Enemy

M y eyes flutter open and I realize that after Dank’s advice, he was so quiet I fell asleep. It’s not unusual for me to get wrung out when I face a lot of anxiety at once, forcing me to crash later on. The adrenaline wears off, making my body heavy until I have no option but to give it the rest it demands. How long I’m under varies by how stressful and prolonged the situation was, so when I awaken, I’m not sure if I’ve been out for ten minutes or ten hours.

Rubbing my face, I feel Dottie push her head against my chin and I smile a little. At least I know she’s not another issue I’ll have to disguise at this university. I shift in my seat, stretching my legs and back before I turn to the silent driver. “Sorry, I conked out. I have pretty gnarly anxiety and this whole thing tripped it.”

I can’t see his expression because of the weird ass mask, but he nods. “It is alright, Master Kit. The trip to campus from your location is longer by this method. However, there will be faster methods available in the future. The separation from your foster family was more arduous than my standard retrievals, so I understand your apprehension.”

My lips curve up a little. If most of the students and staff speak with Dank’s level of education, I’m going to enjoy interactions at Discordia. I’m not an intellectual snob, per se, but the people in my house acted as though I was judging their intelligence because I didn’t dumb things down. It grated on my nerves more than I could admit; it’s not my fault that I’m smart nor that they’re average. I didn’t dislike the twins because of that—their shitty attitude and bullying caused my distaste. Allison and Brett were no different; I tolerated their worship of the boys and disapproval of my academic pursuits, but nothing said I had to like them for it.

They made their insecurities my responsibility, and I fucking hated it.

“You said I should be careful who I trust at school. Is that because it’s dangerous?” I cut my gaze to the driver, hoping to eke out some info before we arrive.

He sighs heavily, looking as if he’s working out what he can say without getting into trouble. “It can be, Master Kit. Many of the students are children of generations of powerful alumni. Others are from powerful or wealthy families. The amount of students with similar backgrounds to yours in terms of… exposure… is very low, indeed. You will have much to catch up on, and it should be one of your priorities outside of your studies. History, politics, and general knowledge of the beings in residence are extremely important to your continued success at Discordia.”

Brows furrowed, I tilt my head. “And where would I get this knowledge if not from other students? I tried to find things on this place before I signed my letter, but it was buried so deep I couldn’t.”

“I imagine many of the questions you have will be answered within the lowest stacks of the library and through using the school sponsored internet. I advise to be extremely careful with digital ventures, though. Things are heavily monitored both by the school and anyone with the technological know-how to do so surreptitiously.”

Fucking hackers are everywhere, man. But why would they be watching me? I’m no one.

As if he could hear my thoughts, Dank chuckles. “There are strict hierarchies here, Master Kit. Your admission and placement was unexpected, so it has ruffled many feathers amongst staff and students. I cannot reveal everything, but when you ask questions that do not violate my contracts, I can help somewhat.”

I frown as I stroke my hand over Dottie’s fur. That’s a weird way to phrase this, but at least he’s giving it to me fairly straight. “Are people specifically going to be gunning for me? If so, are you able to tell me who I should watch out for?”

Dank is quiet for a moment as he thinks and he replies in a cautious tone. “I cannot name names, alas. However, I would be cautious of anyone in a position of power who is overly friendly or courteous. Not polite, mind—you’ll recognize the behavior, I think. Human foster children have a good sense of false behavior, I’m told. Use your instincts, Master Kit. As for students? Your room placement has caused great distress among those you will be near. It will be an immense hurdle to overcome.”

Fuck me. I was looking forward to living in a place where people didn’t resent my presence.

“Okay. I don’t want to get you in trouble for spilling to me, but I really appreciate your help. My anxiety makes it hard to juggle too many stressors, and this is a definite change. That alone will put me on edge for a while, but having students who hate me in a place where I should be safe will add another layer. It’s not an unfamiliar layer because of my length of time in the foster system, but I was hoping to ditch that when I got to college.” I scratch Dottie thoughtfully, looking at her as I adjust my expectations of my new environment, as I have many times before.

“You will survive, I believe. However, it will probably be difficult and you will need to use all the gifts you have at your disposal to do so—even those you aren’t aware of yet.”

Gifts I’m not aware of? This guy is full of riddles today and if I didn’t know he’s not doing it on purpose, I would be pissy. “Well, I appreciate the vote of confidence. I don’t know if I deserve it, though.”

Looks like I’m going to spend most of my first semester buried in research just to survive—awesome.

When we pull up to a massive set of iron gates emblazoned with the logo from the letters, I lick my lips nervously. Dank has been silent since the not-so-subtle warning he gave me, and I have a knot in my stomach that is growing by the second. This place was my way out of that house, but everything about it is shrouded in mystery. Now I know it won’t even be safe until I learn the lay of the land; it didn’t take a genius to decipher the words behind my driver’s encouragement.

