Poison Rose of Avalon

Liora's POV:

As we passed through the gates of my campus residence, my jaw nearly hit the floor. The entrance was enormous, similar to something out of a royal palace. If someone had told me this intricate detailing on the gate was gold, I wouldn't doubt it for a second. Armed to the teeth, four security guards stood at the entrance.

Rachel mentioned that the University had four gates.

"The first gate is the main entrance to the university," she began, gesturing as she spoke. "This is the second one for campus residences. The third is for transportation, handling everything from university utilities to café deliveries. And the last one? It's reserved for staff and the royals—the Valtham family and their inner circle."

The idea of royalty wandering openly contributed to the dreamlike atmosphere of this location. However, Rachel wasn't finished dropping bombshells.

"By the way, Liora, security here is intense. They've got strict rules about drugs—absolutely no tolerance. Cigarettes are allowed, but anything beyond that? Immediate death penalty. That's the Valtham law, especially on campus. Students are prohibited from bringing any harmful substances onto university grounds."

"Death penalty?" I stared at Rachel in disbelief. As if the city's magnificence and the stories of vampires and witches weren't overwhelming enough, now there were draconian laws to process.

"Is that law just for the campus or the entire city?" I asked, unable to hide my curiosity.

Rachel shook her head. "Actually, it's strictly enforced on anything owned by the Valtham family. The University comes under the Valtham family, like few other businesses. They have a reputation for supporting health and human well-being, so they don't tolerate drugs in their territory."

From the front seat, Daran, who'd been quiet until now, chuckled. "How do students even cope with a rule like that?" he asked, shaking his head in disbelief. "Youngbloods like us often experiment with various substances. And I believe that most of them do."

My eyes grew wide in surprise, "Do you use drugs, Daran?" I asked right away.

Daran turned to me with a look of disdain, "I don't. I'm speaking in general." Then he faced forward, taking in the view of the campus.

Rachel laughed dryly. "They've found a workaround. Fridays and Saturdays are the wild days. They go all out, knowing they need to sober up by Sunday. By Monday morning, they're expected to be clean and sharp, or else."

"What happens if they're caught high on campus?" I asked, genuinely curious. I had never been this inquisitive before.

Rachel pulled into a parking lot, cutting the engine before turning to face us. "If you're caught, it's the end of your academic career. Your admission is cancelled, and the reason for your expulsion is publicly documented. They include everything—how much of the substance was in your system, how long you've been using, and even details about your addiction. To top it off, the report was published in Valtham's newspapers. Once you're expelled, no other institution in the world will take you. Your reputation is destroyed." Rachel spoke all in one breath.

Her gaze shifted between me and Daran. "That's how seriously the Valtham family takes it. They absolutely hate drugs."

After allowing the words to settle in my mind, Daran, Rachel, and I exited the car, only to be taken aback.

We found ourselves at the entrance of the female residence, where a row of women stood with their bags, and every female student was blonde. Literally blonde! Not one among them had black, red, brown, blue, pink, or any other hair colour—just blonde. Judging by their nervous expressions and hesitant movements, they were all freshers, just like me.

"What is going on?" Daran murmured, his gaze sharpening on each woman.

"Liora, did you happen to place an advertisement in the Valtham newspaper asking every newcomer female to dye their hair blonde or something?" Daran's smug grin spread across his face, and I forced a phoney smile in response.

"Do you believe this is some kind of initiation?" Rachel, just as puzzled, looked at me. "Were you aware of this? Is that the reason you dyed your hair blonde? Or is it just a current trend?" Rachel began to search online.

I shook my head, unable to tear my eyes away from the bizarre tableau. "I have no idea!" I whispered.

A frame suddenly drew my attention as I attempted to take in everything—the city folktales, the rules, the Waltham, and all the blonds. A familiar face. I tilted my head, squinted my eyes, and strained my memory to recall this face, only to eventually feel a jolt of shock.

He had long white hair down to his shoulders and wore golden-framed reading glasses, a white suit, and black leather shoes. Sven Valentine was departing from the female student residence. His entire attire appeared expensive. My gaze was locked on him.

A fury surged throughout my entire body. I had envisioned this moment countless times in my mind. Still, I couldn't overlook the thunderous pounding of my heart and the abrupt emptiness that formed in my stomach, as if a black hole were attempting to consume me entirely in that rage.

"What's that serpent (Sven) doing here?" I couldn't conceal my revulsion. It was clear on my face as I tightened my fingers, nails digging into my palm and my knuckles whitening. And I wished it was Sven's throat instead of the poor leather seat!

"Who?" Daran inquired, his eyes immediately scanning for the individual who had captured my interest. Rachel matched my gaze and realised who I was referring to.

Understanding the individual I referred to, Rachel said, "He oversees the dining services at the university's residency and café." Rachel kept her eyes fixed on me, keenly observing my reaction and drawing insights from it.

 At this point, Daran had figured out whom we were discussing.

Sven seemed happy as if taking his brother's life and shattering his family had no impact on him. He interacted with new students, smiling and displaying his bright white teeth. My father's death appeared to have no effect on him whatsoever. It was as if he had forgotten, leaving a devastated family behind in Avalon.

