Page 127 of Depraved Boys

“Worse.” I glanced over my shoulder. “What happened to you guys last night? Cormac and I roamed the academy, and we didn’t see you.”

Prakash pulled out his textbook and flipped to the last subject we had studied. “Miss Claymore interrogated us about what happened. She thought we had started some kind of fight club and wouldn’t listen to anything we said.”

“Really?”

“She is biased against us.”

The bell signifying the end of breakfast rang. Students piled into the lecture theater and filled the seats. I rubbed my temples and stifled a yawn, as sleep had evaded me the night before.

“How long did she keep you?” I asked.

“Nearly two hours.” Leopold settled on my other side. “But she held Seb—”

“Miss Claymore thought I was the ringleader.” Sebastian sat next to Leopold.

“Sorry.” I glanced down at the front, where Miss Claymore stood with her arms folded, glowering in our direction. “I hadn’t thought you’d get into trouble.

“Someone has to take a stand against those rogues before the younger boys start doing the same.”

I shuddered at the thought of innocent little girls being subjected to Ashley’s terrible assault and made a note to explain what really happened to Miss Claymore when we next met for a private lesson.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Thoughts of what had happened to Ashley receded into the background each day I got closer to Mr. Byrd’s visit. In English class and in the dining room, Bianca shot me triumphant smirks, as though her father would swoop in and fix things. No matter how much I ignored those looks, I couldn’t help browsing through the imposing pictures of Mr. Byrd on his corporate website.

At breakfast on the day of the meeting, Bianca and Geraldine sashayed to the royal table. Bianca wore extra makeup, which created a grown-up appearance, probably meant to intimidate. I focussed on my scrambled eggs on toast, while the kings chatted about their plans for Easter.

Without being acknowledged, Bianca announced, “It’s not too late to change your mind, Pigsty. Call off the police, and you won’t even have to meet my father.”

I straightened in my seat. “What makes you think he can interfere with the course of justice?”

“Byrd and Byrd’s specialty is corporate law, not criminal,” added Prakash.

Bianca’s haughty facade faltered, making me lean forward and take a closer look. Her fingertips trembled, and she swallowed. Twice. Perhaps her father was more likely to punish her for bringing the Byrd name into disrepute than to attack me. Or maybe he would be furious with us both for forcing him away from his busy schedule.

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Bianca stuck her nose in the air and flounced away.

I stared at the queens walking out of the dining room in an identical sequence of fast strides and swaying hips, which I was sure they had practiced.

By the end of breakfast, my legs shook so much, it took a few attempts for me to rise from my seat. Mr. Byrd would likely be as ruthless as he appeared in those photos. Bianca had to get that malevolent personality from somewhere.

The walk to Mrs. Benazir’s office was torture. Nausea filled my stomach, swirled up my gullet, and waved its tendrils at the back of my throat. No matter how much I swallowed, it wouldn’t abate.

Leopold walked on my left, and Sebastian walked on my right. Both boys gave me concerned frowns. Even Prakash, who still wasn’t really talking to me for reasons he wouldn’t disclose, trailed behind me.

“Where’s your uncle?” asked Leopold.

“I tried calling him last night, but his phone was off.” I replied.

“Do you have any other relatives?” asked Prakash from behind.

I glanced over my shoulder and met his dark, concerned eyes. “Apart from my aunt? No.”

“It’s going to be two against one,” snarled Sebastian. “They’ll eat you alive.”

Leopold placed a comforting arm around my shoulders. “Just stick to your principles.”

“You don’t have to speak,” said Prakash. “That way, the lawyer won’t run rings around you.”