Page 73 of Revenant

“Lacey is one of my best friends, you couldn’t pick her out of a line up,” Naomi fires back.

“That’s not a terrible idea,” Bastian finally says, looking like his wheels are turning.

I whip my head toward him, shocked that he would agree with her. “You have got to be—”

“It’s safer for you. Not only will you have Reed, but Naomi at least knows how to use her magic.” His last comment stings more than I care to admit. “She’s just had more practice,” he adds.

“I’m not taking no for an answer, so.” Naomi folds her arms over her chest, attitude wafting off her. I have no idea what Bastian ever saw in her.

I breathe out a sigh of defeat. “Guess I’ll get changed.” Elias carries my bag into Koen’s bedroom and shuts the door behind him. Never in my life would I think I’d be going on an outing with Naomi Abbott.

I’m curious who’s going to be the bigger issue, her or the werewolves.

23: Alicent

A town car picks us up at the front of the school. Bastian, Elias and Koen all stand on the steps, watching as we climb inside. Each of them looks…terrified. But subtly, as if they’re trying to keep it together for my sake. Truthfully, I’d feel a hell of a lot better if they would just say what’s on their mind.

When Reed joined us a few minutes ago, I recognized him instantly. He was the guy that took my tray in the cafeteria on that first day; he’s also the man Reyna was speaking with at the bonfire. I remember the way his eyes went straight to mine, and how it made me slightly uneasy. I can’t imagine she knows that she’s friends with a vampire.

The guys assured me Reed can be trusted; they’ve known him for a very long time and if there was any doubt in that, they wouldn’t be sending him. It offers some solace that they hold him in such high regard, and I take that for what it is.

Naomi slides in first, aggravation already present as her body stays rigid. She acts like we’re forcing her to come. She wanted this, or rather insisted. I wait for Reed to go next, but he doesn’t make any effort to move. I look back over my shoulder, silently asking for them to explain, because I’m merely a bystander when it comes to Naomi’s presence. I don’t need to sit by her for the duration of the ride.

Call me childish, but it’s the principle, she’s been nothing but rude to me since I arrived. It’s humiliating enough that I need an escort, let alone two, one of which I’d happily gouge their eyes out. Can’t say much about Reed yet, but he seems nice enough.

When no one budges, I reluctantly climb in next, and Reed follows suit. I get the feeling he’s not a fan of her either.

The car starts moving, and I look back through the window, seeing all three of them watch as I depart from Veilcrest. And when the car turns the first of many corners of the windy road, I’m left feeling nothing except ominous foreboding for what this path holds.

Our driver drops us off in the middle of a small town, people laughing and walking past like they don’t have any clue what kind of danger lurks so close. I wish I held the same naivety; I used to. But after arriving at Veilcrest, the version of the world I knew shattered, and I was the only one left to pick up the pieces.

Naomi pulls out her phone, zooming in on the screen and looking up at the street signs, trying to figure out where to go from here. “Looks like it should be somewhere that way.” She points to the left and trudges on as if Reed and I aren’t here.

“You say she’s one of your best friends, and yet, you’ve never been to her house?” I muse, feeling like poking the bear a bit.

“Right, I forgot you were a little nobody before you came here,” she quips. “Oh wait, things really haven’t changed much then, have they?” I roll my eyes. Letting her lead the way, Reed stays close to me, keeping his head on a swivel as if he’s expecting us to be ambushed in the middle of the street.

“So, Reed,” I start, needing to find something to fill the draining silence. “How long have you known the guys?” I figure he’s more willing to give me information, depending on what they told him.

“Long enough,” he says, and it almost comes out with disgust. Interesting. It wouldn’t surprise me if they had to fight him to come along. I can’t say I blame him; if it were me having to babysit two witches, I’d also have reservations.

“That’s fair, sometimes I feel like I’ve known them for a lifetime.”

“Can you stop acting like you’re one of us?” Naomi barks a few paces in front of us. “You’ve made it abundantly clear that you have no respect for The Hollowed. So, once they get bored of you, and trust when I say they will, you’ll go back to your pointless life of nothingness.”

“I feel like if you have an issue, you should just say it.” I stop moving, planting my feet on the sidewalk.

She finally turns to face me, red covers her cheeks, and it’s intriguing to see that I actually got under her skin. “Maybe my issue is that you waltz into our lives and completely turn it inside out. That now, we all have to bend to your every need just because you spread your legs for any guy that asks.”

My magic beats against my chest, stronger than I’ve ever felt up until this point. My hands ball into fists at my side. “Don’t be silly, Naomi. Not every guy. Just Bastian,” I taunt, letting the lie roll off my tongue with ease. I haven’t slept with Bastian, but she doesn’t need to know that.

“I will fucking kill—”

Reed steps between us, staring at her with a murderous gaze. “I suggest you continue down the way before I’m forced to deliver your body to your parents in a bag. Abbott or not.” That shuts her up real quick.

Note to self: I don’t want to be on the receiving end of Reed’s wrath.

It feels like we’ve been walking for ages. My legs are screaming at me as we scale the latest hill we’ve had to climb, passing yet another building that apparently isn’t our destination. Sweat lines my brow, and I’m beginning to wonder why Reed had the driver drop us off so far from our destination.