Page 95 of Ocean of Ink

Wren nodded. The cold set in on her again without Castien’s touch, causing violent shivers to wrack her frame. Castien caught sight of her state and immediately tore off his coat to wrap around her. It was warm from his body heat and smelled of peppermint.

“We need to get you out of here,” Castien said, his tone different, harder. “Come with me, I’ll take you to your chambers.”

He held out his hand. Wren stared at it. Shook her head.

“A-Alysia is dead. We need to alert the headmaster right away. The murderer could still be down here.”

Fear wrapped a hand around Wren’s throat. She looked over her shoulder as if the killer might materialize in the dark.

“I will take care of it, but first we need to get you aboveground.”

Wren slowly lifted her gaze. She didn’t want to be suspicious of Castien, not after feeling his emotions for the first time. Not after their dance beneath the stars and the countless letters they hadexchanged. And yet…he was not being forthcoming with her. They were paces away from a dead body. Now was not the time for secrets.

Castien must have seen the challenge in her gaze, because he shook his head.

“Don’t, Wren. Not now. I need to get you out of here.”

“You asked me what I was doing down here.” She took a step away from him. His pain coursed through her strong and swift. “And I will tell you.” Her lips twisted into a sardonic smile. “A secret for a secret. Why areyoudown here, Castien?”

Their eyes locked. Each filled with hurt of a different kind. Castien’s lips parted.

Then came the smoke.

***