Page 33 of Wicked Court

It’s a lie, but it buys me time to debate how to proceed.

Elara knows about the Court.

Cav and Wilder may enjoy cornering her, but I’m of the mind that scaring her off won’t do either of us any good, especially not when we need her cooperation.

But that doesn’t mean she isn’t still hiding something. After all, Sarah took my family jewel before she was hanged, and it’s been playing hard to get with my family ever since.

I may be the only one to be aware of that, but it’s still true.

Elara crosses her arms protectively. “Apology accepted, since you’re the first to actually give me one. Now, if you don’t mind?—”

“I mind,” I retort sharply, striding around to block her path. “Are you going to keep pretending to be naïve or can we get down to the real reason we’re all here? Where is it? The ruby?” I ask, unable to help myself.

Her spine stiffens like a rod, but she doesn’t meet my demanding stare. Her fingers grip the strap of her bag, knuckles white. She looks ready to bolt at any moment.

“Don’t play games with me,” I snarl, leaning in close.

Elara flinches but stands her ground.

“That ruby belonged to the Valentis. That fucking witch stole it generations ago.”

Elara shakes her head slowly. “You’re insane. I don’t have any antique necklace.”

I latch onto the word. “Necklace?”

Elara’s top lip curls up in a silent hiss. She knows she fucked up.

“Your family has been hiding the jewel for centuries,” I sneer. “Don’t deny it.”

I can almost hear Elara’s heart pounding in her chest. She glances around the empty quad. Everyone’s gone to class. And, a lot of them like to avoid me. We’re alone.

“Okay, fine.” Elara sighs. “Say I do know something about it. Nobles paid Sarah to assassinate their rivals. Male, female, children, she did it all, so the story goes. That means your family gave it to her as payment for murder.”

I purse my lips in thought. “Good girl. You’ve figured out we’re both descendants of vile people.”

“I’m not pretending to be dumb. Maybe I just don’t want to know these kinds of things. I’m happy working toward a positive future and leaving the past alone. I want to be left alone.”

I give her a crooked smile, which is answer enough: I’m not planning on letting her go. Ever.

She shakes her head in frustration, hair falling across her face. Her continued denial frustrates me. We’re so close, yet she’s still holding back.

Time for a new tactic.

I step closer, backing her against the lip of the fountain. She inhales sharply, bunching her fists in my coat’s lapels to stop from toppling backward.

I savor her surprise, the spike of fear in her eyes.

“What are you doing?” she cries.

I lean in, lips grazing her ear. “Getting answers.”

My hand slides up her side and under her shirt, feeling her tense under that supple skin. She shudders out a breath, eyes squeezing shut. I trail a finger along her jaw with my other hand, tipping up her chin.

“Tell me about the necklace, Elara.”

She shakes her head weakly. “I don’t know anything.”

My touch trails down her throat. Her pulse flutters under my fingertips.

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