Page 42 of Wicked Sins

When did he get so tall? So broad? I do my best to stand my ground as he walks up to me, but, and I won’t lie, I’m about ready to pee myself.

“I need to get to school.”

“Why today of all days? Did the past week you’ve barely made it on time, not mean anything?”

I blink, mouth opening and closing as I scramble for coherent thought. “I—have a test.”

“Which subject?”

“Science.”

“No, you don’t.” He cocks his head the other way like he’s studying a caterpillar that’s having a really hard time getting out of its cocoon. “That was Monday.”

My chest grows tight. What the hell am I supposed to say to that?

“I have another one today. And I need my notes.” I grit my teeth. “Which I left in my locker.”

“So now all of a sudden,yourproblem ismyproblem?” His eyes narrow. “I’m not your fucking driver.”

“If you don’t get me to school early enough so I can study, then—”

“I’ll ask again. Are you sure—” he pauses, takes a step closer, forcing me to back up “—you want to play this game?”

Why does he keep—?

“Last chance.”

“Get. Me. To. School.”

If the heat in his eyes was anger, then the sudden coldness that replaces it must be hate. “Sure thing, darlin’. Let me just take a quick leak.”

* * *

I guessI ran out of psychic mojo back at Bale Manor, because I really should have seen this coming when I couldn’t find my cellphone. But I was in such a hurry to leave home, I didn’t bother looking for it.

Nothing would have changed if I had.

We get to school an hour before homeroom. There’s a siren going off, and kids are standing around the front entrance in small clutches, all looking grim.

My heart’s in my throat as I fumble with the handle to get out of the car.

Josiah could have been stoned for all the emotion in his voice when he says, “Shit. Wonder what’s happened?”

Maybe he didn’t knowwhathad happened, but he definitely knewwhy.

He’d given me several chances to back out, but I’d decided to play the game. I didn’t know the rules, the stakes, or anything…And how in the hell had I thought I could ever win out against someone like him?

I make a run for the side passage where a handful of kids are exiting the building.

“I wouldn’t do that,” he calls after me. “What if it’s not safe?”

I turn the corner and stop. The main hallway where everyone’s lockers are is empty but for a few older kids and a bunch of teachers congregating further up the hall.

One of them has a fire extinguisher. The other is busy scraping burnt things out of my locker.

Iknowit’s my locker, because that’s the only thing that makes sense.

Candace needed her notes.

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