Betrayed, Then Back For Blood

Chapter 41

Chapter 41

After lunch, the group headed back to the lab building, the air thick with awkwardness thanks to the forum drama.

Mia was practically glowing with smug satisfaction, but the others worked hard to lighten the mood. Briar was the youngest in their crew, after all, and they felt a protective urge to look out for her.

Plus, the way the forum was piling on Briar felt like a jab at the entire Traditional Medicine Department.

Their department was small enough as it was–when push came to shove, they had to stick together and face the world as a unit.

Richard steered the conversation to safer ground. “Hey, Briar, have you checked in at the dorms yet?”

Briar blinked, caught off guard. She’d been whisked straight to the lab by Marvin upon arrival, and if she hadn’t done her homework on Shoneport University beforehand, she’d have no clue where anything was. “I actually bought a place off–campus. Wasn’t planning on staying in the dorms.”

Richard wagged a finger at her, grinning. “Nuh–uh, doesn’t work like that. Even if you’re not living there, you still gotta register. Traditional Medicine students get their own little safes for storing rare herbs and stuff.”

was news to

medicinal supplies? She hadn’t come across that in

was a school requirement, she wasn’t about to make a

the moment, her voice syrupy sweet. “Briar, do you even know where our department’s dorms are? Want me to

way?”

cheerful smile, catching the glint of mischief in her eyes. “Sure,

way Briar seemed completely unfazed–as if she could already see through whatever Mia was planning–he

take you.”

Briar! Let’s swap contact info. We’re all in the same lab group, and I’ll add you

didn’t hesitate, pulling out her phone and letting

request, Frank sent her a smiley emoji. Then he pulled her into the lab group chat, tossing in a “Welcome, new teammate!”

group chat lit up with messages, everyone chiming in with warm

a generic “Welcome!” emoji, playing

and banter picking up steam. Briar gave a