Page 8 of Wicked Little Darling

Growing up in the Voss family had taught me many things, like how much of a disappointment I’d turned out to be. I’d learned the only way I could get any kind of attention was to evoke a negative reaction from someone. Doing the right thing and listening and following orders didn’t get me a single glance; but breaking things, saying the wrong things, picking verbal fights? Then I was showered with attention, and, in some perverse, twisted way, I enjoyed it. I hated being ignored, so I’d settle for a stern talking-to or a raised hand or disgusted look over nothing any day of the week.

Nowadays, though, I could barely stand being in the same room as them.

They were selfish to the bone, my family; driven by a need to create the appearance of perfection. I wondered what they saw when they looked in the mirror, because the versions of themselves thatIknew weren’t anything like their public personas.

Evelyn Voss was entirely checked out from reality.

Albert Voss was cold and calculating.

Everett Voss was sociopathic.

But Valentine Voss…well, he was an angel.

The only person on the planet that had ever truly loved me.

“Looks like it’s gonna rain,” he said as we walked back to the main part of campus. “Ugh. I’m gonna run ahead, I don’t want my camera to get wet.” He stopped and set his hand on my arm, smiling up at me. “Love you. Text me later, okay?”

I kissed the top of his head. “Eh, maybe. I’ll think about it.”

He smacked my arm and gave me a fake glare, then started running back to his dorm or wherever he was going.

I shoved my hands in my pockets and kept walking, ignoring the stinging snap of loss that always came when Val left.

I felt the crinkle of a wrapper, then smiled and pulled out the little bag of candy I’d shoved in there earlier and forgotten about.

Hell yeah.

A little hold-me-over before I could get an actual meal. I hoped they had something good today; yesterday had been a disgusting assortment of things I hated. I wouldn’t say I was a picky eater, but I was definitely particular.

Maybe I should get something for my new roommate? A little olive branch? Start off on the right foot?

I laughed and threw some of the fruity-flavored candy into my mouth, chewing the gooey pieces.

Nah.

I wasn’t feeling that nice today.

I spottedthe boy with the strange mark on his face as he cut across the courtyard.

I was almost back to my dorm, wishing I’d gotten something to eat and debating whether or not I wanted to make the walk across campus to get something. Part of me wanted to just so I could avoid my new roommate a little longer.

But as soon as I saw the smaller guy, I stopped walking. I kept eating my candy, though.

He didnotlook like he belonged here. Not one bit. Especially with how he was gazing around at the buildings like he was on a different planet.

And that mark…

A massive pinkish-purple spot sat on his right cheek. It crept under his jaw and ended just below his ear.

It kind of looked like a butterfly, if you tilted your head.

He also had a black eye and heavy bruising around it. His hair was a messy mop of light brown waves threaded with deep reds and deeper browns that curled over his forehead and brushed against his ears, and by the way he kept shaking his head, I thought he was trying to get it to cover the mark. It wasn’t doing a very good job because he continuously tilted his head back to look at the gothic architecture of the campus’ various buildings.

I’d been coming here—well, wasforcedto come here—my entire life, so none of it was new or the least bit exciting to me, but to him…he was acting like he’d crossed some secret vail into fairyland.

How naïve.

I watched as he carefully traversed the weather and timeworn brick pathway and headed straight toward the far side of the Hoffman building. The campus was crawling with students, but he gave them all a wide berth, skirting around everyone in his path, never making eye contact or stopping to say hello. Most of them ignored him, but some…some gave cursory glances that turned into double takes that elevated tofull-on staring. A few whispered to their friends, a few snickered and laughed.