Page 55 of Nothing to Fear
I chuckle at Silas’ deadpan remark.
“I mean, there’s that, but no. It’s that he knows and still wouldn’t give me the information I asked for. I didn’t expect him to, if I’m being honest with myself, but it was worth a shot.
“It’s fucked up, even for someone as mysterious and intense as him. Did he give any further explanation?”
“Just some weird cryptic shit about the heart of the school knowing what’s best, and it wasn’t his place to share, and that truth always reveals itself when the heart is open.”
“Fuck Thorne. We’re going to find out on our own.”
I nod my head in agreement, but my mind is rolling over everything at triple the speed.
“Will you tell me how to get in?”
“The truth always reveals itself when the heart is open.”
I jerk up from my spot on the couch, putting things together quickly.
“Silas, I’ve got to go,” I say on a rushed breath.
“What? I thought you’d stay the night. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, everything is good. Just need to take care of some things.”
“I’ll go with you, just let me?—”
“No,” I snap a little too quickly, a flash of surprise moving across Silas’ face. “There’s just something I need to handle. ButI promise, everything is okay.” To remind him, I lean down and grasp his face between both hands, kissing him hard. Silas’ hand reaches up, touching my face and returning the kiss just as passionately. As I break away, his icy-blue eyes are heavily lidded and lust filled. God, he’s incredible.
I leave Silas alone in his apartment and jog out of Harrow House, heading to the only place that holds all the whispers and secrets of the school.
The archives.
Chapter 22
Silas
Fright Night arrives on Halloween as a thick layer of fog hovers over the cold grounds of the school. It slowly creeps in as the sun is setting, a grey mist that cloaks everything in an eerie, foreboding layer.
Asher has kept the plans Crimson Keep has for tonight locked up incredibly tight. There have been whispers and rumors of what could happen, but no one but those in the inner circle at Crimson Keep truly knows what will happen. Being the most rumored haunted place on campus, everyone is ready to get there and party.
Since it’s Asher’s residence hall, I told him I would meet him there when the party starts. I haven’t seen him since he ran out of my dorm last night like his ass was on fire, but excitement steadily pumps through my veins. This is the last Fright Night of the season.
Five weeks ago, I went to the first party by hiding behind a mask and living out in the open for the first time since moving here. An image of the masked mystery man flashes behind my eyes, but I shake my head to rid myself of thememory. So much has happened over the last month that that night feels like a fever dream.
I’m attending the last with Asher by my side, and that’s all that matters. Nothing is holding me back now from living the life I’ve always wanted.
As I enter Crimson Keep, shivers trickle down my spine, scattering outward and covering my body in goosebumps. Fog dances at my feet as my boots crunch over fallen leaves. There’s a deep chill in the air that slips through the thick fabric of my jacket and pierces my skin.
Flames flicker through the dark space, the only light available as bodies squeeze into the expanse of the first floor. There’s a solid mix of students in normal clothes and others in full costume. I look around for Asher but come up short.
Another senior, Cheyenne, yells through her cupped hands to get us all to quiet down. The room silences, ready to listen to what she has to say.
“Trick or treat, Crimson Keep! It’s Halloween! And what better way to celebrate than to use fear itself? We’re going to play a little game of hide and seek! Everyone from Crimson is a seeker, and everyone else . . . well, you had better be good at hiding. The entire campus is our playground tonight. The moon is high, the fog is low, get ready because here we go!”
For a quiet moment, there’s nothing but stillness, and then pandemonium sets in. Students bolt from Crimson Keep, running into the stillness of the night, scattering across campus to find hiding spots. I stand frozen, looking around for Asher as unease weasels its way into my veins. Where is he?
Not wanting to get caught by anyone but him, I bolt to the only place where I know I won’t be found. My steps are quick as I move through the shadows of the buildings, staying as hidden as possible. Quickly, I enter the library, sneaking to the back of the theology wing and blindly findingSusurros,pulling it out, and waiting for the door to crack open. Faster than I probably should, I squeeze through the entrance before it’s fully opened, jogging down the narrow, winding staircase, my thoughts firmly on getting to Asher at the bottom of my descent.
“Ash!” I yell out into the dark archives. Flames dance shadows across the walls as I take long strides through the rooms, reaching the back and coming up short.
