Page 141 of The Darkest Note

Even if I wanted her to be, Redhead dipped before I could get her name or her number. The manager at the lounge wouldn’t give me her information and I knew that tricking her into showing up wouldn’t work again.

Kicking myself for not getting her name at least, I went looking for the security guard she’d been talking to, thinking he might have a lead, but I couldn’t find him either.

After all my efforts failed, I gave up, tucked my tail between my legs and went to Jinx.

‘All will be revealed in time’was her response.

Freaking scam artist.

Now I’m back to square one.

Redhead is in the wind. She might as well have been a dream.

Finn slaps my shoulder when the bells chime. “Time to go.”

I’m walking in front when I feel Sol lagging behind. Finn notices too. He catches my eye and juts his chin at Sol. Zane hones in on our silent communication, sees where Finn is watching and arches an eyebrow at me.

I wave for them to walk ahead and slow my stride so I’m in step with Sol. “You okay, man?”

“Yeah.” He scrubs the side of his face. “It’s just… a lot of things have happened since I was last here. It kind of feels like culture shock.”

“You belong here, Sol,” I say intently.

“Hm.” He tosses me a thoughtful look. “I heard there was someone who took my place at the start of the school year. How’d you get her to quit?”

Something that feels a lot like guilt slides through my chest. But that can’t be right because that would mean I actually felt something other than resentment for Cadence.

I didn’t.

I deal with the guilt fast and lift my chin. “Don’t worry about that. All that matters is you’re here now.”

He looks concerned.

I chuckle. “We’re the princes of Redwood, Sol. No one’s going to get in our way.”

That makes him smile a bit.

Seeing that he’s in a better mood, I walk a little faster so we can catch up with my brothers. Together, we take a seat at the top of the bleachers.

Kids clamor to sit around us, keeping a healthy distance away—out of fear or nerves, I don’t know and I don’t care.

I look out over the assembly and feel peace flood my chest.

Sol is back where he belongs.

Balance has been restored.

All I have to do now is find Redhead and I’ll have my queen. Everything will be perfect.

Principal Harris walks to the center of the gymnasium. He’s in a too-tight suit and his belly’s straining against the button. The bald spot in the middle of his head shines like a disco ball in the sunlight.

“Settle down, everyone,” he drones in his dry, thin voice. The man couldn’t sound weaker if he sucked on a helium balloon first. “In this morning assembly, we have a very special return student…”

Zane elbows Sol in the side.

He knocks my brother’s hand away, ducking his head shyly.

“… And I’m sure he needs no introduction,” Principal Harris adds.

---