Page 91 of The Truths We Burn

I’m knocked hard in the side by a rambunctious set of guys who are jumping over and pushing each other through.

“Watch it, dickhead,” I hiss.

One of them turns to me, grinning as he takes a slow glance down my body. “That stick up your ass won’t help you tonight, princess. If that nudge is too much for you, I think you better leave before you and your rich friends wind up hurt.”

I slit my eyes. “It’s a shame you boys showed up just to lose. Again.”

He cackles, full of wickedness, full of promise. “That’s a pretty big check you’re cashing there. You better have something to back it up. Wouldn’t want that shit to bounce.”

They retreat farther into the dark, their bodies disappearing but their words lingering. This is a game, but at the end of the day, it’s a battle. One that will be fought for with blood and aggression, built-up resentment that had been fueling a century-old rivalry.

The rich versus the poor.

The Wastelands versus daddy’s money.

“I hate cocky assholes,” Briar huffs as she leaps over.

“You’re literally dating one,” I joke, smiling a bit.

Lyra laughs out loud, lightening the mood, taking the heaviness from the situation down. I hated that Briar had to lie to Alistair. I know it killed her to do it, but he wouldn’t have let her go. And I think she feels what I do—what we all feel.

This is special.

It’s different.

Our way of solidifying our bond. Something for us and only us.

“They’re right, you know.” The sound of nails on a chalkboard fills my ears. “You shouldn’t be here.”

I don’t need to turn around to know who it is or even ask who that statement was directed towards. I’d been hearing that same pompous baritone since I was in kindergarten. One of the only good things about being locked away in a mental institution was getting away from Easton.

There’s one singular emotion I feel towards him: pure, unfiltered rage. There’s nothing I want more than to watch him crumble beneath me. I have a hit list of people I’m going to destroy before I leave Ponderosa Springs this go-around, and right below my father sits my ex-boyfriend and his corrupt crown.

“How inconvenient for you, then, because I’m here,” I say, spinning around so I’m facing East for the first time in almost a year. “And I plan on staying.”

He has nothing over me anymore. Not Rook, not Rose. I’d given in to his wants, his father’s wants, to save my sister. To protect Rook. Now that I no longer have to do that, I refuse to bow to a prick who’s beneath me.

Who had always been beneath me.

“Nice to see you again, Sage.” He eyes me carefully, making me physically ill that I’d ever let him touch me. Let him inside my body.

“Too soon, if you ask me.”I reply.

I almost laugh at him, how even in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt he still reeks of that prestigious attitude he was so proud of. His small group of friends follows close behind, and for a second, I hate myself for ever allowing myself to do that very same thing once.

Follow.

Never again, I think.Never.

“I see you’ve made yourself some new friends. Does your daddy know about who you’re hanging out with?” He raises an eyebrow, too perfect to be natural. “I suppose it doesn’t matter anymore now, does it? You’re already tainted goods—might as well hang out with those who share that trait.”

“Tainted goods you were trying to screw last semester,” Briar butts in, standing tall next to me. Lyra steps close, her jaw taut and eyes harsh.

It would seem I’m not the only person with a bad taste in their mouth after dealing with Easton Sinclair. Warmth spreads across my body knowing I have people who have my back, even in this small situation of confrontation. I know I could handle it on my own, but it still feels good to have them there.

To have someone there.

“Does your father know that you’re trespassing, about to break God knows how many laws tonight? I know he likes to keep a tight leash on you.”