Page 98 of The Prince of Broken Crowns

Story of my damn life.

Maddison

About fifteen minutes later, River and I are pulling up to the lake. I immediately notice that cars are parked near the shore. My mind wanders back to what Lily told me about this place, how people come here to mess around. I don’t believe that River would convince me to come here with him under false pretenses, but my skepticism is kicking in. I hate that part about me—that I constantly question everyone’s motives.

“There’s a lot of people here,” I remark, noting that all the cars are as lavish as River’s.

“Yeah, people come here from the academy to …” He trails off, stiffening as he silences the engine. He’s parked in a space that overlooks the lulling water and the moonlight’s reflection like a massive ball of crystal light.

“To mess around,” I finish for him. When he glances at me with concern, I add, “Don’t worry. I don’t think that’s why you brought me here. Lily told me that that’s why a lot of people come here, though.”

He grimaces. “I’m guessing she probably implied that’s why I chose this place.”

“She did,” I tell him with a smile. “Don’t worry. I’m used to Lily’s unfiltered attitude at this point. And I don’t believe everything she says.”

He nods, relief cascading over his features. “That’s good. I don’t want you to think I took you here for that.”

I study him. “Why did you take me here, then? You said you need to tell me some stuff?”

He sucks in a breath through his nose then gradually lets it out while gazing out at the water. “I do. There’s two things, but you have to promise that this conversation stays between us.” He looks at me then. “Because knowing some of this stuff can be dangerous, so I want you to think about that first before you agree that you want me to tell you.”

I twist in the seat, bringing my leg up onto the leather. “Does it have to do with me?”

With his lips smashed together, he nods. “It does.”

I could live in the dark—I already have too many problems as it is—but not knowing will end up haunting me.

“I want to know.”

He rakes his fingers through his hair and meets my gaze. “You remember that note that was left on your door that night of the party?”

“Of course. It’s been bothering me because, even if it was for Lily, it’s unnerving not knowing who did it.”

“I might have an idea of who did it. There’s this society at the academy that’s very illuminati-like. It’s a don’t-speak-about-it, keep-it-hush-hush-or-else-you’ll-pay-some-severe-consequences type of thing. Finn is part of it, mostly because our father wants him to be. He wanted me to join, too, but I figure agreeing to marry someone is enough of a family obligation.”

“Agreed,” I mutter, scratching my neck. “So, is that why Finn disappeared in the library? Because he entered some secret door that leads to this society room?” I’m partially joking, but the look on his face is pure seriousness. “Oh, that really was what happened.”

He gives an unsteady nod. “You can’t let anyone know you know that, okay? It’s dangerous knowledge.”

“Trust me; I’ll keep quiet. I’m good at knowing when to keep my mouth shut.” I pause. “Well, unless I’m seeking answers, but I’m hoping you’ll give me those now.”

“I’ll tell you what I know.” He rests an arm on the console. “Finn told me that the society is targeting you for some reason and, more than likely, they’re behind the note on the door.”

“What? Why would they target me?” My shoulders slump. “Is it because I’m from northside?”

“I don’t think so. When the society targets people, it’s usually for a purpose. I doubt they’d fixate on you just because of that.”

“Then, why would they?”

“Well, that brings me to the second part of what I need to tell you … It’s about that necklace you told Finn that you have. The one that looked like Lily’s.”

I absentmindedly touch the hollow of my neck where the necklace used to hang before I got older and stopped wearing it. “Yeah, he acted weird about that when I told him I had one, but I don’t know why. More than likely, my aunt got it at a pawn shop. I did try to get a hold of her to check, but she’s discontinued her number and email, which is a little weird but not totally out of character for her.”

“Where is she? Do you know?”

“The last I heard from her, she was leaving the country, but she didn’t have a set address. She’s kind of a wanderer—I used to envy her when I was kid. She just seemed like she had an interesting life. Well, more interesting than my parents, who have lived in the same area their entire lives. I don’t know, though, the older I get, the more I think I want stability.” I roll my eyes at myself. “God, I sound like an eighty-year-old woman.”

He hastily shakes his head. “You don’t. I promise. Stability is good. I wish I had it in a different way. My stability is forced on me.” He clears his throat. “But, anyway … the issue with your aunt having that necklace is it’s one of the rarest necklaces. In fact, the family it belongs to no longer exists.”

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