Page 70 of Cruel Academy (Princes of Ravenlake Academy 2)

Bumper’s smirk fades, and for the first time, I get a glimpse of the darkness inside of him. The insecure, vengeful monster that lives under his skin.

It’s still a far cry from intimidating, but I can understand how Haley could be so scared.

I understand why she flinches away when I grab her unexpectedly.

Why she nearly had a panic attack in my arms.

I loathe Bumper for doing that to her. I wish Noah would pull the trigger.

Who would really miss him, after all?

Bumper lifts his hands and dips his head, backing away. “We’ll go. But this isn’t over.”

“Except it is.” J.C. wags his fingers in an exaggerated wave. “Ta-ta forever.”

Bumper’s smile is back as he slips out of the shadows again. “I’ll see you soon, Haley Bear.”

Then, just as fast as they appeared, the Hell Princes get on their bikes and rumble away.

As soon as they are gone, J.C. turns to Noah and shakes his head, his face split in a wide smile. “Did you have that gun on you this whole time? Because, like, holy shit. Were you planning to shoot us?”

Noah shrugs and puts the gun back in the hidden holster I didn’t know he had. “Only if you really annoyed me.”

“Why did you even bring it?”

“We’re camping.” Noah gestures around for emphasis. “Who goes camping without a gun?”

J.C. raises his hand and looks around for backup.

But I shake my head. “My gun is in my truck.”

“I guess Haley and I are the only normal people, then,” J.C. says. Though, he frowns as soon as he says it, seeming to think better of it. “Actually, Haley should maybe carry a gun all the time. Seems like she is on the bad side of a group of people who don’t have a good side.”

At that, we all turn to her.

She is standing further back in the trees than where I left her, and even in the darkness, I can see how pale she is.

Her face is a glowing orb against her dark hair and the darkness around her. Her eyes are on the ground, and she is gripping her elbow with her hand, pulling tight as though she wants to disappear inside herself.

I remember her apology as soon as she heard the bikes. What did she have to apologize for? Did she tell Bumper we’d be here?

I don’t see what she’d gain from that, but I also don’t see what other explanation there is.

Suddenly, all of the anger I was feeling towards Bumper that has nowhere to go finds a new direction.

It turns towards Haley.

And I’m furious.

Without another word to my friends, I charge across the grass, heading straight for Haley.

She looks up when I’m within arm’s reach, her brown eyes wide and scared, but she doesn’t resist when I seize her arm and begin dragging her into the trees just as I’d planned before we were interrupted.

“What the fuck is going on?” J.C. calls after us. “Where are you two going? What are you doing?”

I haul Haley behind me, crashing through the brush and overgrowth, and don’t bother replying. Because honestly, right now, I don’t know what I plan to do.

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