Page 65 of Wild Fury (Fallen Royals 6)

Ruby gasps again. “What?”

“I don’t know why you automatically assume it’s me, Sebastian.” I raise my eyebrows. “I left because I was called away. It certainly wasn’t to hotwire your car, or whatever you think I did.”

He glares at me. “You didn’t have to hotwire shit, Page. You stole my keys.”

I turn to Ruby. “Did you see me steal his keys?”

“What?”

I point between the two of you. “Oh, Ruby, does that mean Sebastian didn’t drive you home?”

He spins around and eyes her, then back to me. I’ve knocked him off-balance with that accusation. I don’t have to wonder where Ruby went: to the woods. But I am curious about if he’ll cover for her. His best friend’s sister and all that. She must’ve made up an excuse to leave, or perhaps she told him the truth.

He replies, “No, we called a cab.”

“Because after the movie, you realized your car was missing?” I can’t help but poke another hole in the story, just to prove a point. My gaze lands on my roommate.

“What are you doing?” Ruby’s face is pale.

I shake my head and stride toward the door. “Maybe you two need some alone time to get your story straight. And I’m late for class.”

They don’t stop me, and I slam the door behind me. He’ll figure out where his car is eventually, and he’ll lose interest in me. I’ve showed him some of my true colors, after all—it’s where I lose everyone.

My parents.

My sister.

Any chance of friends.

Not Theo, though.

I grab breakfast then go to class. The professor gives her lecture, running a few minutes over, and then releases us. By the time we walk outside, my eyes are sandpaper. My phone has a two-percent charge, and I am in desperate need of coffee.

“Lucille?”

I glance over my shoulder.

An older girl with a stricken expression pauses behind me. “Is that you? Lucille Page?”

“Yes.”

“Um, great. Okay. Do you know Sebastian Redmond?”

“Unfortunately,” I reply. “Is something wrong?”

“The Dean of Students asked me to come find you. Sebastian filed a charge… I’m not sure. But Dr. Onofrio said it was urgent, so…”

I shrug and follow her.

“What’s your name?” I ask.

“Jess.” She blinks at me. “I’m sure it’s nothing. In case you’re worried. Dr. Onofrio is really nice—I’ve been his assistant since last year. He’s fair, you know?”

“Right. I’m not worried.” Well, unless Sebastian reported his car stolen… that might get me in trouble. Kicked out of school, at the very least.

“Here.” Jess gestures to the elevator, and we wait in silence for it to arrive, then take us up four flights.

We exit onto a long, wide hallway. We go to the end, then up another short staircase. It’s a half-floor, with a U-shape of offices.

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