Page 7 of Ella's Masquerade
“Maybe I’m shy.”
She snorted. “Yeah, I believe that.” She folded her arms, sassy energy flaring all around her. When she grew into her powers, she’d be a force of nature. I couldn’t fucking wait. “I can only meet for an hour after school each day for our project. So pick two days for our interview and we’ll get it over with as soon as possible.”
“Oh, I already picked a day.”
She waited.
I didn’t elaborate, just continued to stare her down with my arm caging her in. She could have stepped back to escape, but the feisty female remained steady before me, totally unfazed by my nearness.
So very different from the women at Midnight Fae Academy. Cornering one of them in this manner would have led to seduction and sensual fun—the benefits of being a royal.
But Isabella didn’t seem to notice my natural charms at all. If anything, she appeared completely uninterested.
Fascinating.
“And which day would that be?” she prompted, her patience thinning.
I smiled. “Saturday.”
Her brow furrowed. “I meant a weekday. After school. Unless you plan to attend class on Saturdays?”
“No, I plan to go to Homecoming. With you as my date.” I leaned into her, adoring the way her slender form seemed to fit against my much taller one. “Try to wear something nice, Ms. Cinder.” I picked one of the sticks from her bun and let it fall to the floor between us. “I’ll pick you up at six. We’ll interview each other over dinner before the dance.”
I pressed my lips to her cheek and stepped around her as she sputtered something unintelligible at my back.
“What?! You—”
I disappeared into the administrative office before she could finish. The delicious female could reject me all she wanted, but by Saturday, she’d accept. Because, by then, she’d know why I was here. At least part of the reason. And she’d be too intrigued to resist.
Welcome to my world, Isabella Cinder.
I do hope you want to stay and play for a while.
Because you’re mine now, sweetheart.
Chapter Three
Ella
Homecoming.
He had to be joking.
Messing with me.
He didn’t even know my name, for crying out loud. Well, he knew my last name. But taking me to a dance? Yeah, no, that wasn’t happening. I didn’t attend school functions, not since freshman year.
I shivered at the memory.Not happening. Nope. The joke was on the new guy. He could find someone else to toy with because I didn’t indulge in these games. Not with him. Not with anyone.
Oh, but he’d certainly made an impression on all the girls. He was the hot topic of the afternoon in the girls’ locker room, despite having missed lunch. Many speculated that he’d ditched the rest of the day after his date with the headmaster this morning, but his car was still in the lot. Some of the others thought he might be loitering on academy grounds.
My opinion? Good riddance.
Closing my locker, I picked up my cap and goggles from the bench and made my way through the doors that led to the natatorium. All students were required to enroll in one physical course every year. I chose swimming because my stepsisters didn’t know how, and it was fun to be able to do something they couldn’t.
Unfortunately, Charlie and Dash were both swimmers.
Which meant they were in this class.
