Page 15 of Shadows Within

He shrugs. “Just needed a break from pretending that I give a shit.”

I move the towel around in my hand, forgetting that I’m still in wet clothes. “And now you’re pretending to be mysterious.”Two can play this game.

His smile is raw, almost dangerous. “I’m not pretending, Scarlett.”

A chill run across my shoulders. The way Callum said my name sounded so smooth, like he was meant to say it.

“How do you know my name?”

He jumps down off the railing and stands closer to me. “I remember things that matter.”

My eyes are locked with his.

“You’re kind of intense.”

He laughs, low and deep, almost ghostly like smoke surrounding me.

“I see you watching everyone. You study them.” He steps toward me. Although there’s distance between us, I somehow feel his body heat. “You do that a lot, you observe. Close enough to know everything, but far enough not to be noticed.” He brings his cigarette to his lips.

“Psych major. It’s a habit,” I say hoping he realizes I’m not intimidated.

“No. That’s survival, Scarlett.” He blows the smoke out of his mouth and looks at the sky. “You’ve probably psychoanalyzed most people here. But I wonder how many people actually look back at you.”

His words leave me speechless.

Callum steps closer. “I’ll see you around.”

Something presses against my hand, and my eyes shift down. He gives me his drink. “Vodka soda. Your drink of the night.” Our hands touch only for a second.

He slips out through the patio door, placing his hands into his pant pockets.

My eyes follow him.How does he know that I only have one drink?Maybe he didn’t mean it that way.Maybe he just meant, “here’s a drink, Scarlett.” Or maybe I’m just over analyzing everything, like usual.

I throw the wet towel over the railing and swish the drink in the cup.

What Callum said about wondering how many people look back at me has stuck—I can’t get that line out of my head.

I swirl the liquid in the plastic like it holds the answers. Ishelooking back at me?

Untouchable

Callum

The loud heavy music vibrates through my body as I walk through the bedroom and leave her on the balcony. I run my fingers over my hand where it touched hers. I want to look back at her, but I can’t. I know if I do, it might just be the end of me. Instead, I reach for the door and hurry down the stairs.

I’m mad at myself for what I said about the drink. I want to go back and tell her, but I can’t. Of course, I know that she only has one drink at a party. She’s been doing that since the incident. But she can never find out that I know.

That night.

I try not to think about it. If I do, I’ll blame myself. For being too late. For failing to prevent it. When it comes to The Society, I control a lot.

I push my way through the crowded house. Everyone moves as I approach them, like a calculated dance. One of the sorority girls stays in place as I try to pass. She plants herself in front of me.

“Can I help you?” I remind myself that she doesn’t know what I’m capable of.

“Yeah, I was hoping you would.” She takes a sip of her drink, her eyes locked onto mine.

Normally, I don’t mind a casual fuck. It’s been a while since I’ve indulged.