Ezra quickly pressed himself against the pillar, holding his breath as the door swung open. Octavia stormed out, her face twisted in frustration, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as she disappeared down the hall.
He waited a beat, ensuring she was far enough away, before stepping back onto the path, adopting a casual stride as if he had simply been passing through.
His heart pounded slightly, but he forced himself to stay composed, keeping his gaze straight ahead. The last thing he needed was to get caught eavesdropping—especially on whatever that argument had been about.
Just as he thought he was in the clear, a voice called out from behind him.
"Ezra."
'Shit. He caught me.'
Ezra halted mid-step, exhaling through his nose before reluctantly turning around.
Ezra froze mid-step, his mind racing for an excuse—any excuse—that wouldn't make him seem like an eavesdropper. Slowly, he turned around, forcing a casual expression onto his face.
Eli stood in the doorway, arms crossed, his gaze sharp and unreadable. Unlike Octavia, who had left in a storm of emotion, Eli looked tired as he rubbed his forehead .
"Ezra," Eli repeated , his voice cool.
Ezra cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck. "Oh—uh, hey. Didn't see you there."
"You were listening," Eli said, not as a question, but as a statement of fact.
Ezra swallowed.
"I mean—" Ezra started, but before he could finish, Eli sighed, running a hand through his hair, clearly uninterested in whatever excuse he was about to give.
"I was looking for you anyway. Come on, follow me. We're going out."
Ezra blinked. "Going out?" He hesitated for a second before quickening his pace to match Eli's. "Wait—why are you even here?"
Eli glanced at him from the side, his expression unreadable.
Unlike his usual uniform, he was dressed differently—his long, dark trench coat flowed behind him as he walked, the fabric adorned with subtle embroidery that shimmered under the dim hallway lights. He looked… out of place, almost like he had stepped out of another world entirely.
Eli glanced at him from the side, his expression unreadable.
"Visiting an old friend. And some family," he replied calmly.
Ezra arched a brow. 'Well, that didn't sound like it went too well.'
They reached the academy gates, which creaked open as two guards nodded in recognition. Parked just beyond was a sleek black car, its surface gleaming under the low light. The design was flawless, sharp lines and polished metal giving it the air of something custom-built, like it had never touched a common road.
Eli strolled ahead, opening the passenger door with a lazy wave of his hand.
"Get in."
Ezra hesitated for only a second before slipping inside, unable to hide his amazement as his eyes roamed over the interior. Everything was pristine—sleek leather, glowing panels, and a dashboard that looked more advanced than anything he'd ever seen. It felt less like a car and more like a machine crafted with impossible precision.
As the door shut behind him, reality hit.
"I'm… not really allowed to leave without permission," Ezra admitted, glancing back at the gates.
"Relax," Eli said, sliding into the driver's seat and starting the engine with a smooth hum. "I already talked to the headmaster. You're with me. That's all the permission you need."
Ezra blinked at him. "You must be important."
Eli smirked faintly, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. "Something like that."