Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 121534 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 608(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121534 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 608(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
She’s effortlessly pretty.
Annoyingly so.
I don’t trust pretty things. There’s always something lurking beneath the surface, or, in Rey’s case, a hell of a lot of somethings, just waiting to pop out and slit your throat.
She smiles at me.
I ignore her and join Reeve.
“Welcome.” Reeve holds his flag high. “Make sure to follow the green flag, aka me, at all times.” A few girls around us giggle. Of course they do. “And know that my brother and I are so honored to be giving you a tour of the university. Most of you have seen the dorms and dining hall already, so we’ll be taking you through the science building, business building, arts, and music.” He pauses, and I know it’s for dramatic effect. “Then, to end the tour, we’ll make a stop at the Hall of Ormir!”
Everyone starts talking at once. The Hall of Ormir is legendary. Theories abound about the temple. It’s been called the product of an eccentric billionaire. A meeting house for a pagan cult. Others believe it really is of Norse origin. Ghost-hunting shows consider it one of the most haunted places in the Northwest.
It’s not. Haunted, that is, though some scary shit has been rumored to go down there.
The whispers people hear in that hall are nothing more than the wind moving between the ancient building and the water that surrounds it, but people still believe.
Because people are stupid.
Reeve holds his flag high and waves it. “Shhh. We’ll go over the rules once we’re there. Let’s start with the boring stuff first.” He turns and starts walking. I follow and suddenly feel Rey at my side.
I smell her, too.
“What?” I don’t turn. “What do you want?”
“Nothing,” she says quickly. “I’m just walking. Is that okay?”
I grunt.
She keeps pace with me—which I have to admit is impressive, since my legs are at least six inches longer—but at least she’s not talking to me or touching me.
After we visit the science building and move on to arts, I’m a bit perplexed about why she hasn’t tried to charm me at all.
An hour later, we’re at the last building—business. Reeve is spouting off about Sigurd and other donors whose contributions landed their names on each wing. I turn to finally say something to Rey, only to realize she’s wandered off. I scan the crowds and finally spot her next to Reeve. Figures.
I feel my frown deepen. Why the hell do I even care?
Reeve starts laughing at something Rey says, and irritation burns through my veins. He knows she’s the enemy. He shouldn’t be laughing with her even if she were the funniest person on the planet.
I cough into my hand to get his attention.
Reeve doesn’t look up.
“Reeve,” I finally snap.
His eyes lock on mine. He knows exactly what he’s doing. “Yeah?”
“We should go to the Hall of Ormir before it gets too late.”
It’s a valid excuse. People aren’t allowed to pass through the gates after dark; too many students have either drowned or gone missing over the years. Some think the drowning has to do with the way the current runs in the spring-fed pool that the hall was built over, while others say people drown because they stay too long in the water, thinking it’s going to give them special powers. Nobody really knows anything except it’s not smart to be here at night. And it’s never safe to swim.
“The university is liable for everyone we take past those gates,” I remind Reeve.
He nods. “True. True.” To the freshmen, he says, “All right, Endir fam, let’s get moving!”
Rey leaves his side and returns to the group. She doesn’t bother to find her spot next to me again as Reeve holds up his flag and starts walking us toward the Hall of Ormir in all its daunting glory.
A chill runs down my spine, growing stronger the closer we get.
As we pass through the gates, a cool breeze suddenly picks up, swirling around the group before everything goes quiet and still. I can’t explain it, but my heart is suddenly racing.
A kid shouts, “It’s the ghost!”
Rey’s suddenly next to me, whispering under her breath. “Or some angry Gods.”
I roll my eyes and feign ignorance. “Don’t tell me you believe any of that shit.”
She hugs herself against the chill coming off the forest and keeps walking. The closer we get to the ancient temple, the colder the air becomes until I can see my breath in front of my face. I need to calm the hell down, but I can’t.
My fingertips tingle. Chills move through my veins. Frost covers my hands.
Again.
In a blink, I’m back on a windswept beach, waves crashing against the shore, salty spray on my face and the daughter of my enemy sitting close enough to kiss.
Something changed in me that day.
A dam breaking, a door unlocking. I don’t have the words to describe the way a part of me chipped away.