Page 60 of The Tenth Circle

“Yeah, well, how I felt wouldn’t change after giving you some time to calm down.”

I throw my head back, letting out a groan. “Okay, fine. you’re right.”

“Of course I am.” Archer grins, but it’s half empty.

He’s always been most wary of the Royal Heathens, being the one to know them the most it makes sense. But we’ve all become pretty close-ish since Bex got with Crayton. Hell, we even partied together—not just on opposite sides of the room.

Archer and I have somehow fallen under the wing of the most powerful kids in this school…my nemesis being top of the food chain.

Yet still, despite his sharp teeth and me, the reckless prey, Saint hasn’t even tried to bite me.

But he sure did want to last night.

“Do you really think Saint would hurt me?”

We partake in a staring contest, one that lasts barely five seconds before Archer exhales a long breath.

“No, I don’t think so.”

I should be relieved, but the eeriness of his undertone doesn’t allow it.

“But…?”

“But…there’s a lot more to Saint than meets the eye.”

I circle my hand for him to continue.

“He can be really fucking dangerous, okay?”

No question there, I’ve seen my share of his ugly, but Archer’s threat screams louder than knuckles and stun guns.

“Care to elaborate, Arch? You know…since I’ve landed myself on his shit list?”

Stuff I know he wants to say remains behind tight lips and flared nostrils. “Just trust me, alright?”

I refuse to push the issue, because I know if Archer isn’t talking, then Archer isn’t playing.

And I don’t want him to end up on any lists with me.

“Well, none of this matters because moving forward, I’m staying the fuck away from him.”

“Can’t be that far if you go to the same school.”

“Yeah, but I could stay here with Mom on weekends. Avoid the Royal Heathens and their stupid parties.”

Especially in The Pit.

I’ve got nothing against Levi and Riggs, but I’ll sleep just fine at night not being friends with them. Archer’s all I need in this school, everyone else can suck it.

Well, except for Stevenson.

Which is why he’ll be involved in some of these changes.

“Alright. I’ll do everything I can to help.”

With a squeeze to his hand, I say, “No need to jump in the line of fire, Arch. I got this.”

A smile brightens his face. “You know I’d never let my Veronica face anything alone.”