Page 51 of Pretty Secrets

She finished the Trial, enduring ten more rounds of jumping into the Saint Lawrence River with the fake head of her sister. Of course, the incident was brushed under the rug as soon as she composed herself, looking anywhere but at the head of the mannequin.

It could’ve been a coincidence. A tossed mannequin that matched Delilah’s hair just happened to emerge at the same moment that Eden was in the river. It could’ve…except for the block letters spelling out its true purpose.

It could’ve even been a joke—one the demonic little assholes my world breeds make happen.

Or it could’ve been a strategic play meant to scare Eden from Trials. And if I had to guess, my money would be on the Kennedy bitch.

Anne-Marie laughed loudest. Her own voice strained by the frigid water, she didn’t have any problem asking Eden what the problem was, attempting to provoke her.

“Kennedy needs a lesson in manners,” I growl to Leo as soon as we’re all corralled back onto the bus. Eden’s currently wrapped in Oliver’s arms, sitting across from us in her dry clothes but curled against him like he’s her teddy bear.

“More than a few of those fucks need a lesson.”

I lift my brows at him, and he nods as if to say consider it done. He won’t be the only one dishing out punishment though. I don’t care if he isn’t known for working well on teams, he’s going to learn in this case.

I’ll have to reel him in, I’m sure. I saw his horror-stricken face when the hair rose to the surface like a perfect sheet of gold-spun tresses.

It looked real. It was real.

The Elders’ faces were as placid as can be. They didn’t give the stunt any attention, other than to roll their eyes at the scream as if it was just some outburst to the freezing water.

I wouldn’t put it past them to put Anne-Marie up to the task of getting into Eden’s head. The coincidences are too many now. The Knights don’t do coincidences. Eden’s being targeted.

Both Leo and I stare straight ahead, though I wonder if he’s as attuned as I am to what’s happening in the seat beside us as Oliver whispers into Eden’s hair. I sure as fuck shouldn’t be wishing it was my words she was hearing, considering I’m her professor, but Eden Astor is another breed all together. She’s not like the rest of them. She doesn’t play games. She doesn’t walk around like life is one big courting fiasco. I’ve often wished I was already at the part where I cheat on my stuck-up wife with the big-breasted secretary so I can skip all this pretentious bullshit, but maybe that was because no one caught my eye like Eden before.

Sweet, young Eden.

Six years isn’t a huge age difference, but it’s enough to make me feel like a horny old man.

If these Pledges are rewarded the same as in previous years, they’ll be getting sex. I might beat the living piss out of any guy who tries to sneak into her bedroom. Her taste is still so decadent on my tongue. I shouldn’t have gotten into position. I should’ve made Leo do it since he was the one who riled her up right before a Trial, but I was too busy wondering how good it would be and reveling in the wrongness of it.

I’ll have a stiff one for the rest of my life. During class, I’ll be fantasizing about bending her over my desk and having her call me professor in a sweet purr that will make me blow my load into her tight cunt.

She’s seeped under my skin.

This isn’t good. I’m only here to observe. To place puzzle pieces together. That’s it.

When the bus stops, I pick up her shoes as she walks gingerly down the aisle with the rest of the group. Oliver attempts to pick her up, but he’s not a hundred percent himself, so Leo pushes him out of the way and flings her over his shoulder like the brute he is. She doesn’t even protest. Her tiny fist grips the back of his shirt and twists.

She can’t lock herself in her room this time. She can’t hide it away.

Oliver looks at me, and I bend down to grab his shoes. “If you think I’m carrying you, keep thinking.”

“What the fuck’s going on?” Oliver whisper yells as we watch Leo make a beeline for Jarvis Hall.

I shrug, the back of my neck itching like crazy. “I don’t know.”

“You’re a Knight. You should fucking know.”

“I’m not an Elder,” I growl, searching around to make sure our conversation isn’t being overheard. “I don’t have anything to do with Trials. I came back to teach at this school, and I went to the first meeting because I’m on campus so I’m expected to.” I tell him, leaving out the important part, but I don’t care. No one deserves to know my business. “I didn’t know I was being grouped together with you guys. I didn’t know how much I’d be involved in any of this.”

That part is true. If I’d known, I may have changed my mind when I asked to be instated at Carnegie. Hell, the Knights could be suspicious of me too. I’m supposed to be running my own company right now, not frolicking around with students.

Oliver huffs. “I don’t trust you, but I’m going to say this once. If they do something to Eden, I’ll make them regret it.”

He glares at me as if I’m going to pass this on to the Elders. First of all, threatening them is a death wish. Second of all, notwithstanding the fact that he was just in the position I’d give anything to be in, I’m not going to turn him in. And third of all, they’re not afraid of people like Oliver, even if he is a prince. They literally don’t care. They believe themselves to be above everyone. The Knights’ reach has no limits.

“You’re wasting your breath,” I tell him, attempting to look as honest as I can despite the Knight brand I’ve destined myself with.

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