Page 36 of What Happened on Roslyn Street?
“I don’t.” He chuckles. “How can you hear me relate to Frankenstein’s monster and accuse me of being… smooth?”
“That’s a good point, but some people find monsters…” I trail off, glancing away.
“What? They find them attractive?”
“Well, yes.”
He lifts a brow. “And? Are you one of them?”
My heart races. I am in a school surrounded by monsters, technically—demons, vampires, even merpeople. His pressing is a reminder that I am outnumbered, that no matter how attractive, intelligent, and charming they are… they’re monsters. Every one of them—including Margaux, the only one I can expect to save me.
One of them killed Poppy.Who?
“I have to go,” I say, scrambling to my feet.
“Your wine?—”
I shake my head, already backing away. “This was… lovely. We’ll see each other again! But Margaux will be worried, so I have to go...”
“You shouldn’t walk alone!” He fixes me with a look of concern. It almost seems genuine.
“I’ll be fine!” It’s the last thing I say before I bolt.
Chapter Nine
Itake every strange path I’ve learned over the last few days, hoping to avoid Caldwell following me. He doesn’t. I never hear his footsteps.
Students smoke cigarettes in the courtyard. I fly through the dining hall, past the library, until at last… I make it to my room.
Relief settles over me as I slip inside. My eyes close and my back presses to the door.
BUZZ…
I jump out of my skin.
“Are you going to get that?” Margaux asks, lifting a brow.
I don’t realize she’s there until she speaks, and I jump out of my skin.
BUZZ…
I shake my head.
My chest puffs out as I catch my breath. It’s impossible to. I’m dizzy, and it’s not from the run. I rub my chest, trying to breathe through the creeping sensation of panic.
“I take it the date didn’t go well?” she asks.
Didit go well? I got information on Caldwell and his interests, maybe even his inner psyche—but nothing of substance.
BUZZ…
“What happened?” Margaux asks approaches with hesitant steps.
“Nothing.” I touch my forehead. Lifting my bangs, I press my cool fingers to my warm skin. “I’ve been drinking. We ate cheese and talked about books.”
“That doesn’t sound terrible at all. I recall that being on your romance bucket list in the eleventh grade.”
I was still too young to drink, but she’s right. The date would have been a dream.
