Page 34 of A Taste of Torment
The Devil’s Den
“Good morning, sunshine,”Jarron says smoothly as he approaches.
I lean back against the marble staircase in the main hall of the school, trying my best to hide his effect on me. Good and bad.
Jarron stops a few feet away, his hands clasped behind his back.
“Hi,” I say quietly.Could I be more awkward?
“Ready?” He smirks.
Not at all. I nod.
Jarron guides me through the south wing and up several sets of stairs. We don’t talk as we walk, and I find myself examining the changes in architecture on this side of campus. The ceilings are higher; the molding is more elaborate and brighter. Soon, I notice shiny stones occasionally embellishing the lights.
We turn one final corner, and I stare wide-eyed at a massive archway at least fifty feet tall. It’s solid gold, with stunning jewels twisting and turning all the way up and around, making it look like sapphire vines are protecting the entrance.
“Welcome to Elite Hall.”
“This is unbelievable.”
Jarron chuckles. “It’s a bit ostentatious for my tastes. But you know how supernaturals are.”
“Is it as elaborate inside?”
“More,” Jarron mutters, annoyance clear in his tone.
One part of me is excited to see it, experience it. One part of me knows I’m going to hate how it makes me feel so small.
And that’s the goal.
This kind of luxury is created to showcase how much weaker beings do not belong. People like me are meant to feelunworthy.
Jarron walks forward and then stops, waiting for me to finish gawking at the golden archway. He silently holds out his hand.
My breath catches in my throat. He’s beautiful. Powerful. Strong. And he’s looking at me like I hold something precious to him.
I’m not sure what that could mean for me.
Maybe if that terrible day never happened, things would have been different. If he hadn’t shown me what it feels like to be utterly powerless.
But honestly, I’d already been prepared for the time our paths would split. I knew they would.The weak human and the impossibly powerful, handsome prince. That’s not a friendship that can last forever. So, even if he hadn’t shown me the monster beneath his skin, I likely would have just made the move first. Hurt him before he could hurt me.
Now, I’m putting myself in a position to undo it all.
But I’m going to follow it through because it’s what I must do.
I cling to Jarron’s hand as we enter Shadow Hills Academy’s Elite Hall.
17
Why Do Only Beasts Seem to Understand that Libraries are the Way to a Girl’s Heart?
Jarron was not exaggerating.This place is gagging-ly extravagant.
The domed ceiling is a hundred feet tall. Panels of tinted glass showcase the sky above.
Against the far wall is an incredibly beautiful mural that says:The best way to predict the future is to create it.
