Chapter Twenty-Seven
A fter searching, I couldn’t find Landon anywhere.
Max reminded me I had my phone at the cabin, and since Landon had programmed his number into my phone for emergencies, I resigned myself to calling him from there. We made it just outside the front door when Merle reappeared and stopped us. He kept popping up like those creepy animatronics in a haunted house.
“Miss Everly, can you give me a moment with my son?”
Max’s jaw tightened, and I stared between the two of them. Even though Merle asked the question politely, he kept his eyes on Max. Clearly, it had not been a request.
“Sure,” I said warily, keeping my eyes on Max, too.
As his dad pulled him down the front steps, Max nodded toward the doors behind me. I took that as my cue to not sit out front alone like a sitting duck and went back inside.
Off to the right of the main entry, a set of glass French doors led to a small terrace.
To the left, I found Elaine. She sat on a bench partially out of sight, her face in her hands and her blonde curls a mess compared to how put together she’d been the night I met her.
The night I thought we might actually be friends.
Her shoulders shook as she cried, and for the first time since she’d been part of my attack, a pang of sympathy hit me.
Whatever she felt for Landon, whether founded or completely delusional, it had been strong enough that his rejection tore her up. I didn’t know much about the Knights’ code, but the girl code had been established by women who’d had their hearts broken by love. Unrequited and lost.
Having been there before, I couldn’t bring myself to leave her crying, or be a bitch when she was already down. Even though she practically begged me to do it when she opened her mouth.
“This is all your fault, you know.”
I stepped a little closer but felt safer maintaining a good degree of separation. Sure, I felt for her as a woman.
But I wasn’t an idiot.
“How do you figure that?” I asked her, managing to keep my tone gentle when I really wanted to bite.
Her eyes shimmered with tears, and when a few slipped out, she swiped at her face. “If you hadn’t shown up here, everything would’ve been different. He would’ve…” She shook her head as she looked away. “He would’ve at least given me a chance.”
Mascara ran under her eyes, and her pink lipstick had been smudged at the corner of her mouth. She wiped at both hastily to clear the evidence, because even heartbroken, appearances mattered. I didn’t know if that was a personality trait or an instilled behavior, given everything I’d learned about the Maidens, their parents, and the Camelot Society.
And I didn’t know what would’ve happened if I’d never come to Camelot Court, so all I said was, “Maybe so.”
Her eyes snapped to mine. “Don’t patronize me.”
I counted to five in my head.
“I’m not trying to patronize you, Elaine. I don’t know what would’ve happened if I hadn’t come here. Maybe…things would’ve been different for you and him.”
I did not actually believe that at this point.
But again, I was trying not to be a bitch.
“Yeah,” she huffed. “And you ruined everything.”
My forehead wrinkled as I thought that over. “Hm.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” she snarled. “Hm?”
I shrugged, unsure it was worth even trying to make the point but unable to stop myself. Not being a bitch didn’t mean I had to take her bullshit.
“It’s just interesting to me that you hate me so much for doing what I needed to do for my life. Applying for The Quest, coming here…even if your history with Landon had been printed in the brochure, I still would’ve applied. Me coming here had nothing to do with you. It was about what I needed to survive.”
“Yeah, so?”
Deeeeeeep breath.
“So, didn’t you stand in that parlor a week ago and tell me you still hoped he picked you? Like it didn’t matter what I felt about it because you were going to do what you needed to do?”
She pursed her lips, eyes narrowing with a glare.
I took that as a yes. “So, yeah. Hm. It’s interesting that you hate me for doing exactly what you would’ve—what you did—when the tables were turned.”
Turning away from her, I moved to go back to the parlor.
She snapped before I could. “Are you calling me a hypocrite?”
I sighed. “To me, all you are is the girl who held my arms, while another one pushed my head underwater. A girl who stood by when I couldn’t breathe, and who hates me for trying to survive.” I pressed my lips together and nodded, letting that say everything I hadn’t. “If the garter belt fits, Elaine. Wear it.”
She rolled her eyes at the reminder of our first meeting. “I never should’ve helped you. I should’ve known you lacked the class to be grateful.”
I scoffed, even though her dig didn’t really surprise me.
“I don’t owe you anything. Elaine. And I won’t apologize for my choices. Not to you or anyone else in this hellhole. I’m definitely not fighting you over a guy, especially one who didn’t believe in me and who rejected us both.”
Her head whipped back to me, but before she could say anything, the man in question surprised us.
“Is that really what you think?”
My head swiveled to Landon, who stood outside the parlor doorway. Staring down the hall at me, he ran a hand through his hair, his face stricken with disbelief.
Even from where I stood, I saw how his hand shook.
Confusion and hurt swirled in my chest, because what did he expect me to think?
I was holding onto the faith I’d placed in him—the tiny voice I tried to ignore that still shouted how he’d protected me that day—but I still didn’t know the truth because he hadn’t given it to me.
