air like a storm waiting to break. The other students made way for her, their eyes darting i

ut ignored them. The game had just

orner, a voice broke

tz in here, steal the show,

ithout turning. "I don'

always. He had always been a player in the shadows, a man who liked to

ll smile. "Alec Ji. To wh

th curiosity. "I know what you are. What you've become. But this isn't

Nyx's voice was quiet but cutting, the

nderestimate her. "I think you'll find there are more than just a few players here who won

with authority. "And I don't need a kingdom, Alec. I need

g in his eyes-a dangerous mix of admiration and warning. It was clear. Nyx was dangerous, but she wasn't just

with a smirk. "Well, Nyx. I sup

Nyx felt the flicker of something she couldn't quite place-an ember of respect

And she wasn't about to let anyone-

-

slow, deliberate stride, her mask of confidence firmly in place. The stude

an escape from the unspoken stares and wh

he spotted

via Hartley. The girl's cheerful, bubbly demeanor was like a br

e levity was just wh

g with a group of friends, but as soon as she

and Nyx couldn't help but be a

ou'd want to sit with," Nyx teased

o about the absurdity of all these power plays? I swe

er. "I'm just here for the drama. A

the table in mock seriousness. "Who could

seemed to lift, if only just. Olivia had that effect on people-she was like a walking, talking

with the whole 'storming back in like you own the place' vibe? Any plans to

up from her chest. "I can't say no to some well-placed d

eally, though. You've been gone for how long? Five years? And now you're

be flying around saving the world. But unfortunately, my

th a grin. "You know, I've been meaning to ask you-why the

g into a half-smile. "I like to think

So it's a style choice? I thought yo

f only. Gotham could us

the atmosphere, and for the first time since her return, Nyx f

-

student body. They were all watching her-some with curiosity, others with judgment-and a few, s

ially, "I'm calling it now: you're going to be the most popular gir

her coffee. "That's not exact

troy you with a glance' thing going on. Classic villain material." Olivia gave her a

rain while I do it,"

You've got to make an entrance, Nyx. Maybe

thoughtfully. "I'll have the trapdoor installe

oment, Nyx let herself enjoy it-the easy camaraderie that came from having someone like

ng out, echoing through the grand hall. The students began gathering th

me of the other students talking. They think you're h

w. "Oh? And what exa

r once, "word on the street is that you'v

eyes narrowing slightly. "Unfinish

share? Or is this one of those 'I'll tell you later,

ts, Liv. I just... prefer to let my actions do the tal

"I get it. Sometimes, silence

lculating, cold, and precise. But for now, she'd let the world believe she was just another

p and tossing a few bills onto the table. "I'll see

ess," Olivia called

ulder with a mischievous glint in

-