Page 8 of Eternal

Catching me.

I assumed it was a coincidence he was in the courtyard, but now I know that wasn’t the case.

He sought me out.

He hacked my medical records.

He thinks I’m going to need his help.

It’s possible Declan was just bored and fucking with me like he always is. But there was something about how he said it. The challenge in his eyes wasn’t what I’m used to seeing when he’s bullying me. Something in his tone was genuine. An offer from the enemy.

That’s almost more terrifying than if he was making my life miserable.

Declan Pierce doesn’t do favors—he does the work of the devil.

Whatever he’s up to can’t be good.

A knock on my door makes me jump. My eyes fly open, and I realize I’m gripping my phone tightly. I shoot tositting, looking at the clock, and realize my roommates will worry if they think I’m still sleeping at noon.

They don’t know the full extent of my condition, but they do know I’m depressed, so I don’t want to add to their concerns.

I brush my hair with my fingers and swing my legs off the bed to look more awake.

“Come in.”

My door opens, and Violet walks inside. Her midnight hair is tied up in a tight ponytail, showing off her bright-blue eyes. Out of my three roommates, Violet is by far the kindest and quietest, which is why I’m still processing the fact that she’s dating Kole Christiansen, Declan’s best friend.

I’m convinced he’s a psychopath. There were rumors when I was at Montgomery Psychiatric Ward that Kole had spent time there as a child, and even if I never saw any proof, I believe it. He never shows empathy or emotion, and there’s a constant cold detachment in his stare.

Until I met Kole, I honestly thought Declan was as scary as it gets. But one look in Kole’s eyes made me question that.

At least he seems to take care of Violet. She trusts him, and he’s constantly watching over her like he won’t let anything bad happen to her.

So long as Violet is happy, I have no choice but to accept it, a sentiment not shared by our roommate Patience.

Patience refuses to see any good in the members of Sigma Sin. Her older brother, Alex, pledged the fraternitytwo years ago, and he hasn’t spoken since. Whatever happened during his initiation landed him in Montgomery, and as far as anyone knows, he’s never getting out.

Sometimes, I see him when I visit the ward for my therapy sessions, and on occasion, I’ll see Patience and our other roommate, Mila, visiting him.

It’s one thing to feel like you’re going insane; it’s another to actually lose your mind. Alex is proof of that.

“Hey, Teal.” Violet smiles, but it’s forced. “I was wondering if you had a minute to talk about something.”

“Of course.” I turn to make room for her on the bed.

Violet sinks onto the mattress, facing me. She crosses her legs under her, playing with the hem of the long sleeves on her sweater.

“You look worried.” My gaze falls to where Violet is chewing the inside of her cheek. “Everything okay with you and Kole?”

“Yes.” She shakes her head like she’s snapping herself out of whatever she was thinking. “This doesn’t have to do with Kole.”

“But it has to do with something…”

Violet’s eyebrows pinch as she nods. “You’ve known Declan since you were kids, right?”

“Declan?” Confusion laces my tone.

It figures she wants to talk about him when the past twenty-four hours have been saturated in all things Declan Pierce.

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