Page 20 of Cruel Academy (Princes of Ravenlake Academy 2)

I can’t defend myself. Against Caleb or Levi or John.

For so long, I’ve been a scared victim, relying on the strength of other people to protect me, and I can’t do it anymore.

“Teach me to fight.”

The crushing clench of his jaw never lessens, but his brows dip lower, confused. “Excuse me?”

The plan is still a half-formed thing in my mind, but it feels like a good idea, so I repeat it. “Teach me to fight—to defend myself—and I won’t tell anyone about the underground.”

Something remarkably similar to amusement flickers over his face. “You want me to teach you to fight?”

I nod, but before I can say anything else, he barks out a humorless laugh.

“Go sign up for a fucking karate class. I’m not yoursensei.”

“I don’t want to fight like that,” I say. “I don’t want rules and regulations, and I don’t have years to become a black belt. I want to know how to street fight. The way you do.”

“Not a fucking chance. Now get out of here before I change my mind on letting you go.”

“Why not?” I hate how much I sound like a whiny little kid. “It’s a fair deal. You teach me to fight, and I’ll stay quiet about—”

Suddenly, my arm is twisted behind my back, and I yelp in surprise.

“You’ll stay quiet about me regardless,” he warns, his lips a hairbreadth away from mine. “In fact, you are going to stay far away from me and keep your mouth shut. If you don’t, I’ll make your life a living hell.”

I strain forward as far as I can with one of my arms twisted behind my back. For a second, I think our lips brush.

Caleb jerks back like I’ve burned him. He drops my arm.

I rub at my shoulder, wincing. In a low whisper, I add, “You’re too late. My life is already hell.”

Finally, Caleb lets go of me. His gaze trails angrily down my body before meeting my eyes again. He lifts a finger in warning as he backs away towards the building.

“Just keep your fucking mouth shut, Cochran. I won’t warn you again.”

Then he’s gone.

I’m left alone in the parking lot. Five minutes into day one at Ravenlake andthatjust happened.

This might be a very long school year.

10

Haley

“We have a problem.”

Aside from teachers eager to make me feel welcome, no one speaks to me all day. They speakaboutme andaroundme, close enough that I hear every opinion they have about “that new Public bitch, the one with the biker ex.”

But never directlytome.

I want to tell them John is myex-boyfriend. But I don’t owe any of these people an explanation.

They aren’t asking for one, anyway. These rich kids are looking for a reason to hate me.

I’d rather them decide to hate me because of who I used to date than anything else. Seems less hurtful than hating me for my personality.

Now, however, a girl is talking directly to me. Full eye contact and everything.

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