Byron looked stern. I hated that look. I knew what he was capable of—although he had never hurt me. But perhaps if I came up with an idea, I’d be noticed in a good way. And if that idea brought the new girl near the pack, maybe that would help me figure her out.
I held up my hand. Nathan nudged Byron and nodded in my direction.
“Dorian?” Byron said, his tone slightly gentler. “What is it?”
“Um, I was thinking that people don’t like what they don’t know, right?”
Somebody laughed to my right. I didn’t bother looking, just kept my focus on Nathan and Byron.
“What if we let them get to know us? Here, I mean.”
“We can’t let the townies on our territory,” somebody cried out.
“Take away the mystery, you mean,” Nathan said. He looked at Byron. “He’s on the right track.”
“Organise some kind of event?” Byron said doubtfully.
“It’s Halloween soon,” I said. “We could have a party here. Show the townies we aren’t so different to them, that there’s nothing weird here. Just… a community.”
“That could be okay,” Mara said loudly, interrupting Victor’s protests. “We could have a bonfire and stuff. And it’s not as confined here as school, so we’ll be less likely to throw a townie onto the fire.”
Most of the teenagers laughed.
Byron narrowed his gaze. “I expect you all to help with this. And there can be no trouble.”
“Thanks, Dorian,” Nathan said.
I breathed out a sigh of relief. I just had to make sure everything went to plan.
Chapter 7
Margo
I slammedmy locker closed and turned the key before I noticed that the lanky streak of boy standing next to me was staring. At me.
“Can I help you?” I asked snottily.
“Hi again,” he said.
I took a second look, realising too late that he had been the one who directed my way when I got lost. The one who had witnessed me space out. I turned toward him, and he took a step back, his light brown eyes wary. I had no patience for that.
“Hello,” I said, and made to brush past him.
He got in my way, somehow blocking me without touching, a momentary look of stress creasing the space between his eyebrows. “You’re new.”
“You’re quick.” I shifted my bag to my other shoulder. “Did you need something?”
He grinned suddenly, relaxing as though I had said something completely different. “Where are you from?”
“Not here.” I bit my lip, debating whether having a conversation was wise or not. Then again, nobody else had bothered to talk to me. “You?”
“Same. Like it here?”
I gave him a wry look. “Yeah, the people are so friendly.”
“Somebody once told me that everyone thinks themselves friendly until strangers show up. Then their true colours show.”
“Somebody is smart.”