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I nod. “That makes sense. They probably didn’t have many art preservation laws back then.”

His smile grows. “I’m glad my explanation meets with your approval.” His eyes bore into mine. “What do you want, Ava?”

It’s now or never. “I need my phone back.”

He studies my face for a long moment. Is he going to refuse?

I cross my arms. “This isn’t sustainable, Damian. You can’t keep me isolated. I need to start talking to my friends and family more. I’ve tried really hard to make Sienna think I’m just busy with the pledging process, but I don’t think she’s buying it. And my family… If I don’t come home for Thanksgiving, my dad will lose his mind.” I set my hands on my hips. “He’ll probably fly down here and demand to speak with you.”

His lips twitch. “I’ll try to contain my fear.”

I inhale a shaky breath. “So is that a no?”

He shakes his head. “I actually agree with you. You can have your phone back. And I’ve already spoken to Sienna. She came to the castle this morning at my request. You and I are going to a dorm party this evening to spend time with her and Rhett.”

My head grows fuzzy. I was prepared for a fight. Something that might even lead to a punishment. And I hate the part of me that almost wanted it. But this? He’s actually letting me spend time with Rhett and Sienna?

His mouth curves—not into a full smile, but something smug and knowing.

“Be ready at eight o’clock sharp.” He shoots me a mock stern expression. “Don’t keep me waiting.”

When eight o’clock rolls around, Damian and I head to my dorm. Former dorm. When we’re in the hallway of my old floor, Damian stops to examine a black scuff on one of the baseboards.

He grimaces. “This is disgusting.”

I purse my lips to fight a smile. “This is the bargain dorm. For the poor kids like me.”

My dad isn’t poor by any means, but wealth is relative. To Damian Cross, my comfortable middle-class life probably looks like hardship.

He shakes his head. “It’s unlivable. I can’t believe your dad allowed this. You’re lucky taking care of you ismyjob now.”

I take a deep breath to fight the urge to snap at him. How dare he insult my dad?

He doesn’t know any better, Ava. You’ve always known he’s a rich prick.

One who’s getting further under your skin every day…

“This is a normal building, Damian. I’ve lived here for over a year without dying.”

He stops near a peeling bulletin board. “And what about Sienna? Is she poor, too?”

I bite back a smile. What an odd conversation. Only with Damian Cross.

“No. We wanted to be close to each other. They didn’t accept our roommate request, but at least we got to be in the same building.”

His baffled expression somehow touches me. I don’t think Damian knows the kind of friendship I’ve been blessed with. There’s too much hierarchy at Thornecroft, and I assume, in whatever larger cult-like organization he’s a part of. He doesn’t even seem all that close to Hunter, and they’re practically inseparable.

We reach the door to the common room, where muffled music and laughter spill out. When I place my hand on the doorknob, I glance up at him. “Can we go in separately?”

That gets a reaction. His mouth twitches. “Why?”

I shift on my feet. “Because you’ll draw attention.”

“And you don’t like attention.”

I shake my head once. “Not that kind.”

He lifts a hand and runs a finger down my cheek. “Only the kind you get when people think you’re the smartest person in the room.”