Dottie scoots closer to my neck, burying her face in it as I fight not to tremble with the waves of anxiety that hit me when the gates open and we drive through. My brows furrow at the landscape surrounding the car—where the fuck are we? Black, craggy stone everywhere with no greenery to speak of, and some sort of dark bodies of water surrounding parts of our path to the huge Oxford-style building at the top of the drive. The place looks like a Darkverse version of the coveted English college campus and I shiver as more of the ominous landscape is revealed.

“Dank, why is this place so goddamn gloomy?” I ask as I look out the window.

The eerie masked man looks over briefly, and the silence hangs before he speaks. “I do not believe I can share that with you just yet. His Grace will want to address your concerns when we arrive at your dormitory.”

‘His Grace?’ What twisted ass royal bullshit are people used to here?

“Great,” I mutter as I rub Dottie’s fur gently. “Some stuck up asshole is going to fill me in on whatever he deems necessary. I’ve been through that scene before.”

“Perhaps you should listen not only to what is said, but what is not.”

Nodding, I watch as Dank follows a road off the main buildings that leads towards a vast structure made of what seems to be black rock. When I give him a questioning look, he doesn’t respond, but the sign in front of the odd statue in front says ‘Canto IV.’ As we get closer, I can see a tall imperious looking man with white blond hair and a pinstriped suit under a billowing cape.

Again, what the fuck is with this Bizarro-verse Hogwarts shit?

I desperately want to ask a version of the ‘chicken or the egg’ question to Dank regarding the wizard books and this place, but something tells me that would push it. My semi-friendly driver is notably less talkative since we entered this place, and I have the feeling the reason for it is standing in front of my dorm, looking as if he’d like to summon Zeus to smite me on the spot. I’ve never been a kid that caused trouble for administration besides Child Services and I didn’t intend to here, but how can I respect someone who seems to hate me before I even arrive?

And why the fuck did they invite me and offer to pay for everything if I’m not wanted?

Biting my lip, I use all the tools in my long time foster kid tool box, shoving every ounce of emotion from my features. When the car stops, I allow Dottie to stay on my shoulder since I was told I could have her here. Dank gets out and moves to the back of the car to handle my bags, so I take a deep breath and let it out slowly.

This is no different from a foster home where you aren’t wanted and you can survive this, Kat. As long as they don’t find out you’re not a boy, you can take what they dish out.

Once I feel ready, I open my door and step out of the SUV, looking at the cold yet impressive architecture in front of me. It’s ten stories high, with an interesting dome and something on the flat part of the roof. I can’t see it from here, but I’m determined to look at it until Mr. Eyebrows over there speaks to me. I get the impression I can’t allow him to win at anything, or my time here might be limited.

No matter what this place is, I don’t want to go back to my old home.

“Kit Camponella,” the man says. “We are delighted to receive you at last. Was your trip smooth?”

I turn back to the man I assume is in charge, eyeing his cane and the Malfoy-esque look with scrutiny. “As much as expected. Dank was an outstanding escort.”

You learn after a few different placements that praising someone can get them in as much trouble as complaining, so I purposely keep my reply lukewarm. Eyebrows gives me a wiggins for sure, and I can feel Dottie shaking a little on my shoulder, but I’m determined to keep him from knowing. He would likely enjoy her fear and my distrust more than I care to allow him to.

“Excellent. One of my assistants, Silvera, has sorted your housing and necessities outside of what you brought. Your original dorm, The Citadel , was unexpectedly damaged, and we had to house you in Canto IV instead. Unfortunately, housing is tight this quarter, so we’ve placed you in a vacant room on the top floor. It will be with one of the most elite caliphates in the university, though, so you should settle quickly.”

My gaze shoots to Dank and I wish like hell I could see his expression under the mask. I have a feeling this whole ‘floor sharing’ shit is not a good thing. In fact, my nerves are singing with anxiety and I’d wager being placed here is more of a test or punishment than anything else.

That’s fine. It wouldn’t be the first time some asshole did that, either.

If they want to break me, they’re going to have to work harder than placing me with hostile roommates. I haven’t had a non-hostile roommate since I entered foster care. I’ll be fine. So I nod at the man I assume to be the Dean, keeping my eyes level with his so he knows I’m not scared. “Understood, sir.”

“Jasper!”

My eyes widen as a huge, glowering guy who looks a few years older than me steps out from behind one of the columns on the front of Canto IV . His frame is tall and bulky, but his features are sharp and beautiful. The green highlights in his hair are a stark contrast to all the surrounding gloom, as is the colorful ink on his exposed forearms and the steel of his piercings. He looks ready to murder me as he approaches, but I notice he’s giving Eyebrows the same look of pure hatred.

“This is Kit. He’s the new student on your floor. Please show him to the room he will share with Salem.”

Room I’ll share??!!