Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 160041 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 800(@200wpm)___ 640(@250wpm)___ 533(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 160041 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 800(@200wpm)___ 640(@250wpm)___ 533(@300wpm)
She rolls her eyes and sighs out loud.
“Are you two okay?” Ivy asks her.
Océane rubs her lips together. “I don’t know. We barely even talk anymore.”
“Oh … Did something happen?” Aspen asks.
“Do you want me to talk to him?” River asks, glancing back at his brother. “See if I can find out what’s going on.”
Océane shrugs it off. “No, it’s fine. I appreciate the thought, but I ….” She sighs. “Can we just eat lunch?”
This is awkward as hell, so I take another bite of my sandwich, grab my drink, and stay quiet.
However, Aspen can’t help but glance in my general direction, which she always does whenever I even think of anything at all. She’s like a dog that can sniff the goddamn devious plans out of your brain before you even think of them.
“We can still talk about Xavier, though, and why he can’t stop staring at that one cop stationed near the door.”
I slam my drink down. “Goddammit.”
“Oh, it’s important all right,” Ivy mutters, sneaking some grapes into her mouth.
“It’s private.”
Aspen narrows her eyes. “Does that mean you have a thing for him?”
I frown. “What? No, fuck no.”
“Oh, c’mon, Xav, don’t be shy, no one’s gonna judge you here,” Ivy says.
“I’m not. It’s just a goddamn cop.”
“He’s too busy pining over Sunny.” Aspen giggles.
These girls are all enjoying this a little too much.
I get up from the ground. “You know what? I don’t need this today.”
“Don’t leave now,” Aspen says. “You know we’re just messing with you, just like you mess with me.”
“I have other things to do.”
“Like what?” Ivy asks. “Are you going to find Sunny and finally ask her out?”
My face turns as red as a tomato.
“Wait. For real?” Océane mutters.
I rub my forehead. “Conversations like these make me want to murder people.”
Aspen snorts. “I’m sorry, but I can’t ever imagine you killing anyone. Ever.”
“Why not?” Ivy asks.
“He’s like the sweetest kid, wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Aspen answers.
“Thanks,” I reply, and I tuck my hands into my pockets. If only they knew. “Anyway, I’m off.”
I have more important things on my mind than entertaining three gossip-hungry girls. Aspen and I always enjoy throwing each other under the bus, but right now, my mind and heart are too occupied by what’s going on with Sunny.
She’s always been able to wrap any guy around her finger. Her popularity stems not only from her perfect looks but also from her ability to make herself the center of any crowd. It’s what she does best, which is why it’s so concerning that she’s withdrawing from her own social circles more and more.
My hand tightens around the knife in my pocket.
It all started the moment she ended up in the hospital, and I will find out exactly what it is.
But first, I have to go take care of my own goddamn itch.
Orion
That night
I pour myself a late-night cup of bourbon in the lavish kitchen of the Tartarus House while the tumultuous party in the other room keeps going. So many naked bodies bumping and grinding into each other eventually begins to bore, especially when there’s no proper strong liquor around.
Sighing, I pull out my phone and check my messages, but there’s none from the only person I wish would speak to me: Sunny.
The last time I saw her was when she snuck into my room to threaten me and give me the best near-death experience I’ve ever had, and I’ve been chasing the high since, to no avail. Nothing comes close to being smothered to death by your muse.
Sucks to say that she’s been radio silent ever since she left the body in the grass right outside Spine Ridge University. Those boring cops stationed outside must’ve put a big damper on her mood. That, or she’s been conniving with Xavier in secret without involving me.
Just the thought makes me want to languish in the open fire still churning in the living room.
With a ghastly scowl on my face, I grab the cup and bring it to my lips, but I pause the moment the front door locks into place. Curious. No one leaves this place after they’ve been invited in. The party lasts all night, and the lewd Tartarus parties are infamous among the campus. No one leaves because no one wants to.
Except maybe … one person.
I approach the window and stare at the man hastily making his way through the back door and into the rose maze, but I definitely recognize him by his stride. Xavier.
My eyes narrow, and I immediately place my cup down and follow suit, into the dark of night, wearing nothing but a pair of sweatpants and a long velvety robe.
I stalk him through the rose maze behind the Tartarus House, taking meticulous care not to be heard while he makes his way through. We all know the route to the exit by heart. We’re taught that the first day we’re accepted into Tartarus.