Page 13 of Ella's Masquerade
“We hear everything at this school,” Ryan said, her statement resembling a threat. “We own this school.”
“Fascinating.” And unfortunately true, from what I’d observed. “Well, it was lovely meeting you both, but I have a plot to conceive and only three days to make it happen. Unless you want to give me a taste of our deal now?”
Carmen seemed on board with the idea.
Ryan merely smiled. “Not a chance, new guy. Prove yourself first, then we’ll talk.”
I returned her amusement. “I’ll more than prove myself.” With a wink, I pulled open the door to my car, successfully dislodging them along the way. “I look forward to our future together, ladies. I think it’ll be pleasurable indeed.”Particularly when I awaken Isabella’s powers and watch her fry you both alive.
Ah, and what a sight that would be.
“To the future,” I said, sliding into my car and shutting the door.May you both burn for eternity.
Chapter Five
Ella
“What the hell is this?”I demanded, thrusting a document into Tray’s face.
Not two minutes into my Wednesday morning and already I was in a mood. Courtesy of the new student jackass who had taken the table in front of mine in English again.
Just because we had a project to work on together did not mean we needed to sit near one another. I’d address that point just as soon as he explained the paper he’d left on my chair.
He barely looked at it, his eyebrow inching upward to his hairline. “A list of questions for our dinner Saturday.” He folded his arms, his legs doing that man sprawl he seemed to prefer. Somehow it made him appear both lazy and elegant at the same time. “If you could put yours together for me to review by tomorrow, that’d be great. I want to make sure I’m prepared.”
I sputtered, glancing at the words on the page and then back at him. “Theseare your interview questions?” I started reading them out loud. “Favorite date location. Favorite flower. Favorite dessert. Favorite place to be kissed.” I shook my head. “This sounds like an online dating site, not a class assignment.”
“Consider it a creative combination of activities.” His lips curled, a pair of dimples creasing at the ends. “I can’t wait to see your questions for me, Isabella. Feel free to request demonstrations as well.”
My eyes narrowed. “Can you demonstrate stabbing yourself?”
“Sure,” he replied, fisting his hand over his chest and giving it a good bump. “Does that work for you, darling?”
“With a knife would be even better.”
He tsked. “There are so many more-intriguing ways to use a weapon.” He pushed off his chair, his over-six-foot frame dwarfing my five-foot-five one. I fought to maintain my stance as he moved into my personal space, his palm landing on my hip. “Perhaps I’ll bring a dagger Saturday to show you.”
I narrowed my gaze up at him. “I already told you that I prefer a weekday.”
“Which is just too bad because Saturday is my only offer.” He slid his hand upward to my side, his touch a brand through my thin, academy-embroidered blouse. “Unless you want to fail our first assignment together?” he offered. “I would be happy to play the rebel card with you any day, darling.”
“What do you have going on after school that makes you only available on the weekends?” I demanded.
“Yes, I like that question. Add it to your list.” His hand moved to my lower back, pulling me forward into the warmth of his body. “But try to be creative with the other questions, Isabella. I intend for us to get to know one another. Intimately.”
I hated the shiver that final word elicited.
Hated even more that Ilikedthe shiver, as well as the way it made my belly flip.
You know better,I chastised myself.These boys only want to play.
I mean, Tray just tried to drown me yesterday. Sort of. Well, he looked a little concerned after, for all of a second. And he gave me a head start to get away. But he clearly meant to hurt me, just like Dash and Charlie. This was simply the mean clique’s newest way to mess with me.
“I’m not going to Homecoming with you,” I said, putting my foot down—literally—on his booted toes.
He didn’t even flinch. No, the damn guy actually had the audacity to smile. “Then I guess we’ll be failing together.” He released me and fell back into his chair. “If you change your mind, let me know. I’ll be having a nice little nap right here.”
Tray closed his eyes.
