"Do I just walk in?"
Julian hesitated in the doorway, his grip tightening on the black card Thornfield had given him.
to students at least a year ahead, their expressions ranging from curious to dismissive.
His eyes locked briefly with Francine's, whose piercing gaze seemed to cut through his carefully constructed facade. She tilted her head slightly, her blonde hair catching the light as she studied him with barely concealed interest.
Franz, seated in the front row with perfect posture, merely glanced over his shoulder.
The smile that curved his lips didn't reach his unnaturally bright yellow eyes, which reminded Julian of a predator assessing whether a newcomer was worth the effort to hunt.
"Come in or leave, but don't block the doorway," a voice grumbled behind him.
