Page 36 of Eternal

Run all you want, Tealene. Tonight, we play.

11

Nice Shot

Teal

Don’t look up.

I feel Declan’s eyes on me the moment I walk into Sigma House. My spine tingles from his attention, and it takes everything in me to pretend I don’t notice him leaning against the railing up above me.

He’s in his usual spot on the second-floor balcony, watching the door. A throne where he looms over his subjects before joining the party. At least it gives me a chance to duck out of sight before he can catch up with me and my friends.

I stay huddled in the thickest group of people, refusing to look up at Declan or to hand him any hint of authority.

The flow of the crowd pulls Violet, Patience, Mila, and me deeper inside Sigma House. A sea of bodies ripples around us. It’s my worst nightmare, and I’m thankful Iremembered to take my anti-anxiety medication right before we left, or I’d probably be one shoulder shove away from a nervous breakdown.

I scratch the back of my hand and try to ignore the growing desire to peel off my flesh.

I’m here to prove a point to Declan, so I need to get through this.

Especially after Declan succeeded in pissing my father off at the fundraiser. Mom called me this morning to let me know Dad is frustrated but waiting it out. But that doesn’t change anything between him and me. I can’t rely on Declan to save me from this long-term. He’ll bail the second he gets whatever he’s in this for. Either that or he’ll get bored of me.

I’m no trophy. I’m a plague. Declan must see that.

Rumors have already started circulating about Declan and me. He’s associating with Bristal’scrazy girl, and after enough time, that will affect his reputation.

I glance around at the ocean of beautiful girls who fill Sigma House and wonder why Declan is even bothering. The pleasure he gets from blackmailing me can’t be nearly as satisfying as their praise.

Still, he won’t stop texting me. He won’t stop claiming me.

He’s acting like he wants me around, and it doesn’t make sense.

Declan already has it all. Between running his evil house of horrors and ordering around his minions, he is handed anything and everything he could ever need. ButI guess that might be part of the problem. Power feeds power. The more they have, the more they crave it.

The crowd closes in around us the deeper we get into the party, but Kole cuts through everyone like they don’t exist, making a beeline for Violet. He moves in front of a guy from Violet’s creative writing class when he catches him waving at her. Kole’s glare has me wondering if he’s considering dismemberment simply because the poor guy dared to say hello to his girl.

She doesn’t notice or care as he pulls her in the moment she’s within reach. He dips down to claim her mouth with his, and they kiss like they’ve been craving each other their entire lives.

I wonder what that’s like.

“Gross.” Patience crosses her arms over her chest and glares at them.

“Yeah,” I agree, even if something deeper makes me wonder what it would feel like to trust someone like that.

“Someone get this girl some alcohol.” Mila rolls her eyes at Patience. “I appreciate that you pulled the stick out of your ass long enough to join us, but don’t ruin the party. Loosen up.”

“You do realize you’re talking to Patience Lancaster right now, don’t you?” I arch an eyebrow at Mila.

“You two are hilarious.” Patience glares. “Get me a shot.”

“That’s more like it.” Mila smiles, grabbing our hands, as Violet disappears with Kole.

Mila steals the first two shots that are set down on the bar, handing one to Patience.

“And a water for you.” She snatches a water bottle off the bar and gives it to me.

“Thanks.” I spin the cap off and take a drink.

---