Page 118 of Vicious Knight
I haven’t stopped thinking about my father rotting away in the Hallows. I’m never far from tears when I think of him.
I keep remembering the night of the attack on the palace. How he got me safely to Mom before he went back to try and save the others.
I keep thinking if only I’d tried to stop him. If only he’d just come with us, that might not have happened. But then, maybe they would have still found him guilty because there was evidence that linked him to the attack.
I’ve never known what that evidence was specifically but I heard there were links to the plot and the setup of the attack. Over the years I’ve tried not to think about those parts because none of that sounded like something my father would do.
I can only imagine what his life must have been like at the Hallows for the last nine years. It will be ten in January.
So I’ll have to find a way back into Thorne’s computer.
Me. I have to physically do it myself.
Maybe Thorne will leave the computer on again.
Maybe I can watch and wait for him to use the database and hope he’ll leave that open, too. People make mistakes like that all the time.
He did, just by leaving his computer on while I was there. So maybe I’ll get another opportunity.
The door opens and a flustered Isabelle walks through. She looks like she’s been crying, so I stop what I’m doing.
“What happened to you?” I look her over, realizing that I’m right when she gets closer and throws her bag down.
“I’m so mad, Ivy. I’m so fucking mad.” She grabs the duster and joins me.
“What the hell happened? Is it Tiffany?” She’s been busy with her entourage of stylists getting her ready for her date with Warner Sluskia, the president of the Zeta Kappas. I don’t think she had a run-in with Isabelle, but it’s not impossible.
“It’s Kade.”
“Oh no. What did he do now?”
“I just found out he’s been ruining all my dates on purpose and threatening anyone who wants to date me.”
My mouth drops and nearly hits the floor. “What the hell? Are you serious?”
“Yes. Remember Ryan? Remember how great everything was going then suddenly everything went to hell?”
“That was Kade’s doing?”
“Yes. What an asshole.”
“How the hell did you find out?”
“Morty, from Lapetus, told me. He asked me out and said he wasn’t afraid of Kade. I reckon Kade wouldn’t be bothered with him because Morty dresses like Dr. Seuss.”
I groan, feeling my stomach scrunch from the mean-spirited nature of Kade’s cruelty. Bad things have happened to me since coming here, but they don’t know me. I’m the new girl. New to their world and their school.
Isabelle is new to the school, but she’s so nice. And Kade knows her.
“He’s got to be doing this for a reason. And what is this, high school? We’re supposed to be adults in college.”
“He’s trying to ruin me. Maybe he’s even done other things I don’t know about.”
“I wouldn’t put it past him at this point. Isabelle, I don’t think this is to do with whatever happened with your mother. This feels like something else. Something more vindictive.”
She dips her head and nods slowly. “It was easier to have a reason to explain why he hates me. But he really just hates me.”
“What the hell is going on in here?” Tiffany’s voice fills the room. Her Valley Girl accent grates on my nerves but I school my expression when I look at her.