wiped from my face when I walked around to the driver’s side of my car. Under the soft outside lights, I could clearly see the words that had been scratched into my door in deep, angry gouges.
Whore.
THREE
Kinslee led me over to the large grey stone building that housed several lecture halls and classrooms. “There. Do you want to meet at the Student Union building for lunch?” She pointed across the campus, where beyond a grassy square, a long building with huge glass walls, stood.
“Sure. Twelve? If you get there first, save me a seat. I’ll do the same if I’m there first.”
“Sounds good to me.”
I smiled. “Brilliant. See you at lunch.” She turned in the opposite direction, and I headed into the building in front of me to find my lecture hall. I peered at my schedule, trying to work out where I was going.
“Lost?” The low drawl came from my right, and I spun around to see Cassius, one of the Four, leaning against the white painted wall, staring at me.
“Uh… I have to find the Brunswick lecture hall.”
“You’re in luck. I’m headed that way.” He grasped my arm firmly, tugging me along with him.
“Stop manhandling me,” I hissed.
“No can do. I’m under orders from King Caiden.” He laughed mockingly. Guess his boyish good looks hid a sadistic bastard. Great.
“You really call him King Caiden?”
“Nah. Just messing with you. But Caiden has decided you’re not to be trusted, and until he decides what to do, one of the Four will be keeping an eye on you as often as we’re able to.”
“You cannot be serious.” I stopped dead, yanking my arm away from him. My mind was racing. None of this made any sense. What possible reason could they have for watching me? I hadn’t done anything to warrant their attention—I’d only just moved to Alstone.
“What exactly is it you think I’m going to do? And why are you listening to him, anyway? Don’t you have your own mind?” The last thing I needed was someone shadowing my every move. I needed to stay as inconspicuous as possible—to find answers for my dad without attracting unwanted attention.
Meeting his gaze, I stepped closer, gritting my teeth in irritation. “Listen to me. You can tell King Caiden that I don’t want, or need, a stalker. In fact, I’m pretty sure stalking is illegal. Not to mention, creepy as fuck.”
His eyes narrowed at me. “You’re new here, so I’ll let your comments slide. This time. But you need to get one thing through your pretty little head. At Alstone, our word is law. Do not attempt to defy us, or you will regret the day you ever set foot on this campus.”
I stared at him, my mouth opening and closing. What a sanctimonious prick! These boys had a serious case of self-entitlement.
“I don’t think it matters. Caiden already threatened me last night.”
The contempt in his gaze lessened as he frowned at me. “What?”
“Oh, didn’t Caiden tell you? We had a lovely dinner with his brother and our parents.” I spat the words out. “And I had an even lovelier surprise when I left and found what he’d left on my car.”
“What?” Cassius’ frown deepened.
“He’d scratched the word ‘whore’ into my door. Nice and deep, too, so I can’t get it buffed out, or whatever the hell they do to remove scratches in the paintwork.”
“For fuck’s sake,” he murmured, almost to himself. “I wasn’t totally on board with his plan to begin—” He clamped his mouth shut, shaking his head.
Hmm. Interesting. Was he about to say something he shouldn’t have—something I could use to my advantage? Maybe the Four weren’t as close as my initial impressions had led me to believe.
“Come on. Let’s get to the lecture. We don’t want to be late.” He gripped my arm, more gently than before, and I sighed.
“I’m coming. There’s no need to hold on to me, you know. I’m quite capable of walking on my own.”
“Okay.” He dropped my arm, and I rubbed it.
“You do realise that’ll leave a bruise? You really need to be more careful.”
He stared at my arm, and, to my surprise, a remorseful expression crossed his face. “Sorry,” he muttered, leading me down a long corridor and pushing open a large door. “After you.”
We entered the lecture hall, which had tiered seating, the seats around two-thirds full. I climbed the stairs to the top, preferring to sit near the back. I slumped down into an empty seat, and Cassius swung his large