Page 114 of Glutton for Punishment

Cold prickles down my spine knowing former Councilor Blaise is still out there somewhere, waiting to carve me up like a turkey.

Ryker shoves his hands into his pockets, shoulders tense. “I thought I’d have time to plead my case to the Council about taking over. But before they could make any decisions, my brother stepped in. Took over Blaise Corp. Assumed temporary control of Greed operations and acting Councilor. Claimed he was preserving stability, being the oldest son and all.”

That doesn’t sound good. I thought Ryker was the heir.

“Is he working with your father?”

His expression darkens. “I don’t know. That’s why I’ve tried to stay off the radar. If Darius aligns with him, then walking back into Greed would be a death sentence. The academy is the best place for me right now.”

His smile returns, brittle. “And I do look fantastic in these uniforms, so I might as well continue my education.”

I can tell he is deflecting.

“So the Councilors don’t care to get involved? Even knowing you were the one to let me go.”

His laugh is quiet. “Council politics move slower than death and are twice as painful.”

My lips twitch despite the tension. The academy gates loom ahead.

Students filter around us, more and more heads turning our way, whispering to each other. Some outright staring. Ryker notices it too.

“I guess you’ll be getting a lot of attention this year.”

I exhale through my nose. “Please. I survived being the academy’s only sinless student. Awkward attention is hardly new.”

Last year they’d stared because they thought I was pathetic. Now they stare like they can’t decide whether I’m an ally, a fake or dangerous.

A pair of girls near the stone entrance to the courtyard lean together, whispering far too loudly to be subtle. “I heard Gluttony kidnapped her to use as a circus attraction.”

“No way,” the other hisses. “My father sits on the small Council for our district. She was exiled to the Wastes, but Maddox went in after her.”

I nearly trip.

“ARWEN!”

My head snaps up as brown curls come barreling toward me at alarming speed.

“Holly—”

I drop my bags just in time to catch her as she launches herself into me, almost knocking me flat. Thankfully, Ryker moves on.

“Oh, thank the universe!” She cries, squeezing so hard that I wheeze. “When I saw you on the roster, I barreled my way out here to find you. May have accidentally lit a few first years on fire to get them out of the way.”

My throat tightens as I hug her back. “I missed you too, Holls.”

Suddenly, I’m engulfed by multiple people at once.

Tabby wraps herself around me on one side. “Move over, emotional brunette, it’s my turn.”

“I am not emotional!” Holly snaps back.

Cleo hugs me tightly. “Your hair looks like it lost a fight with a blender,” she whispers into my shoulder.

“Wow. Thank you.” I laugh. “I flew here with Maddox.”

Universe.

I missed them.