Yep, the stress is probably getting to him. Or he misses Brandi and knows that tomorrow morning, we’ll pretend we don’t know each other, so I don’t lose this job. We’ll also pretend he wasn’t flirting with me or whatever this is.
The Declan Printz: I mean, I’m going to give you your phone back. I’m probably not the best candidate to role-play and pretend to be Brandi.
My Oh Mags: Brandi who?
The Declan Printz: Ha ha. Brandi your girlfriend.
He sends me a five-second clip of him laughing hysterically. I don’t know what to make of that other than he thinks I’m hilarious—as if I could fill Brandi’s shoes, er, high heels. All the women in my internet search were in high heels, probably so they didn’t look too short next to him—like I do.
My Oh Mags: Your dad just messaged you.
My stomach swims as it often does when I think about my parents. Part of me gets excited and the other part fills with the kind of dread that comes before crushing disappointment. It’s the kind that could drown a person who only knows how to doggy paddle.
The Declan Printz: Are you reading my messages?
My Oh Mags: You read mine. But no, a notification slid down from the top of the screen.
The Declan Printz: What did it say?
Maybe if he tells me, it’ll soften what’s sure to be a blow from whatever my dad relayed.
My Oh Mags: As I said, I didn’t read it, but I’ll only tell you if you listen to the voicemail.
The man drives a hard bargain. But nervous anticipation makes my hands clammy and no one wants hand sweat on their cell phone screen.
The Declan Printz: Please meet me in the hall in five minutes.
First, I rinse off the face mask and pull on a bulky hoodie. This seems like the kind of place to wear a robe, or not set foot outside my room without being fully dressed. But it’s the dead of night, surely Cateline doesn’t roam the halls making sure we’re all in our rooms after hours.
While I smooth my hair, I mentally analyze the text exchange. Etta Jo would argue that Declan was flirting. But he does that with everyone...except me.
Then she’d say,Until now.
I must be really tired because I’m having imaginary conversations with my friend halfway across the world. But I don’t stop.
See, Declan Printz is dangerous for this reason. He’ll charm the spots off a cheetah. He flirts with cheerleaders and grocery checkout cashiers alike. He even once charmed a squirrel. It was to coax it out of the road to safety so a car didn’t flatten it like a pancake, but still. The guy’s flirtatiousness knows no bounds and no one is immune.
I tap the air with my finger. “I know!” I’ll get some kind of repellent or have a special treatment to turn off whatever this is.
This? Attraction? Pfft. No way. Not us. We’re friends.
I only take two turns down the corridors before I get completely lost. The antique sconces flicker dimly on the walls. I hold my breath as I pad along the plush carpet on the upper floor. Downstairs is wood or marble. I belatedly realize thatmeet me in the hallcould mean any number of places. The old manor probably has miles of hallways.
A creak and a whooshing whistle come from somewhere behind me. A shiver pebbles across my skin. I glance around, but nothing more than my long shadow skulks in the near darkness.
As I round a corner, a scraping noise makes me whirl around. Cold sweat beads on my forehead and I feel mildly seasick. A sharp bang follows. I spin, expecting to see Declan pop out of the darkness like a Jack in the Box.
However, the hallway is empty. The manor is probably haunted.
I’m going back to my room and I’ll tell Declan to come get his phone. I back up slowly, not quite sure which way to go when I bump into something solid and warm.
Just as a scream rises in my throat, a big hand clamps down over my mouth.
16
DECLAN
The last thing I need to happen is for Maggie to startle, scream, and then have the headmistress find us in the hall together during this late hour. I know all too well how that would look. It would mean Wolf, Chase, Grey, and me are off the team. Rules broken. Lives ruined.
