ng College is served by Bridget, the can

he clatter of metal trays, excited chatter, and the hiss of overheated fryers pumping out mystery-me

tbooks and tests, the promise of Bridget's legendary meatloaf wa

atloaf and a dubious-looking pink smoothie. My stomach grumbled in protest, but begga

owards her. I could see a relieved smile spread across my face. Just as I drew nea

rc. A strangled cry escaped my lips as the clanging metal and splattering food filled the

pened, I shoved the boy back with a strength that surprised us both. He stumbled, his bew

but before he could connect, I grabbed the nearest projectile – a half-ea

turned towards us. A hush descended, broken only by the aggrieved squawk of the

was Drew, the last and, clearly , the least intimidating of the Hamsa triplets. His identity dawned on

ave I

his voice laced with c

me with enough force to send me sprawling onto a nearby table. A tray of fries w

pilled with milky white sea. Jill, with a battle cry that would make a Valkyrie flinch, launched herself at Hannah who

st as I opened my mouth to apologize to Drew, a fist connected

mn

u think you can mess with one of us and get away with

a Hamsa and you kn

oor. This time it was Drake, his face twisted in a sadistic grin. They pummeled me with fists and

familia

froze, mid-swing. Murphy's triumphant sneer melted into a grimace, Drake's malicious grin faltered, and even

room, his heavy boots thuddin

msa. "What. Is. The.

leaning up the debris of the food fight, I couldn't help but steal a glance

a figure appeared at the doorpost

the Hamsas. Meet

*

ring College. She's fierce. She's crude. She's bl

t of her office. Whatever she did or said to them must have been gr

stale pipe tobacco and a sickly-sweet, cloying odor that made m

A shiver danced down my spine. "Gwen," she called out, her voice a deep contralto that

t me, assessing, judging, waiting. Finally, I reached a chair opposite her a

wendolyn,"

y has called me

a situation here,

"I apologize for the disruption in t

smile playing on her lips. "But rather optimistic, wouldn't you agree? Th

n bubbling up inside me. "I'm barely a week old but they take eve

Agatha said, her eyes twinkling with a mischievous

she ext

le. "It was supposed

herly. "The Hamsas...they're a special breed. They come from a long line of...well, let's just say the

and cement my defense, Mrs. Agatha lea

ce low and serious. "You let them own their trade. Steer

nd for

e and forgotten? What did she mean? A

ought. Then, she tapped a long, manicured f

g on a sterner tone, "fighting and causin

t in my throat

pended for

efense but she

ely glint in her eye. "Nothing's fair. Som

rest. Enough to catch up on your rest, perhaps do some extra studying.

hat are you talk

Cheshire cat. "As