After slipping out of my room, I hurried through the halls of the academy. Last time had been a whole shitload easier, seeing as everyone had been asleep. What the fuck were they thinking starting the fights so early? Didn’t they know everyone was still out celebrating from the soccer game? Then again, maybe that was the perfect cover.
The image Rafe had sent was of the hall leading to the science labs, so I took a shortcut through the elaborate entrance hall and past the dean’s office.
Just as I was about to turn the corner into the science wing, voices ahead made me freeze. There was no way I could explain what I was doing in this area of the academy at night and I badly didn’t want to be held up trying to bullshit my way out of questions. I froze against the wall. Hopefully, they wouldn’t come this way, or I was screwed. Somehow I doubted any of the teachers had left their offices unlocked for me to hide in, and I hadn’t learned how to pick locks yet.
Snippets of conversation traveled back to me from the speakers, and I didn’t pay too much attention until they said my name.
What the…?
Inching closer, I strained my ears to pick up more words.
It was a woman speaking. Her voice was hushed, so it took me a moment to place it. But sure enough…
“You promised me! You said that whore bitch wouldn’t come between us,” Claudette whined. “And now look. I’m a fucking social pariah, all thanks to her. Sluterella needs to be put in her place once and for all.”
Great. Don’t tell me I’d just walked into a lovers’ quarrel between her and Rafe. Just what I fucking needed. Although, on the upside, Rafe would be mindful that the fights were about to start and hopefully wrap things up quickly.
There was the distinctive sound of a scuffle, then Claudette let out a squeal of fright at the same time as a loud thump sounded. Had Rafe just smacked her into the wall? What the fuck?
I hated the bitch, but I was more than willing to give that arrogant prick what was coming to him if he was beating his girlfriend. Quietly, I poked my head around the corner to assess the situation.
Holy. Fuck.
Claudette wasn’t arguing with Rafe at all.
“Don’t you dare threaten Violet again,” Alex hissed at her, his hand around her throat and his face inches from hers. “You’re lucky you weren’t more severely punished for that stunt you pulled with Brandon.”
Shock damn near electrocuted me. I’d never seen that murderous look on Alex before, and it gave me chills. Not good chills.
“More severely?” Claudette shrieked back, seemingly unconcerned by the hand around her throat. In fact, she pushed into it a bit. “Rafe tried to break off our engagement for that slut! Do you have any idea the kind of shit my parents put me through this week until they could enforce the betrothal agreements?”
Alex bared his teeth in what was probably meant to be a smile. It looked like a wolf preparing to rip someone to shreds. “But it was enforced, and you’re back to being the future queen of the Switzerlands. Sodon’t fuck it up.” He snarled those words at her, and I saw his forearm flex as he tightened his grip on her throat.
For a horrifying moment, Claudette gagged and gasped for air. Then he released his grip, and she moaned so loudly I almost blushed. Did she justcome?
“All I need is a few more weeks to lock it down. Violet is already half in love with me, and with Jasmine dead she’s my last chance.”
I choked on my confusion, it filled my head until I felt like I was going to explode.Last chance for what?
Claudette coughed, and her voice came out hoarse when she replied. “Maybe you shouldn’t have killed the bitch then. I hear she was already pregnant.”
Alex’s hand smacked into the wall beside her head, loud enough to echo down the hallway, and I fuckingshookwith anger. Little information bombs were exploding in my brain, and I was starting to see red.
“With someoneelse’sbaby,” Alex spat. “I won’t make that mistake again. Nurse Reller won’t tamper with Violet’s birth control until I’ve got her complete loyalty. Then, and only then.”
Claudette whined pathetically, pawing at Alex’s T-shirt. “But baby, the idea of you fucking that trailer trash whore makes me sick. Can’t you just lock her up and use IVF like the Siberians do?”
Bile rolled in my stomach, and I needed to clamp a hand over my lips to keep from vomiting all over the floor. What the actual fuck was happening right now? Had Alex been body-snatched? Was this a rehearsal for a play? Because it couldn’t be real. No way. No fucking way was this happening.
“The Siberians are no better than animals,” Alex sneered. “We’re smarter than that, and the presslovesto report on happy endings from the Princess Ballot. And for once, the winner will become a queen. My queen. Violet will be my wife; don’t ever fucking forget that, Claudette.”
Fuck me. Fuckme. This was all an act?Birth control?Was he talking about deliberately knocking me up? Was he grooming me to become his “queen” aka broodmare? Oh fuck. That thought damn near made me pass out.
How. Dumb. Could. I. Be?
All the warnings. Everyone had freaking warned me. Everyone. Yet I’d stupidly ignored them because I needed to follow my heart. What the actual fuck?
Claudette was leaning into him now, her hand on the front of his jeans as she rubbed his crotch. She was whispering something in his ear, but I no longer cared to listen.
