Page 14 of Crush
It seemed so smart, at first, to antagonize Thorne. A research assignment. See how far I could push him to get what I want—just a small offering at first, nothing to raise his suspicions and a big win for Aiko. Only enough to get the answer to the question I needed—could I distract Thorne enough to agree to do something I want?
He acts so tough at school, so unbreakable and untouchable. If I have the power to forge cracks in his walls … well, that would mean I’ll ultimately gain the weapon to annihilate him.
And oh, how I want to snap that sorry bastard in two.
Patience, Ember. As much as you want to set a fire and watch it burn, the way to destroy him is by outsmarting him.
It’s that fantasy I focus on as I trod through the icy sand and catch up to Aurora and the rest of my sufferers at the top of the cliff. The girl who jumped—my God, it had to be Charlotte—crawls out of the waves at the same time I crest the last stair and meet everyone at the top.
Relief sags my shoulders at the sight of her. Jaxon meets her as she rises, wrapping a towel around her small form.
They’re fucking psychos, these leaders, but at least they have the foresight to bring towels and thermoses.
I turn away from the scene on a sigh, especially when I can’t find Thorne anywhere on the beach, and instead focus on the worst part of this whole ordeal.
“Ready, Cum Bucket?”
Yes. Her.
“If a tiny figurine can make it, I suppose you can, too,” Aurora continues. “Unless you want to whine and cry to Thorne again as another pathetic attempt for attention.”
I lock my jaw, surveying her dry, prissy form. “I’m good.”
“Wonderful. Your cloak, please.” Aurora flops out her hand palm up as though she’d rather be touching anything else. “Drowning hazard, you know.”
I unclasp the broach at my neck. “Yeah, you guys are really concerned about that.”
She takes the sodden cloak and tosses it onto a growing pile. The other recruits stand nearby, shuffling their feet and watching me closely.
They’ve sensed a difference in my status, not only with my age. I have Thorne’s attention, and whether it be good or bad, it’s enough to regard me with interest. I can’t blame them. It’s what I want them to do.
Aurora prods at my back. “Go on.”
With stiff legs, I make my way to the edge. The wind picks up, catching heavy strands of my hair and pulling them away from my face. I dare to peer over. The waves are surprisingly calm down below.
My stomach drops, though I keep my face clear of any oh, shit thoughts. Aurora’s too close, her pleasure too keen, for me to award her any satisfaction.
“Should I change into a bikini?” I toss over my shoulder.
“Smart-ass remarks aren’t going to make your fall any faster,” Aurora responds.
The freshmen huddle close together, shivering from the complete lack of warmth up here. If I delay any longer, they’ll be popsicles. So will I.
It’s with a deep breath that I pace away from the edge, shaking my arms out at my sides.
“Wrong way, Gone Girl.”
“Shut up already,” I mutter, then do a one-eighty and sprint over the edge.
Avoid the rocks, Thorne said. A running start should help with that.
I leap into empty air, the wind frigid and whirling, with mere milliseconds of gliding through space before I drop like a stone.
The water rushes up to fast for me to scream, my stomach lurching up at the same time my body plummets. Frantic, I stiffen, aiming for the look of a missile hitting the water’s surface rather than a flailing toddler.
Pointing my toes with a half-second to spare, I break through the rippling cold.
Oh my God, it’s hell frozen over.