As I open it, I think I stop breathing.
“Oh, my gods.”
Kitty twists in her seat, frowning.
“What?”
Before I can answer her, a chorus of chimes and vibrations echo through the room as every phone rings simultaneously.
People scramble to silence them, fishing them out of their pockets, only to gasp a short moment later, followed quickly by murmured whispers.
“I’m not surprised.”
“I mean, what did you expect?”
“Holy hells…”
Heads swivel in my direction, and Argent bangs his fist on his desk, trying to regain control of the room. But the voices only grow louder.
There’s no use in trying to rein them in. The excitement of a scandal has already swept through them.
“Iris…”
Kitty’s voice is low as she looks up from her own phone to rest a hand on my arm. I shrug her off, rising to my feet.
“Iris, wait?—”
“Don’t,” I snap. “I’m fine.”
Gods, I’m not even sure I believe those words anymore.
I collect my things and avoid the eyes that follow me as I make my way down the center aisle.
Somewhere behind me, I can hear Argent calling my name, asking me to return to my seat, but I ignore him, too.
I ignore all of them.
Every face I pass outside, and every whisper I hear as I make my way through Crescent House.
I don’t stop in the den, and I don’t head for the ranked floor. Instead, I head straight up to the dormitory, and I don’t slow until I find the door that reads, “CROSS.”
Chapter10
It Wasn't Me
ELLIOT
“Mother wants you home early,”Vanessa says, the shrill pitch of her voice making the speaker crackle.
“What? Why?”
“I don’t know, Elliot. I’m not in the habit of asking her to explain herself.”
I groan.
Of course, Mother says jump, and Vanessa just takes off flying.
“When?” I ask.
