Page 16

For over a moment, Violet unleashed a string of curses that would’ve made any sailor proud. Nancy had once teased her about her foul mouth, warning it would land her in trouble one day.

But really, what did she expect, raising her in a place like the ghetto? However, the situation right now deserved every bit of curses she could heap on the fool who had expertly manipulated her fate.

Nothing stung more than the burn of regret. She should have known! The signs had been there, clear as day, but she’d ignored them, blinded by her hunger for a better life. No legitimate school would have taken her with that crass application she’d sent in. And yet, somehow, they did.

She should’ve seen the scholarship for what it was. A trap, plain and simple. And now, she has landed in the arms or crotch — considering their intimate position right now — of one of the psychopaths the school had to offer. The most dangerous, at the moment.

The first thought that came to her was to get off him, and she moved to do just that except Asher’s power was still active and it hit her like a wall. She halted mid-motion, accidentally grinding against him in the process.

"Fuck!" he groaned, hands gripping her hips tightly, as if any further movement might push him over the edge.

His breath came ragged as he said, "I might be in your head right now, but this feels real enough to me.

And it could be real for you too..." His tone softened to a darkly seductive whisper as he traced a finger down her back, watching with interest as her skin responded to his touch, every hair standing on edge.

"...if you’ll let me in." He held her gaze, his eyes full of a twisted, inviting allure.

But the cold, lethal glare Violet shot him in return made it clear that she would rather cut him down to size before she’d ever surrender to his sick games.

"Where am I?" Violet demanded.

"My room," he replied casually.

"I mean, where is my body right now?" she snarled, frustration biting at her tone. She’d figured out that this wasn’t reality after she’d thrown herself out the window and landed back in his room without a scratch. This was all some kind of twisted mind game.

"Oh." A smirk crept onto Asher’s lips. "To be precise, your body is in your room while your mind is here with me."

Violet’s brow furrowed. "I didn’t look you in the eyes. So how am I here? What did you do to me?"

Asher chuckled. "It’s amusing, watching you think you know all there is to know about my ability. Besides, what kind of gentleman would I be if I gave away my secrets?" His tone dripped with amusement.

Violet’s gaze narrowed, unimpressed. "More like a coward."

The smile froze on his face, the amusement vanishing, replaced by a darkness that made her heart skip a beat. For a split second, she feared she’d pushed him too far. But just as quickly, Asher’s wolfish grin returned, as if that brief unsettling moment had never happened.

"Don’t worry," Asher said with a note of confidence that made her stomach clench. "I’m sure you’ll figure it out soon enough, Violet Purple."

The way he said her name, with a slow emphasis, reminded her all too clearly that he was the reason she’d been accepted into this school.

To think she’d actually believed Lunaris Academy saw something special in her, that her rough, blunt application had somehow captured their interest. Now that she understood the real reason, she was filled with disappointment.

"What do you want from me?" Violet asked, making no effort to get off him this time. She’d noticed he enjoyed it when she squirmed, so she wasn’t about to give him that satisfaction.

Violet learned from the best. Nancy had used this tactic plenty of times, and though Violet couldn’t deny that being this close to him sent heat coursing through her, she held firm. He’d started this game, and if he wanted to play, she’d see it through to the end.

"What do you think I want from you?" Asher echoed, toying with her.

Violet refused to let him know he’d rattled her, keeping her expression blank. "I don’t know how long this game of ours will last, but just a quick reminder, I have classes today. I’d hate to doze off on my first day after this... little rendezvous." She made their encounter sound trivial.

Asher’s mouth twitched, amused by her defiance. Finally, he cut to the point. "Be mine, my purple flower," he said proudly, as though offering her some great privilege. "Be my Queen. Rule with me. Rule with us."

Although she had expected something like this, the audacity still shook her. Violet’s shock quickly faded, replaced by a sharp sneer. "That would only happen in your dreams, Asher Nightshade."

"Good thing this is my dream, then. So, you’re mine now, Violet Purple."

"What?" Her face drained of color as his words sank in. Oh, hell no.

"That’s not what I—" She started, but before she could finish or backtrack, Asher tightened his hold on her. The warmth of his hand felt like a brand on her skin, and her heart began to pound so loudly she swore he could hear it.

The air shifted as his hand drifted downward, fingers grazing her skin inch by inch, each touch more electrifying than the last.

Violet didn’t realize she was holding her breath. Why, though? She had no idea if she was more terrified or entranced by the thrill of his hand moving so dangerously close to her center.

As his fingers brushed along her inner thigh, tension wound tighter within her, her heart skipping a beat. She couldn’t fathom why she was entertaining this nonsense but allowed it to happen, maybe to test how far Asher would go. Besides, it was only a dream. What was there to fear?

But just as Violet thought he would reach her, he stopped abruptly. They locked eyes, the air between them crackling with electricity, neither willing to back down.

Then, Asher’s mouth curved into a maddeningly slow smile. It was the smirk of someone fully in control.

"I think I’ll save that for next time," he murmured, his hand lingering just long enough to leave her body humming with anticipation as he withdrew, clearly savoring the effect he’d had on her.

"There will be no next time, asshole, now let me go," she spat.

Asher raised a brow at her tone. "You do realize you’re the only one who can speak to me like that and walk away unharmed?" he told her.

"If you want to kill me, just do it. I’m not begging."

"Now, sweet Violet," he purred, "why would I go to such lengths to bring you here only to kill you? Why would you even think that?"

"Then what’s your end game?" she demanded, suspicion flaring in her gaze.

"What king in his right mind would kill his queen?" he said, leaning closer to breathe her in like a drug he was hooked on. "You’re precious to me, my purple flower."

Yep. Major psychopath vibes. Time to get out of here.

Violet leaned back. "If you’re done, send me back. Now." She needed to get back to reality; none of this made any sense.

"Of course, but first, I’ll need a little souvenir of our time together."

Before she could even ask what he meant, Asher reached behind her head, and she heard a soft snip. She looked down to see a lock of her purple hair in his palm.

"You—!" Fury flooded Violet, and this time, it was enough to shatter his control over her.

How dare he cut her hair? She wanted to tear him apart, to rip him to pieces.

But before she could reach him, Asher laughed, "Goodbye, my queen."

And with that, she felt herself falling, as if he’d pushed her into a spiraling abyss.

Violet woke up with a sharp gasp, drenched in sweat. Early morning light seeped into the room, her roommates still sound asleep. She rushed to the bathroom, needing a moment to steady herself. Stopping in front of the mirror, she was relieved to find her clothes intact.

It had all been a dream. Although it bothered her how Asher could have known what she wore beneath. But her relief was short-lived as she noticed something off.

Her hand flew to her hair, finding a lock missing. She felt the uneven strands, confirming the impossible.

What the hell?

Violet stepped away from the mirror as if it had burned her. So it had not been a dream? No, no, this didn’t make any sense.

He was messing with her head. That had to be it! This had to be his endgame, making her question between reality and illusion. He must derive twisted satisfaction from it else he wouldn’t be putting this much effort. She had to get out of this school.