Page 74 of Snake

Stupid girl.

“You’re right.” Knox smiles.

Goddamn it.

“Nim...do you want to dance?”

I nod furiously, biting down on my lower lip to stop any pathetic sounds I might want to make from leaking out. Then I hold up a finger. “I just need to pee first.”

* * *

The bathroom feels like an oasis I’ve reached after fighting for my life through hurricane-swept seas. When the door whooshes closed on its hydraulic hinge, it shuts out most of the noise and music and world out there.

Just me and the mirror.

I let out a slow breath, wet my hands, and clamp them to the back of my neck.

It’s just a dance, Nim. But it’s with them. Whatever you do, don’t freak out. It’s not a warning shot…it’s a truce. The war has made both sides weary. Battles won and lost. This is just a breather. I’m sure tomorrow, when the sun rises, everything will be back to the way it was before.

Them hating me.

Me hating them.

It’s the way of the world now. Our war will rage on until there’s a victor.

I only hope—

A cubicle door opens behind me, and I send an awkward smile to the girl walking out. Great, she probably thinks I’m a weirdo, staring at myself like this.

No, not just a girl.

Ibolt upright, my eyes locking onto Eliza’s reflection. She doesn’t seem in the least fazed to find me here. As if she was expecting me.

The thought settles like a spider in the shadows, ready to strike at any bare feet walking by.

I lunge for the door, but she beats me there, turning the key in the lock before I can even wrap my hand around the handle. What kind of public bathroom has a key on the inside? That’s got to be a safety violation. I step back hurriedly, creating room to defend myself for whatever she’s got in store for me.

“Why so sad, Winters?” Eliza still has the smudged marks on her forehead—a cross, or an addition sign if you’re not the religious type. I saw Mason rub his off when he left the dance floor, but she wears hers with pride. “Don’t you realize I was doing you a fucking favor?”

I’m nervous, and that pisses me off. What do I have to fear? Eliza wouldn’t dare hurt me. How does she know someone didn’t see us both enter? If I walk out of here with a black eye or something, she’ll be the prime suspect. I doubt it’ll look good having an assault charge on her record.

Then again, in this town? I guess she could wipe out that record as easily as Mason wiped the ash from his forehead.

Still, I have to believe that she’s not stupid enough to attempt more than name-calling.

“You know what, Eliza? How about you do me a favor and fuck off out of my life?”

Her eyebrows quirk up at the tone of my voice, and a small smile touches her mouth. “Is that a hint of a backbone I see there, Nim?” Her eyes narrow. “Didn’t think you had it in you.” She waves a hand. “Going around after those snakes like the peasant you are. Bowing and scraping.” Eliza lifts her chin. “Even you’re better than that.”

This woman is fucking insane. “First you tell me to back off because Mason is yours, now you’re saying I’m too good for them? It’s a little late in the game to be changing tactics, isn’t it?”

Eliza’s mouth moves, her eyes fluttering for a second like I caught her off guard. It’s probably the best chance I’m going to get, so I make a dash for the door while she’s trying to put together a comeback.

She grabs the back of my gown and hauls me back. I suppose I should be grateful to whoever designed this dress, because they didn’t just think about how pretty it would look. They created something that could withstand a catfight.Perhaps it happens often enough in these gowns that it’s an industry standard by now.

Eliza hauls me back, my hip slamming into the side of the basin. “He’s mine, you goddamn cunt! Do you hear me? Mine!”

Holy shit, how can a girl be so damn obsessed with someone? She reaches for me with her gloved hands hooked in claws. I bat her away, but she rams into me, trapping me between her and the basin.

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