Page 57 of Depraved Boys

My head snapped up. “Is the boy alright?”

“I don’t think he swallowed any, but Dr. Forrester tended to him, just in case.” Leopold stood and pulled me to my feet. “You’re coming with us.”

“Alright.”

Sebastian cupped my face with his hands. His wrist cast was missing. “The more miserable you look, the more people will stare and oink.”

“You didn’t see what happened yesterday,” I said. “I tried to put on a strong front, but Bruce Wilmington and some others ambushed me.”

“Bruce Wilmington, Peter Smythe, Robert Gunnerson, and Broderick McClaren,” said Sebastian.

“How did you know?”

“People talk,” Leopold said from behind. “Don’t worry about them. We’ve made sure they won’t hurt or touch you again.”

“What did you do?” I whispered.

Sebastian’s hands slid down to my shoulders, and he murmured, “The three of us finished the job you started.”

“Three?” I couldn’t imagine Prakash helping Sebastian and Leopold beat people up, but I added, “Something has to be done about those girls.”

“I can’t speak for Bianca and Geraldine,” said Leopold. “But your sister will get her comeuppance soon enough.”

“Why?” I asked. “What will you do to her?”

“She’s already doing it to herself.” Leopold waggled his brows.

“You’ve got to tell me—”

Sebastian placed a fingertip on my lips. “So you can run out and save someone who chose for you to drink swill? Even if she couldn’t swim that distance, she should have taken that option.”

A lump formed in my throat, and tears filled my eyes. Sebastian was right. The worst part was that Ashley could swim that distance and more. When I blinked, the tears ran down my face.

Leopold pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at my cheeks. “Are you ready to face the world?”

“No.”

“Excellent!” He pulled the door open. “Let’s go.”

Sebastian wrapped his arms around my shoulders and pressed me into his warm, hard body. I rested my head on his chest and inhaled his intoxicating, sandalwood, and cedar scent.

Memories from our first tender kiss rolled to the forefront of my mind. This was the sensitive, caring Sebastian I had met by the doors of Hessington Hall, and I could stay in his arms forever.

He drew away and searched my soul with his forest-green eyes. If he hadn’t still been holding me by the shoulders, I’m not sure I would have been able to stay upright. Sebastian and his friends had defended me.

“Come on,” he murmured. “You’ll be safe with us.”

The walk down the stairs and through the hallway felt like a promenade over the clouds. A combination of joy and relief and safety lightened my heart. I couldn’t remember the last time I had friends at school willing to defend me. Couldn’t remember the last time I had felt so reassured.

When we reached the doorway of the dining room, Sebastian wrapped his arm around my waist. Whispers spread through the room, and all eyes turned to us. I sucked in a breath and raised my chin, hoping I appeared defiant.

“Spread the word,” said Leopold. “Willow Evergreen has been initiated into the Kings of Brittas Academy.”

A shocked breath huffed out of my lungs. They’d accepted me into their fold? I straightened my expression into a confident stare.

“But she’s a girl,” someone shouted.

“Yeah,” said another voice. “What about the Queens of Brittas?”