Page 101 of Wicked Dreams (Fallen Royals 1)

We walk down the hall.

“Where’d you go?”

I shake my head. “You really want to know?”

“Well, I’m not asking just to hear my own voice.”

At the door to the academic wing, he holds me back. “Are you still getting picked on?”

“Are you asking because you’re concerned?”

He slides his hand through my hair. “I’ve decided that the only person who can be cruel to you is me.”

“It’s better,” I manage.

I am absolutely livid that he can be callous and turn me on at the same time. My body reacts to him like a tightly wound wire. One touch and I come alive.

“I’ll see you tonight,” he says, releasing me. “And maybe you’ll answer my questions.”

“What’s tonight?” I follow him up the stairs, toward my next class. “Caleb.”

He winks. “You don’t want to tell me where you went? Two can play that game, love.”

I suffer the anticipation through the last two classes—including the art class, with Caleb sitting stiller than a statue beside me. Getting answers from him is like trying to squeeze blood from a stone. Pointless and impossible.

He goes up to Robert near the end of class, whispering something.

Robert nods slowly. “I suppose. I’ll need to speak with my wife.”

Caleb returns to his seat. He smirks at me.

“What was that about?” I whisper.

“Nothing to worry about,” he says. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

The bell cuts off any further interrogation. Caleb slides off his stool and strides out the door, leaving me behind. No backward glance, no hovering like the last few days. He’s just… poof. Gone.

Robert clears his throat. “Ready?”

“What did Caleb ask you?”

He shakes his head. “Just had a personal question.”

He’s not going to tell me. I try not to let that sting too much.

Once we’re home, I retreat to my room. My phone has been unusually silent. No Caleb, no Riley… no Unknown.

I do have a text from Claire, though.

Claire: So great to see you, Margo!! Really missed you. Hanna sends a kissy face. Want to meet up next weekend??

I grin at my phone.

Me: I’ll double-check, but it should be fine! Yay!

I set my phone down to change out of my uniform. It chimes again, and I grab it, already smiling. The smile slides off my face when I see who this new text is from.

Unknown: Do you ever get tired of being fake?

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