Page 67 of Silver Elite

Did Cross Redden tell her?

It annoys me that he might have.

Another silence settles over the table. From the corner of my eye, I sense movement. I swivel my head in time to see Kess sauntering toward us, and my fists clench involuntarily.

Ignoring her, I focus on my barely touched meal, hoping she’ll take the hint and move on.

She doesn’t. She stands directly behind me, breathing down the back of my neck. “Settle a wager for us, Darlington.”

I don’t turn around. “I’d rather not.”

“Oh, but I think it will be fun.”

“I think,” I say, slowly shifting in my chair, “you and I probably have different ideas about what’s fun.” I lock my gaze to hers. “So maybe you should go back to your table now.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“Suit yourself. You can stand there like an asswit and watch me enjoy my breakfast.” I hold eye contact as I lift my coffee cup to my lips. I take a long sip.

Kess’s black hair ripples around her chin as she glances back at her friends. They’re all watching in interest. Roe is leaning back in his chair, legs sprawled out in front of him, but his sharp expression belies the casual pose.

Knowing she can’t be seen backing down, Kess kicks the leg of my chair, and my cup jolts in my hand. I manage not to spill a drop.

“Stop staring at me, bitch.”

I can’t help a laugh. “You’re the one looming over me like a creep. You’re free to walk away anytime.”

Kaine chuckles into his coffee.

“Not until you settle something for me.” She smirks, relishing the confrontation. “Did you know he was a ’fect?”

Don’t you dare engage.

“Who?” I put on a bored voice.

“Your traitor uncle. The one who went down in a spray of bullets.”

I can feel the eyes of the entire mess hall on us now, eager to see how I’ll react. I breathe through my nose. Suppress the anger.

“What do you want from me, Kess?” I snap, my patience wearing thin.

“Like I said, our curiosity needs satisfying. Did his veins turn silver when he was banging you? I heard that happens to them in the bedroom.”

My blood boils as the accusations echo in my ears.

I push myself to my feet.

“Darlington,” Kaine cautions.

I ignore him. “You really don’t want to piss me off this early in the morning,” I tell Kess.

“Or what? You’ll snitch on me?” She nods toward the instructors’ table.

I know without a doubt that Hadley and Struck are aware of the storm brewing across the room, but they remain seated. Watching us over the rims of their coffee cups.

“Do it,” she urges. “Go tell them your fellows are hurting your precious feelings. Saying mean things about your Aberrant uncle.”

She’s really not worth my energy. I start to turn away, but she’s still running her mouth.

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