Nico stood apart from the chaos, leaning against the chain-link fence near the bike racks. His dark eyes swept over every face that emerged from the double doors.

He looked nothing like the kids streaming past him. Older. Sharper. Like a shadow that had somehow learned to stand in sunlight.

A few students glanced his way—the rings on his fingers catching the light, the silver chain around his neck, the too-serious expression for someone his age. Most looked away quickly.

Nico’s hand drifted to his jeans pocket, where the scroll was safely tucked away. He didn’t need to read it again. He’d memorized every word.

The description. The name. The meaning.

His jaw tightened.

Then he saw you.