When I walk in, the room is already buzzing.
Not excited—annoyed.
Grumbling
like something went very wrong.
I pause near the door. "Did I miss something?"
Jolie spins around instantly, eyes wide. "Oh, you missed a lot."
A lot?
She grabs my wrist, dragging me forward. "We're being assigned. Like—officially assigned. Out in public."
"Assigned to what?"
She points to the front.
That's when I notice the screen.
It flickers to life, the room slowly quieting as everyone turns.
A formal announcement.
Polished.
Controlled.
The Queen's voice fills the space, calm and commanding, talking about unity, visibility… safety.
An invitation.
Moroi students attending a public event.
Guardians assigned.
My stomach tightens.
"They're pairing us," Jolie whispers, leaning in. "Moroi and Dhampir "
I huff. "Where are the Moroi then?"
"Not here," she says, nodding at the screen. "we will meet them later"
Names start appearing.
One by one.
Like a list you can't escape.
"Xavier — Princess Sameen."
Murmurs ripple through the room.
That's no news
"Jolie — Collin."
She freezes. "…I'm sorry, what?"
She bite back her smile.
"Tragic," Jolie mutters.
Then—
"Baby — Demari."
I blink.
"…Who's Demari?"
Jolie's grin spreads slowly, like she's been waiting for this. "Oh, you're in trouble."
"That doesn't answer anything."
She leans in, lowering her voice just enough to make it feel dramatic. "He's a little pain in the ass… if he doesn't like you."
I raise a brow. "And if he does?"
She shrugs. "Then it's not much of a problem."
I stare at her. "That's not reassuring."
She straightens, then gestures vaguely behind her. "Trust me, you got lucky. Look at me and Collin—"
"That guy is everything I hate."
She added
I huff a quiet laugh. "So dramatic."
"Says the girl paired with Demari," she shoots back.
I glance at the screen again, my name still sitting there like a bad decision.
The rest of the names roll out, but I'm barely paying attention now.
Demari.
A name I don't recognize.
Which somehow makes it worse.
Because in this place,
not knowing someone
usually means I should've.