I walk fast, needing to get out of that hallway. Out of the air he left behind.
It’s colder now. Like he took the warmth with him.
I’m halfway down the east wing when footsteps pound on the tiles behind me.
“Isobel!”
I turn just as Dakota skids to a stop beside me, a little out of breath.
“I wanted to catch you and walk with you to lunch,” she says, looking me over. “What happened?”
I force a shrug, even though my pulse is still racing. “Ravencourt happened.”
Her eyes widen. “Wait. He talked to you?”
“Mm-hm.” I keep walking, hoping she won’t press. “It was… something.”
Dakota keeps pace, her brows drawn. “What did he say?”
“Nothing worth repeating.”
Dakota groans.
“He thinks I shouldn’t be here.”
She nudges me gently with her elbow. “Yeah? Well maybe he’s just pissed someone new isn’t falling in line.”
“I’m not here to fall in line,” I mutter.
Jace’s voice still echoes in the back of my mind.
Here, the knives are hidden behind perfect smiles.
The next blockI have after lunch is Biology. The desks are long tables arranged in trios. I scan the room, looking for an empty seat.
But I see them.
Two of the four boys are already seated.
Cause why wouldn’t they be here.
Tex is sprawled across the back corner like the desk personally offended him. One leg stretched out, arms crossed, eyes half-lidded. As if he’s daring someone to give him a reason to care.
Noah’s adjusting something on his tablet. His fingers move fast, precise. Not once does he look up.
A knot twists in my stomach when I realize the only open seat is between them.
This had to be planned.
I keep my face neutral and make my way over.
As I pull the chair back, Tex doesn’t move, but I can feel his eyes rake over me. Not in the way Luca looked. This is different.
Like he’s watching forcracks.
I sit. Noah spares me a glance over the rim of his glasses, then returns to his screen. No greeting. Not that I expected one.
A woman in a sleek navy coat walks in, heels echoing sharply against the tile. “Welcome to Biology. Team assignment is with who you’re sitting with. Work efficiently.”
