RAVENNA

Part 6

After being examined by Dr. Larissa—who declared her fine with a final tug at her glasses—Gabriel half-dragged Nieve to the dining hall. Most of the students were already gone, leaving half-empty tables and stacked plates behind.

"Will you quit glaring at me?" she muttered.

"Not until you promise to write to your grandparents," he shot back.

"I'm not dying, puppy."

"Say that again, and I'll carry you back to the infirmary myself."

They sniped at each other like old friends until his group wandered in. Esmé and Rob exchanged bewildered looks.

"Umm—guys, he is—" Nieve began.

"Gabriel Kim," Esmé blurted out. "Captain of Lazarus' soccer team, undefeated three years straight, son of the Kim family, and—"

She faltered when the whole table stared at her.

Alex leaned back, smirking. "Looks like we've uncovered a fangirl."

Rob frowned. "How do you even know all that?"

Esmé waggled her phone. "Buzz Sphere."

"Buzz what?" Nieve raised a brow, snatching it.

"You don't know? It's the app," Alex said, blowing a gum bubble. "News, gossip, updates. Everything."

Nieve's eyes caught a headline: "78th Beauty Extravaganza Announced."

She tilted the screen. "This a joke?"

"Nope," Blinda said. "Annual contest. Huge deal."

"Rumor says Eloise is entering this year," Alex added.

"You should join Buzz Sphere," he stretched with a grin. "Endless hot topics—and hotter girls."

"Save the hormones, Alex," Marcus muttered.

Nieve handed the phone back. "Doesn't matter. I don't even own one."

Gabriel narrowed his eyes. "Your family against technology or something?"

"If I asked my grandfather for a dragon, he'd try to buy me one. I just don't care for it."

Gabriel leaned closer, voice low. "I should get you one. Someone needs to keep track of your chaos."

Before she could quip, he pressed a hand over her mouth. "Don't argue, boba."

Blinda's eyes flicked between them. "You two... know each other?"

"Unfortunately, yes," Nieve said flatly. Gabriel pinched her finger, making her yelp.

"She's Nieve Winston. That's Esmé and Rob," Gabriel introduced.

"And this is Alex, Marcus, and Blinda," Blinda chimed in.

Gabriel added casually, "Blinda's a vampire. Alex is a mage."

Nieve shook their hands, eyes widening. "Impressive. Marcus, though... way more handsome than this guy."

Marcus flushed.

Blinda wagged her finger. "Careful. He might look like the poster-boy, but in real life? Shy as a kitten."

Gabriel ruffled Nieve's hair. "Alright, boba. I've got practice. Sunday, six sharp, my place. I'll pick you up."

She narrowed her eyes. "Why would I?"

"Because you owe me," he said, hooking her neck in a playful headlock.