And this “heart toward the stars” bullshit. I have no idea. I make a slow perusal of the room, flashing the light around. Whoever made up these riddles is either a genius or kinda crazy—or both.
As I pass the light over the big fireplace opposite the dean’s desk, I pause, forehead pinching. Wait. Could that be it? There’s some old piece of artwork above it, and I’m pretty sure, on the chest of that lion, there is a heart—the heart of a lion. Trying not to get too excited, I stand right in front of it and look up, studying it.Look from heart toward the stars.The stars? Is there another painting or something? I glance around but see no other paintings or artwork, and definitely no stars visible on anything.Shit.I blow out a hard breath, looking up at the lion again. “Talk to me, buddy,” I whisper under my breath. From heart toward the stars. My gaze swings from the lion’s heart to the window I came in.The stars outside.
I hurry to the window and peek outside, placing my hand on the box I almost knocked off on my way in before stopping to think once more.That is where I’ll be.Does that phrase have to do with the key?
In a flash, it hits me.Oh my god, I’m so stupid.With my heart thrashing out of control, my eyes dart to the box under my hand. A breath skitters out from between my lips as I stare at it. This has to be it. I flip up the lid and there they are. Three keys. I pick up one for a closer look. It’s solid metal, so it’s heavy in my palm, and it appears to be old. I don’t know if once upon a time it opened a real door, or if it’s simply symbolic… but at the head of the key is an ornately scrolled HH. Hawthorne Hall.
Time to gohome.
I grasp it tightly in my hand, open the window and climb back out. As I run around to the front of the building, Taggart comes sprinting toward me, huffing and puffing. “I ran into Bridger. That jackass tried to steal my cards, too.”
“Oh my god, are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good. I don’t think he ever got the card at the stadium and he’s still trying to get the one out of the tree.” He smirks at me, winking. “Smart girl.” He heaves out another breath as he bends down and puts his hands on his knees. “How do I get in?”
“The back window. Your cards are on the desk, the key—”
“No, Elliot. I’ll figure it out. This win is yours. Go.”
“Are you sure?”
“I have a feeling ‘trouble with Bridger’ doesn’t begin to describe whatever tactics he employed tonight. Go on. You deserve it after what you’ve been through. From tonightandbefore.”
I nod. “Okay. But you can do it. Just think and look carefully at what’s in the room. And move fast because who knows what Bridger is up to.” I give him a wave. “See you back at the house.”
“See ya.” He turns and sprints toward the back of the building while I take off in the other direction, crossing the footbridge, and head toward the main entrance of campus.
THIRTY
ELLIOT
I burstthrough the front door to Hawthorne Hall, excitement coursing through my veins.I did it.Despite that idiot asshole trying to swipe my hard-earned cards, I’m going to come out on top.
“Holy shit.” Dane pushes himself off the wall where he’d been toying with his phone. “I didn’t even see you coming. That was pretty damn fast.”
I grin even though I’m finding it hard to catch my breath. With Taggart hot on my heels, I knew I had to move.
“You okay?”
“Yeah. No thanks to Bridger again.”
“Oh fuck, seriously?”
I nod, waving my hand. “He’s ridiculous. A complete dick. And really drunk, FYI.” I drag in a deep breath. “I think you’ll see Taggart next, though. He was going into the dean’s office as I was leaving.”
“Good.” He jerks his thumb over his shoulder. “Kingston’s upstairs with Cannon, I think, but everyone is downstairs watching a movie. You can go ahead and join them.”
“Thanks, Dane.” I pause, my brow pinching together. “Wait… how come you ended up being the one at the door again? Maybe I’m overstepping, but shouldn’t Zeke have a turn at it?”
Dane shrugs, his lips twisting. “Eh, I prefer the quiet alone time to hanging out with a few of those guys.” He glances back down at his phone and, judging by everything I’ve observed since I got here, he’s definitely referring to Alec, Joel, and Stuart. When I don’t immediately leave him, he glances at me. “Go on down. We’ll have time to talk tomorrow before class.”
Still hesitating, I finally nod. “Okay. See you in a few.” The idea that something is not quite right where Dane is concerned, weighs on me, but it’s clear he’s done talking for now.
Reaching the top of the staircase, gunfire pops and explosions greet me. They must be watching an action movie of some sort. I descend quickly, and hurry around the side of the couch with my cards and key in hand.
The second he sees me, Archer pauses the movie, surging to his feet. He comes toward me, concern lacing his gaze. I give him everything I collected before shooting him a smile. “I made it.”
“Fuck yeah, you did.” He lays his hand on my cheek, eyes roaming over me. He sees way too much, and I know that’s a fact when he quietly whispers, “Let’s talk in the poker room.” He turns toward the rest of the brotherhood. “Watch the movie or talk amongst yourselves. I don’t care either way.” That said, he ushers me into the other room, leaving the door open. “I want to keep an ear open, but they don’t need to hear everything you say.”
