Page 158 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

“Again?” I say as I cover my ears with my hands.

The sound is even worse in the cafeteria because the screeching noise is echoing off of the domed ceiling.

River pushes his chair back. “Come on; let’s get out of here!” he shouts over the noise.

I push away from the table, too, and leave my hands over my ears as we hurry away from our table and exit the cafeteria. The hallway is crowded with people filing out of classrooms. I try to remain close to River as I get bumped and jostled around, but I end up losing him in the chaos.

I try to keep a level head, but when a loud bang reverberates through the atmosphere and chaos ensues, my anxiety rises.

As everyone hurries to get out, I get smacked and elbowed from all angles. I shove people away, but it’s not enough, so I push my way to the safety of an alcove. I remain there with my back pressed against the wall, attempting not to think about what that bang could be. I’m worried, though, to the point where I’m struggling to breathe evenly.

I shut my eyes and focus on getting air into my lungs. A breath in and then out. Over and over again?—

Fingers brush mine, and when I open my eyes, River is in front of me. His eyes are wildly wide with panic, his hair is a mess, and he looks about ready to break the hell down.

“What’re you doing?” I ask, holding onto his hand. “You need to get out here. Your wound?—”

He places a hand against my lips. “There’s no way I was about to leave you in here.” He lowers his finger and places his hand beside my head, leaning toward me, as if he’s protecting me with his body. “I almost lost it when I turned around and couldn’t see you.” His lips are so close to my ear that when he speaks, his breath dusts my cheek.

I clutch onto the bottom of his shirt at the sound of another loud bang. “What is that?”

“I have no idea.” He breathes in and out before slanting back. He remains close as he leans over and peers into the hallway. “I don’t see anything … I think we should try to get out of here.” He offers me his hand. “Hold onto my hand, okay?”

Nodding, I thread my fingers through his. Then, ever so quietly, we step into the empty hallway. The alarm continues to screech as we rush toward the exit. It’s an eerie feeling, the emptiness mixed with the madness of the noise?—

Boom—

I startle at the sound of another loud bang, this one coming from behind me. As we jog toward the doors, I throw a glance over my shoulder and spot a hooded figure standing at the end of the hallway.

“River,” I say, but my voice gets swallowed up by the siren.

The figure drags their hand across their neck then charges at us.

River looks behind us then quickens his pace. We move fast, probably faster than we should, considering our injuries, but we eventually make it outside.

I’ve never felt more relieved in my life than to be in the fresh air and sunshine.

“What the hell was that?” I ask as I struggle to catch my breath.

River shakes his head as he tows us toward a cluster of trees. “I have no idea, but I’m guessing they’re the reason the siren is going off.” He slows to a stop near a bench and sinks onto it, pulling me down with him. He releases his hand then lowers his forehead, massaging his temples with his fingertips. “This is the last thing our bodies needed.”

“Agreed.” I yawn as I slant back, resting my hands on the cool stone of the bench. “I think fate has other ideas for us, though.” The pause I give is filled up with the screeching of the alarm and the chatter of people. “What do you think that person in the hoodie was doing in there? And what was that loud bang?”

“I’m worried it might be gunshots.”

“It’s not. I’ve heard those before. It sounded more like explosions.”

He lifts his gaze and assesses the academy building that’s lined with towering arched doors, massive columns, and stairways, all of which look intact. “It doesn’t look like an explosion happened,” River mutters with a frown.

“Unless it was contained inside,” I suggest. “Like in a big room … Like in the library.” Like where the secret society has a hidden entrance.

His gaze snaps to me. “You don’t think that this has to do with that, do you?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. It was just a random thought. But someone is running around in a hood and mask—that seems very secret-like.”

“Shit.” He stands up and fishes his phone out of his pocket. “I need to check on Finn, Lily, and Noah.”

I like that he included Noah in that. Maybe that means they’re working on their friendship, which I think Noah needs.

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