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Chapter 30 - Magnetic Chaos

Elise's cheeks burned hotter by the second as Anastasia and Patricia refused to let up. Lucien's wink, Devin's calm nod, and the relentless teasing had her ready to melt into the floor.

"That's enough," she hissed at her friends, but they only laughed harder.

Then, the crowd's chatter dimmed. A new weight pressed on the courtyard, heavier, sharper, undeniable.

Davon.

He moved through the throng with a presence that silenced every whisper. His crimson eyes flicked from Elise's flushed face to his cousins' amused smirks, then back to Anastasia and Patricia, who immediately stepped back, caught like guilty children.

Lucien chuckled under his breath. "Well, look who finally decided to join us."

Davon ignored him. His voice, cool and clipped, cut the tension. "Class is starting. Elise—come."

Elise froze. Her heart skipped as everyone's eyes darted to her, then to Davon. She opened her mouth to protest, but the weight in his gaze stopped her. Without a word, she grabbed her books and slipped past her cousins, her friends, and the gawking crowd, trailing after Davon.

The air felt charged even after they left, and Devin was the first to break the silence. "He hasn't changed at all."

Lucien smirked. "Still as possessive as ever."

Before they could continue, Anastasia clasped her hands together and stepped forward, her smile dazzling. "Devin, since you're new here, how about I give you a tour of the campus? I know every corner. It'll save you a lot of trouble."

Devin regarded her for a moment, his polite smile never faltering. "That would be very kind. Thank you."

Patricia's eyes glinted, her attention fixed on Lucien. "And of course, Lucien, you can't just wander off. We'll all go together."

Lucien arched a brow, his grin lopsided. "Actually, I was planning—"

"Nope." Patricia cut him off smoothly, looping her arm around his without hesitation. "You're coming. Don't bother trying to argue. I don't take no for an answer."

Lucien blinked at her boldness, then laughed. "Oh? A stubborn one. Interesting."

As the crowd thinned, the pairs split off: Anastasia practically glowing as she led Devin through the garden paths, Patricia dragging Lucien along with a triumphant smirk, while Davon disappeared down the hall with Elise close behind.

The campus had never felt more alive—or more dangerous.

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