Page 132

“Still the attractive twin,” he added, apparently deciding I needed further persuasion.

Sadie considered his face.

“Congratulations on beating a man with one eye.”

Rook laughed.

I almost did.

He stayed beside me until I started walking again.

Two more soccer players came around the corner.

One wore his cap low over a bruised forehead. Another had a raw scrape along his cheek and a mouth that looked too swollen to close comfortably. He carried his books against his ribs and moved carefully when someone brushed past him.

The first two I’d seen that morning had already gone into class.

These were different boys.

They saw Rook and slowed.

The one with the scraped cheek started to say something, then noticed me.

His mouth closed.

I looked from his face to the bruise on Rook’s jaw.

He moved aside.

I didn’t thank him.

Rook’s hand settled briefly between my shoulders, guiding me past without touching any of them.

Nobody said a word until we were around the corner.

Four soccer players.

Three Bishops so far.

I had a bad feeling I wasn’t finished counting.

Ruckus arrived at lunch carrying enough food for two people.

The entire left side of his face was swollen.

I stood so quickly my chair scraped.

He stopped with his tray in both hands.

“Piper—”

“Sit down.”

He glanced at Sadie.

She moved her bag off the chair beside me.

“I wouldn’t,” she advised him.