Page 18 of Dare To Break

He weaves his way past the tables, other students scattering in his wake when he doesn’t slow or try to walk around them.

Odd.

A hand grabs my arm, and I’m pulled into Lacy’s side. “A word of advice. Stay away from Kellan.”

My eyebrows knit together. “Why?”

“He hangs out with Eli Travers.”

“Eli?”

Lacy tilts her head to the side, lips pursing. “You know him?”

“He’s my stepbrother.” If I lie, the truth will probably come back to bite me later. “We only met a few days ago, and he hates me.”

“Holy shit! You know he’s a freak, right? And not your standard freak or weirdo. Eli Travers is a monster.”

My stomach twists. “What do you mean?”

“He pulled a knife on one of the boys in his art class and threatened to slice up his face just for touching his bag.”

“What happened?”

“Security took Eli’s weapon, and he got his off-site privileges revoked for a month, but the other boy still managed to wind up with three broken fingers. He said it was an accident but wouldn’t tell anyone who had done it. We all know it was Travers, and that isn’t the only thing that’s happened we’ve linked to him. There have been fires started around the campus. People have had their dorm rooms trashed—”

“Hey, baby.”

A male voice interrupts us, and we’re surrounded by three boys.

“Brad,” Lacy greets the blond one with a giggle.

He wraps his arm around her waist, and smiles, white teeth flashing in his tanned, handsome face. “You going to introduce us to your friend?”

“Arabella is my new roommate.” She turns my way. “This is Brad Shaw, my boyfriend. Evan Ridley, and Jace Black” She points at each one as she names them. “Rising stars of the school’s football team.”

I clear my throat nervously. “Hi.”

The word is barely out of my mouth when the crowd around us falls silent.

Eli. I know it must be him before I even look to check.

He’s standing in the doorway of the cafeteria, dressed in his usual black. Earbuds in, his head is down as he fiddles with his phone.

My lips part, tongue sweeping over them. His eyes lift and fix on mine. Heart hammering, I feel oddly exposed as his gaze sweeps over me. It only lasts a split second before he breaks the connection and moves across the room to join Kellan at his table.

Jace tracks my stepbrother’s movements. “I’ve heard Travers is into some really weird shit. I’m talking about dead animals and satanic rituals.”

Brad hums softly. “If you know any virgins on campus, let them know it’s time to give that status up, or they’ll end up as one of his sacrifices.”

Lacy elbows him in the chest. “That’s not funny.”

“You’re safe in that department. Unless he’s into blood drinking now.” Burying his face in her neck, he makes her squeal.

Jace and Evan burst into laughter.

Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Eli and Kellan watching us from their corner, matching smiles on their lips. How much am I willing to bet he knows exactly where my dorm room is now, thanks to Kellan?

Fuck.

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