It pained me... it caused more anguish than I could express. What would Mama have experienced if she were present today?

I was relieved she wasn't here to witness this. She would have been devastated by how this serpent thrived off my father's hard-earned money. My constant pain started to depend on my heart. The nails dug further into my palm, yet I felt no pain, only fury. I bit my lower lip harder until it started to bleed, but I didn't care.

Daran repeatedly calling my name in low voice, "Liora... Liora... Liora." Yet my mind and gaze were locked onto that treacherous serpent.

How could he wear such lavish attire after robbing us and betraying us? I felt my breath grow shallow as I watched Sven, who was systematically navigating through the crowd of newcomers, engaging with each girl one by one.

I considered various punishments, uncertain which one would be the best. However, with a joyful Sven in front of me, I was clear now. He would regret every minute of destroying my family. He would lament every second spent ruining my family. He would plead for my papa's forgiveness. I would send him to a mental institution. Indeed, that would be his consequence!

 A disturbance occurred. Someone delivered a powerful punch to Sven's face. By the time I noticed, he was already close to Sven. It was Daran's knuckles connecting with Sven's face.

"You bastard! How dare you try to assault my sister!" Daran's voice boomed with rage.

Rachel and I were taken aback while standing near the car. Sven, the serpent, and the other students around him were just as astonished.

Sven tripped on his feet after being struck by Daran's strong blow. However, he managed to steady himself just before hitting the ground face down. His gaze quickly darted to locate his assailant. The initial shock turned into bewilderment as he looked at Daran with astonishment.

"When did I assault your sister? What are you talking about?" serpent (Sven )protested, bewildered.

"What am I talking about? You, an old man, dreaming of dating someone under the age of 17!" Daran seized Sven's collar, firmly pulling him towards him. "Let's go to the police station. They will help you recall everything."

Sven's expression turned fearful. "Hold on, hold on! Are you certain that I'm the one you're searching for, young man?"

"Why? Did your name change from John Slack to something different?"

If wide eyes had the power to blind, Daran's gaze was launching a laser assault on Sven.

Sven moved his head in disbelief. "Actually, I'm not. My name is Patrice Decosta," he answered with unease. So, he is referred to as Patrice, I reflected silently.

Daran let go and took a step back, pretending to understand. "Ah, I mistook you for someone else. You ought to be cautious about your face. The police might suspect you're a pimp." He slowly distanced himself from her.

His tone was anything but apologetic. "I'll track down the authentic John Slack. Wishing you all a wonderful day!" Daran departed, leaving everyone confused.

 Serpent (Sven) stood among the students, both relieved and embarrassed. He instinctively rubbed his cheek, where a red mark was beginning to appear, noticeable from afar. For the moment, it eased my heartache a little.

Rather than heading straight back to the car where Rachel and I were waiting, Daran moved away from the serpent's sight until he was confident that Sven had departed. He then came back with a smile, making direct eye contact with me.

 "Feeling a bit better?" Daran asked with his playful tone.

I couldn't help but smile, looking up at Daran gratefully. "Thank you, really!" Having one good friend is better than keeping 1000 snakes around you. I thought quitely.

"Liora, how about you spend the weekend with us after we complete the paperwork and get your bags sorted?" Daran softly inquired. I understood he was attempting to steer my mind away from thoughts of Sven.

"It's Friday evening, and you don't have to be by yourself throughout the weekend. Until you feel more at ease, you can stay at Rachel's house, or I can keep you company at your apartment. And before you object, I'm completely fine with sleeping on the floor." He knows that I feel anxious about being alone at night.

 Daran's kind proposal brought me comfort, and I have faith in Daran. However, Caspian wouldn't be pleased if I stayed with a guy by ourselves. It would break his heart, and I would not hurt him. Never!

"Thank you, Daran," I replied softly, touched by his kindness. "I'll stay with you both this weekend then. I hope Rachel does not mind."

"Absolutely not! You are very welcome." She exclaimed it so that everyone could hear. Ugh!

The evening sky turned dark, and around us, the university campus became energetic, with students heading out into the weekend mode. 

 After signing the papers at reception and settling my luggage in my one-room apartment, Rachel suggested I change into something nice for the evening. 

I quickly showered with warm water while Daran occupied the chair by the desk near the large window, and Rachel lounged on the queen-sized bed closer to the wall.

I put on a lovely black loose dress with short sleeves that sat just above my knees. After a brief makeup session, high pony tail and putting on brown contact lenses, I stepped out of the bathroom, and Rachel appeared let down.

 "We'll have to go shopping tomorrow. You need clothes with more California vibes," Rachel said, critically assessing my outfit.

"What's wrong with this dress?" I looked down at myself, feeling a bit defensive. "I like it."

Rachel sighed as if she had lost all hope in me, shaking her head slightly. "It's nice, but it's not exactly what you'd wear for a night out here." She rested her hand on my shoulder. "Trust me, we'll find something perfect tomorrow."

 Rachel looked me over with a piercing gaze, making me feel quite uneasy. "You have a lovely shape tucked away in there, Liora. Why not show it off a little?" she inquired, giving me a wink.

