Page 22 of Twisted Elites

“Or you’ll try to kill me again?” I asked.

Her face twisted into a rictus of hatred so intense, it made me flinch. “Everyone wants you dead. It’s just a matter of time before someone succeeds.”

Geraldine shook her head. “Maybe Kash got confused by the stench of bacon and beat up the wrong twin.”

Bianca snorted. “I can’t see him mistaking a stick insect for a sow.”

“Fine. You’ve made your point,” I snapped. “I’m totally body-shamed on behalf of myself and Ashley. Can you two fuck off, now?”

“Not until you leave Brittas Academy,” said Bianca.

“We’ll throw you a going-away party that will rival the spread Bruce put on for Ashley.” She nudged Bianca. “Spread. Do you get it?”

A grimace crossed Bianca’s features. It was the slightest of movements, but I still caught it. Maybe she had more sympathy for Ashley’s plight than I had initially imagined. It wouldn’t surprise me, given the cruel and twisted tastes of her father.

I pressed my lips together and let out a frustrated breath. They couldn’t still be pissed off because of my relationship with the kings?

The last time they’d ambushed me, it had been related to my police report. Since none of the DNA in my forensic exam had matched theirs, the police hadn’t taken my complaint further. Now, they just wanted to attack me for sport.

“How about we live and let live?” I asked. “I won’t trouble you if you don’t trouble me.”

“Leave the Academy,” said Bianca. “Better still, leave the country. A freak like you can get a scholarship anywhere.”

“You don’t get to dictate my life, so it’s goodbye from me, girls.” I picked up my bag and moved to the other side of the stairs. Clutching the rail, I walked around them.

An open palm landed on my back in a stinging slap. I whirled around and landed my fist in Geraldine’s face. She shrieked and fell onto Bianca, who lost her footing.

I hurried down the stairs, not bothering to check on the state of Geraldine’s nose. Cormac would probably scold me for hurting his girlfriend, but I no longer gave a shit.

* * *

Instead of going to the library, I walked down the hallway and back up the stairs. Fury seared through my veins and powered each step. I’d been right. No one had ever reprimanded the queens for their actions, and they took that as tacit permission to attack me… Again.

As soon as I stepped into my room and locked the door behind me, I called the local authorities.

“Good evening, Cumbria police, how can I help?” asked the operator.

“I’d like to report an assault. A girl at my school pushed me down the stairs.”

“Are you injured?”

“No, but—”

“Alright, I’ll need some information from you. Name?”

The telephone operator took down my details, the address of the school, and Bianca’s name. Even though Geraldine hadn’t succeeded in pushing me, I mentioned her attempt as well. She typed everything down and gave me an incident number.

“When’s an officer coming down to the school?” I asked.

“We’re experiencing a heavy volume of calls today, but someone may visit you this week or next to discuss the incident. Can I confirm your phone number, so they can arrange an appointment if they’re free?”

My mouth fell open. In all the times I had called the police, they hadn’t brushed away my concerns. “You don’t understand. This is a long case of bullying—”

“Have you told a teacher?”

“Of course, I have.”

“We don’t deal with school bullying incidents unless they’re severe, but I suggest that you go through your headteacher or deputy the next time the girls give you trouble.”