“So, what have I missed? So much has happened, I don’t even know what day it is,” I admit, and Ocean huffs as she shakes her head.
“Girl, same,” she agrees, linking her arm through mine as we continue to walk in sync. She takes a second, tapping her chin in thought before she seemingly decides where to start. “Well, Tiran was under medical attention for twenty-four hours after fighting with Rion,” she explains, making my jaw almost hit the ground, but I shouldn’t be surprised; Rion is a beast.
The flash reminder of Rion fighting with him comes to mind, but it’s quickly replaced with the searing pain at my sides. It’snot real, just another phantom reaction, but it’s enough to make me clutch my side with my free hand.
As if sensing my thoughts, Ocean grimaces. “Willow, on the other hand…” she starts, and I find my spine stiffening as I brace for impact. “Didn’t even get a slap on the wrist for that bitch move she pulled,” she snarls, anger burning through her.
My nostrils flare with barely contained rage, but it’s an easy pill to swallow because I never anticipated anything different.
“Are you going to eat before you fuck her up?” she asks, wiggling her eyebrows excitedly, and I shake my head.
“No. I’m going to save my energy until the right time comes,” I murmur, embracing the wicked side of me that wants to make her pay. I want the same satisfaction that I felt yesterday when I did the same to my father.
It’s startling how different I feel. I’m here because I killed someone to begin with. It was a freak accident, one I was completely set up to be a part of, that much I know, but last night… I don’t feel any guilt or sadness; I just feel freer. Maybe that’s where my air of contentment has come from this morning, knowing my father is no longer a threat to me.
“She’s going to think she won,” Ocean states, and I shrug.
“Let her. It will make her fall even sweeter,” I promise, and she grins.
Like the psychotic maniacs that we are, we all but skip toward the entrance of the dining hall. The second we step inside, the new setup throws me off balance for a moment. I had all but forgotten about it in the chaos of everything else that’s happened.
The tables sit framing the tree in the center of the room, each angled to fork off in a circle as though it’s a clock in here instead of the usual layout, which involved us walking to the far end of the hall.
I preferred it the other way. I hate being so close to Institute One, but I don’t let myself get caught up in it as my stomach grumbles again. I just really need to eat.
Taking our seat at the usual table that has six chairs, I almost consider moving somewhere different so the others can’t join us, but I quickly remind myself that it’s only Kael I don’t want to be around. Rion and Thorne, I owe them more than I care to acknowledge yet.
As if sensing his name in my thoughts, my cell phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out to find a text from Rion.
Rion: Petal, where you at?
I quickly type out a reply and hit send.
Elodie: I’m at the dining hall.
The three little dots immediately appear before another text message comes through.
Rion: You left without me? I’m wounded.
Elodie: I’m sure you’ll heal.
I grin at his dramatics, fully aware that he won’t waste any time getting here, but those familiar three dots flash at the bottom of the screen again.
Rion: I will if you kiss it better.
I grin, earning a questioning look from Ocean as I shake my head.
Elodie: I could consider it.
Rion: Excellent. I’ll be there ASAP. The wound is on my dick.
I blush at his antics as I slip my cell phone back into my pocket just as a plate of food is placed in front of me. My excitement quickly withers to nothing as my hopes for eggs and bacon or pancakes are murdered by a plate of slop.
“I think it’s supposed to be porridge,” Ocean murmurs, dragging her spoon through the thick substance in front of her with a grimace.
Any other time, I might complain, but luckily, today is the day I’m so hungry I don’t care. With the mushy porridge in my mouth, I glance around the Institute Thirteen tables, unsure what I’m searching for, but when I don’t spot Brenna, I know that’s who I’m looking for.
“What about Brenna? Is she okay?” I ask, despite her shitty words being directed at me.
