Page 12 of Seren

I turned back to the house as they started dribbling again. They carried on as if I’d never interrupted. As if I didn’t even exist.

CHAPTER 7

Grace

Darkness shrouded the manor as I hurried to my mom’s car the next morning. Before I could open the driver’s door, I froze.

No. No. Noooooo.

I circled the car, my hands tunneling through my hair.

Notonetire was flat. Allfourtires were flat.

I spun toward the manor. This was no accident. I looked around, but I stood all alone out there. I glanced up at the manor—all dark and cold like some of its occupants. A curtain on the second floor fluttered like it had the night I arrived. I stared up at the window, shooting daggers at the person who’d undoubtedly done it.

Screw it.

I stormed into the house, making my way up the main staircase. I made it to the second floor, passing Sawyer’s room and then Saint’s. I grabbed the knob on Seren’s door and threw it open. I expected him to be in bed, pretending not to have been watching me, but he wasn’t. He stood by the window with his arms crossed wearing nothing but black boxer briefs.

“You did that to my tires,” I spat.

“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

I shook my head, my blood boiling. “What’s your problem?”

“Well, for starters, having the help barge into my room without knocking is unacceptable.”

I narrowed my eyes.

“So is spying on me in the pool house.”

My head dropped back. “I told you. I thought someone was being hurt.”

“Fucked. She was beingfucked. Do you not know what that sounds like?” he asked condescendingly.

“Excuse me?” I said aghast.

“You heard me. Don’t you let boys back in Coopersville touch you like that?”

My teeth clenched, grinding together as I spoke. “Who do you think you are saying that to me?”

“Oh, so you’re a prude,” he said.

Ignoring his insult, I held out the palm of my hand. “Give me your car keys.”

Humorless laughter burst out of him. “Like hell I’m giving you my car.”

“Well, you fucked mine up!”

“Prove it.”

Frustration grabbed hold of my body. “How am I supposed to get to school?”

“Not my problem.”

Rage flared inside of me. “I will find a ride to school and when I get back, my tires will be fixed.”

He moved toward me, closing the distance between us until his toes nearly touched the tips of my sneakers. He glared down at me. “Do you have any idea who you’re messing with?”

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