Chapter 2 Crestwood

Aveline's POV

Crestwood Academy looked exactly like the kind of place that would ruin people. Tall stone buildings stretched toward a gray morning sky, all polished windows and expensive architecture. Everything about it screamed money and power.Students moved through the courtyard in designer coats and practiced confidence. They laughed too loudly like they owned the world. Maybe they did. I adjusted the collar of Asher's uniform and tightened my grip on the strap of my bag. The blazer felt wrong on my shoulders, too stiff, too formal, too much like him but that wasn’t the point.

Today, I wasn't Aveline Carter.

I was Asher.

A boy who kept his head down and stayed out of everyone's way, which, unfortunately, was the exact opposite of who I really was. I adjusted Asher's tie, clear my throat, altered my voice and reminded myself of the plan.

Blend in. Observe then destroy later.

Simple.

Except nothing about pretending to be your twin brother while wearing a blazer was simple. The first hurdle came in English Literature. I slid into the classroom just before the bell, scanning for an empty seat. Most students were already chatting, phones out, lives perfect. Then a girl by the window smiled at me and I nearly forgot how breathing worked. She was stunning, dark curls, honey-brown skin. The kind of beauty that belonged in old paintings and luxury perfume ads.

"Asher," she said warmly. "You're back."

Right. These are asher's classmates, he knew them but I did not. I forced a smile and dropped into the seat beside her.

"Miss me?" She laughed softly.

"Obviously."

Excellent. Good start.

Then she tilted her head. "You look different."

Fantastic. Bad start.

I leaned back casually. "Near death experiences tend to do that." Her expression softened immediately. "Sorry. That was insensitive." I had no idea who she was, not even a clue but luckily for me she held out her hand. "Daphne, remember? Can't believe is only been two years since we shared notes."

I stared at her hand for half a second too long then inspiration struck. I clasped it dramatically. "Daphne. Of course. Sorry, my memory's still doing interpretive dance." She burst out laughing, crisis averted.

"I'm glad you're okay," she said.

And for the first time that morning, something in my chest loosened. Then the professor called class to order, and I survived the next hour by copying Asher's handwriting from old notebooks and praying no one asked me anything involving actual memories.

After classes, the hockey rink was my first stop. If Asher had been hurt because of the team, that's where I would find answers. The ice arena sat behind the main building, massive and imposing. Even from outside, I could hear the scrape of skates and the sharp crack of sticks against boards.

Hockey.

The only thing Asher and I had ever truly loved equally. I stepped inside, cold air rushed over me instantly. Players were already on the ice, moving with practiced precision. And at the center of it all was Kieran Hampton. Even if I hadn't memorized every player on Crestwood's roster, he would've stood out. Tall, broad shoulders, dark hair damp with sweat beneath his helmet.

He moved like he owned the rink like the ice belonged to him. Every pass found his stick. Every player instinctively adjusted around him. The Captain, golden boy, loud, insensitive. Exactly the kind of person I already disliked.

Coach Donovan Hale spotted me immediately.

"Carter."

I straightened.

He skated toward the bench, pulling off his whistle.

"You look better."

"Feel better," I lied.

He grunted. "Good. Mascot duties resume today.

Keep stats, organize equipment, stay useful."

Mascot.

Right.

I nodded, keeping my expression carefully neutral then Coach turned back toward the ice.

"Hampton! Get over here."

Kieran coasted to a stop in front of us, pulling off his helmet. His hair was a mess. Annoyingly attractive. His gray eyes landed on me. Recognition flashed then amusement.

"Carter," he said. "Back from the dead."

I forced a small shrug, channeling Asher's quieter mannerisms.

"Something like that."

Kieran studied me, a little too long. "Try not to faint this time."

I blinked.

Excuse me?

Coach barked a laugh and skated away, leaving me alone with Crestwood's resident ego. Kieran leaned against the boards, his gaze sharpened. "What changed?"

