Total pages in book: 187
Estimated words: 184867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 924(@200wpm)___ 739(@250wpm)___ 616(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 184867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 924(@200wpm)___ 739(@250wpm)___ 616(@300wpm)
“Hold up, if we go after someone from this university, this will not end well,” Blaine says, approaching Ares. “We cannot risk our already precarious position after those killings here on Tartarus ground. If there’s another body …”
“I know,” Ares replies. “Which is why I’ll need you two to help me.”
I bite my lip piercing and drag it into my mouth. “You’re scheming.”
Blaine’s smile stretches from ear to ear. “Tell me more.”
Ares throws us a glance over his shoulder. “We can’t kill her. It’s too risky.”
“But …?” I lean forward, eagerly anticipating his next words.
His eyes flash with excitement. “We can make her regret she ever looked.”
“Oh … make her fear us,” I say, rubbing my hands together. “I like that.”
“But how do we find her if we don’t know her name?” Blaine asks.
“There’s a party at the Phantom house in a couple of days,” I say.
They both look at me like they’re wondering why I’m even mentioning it.
“I saw the girl talk with Nathan the other day,” I add. “They might be friends. Maybe he dropped her name, and I just can’t remember?”
Ares suddenly rushes at me, jabbing his finger into my chest. “Pry it out of him.”
“Wow. Calm down, darling,” Blaine says, placing a hand on his shoulder. “We’re all friends here. No one’s your enemy in this house.”
Ares’s nose twitches, but he does pull away, and I finally feel like I can breathe again.
“If Nathan invites her, she’ll definitely be there,” I tell him.
“Good.” He grabs his jacket off the chair and throws it over his shoulder. “Then we’ll be there too, waiting until she’s all alone …” His fist clenches. “And drowning in fear at the thought of crossing us.”
CRYSTAL
“You made it!” Nathan hugs me tight, barely clutching his glass enough not to spill it over my pink dress.
“I didn’t even realize it was you,” I mutter. “These white masks make it so hard to recognize anyone.”
He pulls away and winks. “It adds a bit of flair, don’t you think?”
I smile. “I suppose it does. I should’ve guessed this would be your theme, considering the name of your frat house.”
He smirks. “Phantom kinda gives it away, don’t you think?”
He throws his arm over my shoulder and points at all the rooms. “That’s where the drinks are, and that’s the kitchen. You can get fabulous homemade sushi there, courtesy of our amazing in-house cook.”
Someone clears their throat behind me. “Milo. Just say Milo.” The guy with the lanky frame and red hair sticks his hands into his pockets, sporting a mischievous grin. “And if you want, I can even make them fresh on the spot for a beautiful lady like yourself.”
He attempts to grab my hand, but Nathan swiftly pulls it away so he can’t reach it.
“Not her.”
“What? I wasn’t doing anything.”
Nathan lifts his brow. “Of course, you weren’t.”
Milo shrugs and walks off, waving. “Have fun at the party, Crystal!”
“Thanks,” I tell him. “How does he know my name?”
“My boys know who I’m friends with,” Nathan replies. “We don’t keep secrets from each other.”
“Admirable.”
“Anyway, where was I? Right, the dance floor is right through that door in front of you. And upstairs are some bathrooms you can use if you need them. That’s about it.” He pats my back. “Anyhow, I gotta run. Text me if you need anything!”
I wave as he runs up the staircase, and I take a breath before I start looking around. The place is so crowded, I don’t even know where to start. I was still indecisive about whether I should even come tonight because of what happened the last time I went to a party. Plus, I still have a ton of studying to do. But Kayla practically begged me to come, and I can’t say no to her.
I pull out my phone and text her.
Me: Where are you?
It takes her a while to reply.
Kayla: Dance floor! Purple dress. Hard to miss.
Me: I’m wearing a pink dress. Wave if you see me.
My scarf slowly pulls off my shoulder, but I swiftly pull it back up so it stays put, and I walk toward the dance floor. The whole place teems with people, and the music booms through the speakers.
I look around to see if I can find Kayla, and when I see a raised hand waving at me, I grin and walk over.
“Crystal!” She hugs me. “I was already wondering where you were. I’m glad you came. It wouldn’t be a party without you.” She grabs my hand and pulls me back to the dance floor. “Now c’mon, let’s dance.”
Caleb
I sit on a chair in the back of the dance floor next to a masked guy wearing a suit, but I know exactly who it is.
Nathan Reed, Phantom and definitely one of the organizers of this party.
He immediately sighs out loud. “What are you doing?”