Page 2 of Their Dark Rose

“We’re here to take Briar home,” he shouts. He never shouts.

Why is he shouting?

I don’t know. How would I?

When I look at Falk for answers, I lean back further into my seat. His hands are in fists like he’s about to punch someone. His green eyes are so dark as he scans my classroom.

A minute ago, I wanted to jump out of my seat. I wanted to run to Falk’s leg to hug him just to giggle when he groaned.

Now, the tall man with the short hair and bottle-green eyes terrifies me. He looks like he wants to do more damage than just punching someone’s nose.

Like he wants to tear a hole in the floor.

My godfathers are like the big family I’ve never had. All the time but today. This morning, they’re different. Creepy.

Finn still snarls at Miss Jones. He won’t be smiling today like he always does, I just know it. The way he looms over my teacher, he looks as if he’s two seconds from punching her.

As a last resort, I try Mason, the oldest of the three. The one who always makes everyone calm, no matter what. Especially Daddy, his best friend from forever.

He’s here beside Falk. His neat suit is soaked from walking in the rain and snow. His icy blue eyes are squinted and angry. He has a fresh cut across his cheek.

There’s nothing soothing about him, either.

I scoot further into my chair until the wood digs into my back. I ignore the pain, focusing on them. These hurt, furious men.

Mason and Falk search for me. Their expressions terrify the rest of my classmates. The other kids either crawl under their tables or hide behind their notebooks.

It’s obvious to everyone that these three are mad. Real mad.

I have no idea why, and I don’t want to find out.

Daddy gets this upset when he doesn’t have his white medicine. Mommy tells me to hide in my room when he’s that way. She helps him until he cools off.

Whatever cooling off means, these three men need it.

Until then, I’m hiding.

As silently as possible, I slide down my chair in the last row, praying they won’t see me. The bell rings, signaling class ended. My trembling class stands up, swarming to the door. They won’t help me, either. They make fun of me because my mom and dad are never here.

I don’t have any friends.

Hide, Briar. Hide better.

Despite the need to save myself, I peek from under the table.

“You’re not taking her without Mr. and Mrs. Nightingale’s consent.” Miss Jones grabs Finn’s arm, her fingers gripping into his leather jacket. “You need to leave.”

She’s braver than I am.

She doesn’t even flinch when his tattooed hand slaps her away.

I wish one day I could be like Miss Jones.

“Briar,” Falk’s voice rises above the other kids’ mumbles as they rush out.

He doesn’t yell. He roars. Every now and again, he’ll be in a good mood and roar at me. When he does, I run screaming. It’s our personal joke.

Was.

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