Knowing there was something bigger going on, maybe preventing him from doing so, didn’t change that.
Landon shook his head. “Is that really what you think, after everyth?—”
Elaine walked out of the corner and stepped beside me. Landon stared between us, and his eyes widened like he’d suddenly realized where he was and what he was doing.
Or about to do.
He cursed and went back into the parlor.
Elaine scoffed. “A guy who rejected us both, huh?”
Glaring at her before turning away, I pushed through the front doors to go outside.
I needed some fucking air.
The front of Pendragon Estate had been lit up with torch lamps, anchored into the brick like a medieval castle. I rushed to the bottom of the stairs and through the extended archway, staring out at the driveway.
The path leading out of Pendragon called to me.
Especially after Kingston’s offer, maybe leaving had to be the safest bet. The smartest, too. I wasn’t sure how much more of this I could take.
But the pull at my back, the truth tying me to Camelot Court, was too strong to truly consider leaving. At least, not tonight. Not before I spoke to Kingston and got answers.
Footsteps behind me pulled me from my thoughts, the overwhelming smell of citrus with a hint of spice filling my nose as someone stepped up to my back.
“I was hoping I’d find you here.”
I spun around to face Merle.
My feet instantly retreated, putting distance between us. A loose stone wobbled under my foot, and I nearly fell backward before Merle reached out to grab my arm.
“Whoa,” he said, keeping me upright. “Easy does it, Miss Everly. We don’t need you falling and cracking your head on the pavement.”
As soon as I was steady, he let me go. Stepping back, he clasped his hands behind him. His brown eyes, so unlike Max’s, watched me with concern.
We stood there, in what one might call a super fucking awkward silence, before I forced a smile.
Whatever threat I’d felt initially, I couldn’t find it on his face.
But my heart beat like a war drum, and I took a breath to calm it down.
I tried to tell myself I’d just been caught off guard. Surprised by his unexpected appearance when I hadn’t been expecting anyone. But my palms remained slick with sweat and I couldn’t dispel the unease in my stomach.
No matter what Merle’s intentions were, something about him gave me the creeps. I couldn’t shake my suspicion, even as he smiled in a way that didn’t scream I’m out to get you .
“Why were you looking for me?”
I phrased it innocently, removing the accusation from the question, even though I wanted to tell him it was weird as fuck to creep up behind young women who were outside and alone.
But then, I realized I was outside and very much alone.
My voice pitched higher. “Where’s Max?”
I flicked my gaze to the archway leading back into the estate, but Merle blocked my path. There was no way I could get to it without asking him to move or forcing the issue, and even though I didn’t think he was intentionally blocking it, I didn’t like being unable to get away easily.
I scanned the area for a sign of Max, wishing he’d appear. But he never came back inside after talking to his father.
Merle assessed me as I searched, his head tilting. “I wanted to check in with you after what happened the other night. Since you didn’t want to talk earlier.”
“Last night?” I swallowed past the lump rising in my throat. “Did Max go back inside?”
Again, he ignored the question about Max.
“Your unfortunate incident?” His eyebrows rose. “Ah, I suppose you’re still a little out of sorts after it all. Nothing like this has happened before, in all my years at Camelot Court. A drugged bottle of wine slipped into a gift basket? It’s highly suspicious. I just wanted to assure you we’re taking all the necessary steps to investigate it fully.”
“Um…” I shook my head, distracted as my panic rose and unsure what he expected me to say. “I appreciate that?”
He smiled and gave me a little nod, his hands still clasped behind his back, making no move to end the conversation.
“I should really get back inside.”
I moved to step around him, hoping he’d let me pass. But unsurprisingly, at this point, he took hold of my arm before I got by.
Panic flared inside me. “What are you doing?”
“There seem to be a number of concerning events occurring around you, Miss Everly. It’s…unusual, don’t you think?”
My eyes dropped to his hand, still encircling my arm. “Some things do strike me as unusual, Merle.” I tugged free from his grip. “Other things, I chalk up to a natural aversion to anything new or different.”
He hummed in thought, like my response had been revelatory instead of just a simple explanation. “That’s a unique perspective.”
“Is it? I’m an outsider. Not to mention encroaching on territory I didn’t even know was claimed. I’m not totally surprised the girls here aren’t welcoming me with open arms.”
He hummed again.
“But I thought, from what Max said in the ceremony, you weren’t encroaching on anything?”
“My presence here seems to be more than enough. Regardless of my intentions or motivations for being here.”
His eyes flashed with something that looked oddly like triumph. “And what are your intentions and motivations? If I may ask, of course.”
I narrowed my eyes. His earlier attempt to pull me into the center of the debate, the way he’d looked at Max as he defended my honor, and stealing him away before refusing to tell me where he went—it sent my heart racing.
Alarm bells went off in my head.
But I had no idea why it felt so strong. And I just wanted to get the hell out of there as quickly as possible.
