I closed my eyes and dozed between visits. When the next set of footfalls neared, I could barely pry my eyes open. Tonight, of all nights, insomnia failed me. It would only be for yet another camera flash that would be shared across campus come tomorrow anyway. I’d be expelled regardless of how much I could pay out of my personal bank account that I suspected rivaled the twins–together—not that my father cared, since it appeared that he was responsible for putting me in this position.
I’m sending someone to you. Do everything they say.
That plural should have been the first clue. But then I’d seen what the twins were capable of, and m my father’s not so veiled threat was forgotten. Even then. It was so obscure that I would never have been able to put it all together.
Nor did I understand his motives. I suspected that part was something between the twins and him, but they’d have to figure it all out themselves. I was done.
Done with dating. Done with men. Give me taco Tuesday and art night and leave me the fuck alone.
“And get me off this stupid fucking lamp post.”
“And no more pictures!”
I panted a little after that last one. My throat hurt, too.
“Oh, bravo.”
I cracked an eye open to clapping. And found Beau freaking Bennet, the head of the Kingsman frat, standing in front of me. “Go away,” I told him tiredly.
“You don’t want an audience?” He didn’t crack a smile. “Your note suggests otherwise.”
I glared at him as he lit his flashlight app on his phone. “Keep it off my eyes please,” I said pointedly.
“Oh, you’re not the only one who gets light induced migraines. They’re horrible things,” he agreed, lowering the light to scan my naked body. Light lanced up from the blade anyway as it swung. I squeezed my eyes shut to avoid the glare. “Touch her and die,” Beau read. “That’s not very helpful, is it?”
“Not brilliantly.” I had managed to spit out the leash an hour or so back—it felt like an hour ago, and the clock tower chimed at least once since then. I figured it was close to two in the morning, the twins’ favorite time.
“So, how do we get you down without touching you?" Beau ran a hand over his chin.
I stared at him. “You can’t be serious." I laid it out for him. “They. Will. Kill. You. I’ve seen them do it.,” I said earnestly in case he wasn't getting the point. “And not by accident.”
“Oh, no,” he agreed. Their murders are completely logical, to them at least. You’re their newest obsession. And I don’t think you’re going away.”
“I might be,” I grumped. “I’m sick of being treated like this.” I tugged at the collar tying my wrist to the light post and winced as the blade cut at my belly.
“Don't do that, Helia. Stay still.” Beau inched forward, studying the set up. “No, I don't think you get a choice. I didn’t.”
I stared at him and ignored the ache where the blade made a thin cut on my betty like a pendulum swinging. “You were the object of the twins’ obsession?"
He cracked a smile, finally. “Not quite. I was their target a few years ago. When I first arrived at Rippton. Ah, here we go.” He gripped the handle of the knife and began to cut through my bonds without touching me at all. “Back then, I was the first year student they hated. They set up an elaborate deal and I agreed. Naturally, I didn't get all the information. But they decided enough was enough. So did I. It was a mistake. I had seen enough bad deals to understand this was my last and I accepted the terms." The blade cut through the leather collar, and I was free.
I rubbed my wrists. “Thank you. What happened?”
Beau shrugged. “They’d never seen anyone accept death before. Everyone fought, they said. No one had grace. And so, they kept me.”
A snort bubbled from me. “Like a pet.”
His head went to one side. “Like a pert. For a year, maybe. Yes.”
Silence fell between us.
“Then what?" I ventured.
Beau offered me a faint smile. “They taught me blades, though I knew some knife fighting. They enhanced my negotiating skills, and I taught them new ways to kill. And they taught me kink. I appreciate it all. Those skills brought me to where I am now.”
“Oh.” I mulled that over, and collected my ruined dress. “Thank you. I needed to find them and sort this out.” I waved vaguely in the direction of the clock tower.
“I’ll walk you back,” he offered. “Seeing as you might run into trouble who aren’t sure what they’re getting themselves into.”
