“No sign of him since he escaped.”
She nods, though I can tell she’s tense.
“I’ll keep an eye on her, make sure she doesn’t get too out of hand.”
“Seems she has a taste for killing.” I can’t help the small smile that takes over my face, and Kas looks at me like I’ve grown five heads.
“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of your—”
“Thank you, you’re dismissed.”
Kas scoffs but leaves nonetheless. My head falls back against my chair, and everything that Kas has said sinks in.How didn’t I feel it?Perhaps I did, but time and self-loathing hardened me to the point that I didn’t feel her touching the dagger for the first time.
I dream of a tall blonde goddess that night, and all I can think about is how I wish time and fate would bring us together sooner.
Chapter four
Dianahasthenewsblasting on the TV as I make breakfast and listen to the broadcast. The news reporter is an older man who looks to be in his fifties, and he’s walking around our campus as he interviews students.
“This is sophomore, Jessie Klem.” He looks over at a student I don’t recognize. “In a span of two days, both a beloved professor and a student in a popular fraternity have been found dead in the most peculiar way. Is there fear or any speculation floating around campus?”
Jessie looks like she has two hundred plants hiding in her dorm room and has definitely smoked copious amounts of weed today. She shakes her head as she grabs the microphone. “Tyler was popular for taking advantage of girls, and Professor Montague slept with multiple students. As a woman, honestly, this is the safest I’ve felt on campus.”
The reporter clears his throat, and I attempt to hide my smile behind my coffee cup. Maybe I should reach out to her and see if there are any other men who have done her wrong recently. Diana is completely fascinated by the news story, and I don’t want to force her to tell me what happened; that’s up to her.
The reporter turns to address a different student. I recognize him as the guy that left the frat house with Tyler. “I’m with Dirk Samuels,” the reporter says, and I snap my fingers, now remembering his name. My sister turns around and gives me a puzzled look before turning back to the TV. “Dirk, is it true you were the last person to see Tyler alive?”
“Yeah, man. He was just going out for a smoke and maybe to hit up a party, and now he’s dead.”
“Do you fear for your life, for your safety on this campus?”
“How can I not? Tyler was a good guy, just smoking a cigarette, and he was murdered. This isn’t a safe place. That’s like the exact opposite of safe, man.”
My grin is huge as his words sink in. I love hearing the differences between the two interviews. How Jessie feels safer and how a man like Dirk is now scared.
They should be.
The power trip I’m spiraling down is steep. I know my ego is huge, and this vigilante shit can only end with me dying or behind bars. But fuck, if the thrill isn’t worth it.
Diana points the clicker at the TV and turns it off with a deep sigh. I’m not sure what her reaction is going to be, but when I circle the couch and see a blank stare on her face, I start to worry. Otis jumps on my lap, and I stroke his fur as he purs.
“I can’t believe it,” she says softly, pulling the pink pillow against her chest. “I can’t believe he’s dead.”
“Did you still like him?” I ask softly, petting Otis and looking down at him.
“No, but he didn’t deserve to die.” I swallow thickly but don’t say anything. Diana shakes her head back and forth, getting some idea out of her head. “I could use a drink, do you want to go out tonight?” The request is odd, but however Diana needs to handle this, I’ll be right alongside her.
“What did you have in mind?”
“There’s some cool bars on Main Street. We’ve hardly gone out since we turned twenty-one. Plus, I’d rather it just be us.” She gives me a small smile, and I hope that this is the start of her feeling like herself again. Tyler is gone; she can feel safe now, live her life how she wants because I’ll always be there to protect her. And with Professor Montague out of the way, it’s time for us to reconnect. No more distractions, just some simple twin bonding.
“Let’s do it,” I agree, giving her hand a squeeze. She squeezes back and gives me a look that I can’t decipher. Under any other circumstance, I would have assumed she knows what I’ve done. But if she truly knew, she’d never be able to look at me again.
“You’re the best,” she says, leaning over the cushions to give me a huge hug. I wrap my arms around her and let out a content sigh. At this moment, I feel more whole than I ever have in my entire life. More me than I ever could have imagined.
“Two shots of tequila, please!” Diana yells over the bar while leaning over to wave down the bartender. We’re both wearing jeans, and I’m thankful as she leans as far over as possible. The bartender smiles at her and acknowledges we need a refill. It’s our third of the night, and I can definitely feel it already. I know Diana is feeling it as well, with the glazed-over look in her eyes.
The bar is… eclectic. The tabletop, along with the floor is sticky, and I’m shocked that Diana picked this place. The people are… interesting. The bartender is extremely attractive; honestly, most everyone in the place is beautiful. Men who are taller than I’m used to seeing and women who could be cover models. I can’t help but feel like I’m being watched. As I look around at the patrons, it doesn’t seem like anyone in particular is looking at me. I shake off the feeling and look over at Diana.
