Page 15 of Wicked Chains (Serpentine Academy #2)

Thirteen

Rose

I leave Soren's office with my head spinning. His words follow me down the hallway. What does he mean, I’m not ready for what he is?

The worst part is that he might be right.

Between Ash claiming ownership of my magic, Drake vanishing again, and Soren's cryptic warnings, I'm starting to feel like I'm no more than a plaything to all of them.

I just need one person—one single person—in this whole damn academy who isn't playing games with me.

I turn down a corridor that leads to the administrative wing, taking the long way back to the dorms to clear my head. The halls are quieter here, most students and faculty avoiding the area where the Blood Moon leadership has set up shop.

Voices drift from around the corner, and they are hushed but obviously angry. I slow down, pressing my back against the wall as I recognize the menacing tone of Ash as he speaks, and the clipped precision of Lucien's response.

"You do realize you’re painfully obvious," Ash is saying. "The way you look at her? The way you hover around her like some pathetic dog?"

"I'm following your directive," Lucien replies, his voice tense. "You wanted her watched. I'm watching her. Just as I did for Victoria."

Ash laughs. "Is that what you tell yourself? You've been alive for centuries, de Lacroix. Do you not know devotion when you see it?"

I inch closer, careful to stay hidden. Through the gap between the wall and a column, I can just make out their profiles. Lucien stands with his back straight, hands clasped behind him, while Ash leans casually against the wall, every inch the conqueror at ease in his new kingdom.

"Your entire existence here is a joke," Ash continues, his tone almost conversational now.

"The great Lucien de Lacroix, vampire nobility, serving the covens for what?

Not for power. Not for protection. Certainly not for revenge.

" He pushes off from the wall, stepping closer to Lucien.

"No, you're here for a girl. A broken, orphaned little witch who doesn't even want you. "

I watch a muscle twitch in Lucien’s jaw, but he says nothing.

"You could have fled with the rest of your Crescent Moon allies," Ash says, circling Lucien. "But you stayed, knowing I could kill you at any moment, all to protect her." He shakes his head. "It's almost sweet. Pathetic, but sweet."

Could it be true? Could Lucien have aligned himself with Ash just to protect me?

"Are we finished?" Lucien asks, his voice cold enough to freeze hell.

"For now." Ash adjusts his cuffs. "Just remember your place, vampire. And remember that Rose Smith belongs to me."

"Her magic belongs to your coven," Lucien corrects, and there's something dangerous in his tone now. "That's all the Accord provides."

Ash's smile widens. "We'll see." He glances toward where I'm hiding, and I shrink back, holding my breath. After a moment, he turns and walks away, in the opposite direction from where I stand.

Lucien remains still for several seconds, his expression giving nothing away.

Then, with a movement almost too fast to track, he slams his fist into the wall, creating a small crater in the plaster.

He stares at the damage, then straightens his already perfectly straight tie and walks away, calmly and slowly.

I wait until they're both long gone before I step out from my hiding place, my heart pounding. Ash thinks that Lucien stayed to protect me. The revelation twists something inside me, an uncomfortable feeling that I don't want to look at too closely. The idea that Lucien might actually care makes everything too complicated. It’s more likely that Lucien is playing his own game with Ash, and that it suits his purposes to have Ash believe I’m the reason he stayed and didn’t leave with the others.

I hurry back to my room, conflicted and confused. I've spent so much time hating Lucien for his control, his rigidity, his apparent betrayal. Now I don't know what to think.

When I finally open the door to my room I see that Hank is hopping in circles around the floor, making urgent little croaks.

"What is it, Hank?" I ask, kneeling beside him.

The croaking intensifies.

I scoop up Hank, who continues his warning croak. "You can sense something, can’t you?" I whisper, impressed despite my growing anxiety.

Hank quiets slightly in my hands, but his body remains tense. I cross to the door, closing it firmly and turning the lock.

We both turn our heads at the sound of something being slipped under the door. Whatever it is can’t be good, going by how agitated Hank is.

I reluctantly walk over and pick up the card.

Rose Smith,

Please report to

Headmistress Wickersly’s office immediately.

For a brief moment, I forget that it's not Victoria Wickersly, but then I remember it’s Helena who is in charge now.

Hank croaks again, softer now but still clearly distressed.

"I know, buddy," I tell him, stroking his bumpy head. "I don't like it either. But I need to go.”

If I don’t, Ash will send goons to escort me, or he’ll play puppet master again with my body. I’m still not convinced he wouldn’t do something to Hank, either.

Hank’s eyes get even bulgier than they already are, and for a second, I swear he can read my mind.