The sudden excitement in his voice as he discusses his creepy hobby, contrasted against his otherwise hard, emotionless tone, is jarring.
“You are possibly the most . . . most twisted being I’ve ever encountered.”
Surprise flickers inside his too bright eyes, followed by . . . curiosity. It’s honestly terrifying how easily his mood switches from serial killer to inquisitive to BDSM weirdo.
“You really can’t control that mouth of yours, can you?” he murmurs. “Like you have a death wish.”
I lift my eyebrows. “It’s a habit I can’t seem to break.”
“I could break it for you.”
Hard pass.
Suddenly, he shoves off the tree and prowls down the path. “Tell the Ice Prince I said hello. Or not. He does have a terrible temper.”
As soon as he’s gone, the birds resume their chirping, the insects come alive, and the air becomes breathable again.
As my adrenaline slows, my fear takes hold. And when it does, every emotion I managed to keep buried during the last half hour rushes to join it, forming one giant pity party.
Frustration. Anger. Worry. The knowledge that I am utterly screwed no matter which way I turn.
I need to find the class, but I’m afraid I’ll break down in front of them, and I can’t handle that special form of humiliation.
Not right now.
Not with all the epic ways I’m screwed so clear in my mind. There’s still a lot I don’t understand about Hellebore and Valerian’s feud, but there are a few things I know for sure.
Hellebore has been planning Valerian’s downfall for years, he’s using me as bait, and to survive, I have to find a way to trick Hellebore at his own game.
Except I have no idea how to do that.
I don’t even try to find Mack and the others, instead racing to the portal that leads me down the concrete stairs to the firm. Even back inside that perfectly air-conditioned office with its giant windows, calming diffusers, and sublime art, I can’t force my legs to stop trembling.
Clutching a plastic cup of water, I collapse in the guest lounge on a slender couch made to look like a leaf. I’ve only just barely managed to still my trembling when Mack’s dad, Nick, walks by with a few employees.
I try to hide, but apparently just putting a hand over your eyes doesn’t actually make your face unrecognizable.
“Summer!” He rushes over, a giant smile plastered across his face. “Mackenzie made me promise not to embarrass her today, but she didn’t say anything about you.”
Clearing my throat, I stand and give him a hug.
“Where is she?” He pulls back and glances over my shoulder. “Have you guys been to the roof? She’s been begging me for a pass to visit since the park opened.”
“She’s still there, actually.” I try to plaster on a smile, but my lips catch on my dry teeth.
His brow pinches. “How does she seem to you, Summer? Is she okay? Sebastian and I—”
“And who is this, Nick?” a female voice interrupts.
I look past Nick to the tall, gorgeous woman in the metallic gold Oscar de la Renta pantsuit. Two Summer sprites hover behind her.
My mother. Or ex-mother. Or past life mother. It’s a working title.
Nick beams. “This is a second year shadow recruit at Evermore Academy. She’s the student from the Tainted Zone, the one who caused quite a stir last year?”
“Yes, I remember.”
As she appraises me, I drink in her features. Verdant green eyes. Sun-kissed skin. Long scarlet-red hair the exact hue of a woolflower plume, pulled high into a neat collection of braids.