"Near death experiences build character." I responded

Kieran's eyes narrowed like he was trying to peel me apart layer by layer. I looked away first, mostly because I wanted to shove him into the boards. Practice began, and I forced myself to stay focused. Observe, listen and learn. I kept stats, handed out water bottles, collected pucks, played the harmless mascot. But I watched everything.The way Kieran commanded the ice, the way Landon Brooks deferred to him, the way Milo Hayes chirped at literally everyone and the way Cassian Thorne stayed separate from the rest. He was impossible to miss. Dark hair and cold eyes.He played like violence had been invented specifically for him even the other players kept their distance, which says a lot. At one point, Cassian slammed another player into the boards so hard the entire bench flinched.

Coach barely reacted. "Again!"

Cassian simply reset, no apology, just ice cold focus.

I understood immediately why people called him dangerous.

During water break, Theo Mercer plopped down beside me. Unlike Cassian, Theo looked perpetually approachable. Warm smile, messy blond hair and eyes that seemed incapable of malice.

"Carter," he said, bumping my shoulder lightly. "Good to have you back."

I relaxed a fraction. "Thanks."

"You missed Milo trying to microwave a protein shake."

"I regret everything already."

Theo laughed

"See? That was funny. Who are you and what have you done with Asher?"

Before I could answer, milo shouted from across the bench. "He speaks!"

Landon joined in. "It's a miracle!"

Kieran smirked, cassian didn't, his eyes stayed fixed on me. The rest of practice was a nightmare. Asher's role as school mascot meant wearing Titan's oversized wolf costume while the hockey team ran drills.

It was really humiliating and kieran found this endlessly entertaining. He skated by three separate times just to bump Titan's furry shoulder. The third time, I stepped on his skate, accidentally, he nearly fell. Landon laughed so hard he had to grab the boards. Kieran pointed a gloved finger at me. "You did that on purpose." Titan shrugged innocently. His narrowed eyes promised revenge and I looked forward to it.

After practice, Theo got dragged away by Coach, leaving me alone in the locker room corridor. I was not paying attention when Milo and two other players blocked my path.

"Well," Milo said. "The mascot returns."

I sighed. "Can I help you?"

A hand shoved my shoulder; I stumbled backwards into the lockers. Laughter echoed and then I saw him. Cassian Thorne. He stood at the center of the group, hands in his pockets, eyes fixed on me. Unlike Kieran, Cassian didn't need to try to be intimidating, he was.

He approached dangerously stopped inches away and said to me. "You've changed," he said. My back slammed against metal, anger flashed hot and immediate but Asher wouldn't fight. And today, I was Asher. Cassian braced one hand beside my head, trapping me. His gaze searched my face like he was looking for cracks. His fingers curled around my tie, tightening just enough to steal my breath. "You seem to have forgotten our last conversation, Asher..."

Footsteps thundered down the hallway, cassian released me instantly. Kieran appeared around the corner, hockey bag slung over one shoulder. His expression darkened the second he saw us. "What the hell?"

Milo stepped back immediately. "Nothing."

Kieran ignored him, his eyes landed on my wrinkled tie then on Cassian. The air went sharp. Cassian straightened lazily.

"Hampton."

"Thorne."

The hostility between them was immediate, ancient, personal. Kieran stepped between us without hesitation. Then he said to me

"Get lost."

"Leave here"

Cassian held his gaze for one long moment.

Then smirked. "You always did collect strays."

He walked away and the others followed quickly. Silence settled. Kieran turned to me.

"You okay?"

I adjusted my tie.

"I was handling it."

"Sure."

He reached out, brushing invisible dust off my blazer. The casual touch sent my pulse sprinting. Annoying.

Very annoying. "By the way, Carter?"

"What?"

A wicked grin spread across his face. "Titan looked cute today."

I stared at him.

He laughed really hard that made me walk out yet his laugh followed me all the way down the hall. And as I walked away, one thing became painfully clear.

Crestwood was going to be war.

Kieran Hampton was infuriating.

Cassian Thorne was dangerous.

And revenge?

It had just gotten a whole lot more complicated.