“Perhaps if you spent less time hanging on the arm of Lexington Abbott, you’d be able to unlock the town secrets.”
I regret the words as soon as they leave my mouth, hoping that maybe she’ll ignore them and continue the conversation in the direction it was going. When she smirks, I know I’ve fucked up.
“You sound jealous, Boy Scout.”
“Do I? How odd.” I lift my shoulder, walking away to reenter the path from earlier. “I suppose some people will hear what they want to hear.”
She trails after me. “Some people are determined to play pretend.”
“Not everyone has such glamorous choices. For some, ‘playing pretend’ is the only way to survive.”
“Aren’t you, like, town royalty?” She appears at my side, keeping pace. “They wouldn’t actually fire you for fraternizing with a student.”
“Avernia’s policies are very strict.”
“But Dean Bauer’s a gutless tool.”
I cock an eyebrow, glancing at her. “How well do you know Justin?”
“Not well enough to know his name is Justin.” She meets my eyes. “But I can tell he’s the kind of dean who accepts bribes andback-alley deals. I find it very hard to believe you’d be in as much trouble as you say.”
Something twists malevolently in my chest, making it difficult to breathe. I stop in my tracks, turning to face her. “How would you knowthat?”
Elle slows to a halt, confusion threading through her brows. “I just mean he’s easily persuaded?—”
“Is that how you managed to get into my class? Bypersuadinghim?”
She blinks, as if trying to process what I’m asking. I don’t know why I’m asking it, why it matters, but the idea of anything transpiring between her and the dean sends white-hot vitriol spiraling through my veins.
It’s one thing to subject myself to the sight of Lexington flirting with her every class for a few weeks now—and even outside it—butDean Bauerputting his hands on her isn’t something I can live with.
My sister’s tear-stricken face flashes in my mind for the briefest moment, but it’s immediately replaced by Elle’s thoughtful one as she stares up at me, waiting for some explanation.
“You’ve heard the rumors then,” she says softly, looking at the ground. “That I was sleeping with people for parts in LA?”
Blood rushes between my ears, making my temples ache. “Are you denying them?”
“I think… I’m not going to dignify that with an answer. Believe what you want, Professor Dupont. What’s it matter when you say we can’t do anything aboutthisanyway?”
She starts off again, walking away from me, and I move without thinking. My arm lashes out, grabbing her wrist. She pauses, as if waiting to see what else I’m going to do, but nothing happens.
It’s like I’m frozen in place, unable to do anything other than keep her here for a moment.
Of course I don’t believe the rumors, I want to say to her. It wouldn’t make a difference if they were true.
I just don’t know if my disbelief is rooted in a genuine ambivalence toward all rumors curated by Pythia, belief in Elle’s honesty, or because I don’t want to believe them.
I can’t very well admit all that. Revealing every card to the one woman who tempts me is a dangerous game.
“Let go,” she demands, but I don’t. Fury colors her face, and I find it so fascinating how easily she allows emotion to shine through, like a crystal ball warning. “What is your problem? You think if you hold me hostage here long enough, I’ll, what? Offer you a ride for the lead in your next production?”
Horror etches on to my face. “Of course not?—”
The sound of hushed whispers and crunching leaves spurs a wave of panic through my bones. I whip my head to the side, peering past endless trunks of trees to see who’s coming.
They’re close, whoever they are, and there isn’t time to run. Not when I can’t tell which direction they’re coming from.
Elle’s resistance falters a little as she perks up, apparently also hearing the noises. “Um, what?—”
