Page 95 of Devious Knight

Have a name. See a face. And maybe try to predict if he’ll like me or not.

Chancellor Potalov will be hosting this assembly with Aleksander Ivanov.

I’ve been hearing good things about the new guy, but I’m still anxious.

I guess I would be. I have more reasons than everyone else to feel that way. I’m the only student here on probation and the only one whose future rests on his decision.

At least, if nothing else, I’m confident he’ll like my project idea. Last night, when I got back from the fundraiser, I put the heavy dose of emotion I felt from seeing Kade into my work and finished all my plans.

Afterwards I decided that what I needed was a reset of my life. God knows how many times I’ve had to press that button, but here I go again.

I’ve realized I can’t worry about Kade anymore. I have to worry about myself.

When you fall you have to keep getting up, hoping that the next time you rise, you’ll be stronger. So here’s hoping for more strength to stick to my plans.

We proceed into the hall, and I sit at the end of my row.

As all my friends aren’t here yet, I end up sitting next to some other Thetas who I don’t really speak to. Some are horrible followers of Tiffany, others are just girls I haven’t bonded with yet.

Fifteen minutes later I spot my friends walking in. They wave me over, but there aren’t enough seats in their row. I mouth the word bakery to them, suggesting we meet there after the meeting. Mackenzie giggles and nods.

Someone takes the seat on the end of the row opposite me. The chill in my stomach tells me who it is before I even look across.

It’s Kade.

Our eyes lock and his gaze holds that eerie promise from last night that nothing has changed and I still belong to him.

I look away first and keep my eyes on the stage until Chancellor Potalov walks onto it.

“Welcome, everyone,” he says through the mic, then he begins with his usual talk of inspiration.

I’ve never left one of his meetings and not felt uplifted in some way.

I was already going to miss him but today is especially hard because he’s saying goodbye to us.

Many of the students, teachers and leaders in this hall were taught by him. He’s been at Raventhorn long enough to have taught close to three generations. That’s one hell of a legacy.

“I will miss you all so much.” His voice carries the sentiment in his words. He places his hand over his heart and nods, seeming caught up in his emotions.

The students clap and cheer for him like they're at a football game. Usually at meetings like these we don’t respond that way unless we’re led to. That round of applause was ignited by the deepest appreciation.

“Thank you, everyone. I truly mean that. And now it gives me great pleasure to hand you over to the new Lord Chancellor of Raventhorn University, Parker Federov.”

All the blood in my body freezes and my thoughts crash into each other like a pileup on the highway.

No.

That can’t be right.

Parker Federov?

Surely I heard wrong.

Because that can’t be right. He can’t be the guy I’ve heard such good things about.

There’s no way the new lord chancellor would be the same Parker Federov from my past.

The same Parker Federov who I believe had my mother killed.

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