Page 39 of Wild Fury (Fallen Royals 6)

Oops, maybe she didn’t want to go. Or doesn’t actually know how to find it. Whatever—between the two of us, we can figure it out.

“Take care, Lucille.” Aberdeen moves down the row, to her next victim.

I pick up my sandwich. “She seems like a keeper.”

Ruby rolls her eyes. “Just wait, it gets better.”

“What do you mean?”

“There’s a reason we’re all here at the exact same time. The night before classes is basically a religious event here.”

The girl beside me nods. Jacqueline, I think. “True. Just wait, someone else will step up for another announcement.”

I shake my head. “Does LBU do this on the main campus?”

“Nope. Think of LBU West as a sort of co-ed sorority or fraternity. There’s a lot of tradition here, especially surrounding the start of school.”

Interesting. But it makes sense, I suppose. The original students of this out-of-the-way campus must’ve wanted to do something to make themselves feel included, instead of excluded. And I can see how that’s evolved.

“Hello LBU West!” A boy shouts, stepping up onto the chair Aberdeen abandoned. He’s tall and lanky, a black sweater over a white collared shirt. “If you are so lucky to find the bonfire tonight, perhaps you will be invited to our brunch tomorrow morning.” He wiggles his eyebrows. “And an invitation to dine with us will open doors. If you know us, then you know our history. Our connections.”

I raise my eyebrow. “Connections?” I mouth at Ruby.

She just shakes her head.

He jumps down, and Felicity takes his place.

“Freshmen, stand,” she calls.

I glance around. Only a dozen or so people rise. I fight the urge to duck my head, but I don’t rise.

“Tonight will be confusing,” she says. “This weekend will be inspiring. And if you’re still with us by Monday… Enlightening.” She meets my eyes, and I reluctantly stand. She knows I’m a freshman, anyway. “Come to me with any questions you have. And don’t be angry if I don’t answer them.”

Her wolf smile draws out another cheer from the crowd.

I sink back into my chair. She’s right—I’m confused. At least this puzzle will serve to distract me from Theo, to focus my mind on that instead of him.

“Let’s go,” Ruby says. “Before—”

Her brother steps up, and he meets my eyes for a moment before his gaze sweeps around the room. Sebastian stands beside him, his gaze also on me. Loathing fills my chest like acid.

Ruby’s moving faster now, her grip strong on my hand. She pulls me up and away, nearly dragging me from the room. She doesn’t slow until we’re outside, but even then we’re still speed-walking toward our room.

“Ruby.” I yank at my hand. “Ruby, stop.”

She skids to a halt and drops her head in her hands. “I’m sorry. I had to get out of there.”

I wait for a better explanation.

“I don’t get it. I don’t get you. I’m assuming you were going to play dumb about knowing where the bonfire is if I hadn’t opened my mouth, right?” I plant my hands on my hips. “Can you just tell me the truth? About whatever that was.”

“I’m in the eye of the storm,” she murmurs. “The Devereux Family has the honor of upholding the traditions of this campus, as stupid as that sounds. It’s because my dad was one of the originals, and everyone in our family attends. We live on this campus. We participate. Hale, me, Maisie. I can get away with a lot because of my last name, but it’s a bunch of bullshit. Yeah, you graduate with connections to important people, business people who can pull strings for job placements… but I’m so sick of it. Hale totally buys into it. Sebastian is just as bad, and I’m sure Maisie will be the same.”

“Ruby—”

“I’m just so sick of pretending,” she whispers.

I wince. I can relate to that. Maybe she knows it, because her expression softens. She reaches out and touches my arm.

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