Page 56 of Fallen Gods

Sigurd’s arms are crossed, and he’s looking at Aric, his smile frozen. Interesting. Not what I’d expect from a “doting” grandfather.

Strange. As strange as the fact that Aric is his own celebrity here.

I narrow my eyes.

It’s obvious that he hates the attention.

Suddenly, it occurs to me.

Aric’s a puppet on a polished stage. Just like me.

Don’t feel sorry for Aric just because he’s as trapped as youare, I remind myself as Aric finishes what might have been the shortest, angriest speech ever delivered. I’m grateful for the renewed chatter around me breaking me out of my swirling thoughts. I need to focus.

Remember where I am.

And why I’m here.

And figure out that damn plan B.

“Sorry I’m late. What’d I miss?”

I whip my head around at the familiar voice, feel my jaw drop open as I take in the sight of the absolute last person I ever expected to see here. “R-Rowen?”

A genuine smile I don’t even try to hide overtakes my face. Rowen. Is here. Smiling at me.

The one person who might actually have a plan that isn’t total shit. Gods help me, I’m beyond glad he’s here.

I just wish I knew why.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Aric

The crowd’s finally starting to break up when movement to my left catches my eye. Normally, I wouldn’t give it much thought—but the guy’s tall.

Really tall.

He’s talking to Rey—and her face is lit up like a star that just found its place in the sky. Odd for her, and completely irrational for me to notice.

Sure, I lost myself for a few minutes back there in my room, my body reacting to her proximity in ways I still can’t explain. But there’s nothing like standing in front of a few hundred of your closest acquaintances to throw some cold water on a guy’s libido.

Not to mention watching her flirt with another guy.

I grit my jaw and angle around a row of chairs to get a better look at whoever has her so animated, then immediately recognize the driver who dropped her off on her first day. The same guy who stood too close when they said goodbye.

He looks about my age, but there’s no way he’s a student. The all-black three-piece suit says security detail, and the earpiece he’s wearing like some budget mall cop just confirms it. Rey keeps talking, but his eyes are scanning the crowd.

I keep walking. It’s not my business. Not my problem.

But when she tucks a piece of hair behind her ear and looks at him like she’s glad he’s here, I change course.

I don’t need a reason. I just do.

I get close enough to see his eyes flick toward me. He doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t stop smiling. Doesn’t take his eyes off her for more than a flash.

“Hey, Aric.” A short brunette grabs my arm as I pass. “Greatspeech.”

I glance at her, half checking her pupils. Has to be high. That was objectively the worst speech ever delivered in the history of orientation addresses. Reeve was the one meant to dazzle the crowd, but he pulled a vanishing act. So when Sigurd tapped me to fill in, I had nothing. No notes. No plan. Just a vague memory of Endir’s graduation rates and a bad attitude.