“Congratulations for what?” Janet whispers urgently.
“You thought she’d stay in Minor Hall, didn’t you?” Bea says sweetly to Janet. “You thought you had another outcast for your dwindling friend group. That’s sweet.”
Janet tenses. Her arm is still wrapped in mine, but her face is slack, eyes big.
“I’m not leaving Minor Hall,” I say, voice low. I squeeze Janet’s arm.
Bea’s eyebrows rise. “Why would you stay in Minor Hall if you’re part of the inner circle? No one has ever done that.”
I frown, too shocked by her words to respond.
“Holy. Crap,” Janet exclaims, her voice only barely over a whisper now.
I pull her farther into the crowd; I need to see the names. Need to see this for myself.
“He named you part of his inner circle,” Janet says flatly, and I know she’s trying to hold back her emotions. “Iknewthere was more there than you let on.”
I swallow. The words are too small to make out. The calligraphy is obnoxiously detailed, making it even harder.
Finally, I’m able to read Jarron’s list. The bottom name is not mine. I swallow. The next name is not mine.
“Oh my God. He put you first.”
I cling to Janet as tightly as I can manage, my fingers digging into her forearm. It must hurt, but she doesn’t react. I swear my knees might buckle here and now. Finally, I find my name.
In the first spot.Candice Montgomery
Honestly, I’m more mad at myself. I should have realized. Should have seen this coming. Jarron knows I need to get into Elite Hall. He told me he’d get me in. Of course he’d add me to his list. He has three people he can name that will get special treatment just for befriending him.
A shadow falls over me, and everything goes quiet. I clench my hands into fists as I force myself to face the powerful demon breathing down my neck.
“Hello, sunshine.”
The gaze of dozens of supernatural beings weighs down on me, making it hard to breathe.
A dimple appears on Jarron’s right cheek alongside a crooked grin. “Would you like to go somewhere to chat?” His voice is so low it’s a near rumble. He peers down at me through long lashes, hands in his pockets as if he were completely at ease.
It gets under my skin.
There are still hushed whispers, but those nearest lean in, listening closely. I glare at a few students that step in closer to us. “Somewhere else would be good.” I turn quickly to Janet. “I don’t know what is happening, but I have to…”
“Right.” She forces a smile, her eyes unfocused. “Sure, yeah, go talk.” She shakes her head. “My god. You’re going to talk to theheir of the Under Worldalone.” She blinks rapidly like reality is just catching up to her.
I’ve known her for only a few days, so I find it surprising how much I care what she thinks. I care how she feels. I want to explain this to her. I want her to know that whatever is happening here was not my plan nor my desire. I want to stay with her and the other outcasts in Minor Hall. But I have to do this.
“Are you going to be okay?” she asks, her eyebrows pulling down.
I press my lips into a thin line, unsure how to answer that question. Will I be okay? Am I safe with Jarron? Honestly, I don’t know. But I’m going to have to pretend. Because if I want to play this game, it’s going to get dangerous.
I nod quickly. Then, on a whim, I pull her into my arms for a tight hug. “Thank you for caring and for being my friend so quickly. It’s not going to stop because of,” I pull back and wave vaguely, “whatever this is.”
“Okay,” she whispers. Then, I turn and follow the demon prince down the hall while the crowd quietly observes.
10
You Really Do Think I’m a Monster, Don’t You?
I crossmy arms and keep my back to the entrance of the room until I hear the door click behind me. Jarron moves so quietly I can’t even tell he’s here until his shadow settles over me.
