Mr. D’plume laughs without smiling. Actually, I’m not certain the sound he made could really qualify as a laugh. It was more like a single, dry “ha.” “Yes, years of work done during a time that precedes my knowledge of your existence was written about you. Do try not to imply I exploit my students.”
Lex doesn’t flinch as he stuffs his hands in his jean pockets, striding coolly to the front of the room. “Coincidences are themother of enchantment.” The boy’s green eyes trails over every seat. “If I’m to audition, I need a Harriet.”
Mr. D’plume’s brows rise, and he leans back against his desk, folding his arms. “Oh? So you really are auditioning now? Okay, then.”
I roll my lips into my mouth to avoid laughing, either at Mr. D’plume’s matter-of-fact, carefree attitude or at the fact Agatha has sat up a little straighter and is right on her way to raising her hand when Lex looks right past her to the back of the classroom.
There’s a challenge in his eyes, entirely too fitting for Kenneth. It feels like he’s staring down Harriet herself.
Except he’s looking at me.
My stomach flips, and dread washes over my skin.
“Calypso,” he says, and I never would’ve expected him to know my name at all.
My mouth goes dry.
Too many eyes come searching for the person who owns that name, and my heart rate kicks up a notch as too many decide it’sme.
Lex extends his hand. “I’d know you anywhere. Harriet.”
Act 2; Scene 3.
Exactly how much did this boy manage to read? Andwhy on earthis he directly challengingme? What have I done to deserve this?
Does he know the truth?
Biting my lip, I meet his gaze fully, trying to assess what he does or doesn’t know. A spark of something bold and horrible heats in my chest in response to the challenge in his gaze. It’s too perfect, too right, too Kenneth. And some dreadful little piece of me doesn’t want to pass up this chance. I tilt my head back and let hard indifference guide my expression. “Oh really?” I ask, swiping my tongue over my teeth and folding my arms. “You’ll forgive me if I can’t say the same about you.”
It’s a bluff. Harriet is angry. She’s already been caught once by this man, and now she’s in disguise. He has no business peeling her apart like he does whenever he sees her.
Lex’s smile broadens, and the glint in his eye deepens.
It is a truly terrifying thing.
“People like me, we don’t have to forgive.”
“You don’t say,” I respond without hesitation, the lines etched onto the backs of my eyelids.
He scoffs, traveling toward me, both hands back in his jean pockets, but all of a sudden, he’s in a suit, we’re outside a lavish party at his mansion, and the rest of the world has fallen away.
I, Harriet, am not supposed to be here, but I already failed once to get my mark, and a pompous event is the most convenient cover for me to try again. If only Kenneth hadn’t recognized me before I even made it in. The plan is simple; it always was: steal from Kenneth, get away without a trace. I tried and failed the first time, and he gave me an ultimatum. I took it, to buy myself some time in order to get to tonight.
But, once again, this foul man has caught me. Effortlessly.
“I do say.” Lex stops before me, or rather before my desk. But it is too late for me to remember it’s there. As far as I know, we’re garbed in the darkness of night, playing a dangerous game. “You think I don’t know why you’re here? I thought we had an arrangement.”
I smile, putting my attention off him, as though I can’t care less. “I’m certain I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“A petty thief garbed in clothes that don’t belong to her, ready to sneak into a place she wasn’t invited to. It’s not so difficult to make assumptions.” He spins on his heel, throwing his arms out to the class, to the mansion. His back is broad, strong, just an arm’s length away—as it is supposed to be. “I can only imagine how this must look to someone likeyou. It’s only due to my good nature that you haven’t been locked awayalready. A poor girl in a harsh world.I pity you.”
He doesn’tpityme. He saw where he could use me, because people like him use everyone. In reality, I am little more than a distraction from the awful world he lives in.Ipityhim.
Harriet reaches for Kenneth but can’t bring herself to touch him.
My hand lifts, but I close my fingers just shy of making contact and stand, gazing at the scene he presents. A laugh sputters up and out of me. “I don’t need yourpity. I’ve spent my life sitting on corners, watching people like you pass me by. If you wouldn’t spare your pity then to help, I certainly don’t want it now.”
Lex casts a glance over his shoulder, that same hard challenge in his eye sparkling with amusement. “Why on earth—”
