Aurora dragged us through campus like she owned the place, and honestly, people acted like she did. Heads turned as we passed—three hunters in expensive clothes walking with purpose. Even the second and third-years watched.

"Where exactly are we going?" I asked as Aurora led us down the main path toward the eastern gate.

She flashed that smile that always meant trouble. "Ferry terminal."

"Ferry?" I stumbled over nothing. "Off campus?"

"Obviously. Can’t have a proper lunch date on academy grounds." She looked over her shoulder. "What, you’ve never been to the mainland since you got here?"

"Never had a reason to leave." Or the money. Or the permission. Or anyone willing to take me.

Addison crunched her lollipop loudly. "Virgin voyage. Cute."

The eastern gate was guarded by security staff who checked IDs before allowing anyone to pass. Aurora stepped up first, scanning her card with the practiced ease of someone who did this regularly.

"Fitzgerald, Aurora. Second-year, House Obsidian. Two guests."

The guard barely glanced at her ID before nodding. Then his eyes locked on me. "Monroe, Jace. First-year, House Obsidian." His eyes narrowed. "First mainland visit?"

"Yes, sir."

"Purpose of trip?"

"Relaxation," Aurora answered for me, looping her arm through mine. "I’m taking my boyfriend to Ventura."

The guard typed something into his tablet. "One-day pass or overnight?"

"Overnight," Aurora said immediately. "We’ll return tomorrow afternoon."

My head whipped toward her. What the actual fuck?

"Aurora—"

She squeezed my arm hard enough to leave fingerprints. "Problem?"

The guard looked between us, clearly sensing drama. "Student’s first trip requires supervisor approval for overnight stays."

"Already approved." Aurora smiled sweetly and held up her phone, showing an email with what looked like official academy letterhead. "Vale signed off this morning."

The guard scanned the QR code on her screen, and his tablet beeped affirmatively. "Cleared. Have your IDs ready for the ferry security."

As we walked through the gate, I leaned down to whisper, "What the hell was that? I can’t stay overnight! I have training with Belle at nine!"

Aurora’s smile never faltered. "Reschedule."

"I can’t just—"

"Yes, you can." She stopped walking once we were out of earshot of the guards. "For paying for your stuff, I’m buying you all night long."

Addison snorted. "Smooth, Aurora. Really romantic."

"Shut up." Aurora turned to me. "Look, Belle can wait until tomorrow."

"Belle isn’t exactly the patient type."

"Neither am I." Aurora’s eyes narrowed. "Text her."

I pulled out my phone, acutely aware that both girls were watching me type.

Me: Have to reschedule tonight. Aurora’s taking me to mainland. Back tomorrow.

Belle’s response came immediately.

Belle: The fuck you are. We have a session.

Me: She spent 9k on clothes for me. Kind of owe her.

Belle: ...9k?

Me: Yeah.

Belle: Fine. Tomorrow night. Non-negotiable.

I showed Aurora the screen. "Happy?"

"Ecstatic." She grabbed my hand. "Now come on. Ferry leaves in twenty minutes."

The walk from campus to the ferry terminal took about ten minutes along a paved path that wound through dense trees before opening onto a cliffside view of the Pacific. The terminal itself was modern and clean, filled with students heading into town for weekend entertainment.

"They run ferries every hour until midnight," Aurora explained as we joined the line for security. "Last return ferry from Ventura is at 1 AM, so drunk students can get back after hitting the bars."

"Academy-sanctioned drinking?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Academy-tolerated drinking," Addison corrected. "They know it happens. They’d rather students have a safe way back than swim."

Security was surprisingly thorough. They scanned our academy IDs, ran our bags through an X-ray machine, and had us step through a mana detector.

"What’s that for?" I nodded toward the glowing arch we’d walked through.

"Makes sure you’re not smuggling gate artifacts back to campus," Aurora explained. "Some idiot tried bringing back a sentient skull last year. Almost destroyed an entire dorm building."

"The Emerald Incident," Addison added. "Four students expelled, two arrested. Good times."

We boarded the ferry. It was a sleek white vessel with the San Nicolas Academy insignia on its side. It was larger than I’d expected, with multiple decks and comfortable seating areas. Aurora led us to the upper deck where open-air tables provided views of the ocean.

"First trip to the mainland," Aurora said as we settled at a table near the railing. "How does it feel?"

"Weird." The ferry’s engines rumbled beneath us as we pulled away from the dock. "I’ve been stuck on that island for weeks. Started to feel like the whole world."

"That’s by design," Addison said, unwrapping a new lollipop. "The isolation breeds dependency. Makes students more loyal to the academy, more willing to follow its rules."

"Someone’s been reading conspiracy forums again," Aurora teased.

"It’s not conspiracy if it’s true."

The coastline shrank behind us as the ferry picked up speed, cutting through the waves toward the mainland. Wind whipped through my hair, cold and sharp with the scent of salt. I gripped the cool metal railing, the rumble of the ferry’s engine vibrating through my hands. It was the sound of escape. I found myself smiling without meaning to.

"Look at that," Aurora said, nudging Addison. "He’s enjoying himself."

"I’d hope so. Considering what we’re spending on him." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"Stop saying ’we’," Aurora protested. "You didn’t contribute a single credit."

"I contributed fashion expertise." Addison stretched her legs out, combat boots gleaming in the sun. "Which is priceless."

"So where exactly are we going?" I asked.

Aurora crossed her legs, her skirt riding up just enough to catch my attention. Definitely deliberate. "Ventura. It’s the closest city to the academy. Shopping, restaurants, entertainment. About thirty minutes by ferry."

"And where are we staying overnight?"

Her smile turned predatory. "The Pacific View. Academy keeps permanent suites there for visiting faculty and student events." She paused. "Two-bedroom suite. Figured Addison could take one, and we’d take the other."

"Hold up." I looked between them. "She’s staying with us?"

Addison’s lollipop clicked against her teeth. "Problem?"

"Jesus." I ran a hand through my hair. "Is this how you two always are?"

"Pretty much," they said in unison.