Page 95 of Forbidden Magic
The threat is crystal clear, and my eyes widen. “How do you know?”
“Don’t worry, your scandalous little secret is safe with me.”
“I’ll tell them anyway,” I bluff.
“No, you won’t. You want to be here as much as I need you gone.” He leans close enough for his nose to brush mine. The touch fractures my poker face, but the haunted tremble of his voice is not fabricated.
“What’s the plan? You get us out one by one?” I ask.
“I’d hoped, after Holly, that you and your people would come to your senses.”
My voice breaks with hatred. “Then you chose Lydia.”
“Lydia saw Onyx in the woods. She’s a clever girl. Onyx did what she had to do.”
“What about Allie?”
“Allie is a complication. Something big happened here on Halloween, and your sister is at the crux of the mystery. I wasn’t lying about her. I have no idea who she’s been seeing, but it’s certainly not me.”
Worst part is: I think I believe him. Tears flood my eyes, but I swallow the salty sting. He’s telling me everything. That can only mean he plans to silence me forever. “If you’re going to try and kill me, just do it already.”
His hand closes around the nape of my neck. “What a waste that would be. I might not remember what happened on Halloween, but I haven’t forgotten our deal.”
The tight hold makes my head spin, and my entrails do a triple somersault. “Err—”
He caresses the side of my face as though I’m the most precious jewel in his collection, but his fingers dig viciously into my waist. “You know the drill. A deal with a Fae is unbreakable, and you’ve promised. Now, you’re going to add to that promise and vow not to share what you saw, what I said, or your suspicions in general in any way, shape, or form.”
Each heartbeat pulses inside my chest harder than the last.Boom.
Boom.
Boom.
This is the only way out, at least for now.
Dread fills my mouth, but I utter the words he needs to hear. “I swear it.”
He nods solemnly and takes a step back.
“Wait. About…the other thing. You promised to wait,” I whisper, my mouth dry and my hopes going up in flames.
He presses his lips to mine, his trademark grin curling his lips. A sinister gleam dances in his eyes. “I didn’t say how long.”
I stand there, half-burnt in both senses of the word, until his silhouette disappears from view.
How did I end up here? I betrayed every promise I’ve made to myself.
Whatever magic Cole has been weaving, I can dispel it and have his ass booted back to Fairy. I can find a way around this deal and protect my secret. When I do, everything will go back to normal, and this wretched feeling in my chest will disappear.
If it doesn’t, it means I’ve fallen for a wicked prince.
37
Epilogue
“The top three students this quarter are: Cole Desirys, Melanie Darkwood and Julia Winslow.” Celeste Draco’s voice ices over my name.
Applauses resonate around the auditorium. It’s the Saturday before a new quarter begins. The stage is flanked by red velvet curtains, the polished wood of the stage gleaming under the spotlight.
