Page 13 of Lady of Darkness
Yeah… about that…
“Cecelia and Archie have decided to stay with her family for a while. Which leaves the house in my possession. I can’t just leave it, you know?”
She sighs. “Damn. I get it. I don’t like it, but I get it. What about NYU?”
“I don’t know… I guess I can look into going to college here? Maybe taking a gap year?”
“Won’t you lose your scholarship?”
I’m quiet for a few seconds.Shit.I didn’t even think of that. Damn theLords.
“I honestly haven’t thought that far ahead, Gem. I’m taking it day by day.” I’m not even lying about that.
“Okay. We’re going to come back to this. Now, tell me about this mysterious Lord.”
I almost saywhich one,but I stop myself just in time. “He’s older. Lives in Blackwell. I like him… a lot.”
She squeals. “I can’t wait to meet him.”
Will that ever happen? Theo mentioned that was a possibility the first night. It’s a question for another day…
“Your turn,” I say quickly, changing the subject.
I hear her move somewhere else, possibly somewhere quieter. “I met someone, too. His name is Luka, and he’s from a place… hold on a sec, I need to pronounce it correctly. Monte… Montenegro?”
My blood turns to ice as she giggles on the other line. “What?” I ask, barely a whisper.
“I know. I hadn’t heard of it either. I actually met him outside of our building. He was taking photos of the building for work–at least that’s what he said–and we started talking… I told him about you, and how you were in England, and then he took me out to lunch, and well… I think I’m in love, Harlow.”
No.
No.
No.
It couldn’t possibly be someone from Acadia, could it?
“You told him about me?”
She laughs. “Well, yeah. He was there the day those crazy movers were boxing up your stuff. Which, by the way, was not cool. A warning would’ve been nice.”
My head begins to spin. “Right, the movers…”
The day theLordssent my stuff to Blackwell House. They’d packed everything up at Gemma’s house and moved it to Blackwell House without my permission. The thought still makes my blood boil.
“Gemma, please be careful. It sounds like you hardly know the guy.”
She scoffs. “I mean, the same could be said for you, bestie.”
“You’re right. Just… call me if you need anything. Keep your head on straight.”
“I promise I will. You too. Talk soon, okay?”
“Okay. Love you.”
We hang up, and I stare at my phone for a few seconds before moving into action. I text the guys.
Me: Is there someone named Luca, or Luka, who works for Acadia?
