wince, spotting Alpha Matherson. He’s one of our professors, and I’m not about to disobey him. He’s at the entrance, pointing at a sign.

ONLY NEW ARRIVALS TO ENTER

Oops.

“I’d better go, I’ll see you guys later. Say hi to Allie!” I whisper to Heaven.

“Miss Rossi! Out!” I flinch as I wave at Heaven and hurry towards the exit.

“Sorry, Alpha Matherson,” I say as I step out into the hall.

I’d better head to my dorm, drop my bag off, find out who I’m rooming with, and then I can show the girls around.

I turn down the hall, gripping my carry-on by the handle as I hurry up the stairs. It’s quieter up here, the noise from below fading into a dull hum. When I reach the top, I put my suitcase down and wheel it along one of the long corridors.

I round a corner when I come face-to-face with none other than Jayce Westwood, leaning against a wall, one foot propped against the wall behind him, arms crossed over his broad chest, standing too close to a pretty girl, a senior.

She’s laughing at something, her hand brushing his arm, and he leans down as she says something quietly, staring up at him with obvious lust that makes me feel sick.

My stomach twists, my throat tightens.

Why does it bother me?

Because he hates me, but he’s ok with everyone else but me. He treats everyone else better.

Better than he’ll ever treat me.