Page 35 of Twisted Ties

“You are aware, I believe, Miss Blackwaters, of the penalties if you disobey the authorities’ orders and leave this school before you have graduated,” the Chancellor says.

“The enforcer is wrong,” I hiss. “I have no intention of leaving. In fact, I’m eager to return.”

Azlan’s jaw tightens. “She is not well enough to return to a school environment yet.”

“I think Miss Blackwaters is a better judge of that than you,” the principal says.

“Agreed.” The Chancellor strokes his chin. “I apologize, Miss Blackwaters, for this unfortunate incident. But I agree it best you return to school immediately. The enforcer is a busy man and does not have time to babysit a young girl like you.”

“Do you have any idea where Andrew Playford might be?” the principal adds. “There has been no word or sign of him.”

“No,” I say, “no, I don’t. We were … separated in the crossfire.”

The principal nods. “Very well. You may return to your room. Lessons will resume tomorrow.”

I turn, Azlan going to follow me out, but the Chancellor calls him back.

“We have more to discuss,” the Chancellor says, landing a hand on my mate’s shoulder.

Azlan looks at me with a pained expression that has my stupid heart cracking in my chest.

I bite at my thumb. “Would you bring me my pig?” I say to him.

He nods and I hurry away as quickly as I can, knowing if I linger I’ll relent and refuse to leave his side.

But then I remember that he wanted this, wanted me to return to the academy. There was no pleading, no begging for me to stay with him. I’m not his choice. I’m not his family’s choice either. Whatever I may be feeling for him, it isn’t returned, no matter what my foolish imagination may believe.

The hook in my belly scrapes more viciously with every step I take. It’s not like it was. The agony doesn’t have me falling to my knees. But it is an ache, consistent and unrelenting, like a seriously bad period cramp. Am I making a big mistake?

12

Renzo

“Hello,”I say with a wide grin as I swing back the basement door and peer inside the dank apartment, a lone bulb swinging from the ceiling.

The boy is sprawled out on a bare mattress on the floor and at the sound of my voice, jolts upright in alarm.

His eyes land on me and widen with horror.

I like that. I like it a lot.

Slowly, I swing my legs down the steps, cracking my knuckles as I go, the noise making the boy flinch.

“It’s taken me a long time to find you.”

“I did what you asked,” he says, “I brought her to you. That was the deal. You said you’d leave me alone and my debts would be forgotten.”

I halt on the middle step and lean against the banister.

“You must be a giant dummy to piss off Lowsky.” The boy doesn’t say anything. Just keeps on watching me. These stupid rich kids, thinking they own the world and everyone in it. Thinking that the likes of us, we’re the dumb ones. That we won’t notice when they don’t pay up, when they take delivery of the product but don’t settle the bill. Yeah, maybe back in Aropia where this kid washed up from. But not here. Not the Wolves of Night. “You’re right, the debt is repaid.”

His shoulders slump with relief. A little color returns to his face.

Funny.

“What did you do to her?” he whispers. He looks thin, his hair greasy. Not surprising. He’s been keeping his head down, keeping hidden. I’ve been looking for him in all the usual places. He’s not as stupid as some of these idiots are.

“What didIdo toher?” I chuckle, swinging my legs down the steps again, the boy practically shaking. “How about we talk about whatyoudid to her?”