Page 20 of Descent

My smile fades as understanding passes through me. I give him a small nod, my lips smashing together in a flat line.

“Thanks.”

“That wasn’t right,” he continues. “It was disgusting, inhumane. I couldn’t believe it, and I wanted to stop it. You know that, right? I would have if I could?” he says, his hand covering my own in what looks like panic.

I tilt my head to the side curiously, unsure why his reaction is so extreme. He acts like I’m about to flip out on him, like everything is his fault, like he has some obligation to my well-being.

“It’s fine, Andrew. I’d just like to forget about it.”

“How can you?” he laughs, a bitter sound coming from this typically sweet and quiet boy. “I have nightmares about it, every single night. All I can picture is your face twisted up in pain, and Asher…” he trails off, his jaw tightening and fists clenching.

My eyes widen in alarm. I’ve never seen such sharp mood swings from someone so quickly. I’m thoroughly confused and unsure how to proceed. So, I give him a tight-lipped smile and a soft nod.

“Really, it’s okay. I knew what the night was going to entail. It was…unpleasant, but I’m okay now. Really, thank you for being concerned for me.”

His fists slowly unclench, and his jaw softens. What looks like relief seems to pour into his eyes, as he blows out a breath and nods.

“I’m glad. If you need anything, let me know. I’d be happy to leak Asher’s text messages to the school, adjust his grades or doctor whatever you’d like and send it to the Brethren.”

My brows furrow at that.

“You can do all of that?”

He nods. “In my sleep. My father runs a tech security company. It’s the biggest and most advanced on the entire east coast.”

“And you’re like his protégé?” I guess.

The tips of his ears pink up a bit, as well as his cheeks, as he gives me a bashful nod.

“I’ve learned a lot, and I’d be happy to make him suffer, at least a tenth of the pain that he has put you through.

Honestly, his offer is tempting. Might not be the worst thing to keep tucked into my back pocket.

“Thank you,” I say. “I’ll definitely think about it.”

He nods happily before plopping down into his usual seat in front of me. My head tilts to the side as I watch him carefully, still more than a little thrown at our interaction when Liam and Maggie walk in together.

Liam gets a dopey grin as he practically jogs over to me, before Maggie takes her seat beside me. Dropping down into the other chair to my right, Liam scoots in as close as he can until I’m practically on his lap.

“What part of this is playing it cool?” I ask, though I can’t fight off the grin spreading across my face.

“All of it, I’m as cool as a cucumber, babygirl,” he grins with a wink.

A throat clears from the front of the room, pulling my attention from Liam.

“So sorry, Mr. Walcott. Are we interrupting?” Professor Corwin asks with an unimpressed look.

Liam, not having an ounce of shame in his body, shrugs and gives the professor one of his winning smiles.

“A little, but for the sake of education, I’ll let it slide.”

Professor Corwin lets out an irritated huff before shaking his head and beginning his lecture. He knows that Liam is untouchable, arguing with him is a futile act. He’s a Legacy,and clearly, that means everything in Salem. I cast Liam a headshake, and he just gives me a goofy smile, shrugging again before facing the front.

Such a little shit sometimes.

Chapter Nine

Ronan

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