Page 53 of Forged in Blood

He blinks. “This is about the girl with the pink hair?”

The girl who continues to draw more and more attention to herself without even trying. “Yes.”

“But I did warn them. The pledges were… I didn’t know they weren’t supposed to…” He trails off because he knows this is a fruitless argument. He fucked up.

I scrutinize his face for telltale signs of deception but find none. If indeed someone is using the members of Onyx to bring about Ophelia’s downfall, I doubt that Nicholas is aware of it. He lacks the power and capability to hide such intentions from me. Perhaps it goes deeper than the society and involves House Chó_ma itself.

“That you failed to warn all of those in your careis no concern of mine, Nicholas.” I pick up my briefcase and brush past him, not wishing to be drawn into any kind of discussion about Ophelia. About the girl who felt like lightning in my own veins when Axl tasted her. About the girl who I already know will bring about my ruin. “Turn the lights off when you leave.”

Chapter

Thirty-Two

OPHELIA

After pulling up the hood of my raincoat, I slip out of my dorm building and make my way toward the library. Raindrops bounce at my feet, and my boots splash through the puddles as I pick up my pace. I usually enjoy walking in the rain, but this downpour is torrential. Even the quad is empty, but that’s no surprise, given that it’s Saturday and there isn’t much of a reason for people to be out and about if they don’t have to be. I suspect most students are cozy in their dorm rooms, hanging out with friends or snuggled up in their beds with a warm body to keep them company.

Sucking in a stuttering breath, I choke back the sob that threatens to escape. I’ve done enough crying over those jerkwads. They don’t deserve a single tear. So why do I feel like my heart has been torn out of my chest and trampled by a herd of rhinos, leaving a black hole in its place? A black hole of despair that threatens to pull me in and consume me every time I picture their faces. Every time I recall Xavier’s unhinged laugh, Axl’s scowl, or how Malachi’s green eyes twinkle when he smiles.

Sharp pain stabs my chest, and I press my hand over my heart. It’s still there. Still beating even though it wants to stop. Even though I want nothing more than to sink to the ground and curl into a ball until the rain washes me away. And it could. Nobody would notice I was gone. Anger and despair crash into me again, and I tip my face to the sky as I slow my pace, letting the rainwater cleanse some of it, some of me, away.

But as angry as I am with those assholes, I’m beyond livid with myself for believing them. For allowing them to make me feel like that seventeen-year-old girl again, sobbing in the dressing room while flames swirled around me. Because I made myself a promise that day—that if I got out of that room alive, I would never allow anyone to have that kind of power over me again. Never again let anyone make me feel worthless. Because despite every shitty thing that’s happened in my life—being left on the steps of that church, getting passed from foster home to foster home, Penelope and her crew of mean girls making my life hell in high school, and the year I spent in the group home after the best foster parents I ever had kicked me out because nobody would believe that I didn’t start that fire—I am somebody. I am worthy. And one day, I will find my people.

I hasten my steps, eager to reach the library and its warmth. Solace has always greeted me when I opened a book. For a person who has spent their entire life alone, I relish the magic that can be found and the experiences I’ve had thanks to what’s written on those pages. Making a new friend. Traveling to faraway lands and being swept away by the kind of heroes and heroines who have made entire generations fall in love.

Perhaps today I can find the comfort in words that eludes me in life.

“Hey,girl. I didn’t think anyone would be in here today. That storm’s wild, huh?”

I rest my book on my lap and watch Cadence shrug off her coat and shake droplets of rain from her bangs.

“It is, yeah.”

“I had to get out of my room. My roomie’s boyfriend came over, and we were gonna chill and watch a movie, but then they started getting all hot and heavy, and I did not want to be there for that.” She giggles. “And then there was a ruckus in the common room because somebody’s earrings went missing, so I thought why not try the library. I really need to do some studying anyway. Drakos’s class is kicking my ass this year.”

The mention of his name is enough to have that swirling vortex of sadness, shame, and anger raging in my chest once more. A loud crack of thunder makes us both jump.

She shivers. “Wow. We might have to hole up in here all day.” She glances at the empty chair beside me. “You mind?”

“Not at all.”

“Great. I know libraries are supposed to be quiet and all, but I like having another person around. You know what I mean?”

Unexpected tears fill my eyes, and I blink to clear them.

She puts her cold hand on my arm and squeezes. “Hey, Ophelia.”

She remembers my name!

“Is something wrong?”

I swat away the tear running down my cheek. “I’m just being stupid.”

“No way. I know I don’t know you that well, but I know you aren’t stupid.” She leans forward and waits for me to meet her gaze, and when I do, she offers a gentle smile. “Now, in my experience, there’s very little that a good chat and a pack of Tate’s chocolate chip cookies won’t fix.” She reaches into her backpack and pulls out the familiar green bag before tearing it open. “What do you think?”

I blink at her when she opens the smaller packet inside and holds it out to me. “Take four. One is never enough.”

I take two. “These are my favorite,” I murmur. “Thank you.”

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