Page 11 of The Hallows Boys

Kai says something to her, too low for me to hear, and I marvel at the way her skin flushes when she laughs and turns to face the front office.

Just as Vinny and I make it to either side of Kai, she turns back around. Whatever she had planned to say gets caught in her throat, and her mouth hangs open as she runs her eyes over both me and Vinny.

I grin as I take her in up close for the first time, my eyes traveling her body without shame – images of bite marks, bruises, and cuts flash through my mind like a dirty daydream, making my dick hard in my boxers.

She squirms in place, moving from foot to foot at the intrusiveness of our three sets of eyes.

That’s right, baby – squirm.

She’s gorgeous all over, her tits the perfect size underneath the black button-down she’s wearing, and when her mouth closes and opens again, I chuckle a little.

“Jesus Christ, what do they put in the water here?!” she gapes, her eyes widening as she realizes what she just said.

The three of us laugh at her lack of a filter, but my pulse has picked up pace, making my heart beat out of my chest at her raspy voice. She sounds like she spends most nights screaming in her sleep, like nightmares tear through her vocals at an unexpected rate. I’d bet anything she’s afraid of the dark. The thought makes blood spread through my groin, but before I let my mind run wild, I step forward and hold a hand toward her.

“I’m Beckham Bentley. Most people call me Becks.”

She stares at my hand for a second before she gets the courage to grab it and shake, almost as if she knows she’s the prey.

“Sage Lindman,” she answers, dropping my hand as her brown eyes find mine. She’s dolled up in makeup, her thick, black eyelashes fanning around her eyes almost naturally. Her appearance is sweet and innocent, but there’s sadness in her features.

“Vincent Donahue,” Vinny cuts in, stepping next to me to extend his hand to hers. She hesitates once more, but then shakes his hand for a heartbeat as well. “Vinny.”

“Nice to meet you,” she rasps, almost breathless. I don’t miss the way she swallows past a lump in her throat before she turns to Kaiden. “Thank you, Kaiden, uh, for the tour.”

She turns quickly, heading for the doors to the office, but stops when Kaiden speaks to her, his ominous words making her turn.

“You’re welcome, Sage Lindman. We’ll see you really soon.”

“Welcome to Blackmore,” I add, licking my lips.

Vinny’s lips kick up into a smirk. “I hope you like the dark.”

She isn’t quick enough to hide the shiver that runs down her spine, and it makes this year even more exciting – because after all, what’s a game in the dark without a bit of terror?

ChapterSix

SAGE

Ispend my first day at Blackmore High with the overwhelming feeling of being watched – because all eyes are glued to me no matter where I am. I feel tense and exhausted by the time I’m settling into my seat in AP American History, in desperate need of a large coffee or two.

People have been friendly, don’t get me wrong. I’m fresh meat, and I guess that means everything else moves to the back burner. But, in a town as close-knit as this one, I can’t blame them for being curious about a newcomer.

It’s barely past noon, lunch is after this class, and I’m running on fumes.

A pretty brunette takes the seat next to me, her bag crashing down on the floor as she gets comfortable. She turns to me, giving me the smile everyone has given me all day. I plaster my fake smile back in place to say hello.

“Are you the shiny new toy I’m hearing about all around campus?” Her eyebrows wiggle, eyes shining with humor.

I chuckle, holding a hand up. “Guilty. I’m Sage.”

“Juliet.” She introduces herself. “How are you liking Blackmore so far?”

I shrug, feeling more comfortable with her than I have with anyone all day. At least she’s asking about how I’m doing rather than making me feel like I’m under a microscope. “A little overwhelming so far, but it’s fine.”

She chuckles. “Yeah, it’s like Santa came today. We don’t get a lot of new students.”

“I’ve noticed.”

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