Total pages in book: 186
Estimated words: 176552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 883(@200wpm)___ 706(@250wpm)___ 589(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 176552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 883(@200wpm)___ 706(@250wpm)___ 589(@300wpm)
Across the row, Olivia and Meghan sat diligently taking notes, epitomes of model students. Meghan, a perfect brunette I barely knew, didn't bother to look up as I adjusted my position for the hundredth time. My attention drifted to the large windows beside us, framing the serene courtyard below, a tranquil spot on campus at this time of day. Resting my head on my hand, I sank into the comfort of the seat while watching people go by. A couple shared a quick kiss before parting ways, and another girl was speed-walking to her destination. Three students halted abruptly, and my focus went to them. One gestured, prompting me to look in the same direction as they were.
I immediately straightened.
Leaning against the base of a tree, stood someone else in a mask. Unlike the plain one I had seen earlier, this mask was theatrical, with exaggerated features and squinted eye sockets.
They were larger and more robust than whoever had been following us outside, wearing a long coat with the hood pulled up, simply staring. I was two stories above, and it felt like they could see straight into the classroom.
I gently nudged Cloe.
“What is it?” she whispered.
“There’s a masked person in the courtyard,” I mumbled, nodding toward the window.
She leaned forward, peeking past me. “Where?”
I shifted to give her a clear view—the person had vanished.
The students who had been pointing at them were now walking away, glancing back as if trying to figure out the same thing I was. Where the hell did they go?
“Please say this is your sleep-deprived mind seeing things.”
“I wish that were the case.”
Her brow furrowed. “What is going on?”
“That's the million-dollar question.”
"If it's not related to the party, then it has to be because of The Hunt," she whispered.
I wasn’t sure if her words were meant to reassure me, but they didn't. I sat back a bit, my arms folded. “If it's the latter, am I Marked?”
“No, I don't think so. If you were Marked, you'd definitely know. I haven’t heard of anyone being notified their playing yet.”
I wanted to trust the process, but earlier, she mentioned that our tradition had an honor code, which had obviously been breached. She leaned closer, speaking quietly. “Don’t overthink. We can't be sure they're targeting you specifically. Those people down there nearly ran away in fear. It could be a collective thing.”
That made sense, but it didn't clarify last night's encounter, which brought us back to the main problem. Like she said, this was either happening due to The Hunt or because people were getting caught up in the excitement of the fall celebrations. Either way it went, Crowsfell had its share of assholes who would revel in this kind of thing.
Cloe gave me a gentle squeeze. “We'll figure it out, Sanj.”
I nodded, acknowledging her good intentions as I reached into my bag. I pulled out my phone and ensured it was set to silent before placing it on my lap. I opened the conversation with Ryder and sent him a text first.
Seen anything else weird?
Rye 🥖❤️
Other than you?
What a dick. I suppressed a smile.
Ha. Asshole.
Rye 🥖❤️
I’m kidding.
You know you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen, right?
I doubted that was true.
I thought back to my moment in the locker room the night before, when I looked at myself in the mirror under those harsh fluorescent lights and felt a familiar wave of self-doubt creeping in, whispering comparisons between me and Brooke. But I still smiled at my phone like a fool, ignoring the knowing sound Cloe made beside me.
Aw, stop. You’ll make me blush.
His reply came so quickly, I was starting to wonder if he’d gone to class.
Rye 🥖❤️
I can make you do a lot more than that.
What the hell?
Stop it.
Rye 🥖❤️
Stop what, Sass?
You have no idea what you do to me, do you?
My breath hitched, fingers hovering above the keyboard. It wasn't typical of Ryder to say things like this outright. He occasionally teased, flirted, and subtly pushed boundaries, but this felt different, the truth starting to seep through the line we both pretended still existed. I stared at the message for a moment longer than necessary before typing the only response that came to mind.
Annoy you?
His reply came just as fast, as if he'd been anticipating my message.
Rye 🥖❤️
You do drive me insane.
In ways you never want me to say out loud.
Your pretty boyfriend wouldn’t like that.
My heart raced, every part of me knowing I shouldn't engage in this. Yet, embracing my inner masochist, I replied anyway.
Neither would Brooke.
The three little dots appeared, and for a moment, I wished they wouldn’t.
Rye 🥖❤️
That’s why I haven’t said everything you need to hear. I told you to be ready, remember?
I read his last message at least four times before shoving my phone back into my bag and making myself look as if I were focusing. I already knew I wouldn’t retain a single word. I’d just steal Cloe’s notes later. They’d be ten times neater and more organized than mine ever were, anyway. Her brain had a filing system mine never developed.