Page 85 of Vicious Knight
I could have withered away when those words came out of my mouth.
The monster then forbade me to go on the trip today. That’s why I’m not going. I’m terrified of what will happen if I piss him off.
In the same vein, I think I might have found a way to help my father but right now, getting into the Knights’ database is near impossible.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Eilish searches my eyes and I wish powers like telepathy or some mind-reading spell really existed so she could see into my head.
“Yes. I’m fine.”
“You’ve been spending a lot of time with Thorne.” She raises a questioning brow.
“Oh, it, um?—”
“It’s okay. You don’t have to explain yourself.” She laughs. “I’m not being nosy. I just want to check on you and give you the chance to speak to me about whatever you need to. Even about Thorne.”
I stare back at her, still not knowing what to say, but she made that sound like she might have some positive details about him.
“You know him well?”
“I do, so I’m just going to tell you what you’ve probably heard before, which is to be careful. He can be a little difficult at times.”
No, Eilish, difficult is not the right word for Thorne Ivanov. Difficult is when your car won’t start or you have to solve a quadratic equation.
Thorne is just fucked up.
“You’re right. He can be difficult.” I decide to agree because it’s safer.
“I’m sorry you won’t be joining us for the trip. You were so excited about it.”
I'm so sad I’m not going I want to scream. “Me too. Emily Dickinson is one of my favorites.”
“Mine too, which is why it’s such a shame you won’t be coming. It’s nice to share an experience with people who appreciate it. Are you sure you can’t work something out?”
I shake my head. “I wish I could. I just got so delayed with my music project I have to stay back and work on it.” More filthy little lies.
I finished that project two weeks ago. It was as easy to me as breathing air. We had to write a piece on two composers who inspired our music. I’d had so much information on my idols that I did my project over one afternoon. Now I have to act like I’m behind in my work.
“Okay. I understand. I hear we’re going to Amherst again next year, so you can join us then.”
“I’ll definitely be there.” At least I hope I will. Who knows how long Thorne will keep me captive to our arrangement? I’m little more than a princess locked away in a tower, but I have no one to rescue me.
“In the meantime, please do let me know if I can help you with anything.” The warmth of concern fills her eyes. “I know how hard it can be to be new here. Also, talking with you will give me the chance to build up my experience. Since I discovered that I wanted to be a therapist, I’ve been on a roll.”
I smile back at her. “I think you’ll make a great therapist.”
“I hope so. I’m a little obsessed with it. I’ve become more focused since freshman year. And I’ve even been practicing my cognitive behavioral skills on Lucian but I think he’s getting tired of me.”
I like the way she talks about Lucian. I might have only known her for a little over a month but it’s clear she loves him. They remind me of an old married couple. They’ve never given me best friend vibes. Definitely not with the way they look at each other.
“I’m sure he won’t get tired of you.”
“I hope not. I only have him until January before he leaves for his placement in Russia. Then he’ll be gone for a year.”
“That’s sad.”
“Yes. It’s going to be weird not seeing him. We’ve always been in each other’s lives since we were kids.”
“That’s a long time. And he’s always been your best friend?”