Page 5 of The Royal Flame (The Royal Academy #3)

She looks confused as hell as she lifts her hips and fishes it out of her pocket.

“Who the heck’s calling me this late at night…

Crap, maybe it’s my aunt.” She perks up at that, her fingers noticeably trembling as she holds her phone.

When she notes the name on the screen, her puzzlement magnifies. “It’s Lily.”

That surprises me. “Didn’t you just text her?” I ask Finn as Maddy answers the phone.

Finn nods while checking his phone. “She never replied.”

I frown. “Yeah, she didn’t to any of my text either.”

“Hey,” Maddy says, rising to her feet. “Huh? You’ll have to talk louder. I can’t hear you.” She winds around the sofa.

Then she nervously starts pacing while chewing on her thumbnail.

Finn and I watch her as she bobs her head up and down, listening. I can’t hear what Lily is saying on the other end, but I’m worried.

“Yeah, I know where that is.” Maddy finally stops pacing.

“They already know you called me. They’re right here.

” She pauses again, and her gaze skates between Finn and me.

“Okay, just stay locked in the bathroom. Don’t go anywhere.

.. I will. See you soon.” She hangs up and faces us, forcefully blowing out an exhale. “We have to go to north side.”

“Why?” Finn questions at the same time I say, “What’s going on?”

“You have to promise not to get upset before I tell you.” Maddy crosses her arms and stares at us down. “At Lily, I mean.”

Finn shakes his head. “No way.”

She narrows her eyes at Finn. “Then I guess I’ll go alone.” She whirls around and strides toward the elevators.

Finn and I rush after her.

“Where are you going?” I call out after her, hot on her tail.

“To the bus station.” She stops in front of the elevator and smashes her thumb against the button.

“Why?” Finn asks as we reach her. “We have cars you can borrow.”

“I don’t have my license, remember?” She tosses him a look over her shoulder, then returns her attention to the elevator button, impatiently tapping her foot as she waits.

“Right.” Finn nods. “I can drive you to north side then.”

She reels around to face him as the elevator doors glide open. “Not unless you promise to not get upset about why we’re going there.” She backs toward the elevator.

“Maddison,” Finn warns. “Tell us what’s going on.”

Maddy wrinkles her nose. “So, I’m Maddison when you’re annoyed with me, huh? Good to know.” She gets all the way onto the elevator and waggles her finger at him. “I’ll handle this alone.” The doors begin to shut.

Finn dives forward and slams his hand against one of the doors, stopping them from closing. “Fine, I won’t get upset.”

Maddy raises her brows at me. “And what about you?” she asks haughtily.

I want to kiss her, lick her lips open, and taste her again.

“I promise,” I mutter, dragging my teeth along my bottom lip.

Finn chokes on a laugh. “I’m pretty sure my brother would promise you anything if you pushed hard enough.”

I shove Finn, and he stumbles into the wall, laughing. But the laughter fades as reality sets in.

Finn rubs his shoulder. “What’s going on with Lily, Maddy?”

Maddy exits the elevator. “She met this guy from north side. His name is Will. He talked her into going to The Dark Shadows of North Side Club. She says she saw him drug her drink, so she told him she had to go to the bathroom. Then she locked herself in there. I’m pretty sure I know the Will she’s talking about, and he’s bad news.

Like involved in drug trafficking bad news.

And this club, it’s sketchy as hell. Bad shit happens out in the open. ”

“We need to get Lily the hell out of there then,” Finn panics. “Tell her to leave.”

“She can’t. It’s too dangerous if Will is still around.

And calling the cops won’t do shit. Trust me.

” She tucks a lock of her wavy brown hair behind her ear.

“We need to go get her.” She wavers, eyeing both of us over with her pretty eyes.

“Maybe I should do this alone. You two won’t blend in.

You’re way too,” she dithers, “Polished.”

“Like hell we’re letting you do this alone.” Finn inches toward her and nudges her toward the elevator door with a gentle push. “Let’s go.”

Maddy digs her heels into the floor. “I swear I can handle this.” She squares her shoulders. “I can get Lily out of there.”

“I’m sure you can, but that doesn’t mean you should.” Finn puts a hand on her side and pushes her toward the elevator again.

“I’ve been dealing with this type of shit all of my life, Finn,” Maddy protests, refusing to budge, her legs locked, her expression firm.

He grows frustrated, huffing out an exhale. “Again, that doesn’t mean you should have to. River and I are going with you. That way we know you’re safe too.”

Maddy glares at him, then directs her focus to me. “River, you know I’m perfectly capable of doing this.” She inches toward me. “And besides, the last time you went to North Side, you got shot.”

I absentmindedly touch my side and then wince.

“I remember. But as Alpha as Finn is being right now,” I glance at him and lift my brow.

“Which I don’t know the hell that’s about, but whatever,” As he simply stares at me, his jaw tense, I direct my attention back to Maddy, “He’s right.

You shouldn’t have to deal with this on your own.

” She opens her mouth to protest, but I place a finger against her lips.

“You were already taken once tonight. We don’t want to risk that again.

All of us we’ll go, and Finn and I will hurry and try to look unpolished, so we don’t stand out. ”

“Whatever that means,” Finn grumbles with his arms folded.

Maddy slides him an annoyed glance then reaches out and ruffles his blonde hair with her fingers.

He cocks his head to the side. “Um… As much as I love getting a head massage, don’t you think it’s kind of a bad time to be doing this?”

“I’m messing up your perfect hair,” she informs him then lowers her hand. “Hoodies, T-shirts, sneakers.” She counts out on her fingers. “Put those on, and we can go.” She points at me. “Same goes for you.” Then, she reduces the space between us and drags her fingers through my hair.

It’s like a massage, and my eyelids lower…

“You keep doing that, and my brother’s going to come in his paints,” Finn remarks, causing Maddy to smack his arm. “Oh, shit, that hurt,” he whines.

My cheeks are warm, so I hastily clear my throat and mutter, “I’ll go change.” Then, I spin on my heels and hurry toward my room.

It’s only then when I’m alone that the reality of everything crashes over me.

My mom is missing.

Lily is in danger.

And my father is a dangerous man who can ruin anything he wants.