Page 46 of The Bleak Beginning

“Yeah, you’re right,” Bishop agrees, looking around with a smirk. “But let's be real, a few of them probably escaped from the dorm. They must have realized it wasn't even suitable forhumanliving.”

Camden snorts. “Yeah, the whole dorm's a disaster. It’s like they’re breeding them in there or something.”

“Right?” Bishop shakes his head, chuckling. “I bet half of the students living there don’t even know the difference between a rat and their roommate.”

“If anything, the rats in that building have more dignity than the people living there. At least they know when to hide,” Camden adds, pausing and glancing towards my hiding spot. Imentally urge him to leave as my muscles tense up. Eventually, he shrugs and turns away. “Let's go. Hey, want to place bets on how long Alex's bag will stay hanging outside? My money is on at least until the pre-trial game.”

“That’s it?” I hear Bishop remark, his differing opinion clear. “I bet it outlives her time here completely, and it’ll catch the wind like a sail for years to come.”

“Think so?”

“After what I witnessed earlier, Prescott won’t have the guts to take it down herself, and no one else will dare touch it. It’ll stay up there as a constant reminder of her shame.”

“And our enduring triumph,” Camden adds confidently.

Their voices fade as they move away, but I remain frozen in my hiding spot, my body trembling in silent rage.

I wait until their footsteps fade completely before I allow myself to exhale. My legs feel weak with relief, and I slump against the pillar, trying to process everything I just overheard.

The Altair games, family betrayals, sabotage—it’s all too much. But one thing is clear, these boys were nowhere near done playing games, but now I could play right back.

They want to break into my room? Fine, I’ll be waiting. In the meantime, I have some fake mail to leave for them. They want to play games? They were about to find out I can play better.

As I turn to leave, I notice a flyer on the bulletin board: Altair Academy Annual Masquerade Ball.

The ornate lettering catches my eye, and a plan starts to form in my mind. A masquerade would be the perfect opportunity to potentially gather more information without being recognized. I could blend in, eavesdrop on conversations, maybe even get close to the Legacies without them realizing who I am.

I quickly memorize the details on the flyer before slipping out of my hiding spot.

If they think I’m going to continue to be their punching bag, they can think again. A chill prickles at the back of my neck.

Never again.

Chapter 9

Alex

“Are we writing love letters?” Sutton gushes, tugging down the hood of her raincoat and taking a seat on the other side of the table in the dining hall from me.

Something like that.

I raise my head in her direction as I subtly tuck away the stack of fake letters I’d been working on for the last few hours, each one more incriminating than the last. Those boys wanted secrets? Well, they could have them, at least the ones I’d carefully crafted to seem believable.

“I hope whoever those words are for are as sharp and precise as your grip on that pen,” she jokes.

I force a smile, hoping it reaches my eyes. “You know me. Always aiming for perfection.”

Sutton leans forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “So who’s the lucky recipient? Is it a cute guy from class?” Her eyes round into large saucers. “Someone I know?”

I hesitate, weighing my options. I haven’t exactly known her long enough to gauge her ability to keep a secret, but maybe I could give her something. “Actually,” I say, lowering my voice to match hers, “it’s not just one person.”

Her eyes widen even more somehow, and she leans in even closer. “Ooh, scandalous!”

I nod my head in agreement, maintaining my facade.

Sutton launches into a detailed analysis of potential crushes and I nod along, my mind racing. The letters are safely tucked away, but I can’t help but feel a twinge of anxiety. What if someone discovers my plan? What if the boys realize these letters are fake?

I push the thoughts aside, reminding myself why I’m doing this. They want to play games? Well, I’m about to show them how it’s really done.

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