Page 43 of Pretty Little Psycho

I look back at Valentin and his face has hardened once again. He glares at me before returning to his seat.

We can go back to hating each other now. But in that moment, I had forgotten all about what he did to my car. What he did to me in the woods. He was just a beautiful boy with magic in his fingertips.

“Miss Blackwell,” Professor Harker hisses.

Oh, shit. That didn’t sound like the first time he’s called my name. “Y-yes, sorry. I was um—”

“Please, don’t ramble. While I’m grateful that you are now paying attention to me, I am wondering where your instrument is?”

Fuck.

I forgot the flute Libra left for me. I don’t have a musical bone in my body, but this class is required so I figured I could fake it till I make it. But with everything that’s been going on with Nocturnus, a wind instrument was the last thing on my mind.

My palms sweat as all eyes land on me. “I’m sorry, Professor. I forgot it in my room.”

He shakes his head. “Unacceptable. Well, would you at least share with the class what you chose and what you were planning on playing today?”

My stomach turns. “I… um. I have a flute. I’ve never played one before. So yeah, no song lined up. Sorry.”

Valentin snickers. “Well, how hard can it be? I mean just wet your lips and blow. Isn’t that what you’re best at?”

I feel my cheeks burn as laughter erupts throughout the class. I slouch down in my chair, wishing I could disappear like Jessamine does.

Professor Harker raises his hand sternly, but he can’t hide the smirk on his face. “Enough. Quiet down. I’ll let it slide today, Miss Blackwell, but next time there will be consequences.”

I nod and imagine shoving that flute up his ass. All the teachers here are fucking assholes.

As he continues on with the class, I feel Valentin’s eyes burning a hole in me. When I finally muster the courage to look at him, all humor and teasing are gone. The look in his eyes is murderous and feral. It fuels my rage and only makes me more eager to get back at him.

When the last bell rings, I bolt for the exit before anyone else. I practically sprint across the grounds and through the woods. If I’m going to pull this off, I need every second to plan and prepare. There’s a party at Nocturnus House tonight, and I have every intention of taking full advantage of it.

Maureen

I am a badass.

I almost feel guilty about lying to Libra about my intentions but then I remember that she used me the first night I arrived here by throwing me into the lion’s den. So, as we both shimmy through the woods in skin-tight dresses and stiletto heels, I pretend to be as excited as she is to party at Nocturnus House.

I’m hit with the scent of hemlock as soon as we approach, and I almost choke. If Atlas doesn’t want to kill me after tonight, I’ll take him up on his offer to start ingesting it. I’m not planning on staying in Raven’s Gate forever, but I have to learn to acclimate for the time being.

I spot Valentin’s shiny black car off to the side of the driveway and my belly flutters. Don’t chicken out, Maur. Just as Libra and I pass it, my phone buzzes from a text message. Right on time.

I flip it open and fake a frown. “Fuck.”

“What’s wrong?” Libra asks.

I glance at the message from Villette and try not to laugh. Does this mean I’m an accomplice now?

“It’s my mom. There’s some kind of emergency or something. Let me give her a call really quick. I’ll catch up with you inside,” I lie.

Libra sighs dramatically. “Don’t take forever, Blackwell, or I’ll drink all the good booze as punishment for you leaving me by myself.”

I actually do feel bad, and I hope that she doesn’t get any backlash for what I’m about to do. “Yep. I’ll be right there.”

Fuck. I can’t even look at her. To be fair, she’s not been a great friend to me either, though.

I wait until another group of students passes by and goes inside before I slowly stalk over to his car and check the door handle. A little rush of adrenaline surges through me when it opens. Of course, that egotistical maniac would leave it unlocked. Who would dare break into Valentin Erebus’s car?

This bitch. Me.

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