The courtyard hushed for a moment as Devin and Lucien finally broke through the sea of admirers. Their presence was magnetic, commanding silence even from the loudest fangirls.
Devin's gaze swept the crowd with quiet composure until it landed on Anastasia. His lips curved in the faintest of smiles, enough to make her knees wobble. Lucien, meanwhile, scanned with playful curiosity, his grin widening the moment he caught Patricia staring.
"Well," Lucien drawled, his voice smooth and teasing, "I was starting to wonder if all the girls here had lost their tongues."
A ripple of laughter went through the courtyard. Patricia, caught off guard, quickly turned her face, but Lucien only chuckled.
Devin, calmer, inclined his head politely. "We're new here. I suppose introductions are in order."
And then their eyes fell on Elise.
The world seemed to pause. She felt her stomach knot under the weight of their stares, as if they could see right through her. Anastasia immediately seized the moment, clapping her hands together.
"This is Elise—my cousin. She's brilliant, beautiful, and completely off the market." Anastasia smirked. "Davon's already got his eyes on her."
Elise's jaw dropped. "Anastasia!"
Patricia laughed, adding fuel. "Oh, don't act so shocked. Everyone knows it. Even Davon himself probably would admit it if he stopped brooding long enough."
Lucien tilted his head, his grin mischievous. "Davon's Elise, huh? Well, well. Now this is interesting."
Devin's gaze softened, almost sympathetic. "No wonder he's so protective."
Elise's cheeks burned crimson. "You've got it wrong, both of you. Completely wrong!"
But her protests were drowned by Anastasia and Patricia's giggles. The cousins exchanged amused glances, clearly entertained by the teasing storm Elise was caught in.
From above, Davon's fists clenched against the railing. His cousins had been on campus for less than an hour, and already they were circling Elise like hawks. His jaw tightened as Lucien threw Elise a wink, and Devin offered her a polite, knowing nod.
Davon's thoughts darkened. This is not good.