Page 24 of Reign
“Nice try, possum,” Falyn says as she passes, her perfume singeing my nostrils. “Can’t blame you, though. It must be hard to focus after the trauma you experienced.”
Red coats my vision, turning my papers scarlet and my nails into ruby talons. I rip my gaze up and into Falyn. “You’re a cold-hearted bitch. Do you even mourn her? Did she mean anything to you?”
“Who?” Falyn arches a brow. “Ivy? Of course I feel bad for her. She’s back in Philly nursing her mom back to health. Or waiting it out until her mom croaks. Whichever. Either way, her vacant spot has to be filled.” Falyn shrugs. “She left it up to me to bring our sisters together, which I’m trying to do with you if you weren’t so bitchy about it.”
My entire body goes cold. “Falyn.” I rise from my seat. “It’s all a lie. Ivy’s dead, and you can’t take her place.”
For a brief moment, Falyn’s stare turns unsure, but a fast coating of disdain erases the fracture. “There’s no guarantee Ivy will make it back next semester. Somebody has to become captain of crew, and I’m next up.”
I grab Falyn’s wrist. Cling to it. “You don’t want it. Tell Sabine no.”
“Ow.” Falyn tries to yank her wrist from my grip. “Let go, psycho vermin.”
“I will if you promise not to be the next princess—I mean, captain.” I glance around at the lingering students, some whose attention we caught. “I can’t explain right now, but being a captain is so much worse than you think—”
“Get your claws off her, possum,” a deep voice comes from the doorway.
My body responds automatically. I release Falyn, but a sickening dread prevents me from looking toward the door.
“Falyn,” Chase says. “With me.”
Falyn purses her lips, throwing a pert, “It is so obvious why you don’t want me to be the next captain, Callie. And pathetic,” before she sidles over to Chase … and Tempest, and Rio, the three of them waiting for her in the open door.
I swallow, collecting my things as if I don’t feel Chase’s assessing, dead-eyed stare on the body he ravished not two hours ago. “Touch her again, possum, and I’ll have to make you pay.”
Glancing at him through my lashes, I pull my bag tighter to my chest. “Tell me, is this Prince Charming coming to protect his new princess, or am I staring at the evil sorcerer about to lay the same curse on Falyn that fell on Ivy?”
Chase’s jaw tics, but otherwise, he’s resolute stone. His family name. His future. “You and your fairytales. Wake the fuck up. Your life would be so much simpler.”
“I’m wide awake,” I retort, my eyes growing hot. “And you are not taking me down. Do whatever you want, protect the assholes, defend the bullies.” I point at Falyn. “They break so much easier than the underdogs. If Ivy couldn’t fight it, there’s no way Falyn can take the weight of the title. Don’t put her in that position.”
“Briarcliff has enough saints lording over us,” Chase says with his infallible stare. “Do I need to cut you into the glass windows, too? Stay out of it. I’ve warned you once.”
I search for the boy laying in my arms on a stone floor, draped in Briarcliff colors but heated by my kisses alone. I really do. Not one flicker of inner pain mars his perfect face. I’m met with calculated hate. He’s nocked his poisoned arrow, and he’s aiming for my jugular.
“You have no one, Callie,” Chase continues quietly. Falyn floats to his side.
He throws his arm around her shoulders. Falyn’s cheeks flush with surprised delight and she loops an arm around the front of his torso, tipping her chin up at him, then leveling me with a triumphant look.
I pretend like my heart isn’t already dust. I respond, through numbed lips, “I certainly don’t have you.”
Chase tips his head in acknowledgement, then swivels around, dragging a lopsided Falyn with him as she tries to keep up with his strides.
Tempest salutes me, his eyes betraying nothing as he follows Chase into the halls.
Rio, damn him, grins at me with his teeth and says as his parting shot, “When I talk to Ivy tonight, I’ll give her your best, you fucking freak.”
10
Callie
Biology is just as big a mess as English Lit, and calculus before that.
I’m risking being kicked out before my last semester even begins, but I can’t find the inner turmoil necessary to kick my ass in high gear.
Maybe leaving is for the best.
By staying on, I’m putting myself in danger.