I was about to respond, but Daran intervened. "She doesn't particularly like being in the spotlight with everyone looking at her. Plus, I believe her dress rivals any fashion," Daran remarked, holding his head up high.

Rachel and Daran shared a silent stare again, ready for a war of words. Before they would go over my choice of clothing, I swiftly stepped in, saying,

"Rachel, absolutely. We can visit a few shops. If I find something I like, I'll purchase it." I need to make a good impression on Rachel, my first female friend.

Rachel's gaze relaxed a bit, but I could sense she still had doubts. "Alright. Just keep an open mind."

"Of course," I replied, giving her a small smile.

Rachel brought us to her cherished location, a place she enjoyed going to weekly on Fridays. Her Ford Mustang Convertible was cruising with the top down, allowing the cool wind to flirt with my skin. 

It felt exhilarating, the wind playing with my hair and making me smile as it tousled it playfully. When was the last time I had experienced such a feeling?

Let me answer that- Never!

When we reached our destination, the scene was unlike anything I had ever seen. The location was alive with excitement.

Guys with bikes surrounded them, engines revving and creating a symphony of roaring sounds. Young women were gathered, dressed in a variety of outfits. Many were on heels that were at least five inches high. Short skirts and crop tops were the standard, showing off their perfect waists. 

The whole place was alive with the noise of bikes arriving and leaving. 

Many people were intimately kissing, leaning against bikes or sitting on them. 

The scent of gasoline mixed with perfume created an unusual yet surprisingly exciting aroma. ClustersClusters of motorcyclists gathered in circles, simultaneously revving the. The Onlookers elicited cheers and whistles during their performance. It felt like a scene from Fast and Furious. The vibe was infectious.

After Rachel parked the car, I felt an overwhelming blend of anticipation and anxiety as we exited.

The scene was chaotic but captivating. Mama and Uncle Dane would have a heart attack if they found out about my presence at such a place. But they were not here, and I needed to experience the world in all its aspects. With that thought as my anchor, I scoped the surroundings.

"Welcome to the wild side," Rachel said with a grin, walking straight confidently as if she owned the place.

Daran looked around, clearly amused, just as I was. "This is quite a scene," he said. "Liora, are you feeling okay?" He looked concerned. Am I made of porcelain or what? Why is Daran doing this to me as if I would break?

I focused my gaze ahead, "Yes."

"If you're feeling uneasy in the crowd, just tell me. We can escape, abandoning Rachel." He tapped my shoulder, and I smiled calmly at him, nodding in consent.

Walking deeper into the open ground, I saw people dancing to the beat of the music blaring from speakers mounted on some of the bikes. 

The stars overhead and the glowing lights nearby formed an otherworldly ambiance.

I could feel the pulse of the place, and for the first time in a long while, I felt a rush of adrenaline and anticipation. This was going to be an exciting night!

"Daran, it's good you went and punched that serpent." Sven's joyful expression still lingered in my thoughts. "Most likely, I would have ended his life today."

I heard a booming laugh that seemedlike it wouldsoon echo across the lush grass. After a moment passed, I wore an irritated expression as Daran attempted to regain his composure but struggled to do so. "Liora, you're overestimating yourself..... Killinghim.....?" He clutched his stomach and burst into laughter once more.

"You think you're that brave?" He laughed again, harder this time.

Rachel noticed my face, as irritable as a cat disturbed from its slumber, and elbowed Daran, murmuring, "Cut it out, Daran."

"Did you just find a new way to provoke me?" I asked, my voice sharp. "Maybe I should start with you by breaking your leg." I grinned.

He laughed even harder than before. His laughter echoed in the night, drawing the attention of a few nearby people.

Rachel shot him a warning glance, but it only made him laugh even more.

"You're something, Liora," Daran finally said, still laughing as he wiped tears from the corners of his eyes. "But seriously, don't let Sven get to you. He's not worth it."

"I will prove you wrong, Daran," I whispered in a hushed an, barely audible voice.

I looked down at my feet, rubbing my heel against the ground, feeling less confident about myself after Daran displayed so much trust in me.

"Hey, Liora," Daran's posture shifted completely. He moved closer to me, standing right in front of me. "What I'm saying is, I'm your hired gun. Just let me know, and I'll take care of it for you." We looked into each other's eyes for a moment.

"Besides, why else would I drag myself out here?" His tone lightened again, more playful as he attempted to cheer me up. "And afterwards, we can run for it, leave this land behind, and seek refuge. I hope you're up for the aftermath result."

He gave me a lopsided grin; his light-hearted twist brought a flicker of a smile to my lips.

Rachel patted me gently on the back, "We're in this together, Liora!" She then shot a firm glance at Daran. "And you better not, Daran, claim that Liora has an allergy to back patting."

Just as Daran was about to respond, the thunderous sound of engines behind us broke the moment. We turned around to spot three motorcycles idling.

The one on the left revved up, its engine growling, urging us to clear the path. With some hesitation, we stepped aside, letting them pass. As the rider zoomed past, he shot a quick glanceat my legs before directing his attention forward once more. Something felt familiar.

Who was he?