Page 92 of Dare To Take

“Don’t argue with me, young man. Miss Gray, go back to your dorm room.”

Kellan loosens his hold on me, and I step away from him. Not able to voice another word without losing my shit, I glare at my stepbrother before walking away. Miles gives me a worried look but says nothing. I’m still shaking with shock, unable to process fully what I’d just found.

I shove my earbuds in and hit play, the lyrics of ‘Reaper’ by Silverberg flooding my brain. I let it drown out the noise around me. The music blurs out the things I don’t want to think about. A coping mechanism I use as armor. It’s the only way I’ve been able to survive these last few weeks.

I walk fast, not stopping until I reach my room and slip inside. As much as I hate being alone, I’m grateful there is no one here to torment me.

An image of the rat flashes through my head, its entrails hanging like red ribbons from the jagged cut in its body. Shivering, I remove my earbuds and drop my bag on the bed. The thought of using my locker again leaves me feeling cold. Even though I didn’t touch the dead rat, I feel dirty and tainted. I can’t strip out of my clothes fast enough, leaving them in a trail across the floor as I pad into the bathroom and turn on the shower. Once it’s hot enough, I step under the spray, tip my face up under the cascading water and close my eyes. The heat relaxes my muscles and slowly calms the chaos in my mind.

We found a chick today out by the cemetery. It was chirping so loud. Kellan found the nest it had fallen from, and Eli climbed the tree to put it back. I hope the momma bird doesn’t get scared off because we helped it. I’d hate for our good deed to cause it more harm. Eli was as worried as me, but Kellan was convinced we did the right thing.

The words from the latest chapter of Zoey’s diary whisper through my head. Her version of Eli clashes with the one I know. How can he be the same person? He’s so different from what she describes. All I see is the monster everyone talks about.

But I liked the boy I glimpsed at that hotel before Christmas. The playful Eli with a smile that lit up his face, and the husky mischievous voice when he whispered dirty things in my ear and heated my blood.

The memory messes with my emotions even more. He showed me another side to himself, the closest I’ve seen to what the dead girl describes.

A thud disturbs my thoughts, and I freeze, listening. When I don’t hear it again, I cut off the shower, step out, and dry myself. Wrapping a towel around my body, I go back into the empty bedroom, and stop beside the bed. There’s a thump against the wall, followed by muffled laughter from the room next door. I can’t help but roll my eyes at whoever is messing around. But it relaxes me a little, knowing people are around me, even if they aren’t in the same room.

I drop the towel and dig fresh clothes out of my closet. I’m just pulling my top on when a knock sounds on my door. When I open the door, I discover one of the security guards on the other side.

He gives me a polite smile. “Miss Gray, I’m here to escort you to the principal’s office.”

“Okay.”

This has to be about Eli.

Nerves hike up my anxiety levels, but I slip into shoes and follow him out of the dorm. By the time we reach the principal’s office, I’ve got my anxiety mostly under control.

The security guard leaves me in the office, where the secretary peers at me from over her spectacles. “Go right in. He’s expecting you.”

I offer her a weak smile of thanks and do as I’m instructed.

“Ah, Miss Gray.” Principal Warren gestures at me with one hand. “Come in, shut the door and take a seat.”

I take the seat on the other side of his desk, sinking down into the soft leather. “You wanted to see me, sir?”

He rests his elbows on his desk, his expression stern. “I know you’ve had a bumpy start coming back to school since Christmas, but vandalism of another student’s property is unacceptable.”

My stomach dips. He must be talking about Eli’s car, but that was days ago. Why is he bringing it up now? I thought this was about the dead rat on my locker.

“Yes, Miss Gray. I know what you did to his vehicle. I was prepared to turn a blind eye, but I can’t do that anymore.” Principal Warren’s voice is deep and calm. “When Mr. Travers came back to the academy, I understood and expected that you would want to lash out, but the lengths this is going to is not acceptable. I’ve had multiple reports of you trying to provoke him while he has made every effort to stay out of your way. If this continues, I’m going to have to notify your parents.”

The disappointment in his voice makes me squirm in my seat. “But he left a dead rat on my locker.”

“Eli denies playing any part in that.”

“Who else would do that?”

“It could merely be a distasteful prank trying to fuel the aggression between you both. I assure you; we are looking into it.” He sighs and his expression softens. “You have good grades, Arabella. I would hate to see you ruin your future here. Your mother fought hard to get Eli back into this school, and your stepbrother has assured me what went on earlier was nothing to do with him. What do you think she would say if she learned you were sabotaging his education out of petty retaliation?”

“Of course, she did! Because he’s so fucking perfect in her eyes.” My words are bitter.

“This needs to stop now, Miss Gray. I won’t warn you again.”

Anger sears through my usual caution, and I take the chance in front of me. “I’m being blackmailed.”

“Blackmailed?” He frowns.

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