Page 3

“Probably in Oregon. They circle back to the same spot every few summers.” Another reason I haven’t gone to see them since starting at Briar Academy. “We aren’t that close.”

Patience pushes through a cluster of people, and the space opens up, showing off the filling rows in the tent. She moves toward the front, like she does in class, and I grab her hand, diverting her to the back instead.

This late in the afternoon, the air inside the tent is balmy. My legs stick to the metal seat. I’ll have grooves on the back of my thighs by the end of the show.

Patience settles on my left, her spine so straight I doubt she even notices the uncomfortable benches. Uptight even at a carnival.

“Has Teal said anything to you about what’s going on with her and Declan?” Patience’s gaze cuts to me.

“No.” I shrug. “Why?”

“Something’s off.”

“Something besides their constant fighting?”

She frowns. “It’s changed recently.”

Patience has noticed.

“I’m sure it’s nothing,” I lie for Teal’s sake. “Teal is probably just playing nice for Violet. Declan is Kole’s best friend.”

“Teal doesn’t play nice.”

“And you do?” I shake my head.

Patience rolls her eyes. “I’m serious. I’ve watched Teal and Declan fight since elementary school. Lately, it’s different. And they’ve been spending more time together. Something is going on between them.”

“Maybe he’s changed.”

“We’re talking about Declan Pierce.”

I sigh. “Is Declan the problem, or is this about Sigma House?”

“It’s always about Sigma House.” Patience snaps her shoulders back, her voice bubbling with irritation. “Declan is their president. The worst of them. I swear I’m the only one who sees it. Sigma Sin has this whole town trapped under some spell.”

“Then it’s a good thing you’re escaping with Violet for the summer,” I remind her. “Even if it is for a boring internship. ”

Patience glares. “Except now Kole is coming with us.”

“Did Violet say that?” I pretend I don’t know that Violet changed her plans so that he can spend the summer in LA with her.

“She didn’t have to. They don’t go anywhere without each other anymore. I’m not an idiot like everyone seems to think I am.”

“No one thinks that.”

“They might as well.” Patience frowns. “I’m screaming into an abyss while everyone around me bows down and worships Sigma House.”

“They just don’t see Sigma House the same way you do. The fraternity does a lot for the businesses in this town. They’re always donating to various charities?—”

“How do you think they get all that influence and money?” She cuts me off.

“What’s going on with you lately?” My eyebrows pinch. “I understand you’ve always hated the House after what happened with Alex, but you never used to care when I partied there. Or when I dated Marco. You’re not even that hard on Violet about Kole. What’s so different about Teal talking to Declan?”

“You and Violet didn’t grow up in Bristal. You don’t know any better. Teal does.”

“So Violet and I are forgiven for being naive?”

“That’s not what I meant.” She shakes her head. “But Teal comes from a family like mine. We were born and raised to bleed Sigma Sin. She knows what they do. Who they are.”

Patience stares at the stage, but her eyes feel like they’re looking somewhere else.

Somewhere in her past.

Once more, that rift between her and everyone else deepens. Invisible cracks with no bottom. Patience’s loyalty to her brother makes it impossible for her to see past anything when it comes to Sigma Sin, and eventually, it’s going to lead to her completely isolating herself if she isn’t careful.

Luckily, the music starts, cutting off my conversation and distracting Patience with the trapeze show.

Performers take to the platforms high above the stage, smiling down at the crowd.

A flier grabs hold of the bar, taking her step off the platform with no fear.

Her red and purple outfit shines under the bright lights.

She releases one hand, trusting the strength in her other as she swings like an angel dusting the sky. Her body moves effortlessly as she grabs another bar with both hands, meeting a man at the opposite platform and trading places.

They do trick after trick. Sometimes together, sometimes apart. Until it’s just her, dangling. The bar no longer moves as she hangs straight as a pole in the center.

I wonder what it’s like to trust the net to catch her. To trust her own movement—her own aim.

The woman slowly lifts her legs, forcing her body into the shape of an L as she holds the bar as still as possible. The ache would have my arms shaking, but her every movement is smooth.

Slowly, she bends until her legs are flush with her body and the tops of her feet rest on the bar. Her weight shifts, and I can’t imagine how much it must hurt the tops of her feet when she releases her hands and slowly unfolds. Until she’s upside down, straight as a pole.

I’ve never been able to figure out how they don’t just slip off at that point.

A breeze shuffles my hair, tickling the back of my neck. Anticipation crawls through me as the music reaches its crescendo. The entire audience is silent, not breathing, as the woman releases the bar and finally lets go.

Trusting that her partner will catch her.

Suspended in time as her body falls.

Around me, the room holds a collective breath.

And just as her hands twine with his, something brushes my bare shoulder, making me gasp.

I spin in my seat, and I swear I see someone at the back of the tent. Face paint. A skeleton.

A ghost.

But there’s nothing there apart from the breeze shifting a panel as the crowd begins to cheer. People jump to their feet. Clapping and hollering. Even Patience, whose cheeks are pink, is standing, bouncing up and down with excitement.

“That was amazing.” She plops back down in her seat, smiling a real smile for the first time in months.

“It’s pretty cool, right?” I force a smile, still unsettled from whatever phantom just brushed my arm.

“It’s incredible. When you were with the carnival, did you ever do anything like that?”

“No. I prefer my feet on solid ground.” And my hand wrapped around the handle of a knife.

“Oh, right. I forgot you’re afraid of heights.” She looks around as the show ends and the front rows begin to empty.

“Come on.” I nudge her arm. “Let’s get out of here and find Violet and Teal. Maybe they’ve ditched the guys by now.”

“At least feed me a lie I’ll believe.” She rolls her eyes.

Lacing my hand through hers, I pull us both through the tent flaps. The natural breeze provides immediate relief as it cools the sweat on the back of my neck. I didn’t realize how hot and cramped it was in the tent until I can finally breathe again.

“Hey.” Patience nudges my shoulder. “I forgot to ask if you mind us stopping by Montgomery tomorrow on our way back from shopping. I need to drop off a few things for Alex. But I can take you back to the dorm room first if you don’t want to go.”

“And make you go out of your way? No. I’ll be fine.” I force a smile to mask that her question makes my stomach flip.

I’ve only seen Alex a few times since starting at Briar Academy a little less than two years ago. And each time I do, it takes months to forget the weight of his presence. To forget how good it smells in his room, or how badly I wish he would just look up at me and acknowledge I exist.

There’s something about Alex Lancaster. He’s as terrifying as he is magnetic. He’s gone, but he’s present. And I’m like everyone else in this town—I want to figure him out.