Mixed—chapter three: Enemies made

Her red eyes flicked toward Seraphina. “She saw it. When your stone shifted.”

My pulse quickened. I wanted to deny it, but Juniper’s gaze was steady.

“I covered for you,” she said quietly. “But I don’t know how long I can keep doing that.”

Kael tilted his head. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” I lied quickly, stabbing at my bread. My Luminor pulsed purple, betraying me.

Across the hall, Seraphina leaned close to Elias, whispering something. His expression darkened.

I swallowed hard. Everything and nothing at once, the professor’s words echoed in my mind. If they found out…

The bell tolled, signaling curfew. Chairs scraped, students filed out, and I caught Juniper’s sleeve before she disappeared.

“Why help me?” I asked under my breath.

Her lips curved in a faint, almost sad smile. “Because, Ryder… you’re the only one who’s ever helped me.”

Before I could answer, she slipped into the crowd, leaving me alone with my stone’s restless glow and Seraphina’s sharp eyes still burning holes in my back.

I straightened my tie, fingers fumbling with the knot until it sat right against my collar. My Luminor pulsed against my palm, too bright, too restless. With a quick glance around the table, I shoved it deep into my pocket, pressing it flat against my leg. The suit jacket draped over me, heavy enough to hide the glow.

Only then did I let out a slow breath of relief. At least no one could see.

The whispers still circled, but muffled now, like I was under water. Forks scraped. Voices rose and fell. I stabbed at the food on my tray and forced myself to eat, chewing slowly, trying to look normal.

But the pulse of the stone didn’t stop. Even hidden, it throbbed in time with my heartbeat, reminding me of what I was—something no jacket, no tie, no excuse could cover for long.

Juniper passed behind me again, tray balanced carefully in her hands. For a second, I thought she’d make it to her table without trouble.

Then Seraphina Deynar slid out her foot.

It was casual, calculated — she didn’t even look down as Juniper stumbled, tray tipping forward. Food clattered to the floor, soup splattering across the stone tiles. The dining hall went silent, just long enough for a chorus of laughter to break out.

“Careful, Vale,” Seraphina said sweetly, her golden braid catching the lamplight. “Don’t want to trip over your own… nothing.”

More laughter.

Juniper’s hands clenched at her sides, her tray trembling. Her Luminor flickered faint purple, then nearly red before she shoved it back into her pocket.

I pushed back my chair before I could think. My tie hung crooked, my jacket heavy with the hidden glow of my stone. “She didn’t do anything,” I said, my voice sharper than I meant.

Seraphina’s red lips curved into a smile. “And who asked you, Ryder?”

The laughter swelled again, but quieter this time. Not mocking Juniper anymore — watching me.

I clenched my jaw, heat rising in my chest. The whispers, the laughter, Seraphina’s smug smile—it all pressed too hard against my patience.

“Madricosis,” I muttered under my breath.

Her eyes widened. A sharp snap of magic sealed her red lips shut. She clawed at her mouth, muffled, furious. Gasps rippled through the tables.

I stood, ignoring the stares, and crouched beside Juniper. Kael was already there, helping her to her feet. Together we gathered her scattered food, setting what could be saved back on her tray.

“Thanks,” Juniper whispered, her voice trembling between humiliation and gratitude.

I gave a small nod, then straightened my jacket and walked back to my seat. Behind me, Seraphina’s muffled shrieks grew louder. I flicked my fingers beneath the table, releasing the spell. Her lips parted again in a gasp of air.

I didn’t look back. My Luminor pulsed in my pocket, flashing hot red for a moment before settling again. I stabbed at my food and forced myself to eat, as if nothing had happened.

But the hall was still quiet, too quiet. Everyone had seen. Everyone would remember.

Across the table, one of the perfect-bloods burst out laughing. Not just a chuckle — a cruel, cackling sound that echoed through the dining hall.

“Did you see her face?” he jeered, slamming his hand on the table. “The great Seraphina, silenced like a child!”

A few others joined in nervously, testing the air. But most students stayed quiet, waiting to see who would come out on top.

Seraphina’s cheeks burned crimson as she shot the boy a glare sharp enough to cut glass. “Shut. Up.” Her voice dripped venom now that she had it back.

The laughter cut short, but the smirk stayed. The perfect-bloods weren’t a single, united wall of power—they turned on each other too, whenever the chance came.

My stomach sank. I hadn’t just humiliated Seraphina. I’d cracked the surface, and now the whole table of elites was buzzing, watching, deciding if I was a joke, a threat, or both.

Kael leaned in, voice low. “Ry… you’ve made enemies tonight.”

Juniper’s hand brushed mine under the table, steady and firm. “You’ve also made a point.”

My Luminor throbbed in my pocket, restless, flickering colors no one should see.