Page 125 of The King's Maiden

Silence followed.

But if I listened hard enough, I picked up the soft brush of light footsteps as they crept toward my hiding place. I wasn’tsure why I was hiding to begin with, but at this point, I’d committed. Plus, the things they said before I gave myself away hadn’t sounded like plans for friendship-bracelet-making time.

Whatever they planned to do, it wasn’t right. And I couldn’t bring myself to walk away and do nothing. At least, that had been the thought before I stepped on the twig and alerted them to my presence. Now, I just didn’t like being outnumbered.

Peeking through the lake equipment, I could see the lights of the Round Tableau building blinking across the way and the main house illuminated on the top of the small hill. But no one was around. No one would be able to help me if these girls decided to gang up on me.

Could I take them all? Probably not.

Could I outrun them? Maybe.

Was I spiraling in anxiety? Yes.

“Let’s go,” Vivian’s cold, high voice rang out in the silence. “No one’s out here. It was probably a squirrel or something, you big babies.”

“But—”

“I said, let’s go. We have things to do, and you’ve wasted enough of my time.”

Footsteps retreated up the hill, but I didn’t leave my hiding place until at least ten minutes had passed once they fell quiet. Sliding out from between the racks, I stayed low to the ground and hunted for a sign they remained nearby.

When I didn’t see them, I breathed a sigh of relief.

Having seen more than enough on my last walk around campus, I decided to head back inside before I wound up in trouble.

But before I could even stand up, arms grabbed me from behind.

“Hel—” I tried to scream, but a large hand covered my face.

“Knock her out,” Vivian ordered.

The hand over my mouth and nose disappeared. I gasped for breath right before it cut off my air again.

A sharp and familiar scent filling my nose, it lingered with a hint of spice.

When a cloth covered my face, the scent was gone. But I held my breath just in case. Breathing in that cloth could leave me helpless.

And I refused to be helpless.

I fought harder against my attacker. Digging my nails into the arms around me. Stomping on their feet. A high-pitched voice shrieked. Someone else screamed. And the grip on my body slackened.

So, I rammed my elbow back as hard as I could.

They released me

I pitched forward and fell on the grass. Barely getting my arms out in time to brace my fall, I landed hard. My knees hit the ground and pain reverberated up my wrists.

But before I could turn over to face my attackers, a hand seized hold of my hair. It yanked hard and sent me flying backward.

I cried out, crashing into the ground with a thud.

Vivian glared down at me.

“Fuck!” I shouted. “What the fuck, you psycho bitch?”

When she leaned down to get in my face, I took the opportunity she presented as quickly as I could. My hand swiped across her face. And I sent thanks to a black credit card for the nails digging deep into her skin.

She screamed and covered her cheek.

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