Page 72 of The Scars Within (Twisted Thorn #1)

I flew down the stairway, clutching my gown to keep from tripping over the hem as I darted down the cold stone steps. The chill from the floor seeped into my bare feet, but I couldn’t afford to stop. If Rhodes was on the rooftop, then I needed to escape to the Bolthole.

The halls were mostly empty, and the castle was still quiet this early in the morning. Most cadets were either still asleep or passed out from the excess of the ball. I slipped through every shortcut I knew, trying to stay hidden.

After everything, I let my guard down with Rhodes.

And he turned out to be part of the darkness haunting this college.

His voice followed me as I left, pleading with me to hear him out. But I couldn’t—I wouldn’t. Once again, something good in my life had been tainted.

And this time, he didn’t chase after me. So, my assumption must be correct.

A sharp pain seized my chest, the pressure making it hard to breathe.

“ Did you know? ” I asked through the bond, my voice trembling.

Lakota didn’t respond, but a wave of despair from him pressed against me, heavy and suffocating .

“Scar?” A voice called from an alcove, but I didn’t stop. The person’s footsteps grew faster, echoing behind me as they caught up.

Shayde blocked my path, his hands gripping my shoulders.

His gaze was filled with concern. “Hey, hey! What’s going on? What’s wrong?” His eyes trailed down my body. “Why are you still in your gown?”

I tried to pull away, desperate to escape his hold, but he didn’t let go.

“Shayde, please.” My voice cracked as I turned my head, refusing to meet his eyes. The sting behind my eyelids threatened to betray me, but I forced back the tears, nearly choking on the pain in the process.

He shushed me softly, his voice a quiet calm in my storm, and guided me back toward the alcove where he had been waiting.

His touch was steady, never forceful, as he led me down to sit on the bench.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to steady my breath, each inhale catching as I fought to calm my nerves.

I cracked my eyes open just enough to see Shayde glancing around the hall as if checking for something—or someone. Before I could question it, I heard my name again, the voice unmistakable this time.

“Scarlet!” Laney’s voice rang out as she rushed over, squeezing herself between Shayde and me on the bench. “Row told me to come find you,” she gasped, catching her breath. “I’ve been running all over the school! What in the elements is going on?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but Shayde suddenly stood, his frustration bubbling over in a low grunt.

“I really, really didn’t want to have to do this.”

In one swift motion, he pulled a vial from his pocket, popped off the lid, and tossed the dust into our faces.

“ Scarlet! ” Lakota screamed.

The world spun, and then everything went black.