“What a different tune you’re singing compared to last week when you were practically begging to ride my cock.”
The words come out like vomit, triggered instantly for some reason by her disdain. Or maybe I’m still keyed up from having to watch her with Lexington. Or the fact that I can’t have her despite settling between her thighs being the only thing I’ve been able to think about since the start of the semester.
It feels like I’m losing my mind, bit by bit, every time I’m forced to share the air with her but unable to do anything more.
She swivels those beautiful, glittering hazel eyes my way. “I begged, you chastised me, and I saw the error of my ways. Can we just forget about it?”
“So what? You’re done coming on to me?”
Her jaw shifts. “Yep. I know better than to ask a man for something multiple times. My previous attempts probably set women back centuries.”
“I wasn’t aware you had that much influence on your gender.”
“Sounds like something my sister would say.”
Ah. There it is. I lean an elbow on one shelf, staring at her as she continues her task. “You think I came here with Quincy.”
“You showed up at the same time she did.”
“Coincidence.”
“Whatever. It doesn’t matter—I don’t care. The only reason I’m down here right now is to try and piece together the puzzle that is Avernia and its many mysteries.”
“Mysteries?”
“Yeah, like the students who go missing and are never investigated. The lack of charges in connection with the deaths from last semester. The strange network of student organizations and their ties to weird-ass cultlike practices. The curses.” She shrugs, and I can’t help wondering if she’s seen things or if this really is just a basic curiosity. “Those people you hid from in the forest.”
Most in Fury Hill are happy to believe whatever they’re told if the truth is shiny enough. For centuries, Avernia’s been a breeding ground for misinformation—a way for those running the town to test the waters and see just how much their people will overlook.
That Elle is trying to uncover things rather than go with the flow doesn’t bode well for any of us. Especially should any higher-ups find out.
They’d see her as a threat. A manifestation of the curse.
The reason no one’s done anything about the crimes perpetrated by her siblings so far is because they think they’re under control so long as they can shape public narratives. Pythia does a great job keeping peoplejustinformed enough to think they know everything.
Elle looking deeper could unravel a thin thread tying the underbelly of this university together.
Something tells me that might be worse than losing my job or stepping in as Incarnate.
A book slips from her fingers, and she lets out a small breath as if exasperated. I crouch down, picking the journal up and putting it at the top of the pile.
“What would you like to find out?”
Her eyes find mine. “What do you mean?”
“I’m a founding family member from arguably the most prominent surname in town. Do you think there’s information I can’t get?”
“I didn’t ask for your help.”
“No,” I agree. “I’m offering.”
“Why?”
“Consider it a gesture of peace.” I extend my hand.
She looks at it, makes a face, and pushes into a standing position. “No thanks. I’d rather just ask Meg or Lexington.”
My body moves before I can command it to stop, following as she attempts to slip past me; suddenly I’m standing, guiding her back into the shelves behind us so we’re mostly obscured from view at the entrance to the room.
