Page 13 of Fallen Gods

Reeve’s smile vanishes like it was never real—just something he put on for show. His posture doesn’t change, but the temperature does. Like a room with the heat suddenly cut.

He leans in, voice low. “Your hands reek of the blood he’s spilled.”

I don’t flinch. Don’t look away. “As do yours from your family’s crimes, Erikson.” I lift my chin. “Now, any other pithy advice before you carry this heavy bag up those stairs like a good little boy?”

“Only one more left,” he mutters.

He glances around, making sure no one’s close enough to hear, then leans in again. His green eyes sharpen—like frost forming over something that used to burn. “Stay very, very far away from Aric. Time hasnotmade the heart grow fonder.”

Then he straightens, grabs the handle of my trunk, and hauls it toward the dorm without another word.

I follow slowly, eyes lifting to the building carved against the side of a mountain—massive, shadowed, half eaten by the trees. It doesn’t look built. It looks grown. Claimed. Like it’s always been waiting.

Just like me.

I cross the threshold.

No turning back now.

Chapter Five

Rey

My palms sweat, clinging to the strap of my rucksack, and I try to look casual as Reeve walks me past the wide double exterior doors into the interior foyer. Where another set of locked doors awaits. I start to dig into my bag for the key card that came with my syllabus, but Reeve is already tapping his against the black box by the door. It blinks green, unlocking with a cheerful beep that contrasts sharply with his deadpan expression.

As I pass through, I notice a carving above the electronic lock that looks a lot like the rune Algiz. Interesting choice.

“Curfew’s midnight on weekdays. Weekends? Just don’t get caught out after two.” He winks like he’s doing me a favor. “Your RA’s a real hard-ass.”

He pauses, eyes dancing.

“It’s me, by the way. Didn’t want the suspense to kill you.”

Then he jerks his chin toward the corner above the door.

“Oh—and there are cameras. Everywhere. So try to commit your crimes indoors.”

I nod, pulling my sunglasses off and hooking them onto the collar of my gray sweater. “I’m only here for one thing, Reeve. But note taken. I’ll definitely murder you where you sleep if you get in my way.”

And with that, I walk through the door, letting it shut swiftly behind us.

“I have to admit, I’m still curious why you’re here when your father could just conveniently bury a body to open up a spot at Harvard or Yale instead. I mean, isn’t that just a typical business lunch on a Tuesday for him?”

I swallow the bile in my throat. Reeve is not wrong, but itirritates me anyway. The enemy should never be right. I grit my teeth while he hits the elevator button to go up.

“My family doesn’t work that way.” Lie. Total lie.Imay not work that way, but my father has spent the last few years torturing person after person in the dark underworld of the mafia in order to gain the intel I’m holding.

“Mobster.” He coughs.

“Tycoon.” I snarl defensively.

He raises a hand. “Does ‘crime syndicate’ sound friendlier? Asking for a friend.”

I roll my eyes as the elevator doors open. “You’re one of the most annoying people on the actual planet and I barely know—”

I run right into a wall.

Not a wall.