I’d been kidding myself to believe that I could really cut myself off from them and never go back there anyway. They had their hooks in me too deep. And it was time to admit that my life had never been destined to be my own.
Rain hammered against the window as I sat in the library with the Unspeakables in our usual spot. My gaze lingered on the dark lake under the heavy clouds, the water rippling and stirring beneath the onslaught. I loved the beaches of SoCal, but I couldn’t deny Everlake was growing on me. There was something so wild about this place, the way the weather changed ten times a day. Sunny one moment, then stormy the next. It mirrored the way I felt about the Night Keepers. I hated them with all the force of a hurricane, only to be caught off guard, laughing with them like the sun had broken through the clouds a beat later. It was a stressful way to live, but it made me feel wide awake too. Like I was living with every single ounce of my being, not just drifting along on autopilot.
My gaze fell on the rose-shaped scar on the inside of my forearm and my heart began to beat out of rhythm as I thought over everything my dad had told me again. Immune…how can I be immune? But it made sense. That looter had coughed right in my face and I hadn’t gotten sick. I’d thought I’d just been lucky, but no…there was a reason after all.
“So, I’ve been thinking,” Deepthroat said – shit Ashlynn. I had to start thinking of them with their real names, but it was hard. Especially when they cringed every time I said their true names out loud.
Squits and Pigs exchanged a nervous glance, but Freeloader gave her an encouraging look.
Deepthroat sat up straighter and I noticed she was wearing a little more makeup than usual, like her confidence was slowly but surely seeping back into her. It made my heart swell to see it.
“What if we started a protest?” she suggested. “We could make signs and banners, chain ourselves to the tables in the courtyard at Aspen Halls and refuse to move until the Night Keepers give us our rights back.” She looked to me for approval and I chewed my lip.
“It could work,” I said thoughtfully, but Squits was already sinking lower in his chair and Pigs shook his head vigorously.
“What about wearing brighter clothes first?” Freeloader suggested, knotting her hand anxiously in her hair.
Deepthroat rolled her eyes. “Brighter clothes? What’s the point in that?”
“It’s a step in the right direction,” Freeloader pushed. “Not an all out protest where we’ll most likely end up outcast like Bait.”
“Shh.” Squits waved a hand frantically to hush her, his eyes darting to the aisles leading away from our spot. “Don’t mention Bait.”
“He used to be your friend,” I pointed out. “And I think he’s suffered enough.”
“Well, that’s not for you to say, is it?” Deepthroat said with a sigh. “Unless the Night Keepers are giving you extra privileges now?” Her eyes sparkled with hope for a moment, but I shook my head.
“No,” I huffed, sitting back in my seat. “What about the others? We need all of you together if we’re going to make a stand.”
“Pirate said he’s going to join us tonight,” Pigs said, sitting up taller in his seat and checking his watch. “He should be here any minute.”
I smiled genuinely, glad there was some progress being made at least. There were a bunch of Unspeakables whom I’d barely spoken to before. I figured they were too afraid of the Night Keepers, so was happy at least one more felt brave enough to join us.
Pirate finally arrived and I took in the slim, dark skinned boy whose eyes flitted left and right anxiously.
“Hey,” I said gently, pointing to an empty chair across the table. “Come join us.”
He nodded, dropping into it, but not getting anything out of his bag like he was considering leaving already.
“So, what’s your name?” I asked and he shot a look at Pigs who nodded in encouragement.
He cleared his throat several times, his fingers flexing. “Quentin,” he whispered and I held out my hand across the table.
“Nice to meet you properly, Quentin.” He took my hand briefly and I squeezed before sitting back in my seat.
“We were just talking about-” I started, but a cold voice cut me off.
“So, this is where you lurk.” I jumped in alarm, but it was nothing to how the Unspeakables reacted to seeing Kyan emerging from the shadows.
Squits looked like he’d just lived up to his name, every drop of blood had abandoned Freeloader’s face, Pirate was on his feet looking for the nearest exit, Deepthroat let out a small scream and Pigs legit toppled off of his chair and hit the floor on his ass.
My heart beat unsteadily in my chest as I rose from my seat, stepping forward to put myself between Kyan and the Unspeakables.
“We study together, what’s the problem?” I asked rudely, folding my arms.
Kyan’s eyes roamed over the people behind me with abject hate in his expression before his gaze returned to mine. Danger hung in the air like an oncoming storm and I moved another step closer in an effort to get his attention off of the others.
“The problem,” he spat. “Is that you’re only allowed one friend and not only are you breaking that rule, you’re breaking it with the scum of the fucking earth.”
My jaw clenched as rage made my blood pound fast through my