“I put all that in my application. Excuse me.”
I tried to step around him again, but when he shifted his body to block me, I snapped.
“Did I do something that I’m not aware of, Merle? Is there a reason you’re questioning me and not letting me leave when I’ve made it clear I want to go back inside?”
He smiled again, but this time, something crept in at the edges that made me shiver. “It’s my job to make sure everyone in Camelot Court is protected, and I’m just trying to understand why anyone would be out to get you. Sure, you’re an outsider, but you’re not being ostracized. You’re being targeted. Don’t you find that…more concerning than a simple conversation?”
“I mean, I might.” I glared pointedly at where he blocked my escape. “If your creep-factor dial wasn’t turned up to ten.”
I shoved my way past him, and when he grabbed my arm again, I almost wheeled around and swiped at him.
“It’s not safe for you here, Miss Everly.”
“Yeah, I’m picking up on that.” My voice rose, panic rising as his grip tightened on my arm. “Just let me fucking go!”
My chest heaved, pressure building and making it impossible to pull in air. A band snapped across it, pinning me down as he held me in place.
More hands held me, refusing to let me go.
I struggled against them.
I needed to get away.
Needed to run before they forced me under again.
“Help!” I screamed.
But no one would hear me.
“Miss Everly!”
Blood rushed through my ears, drowning out Merle’s voice as he shouted.
“Someone help!”
I didn’t know if it was him screaming or me.
Bodies surrounded me, pressing in from all sides. I gasped and wrenched against the hold on my arm, but suddenly it wasn’t there.
“Kingston!” A voice shouted before a different one roared in my ear. “What did you do?”
Hands gripped my arms, touching my face, running through my hair.
“You have to do something.”
We need to do it now!
Vivian’s voice hissed in my ear, coiling around my neck and slithering inside my brain, like a snake in the grass as I stumbled and hit the ground.
Pain shot through me as my knees slammed into the earth.
But it wasn’t grass. My hands scraped against concrete. It tore through my skin.
My eyes widened.
What had he done?
“Quinn, breathe!”
I jolted forward, a heavy slap beating down on my back.
“Breathe!”
“Landon!”
Lips found mine, breathing into my mouth. A rush of air puffed out my cheeks. His breath forcing its way inside my chest. My lungs expanded when it had nowhere else to go.
My vision cleared.
Landon filled my mouth with another breath. His lips sealed to mine, eyes locked on my face. Pressure built where we aligned.
I had to release it.
I gasped.
He pulled back, hands trembling. Clutching my face as I coughed. It came out violently. Painfully burning my throat.
Except, it wasn’t air.
It was water.
Water that wasn’t there.
Water that couldn’t possibly be there.
I pitched toward him, my whole body shaking. My mind stuck between reality and memory.
Landon caught me in his arms. “You’re alright now.”
He held me against him, holding me so tightly the band of his arms should’ve filled me with another wave of panic.
But instead, I sobbed out the ache in my chest.
And I finally felt like I could breathe.
Tears blurred my vision as Landon whispered soothing words in my ear. His hands rubbed gentle circles on my back.
When another set of hands joined his, Landon jerked my body away, shouting at whoever had touched me. “What the fuck are you doing? Don’t touch her!”
“Watch your tone, Landon,” Kingston said gently.
“Kingston, what the hell?”
Kingston sighed. “What happened, Merle?”
“I was checking on her. Concerned about the things that have been happening here. She seemed cagey and alarmed by simple questions, and I?—”
Landon snapped. “Of course, she was cagey and alarmed! She was just fucking drugged, Merle!”
I moaned into his chest.
“I’m sorry.” Landon tightened his arms around me, dropping his voice. “I’m so sorry.”
“Merle, for the love of—” Kingston exhaled a heavy breath. “Questioning a young woman alone on a terrace? The recent victim of an attack? I’m afraid I must echo Landon’s earlier sentiment and ask what the hell you were doing?”
“It was a mistake, Kingston.” Merle’s voice came closer to me. “Miss Everly, I sincerely apologize for causing you distress. I?—”
Landon growled, shifting my body away. “Don’t fucking touch her.”
“Landon, please.” Kingston’s voice snapped, his tone steady and firm. “I need you to escort Miss Everly back to the cabins.”
“No,” I moaned. “I want?—”
Kingston stepped into my line of vision, and my sight fixed on sparkling blue-gray eyes, begging me to hear him. “Miss Everly, you experienced trauma that led to a panic attack. I need to speak with Merle before I can give you an update.” He implored me with his gaze, eyes locked on mine. “But I assure you, I will be following up with you on this matter.”
Landon squeezed me, the pressure slight and almost imperceptible. But the timing of it, and the formality in Kingston’s tone, triggered something in my brain.
Something that told me to wait for answers.
To hold on a little longer.
“Landon is going to escort you back to the cabin for your things. Then, Landon, bring her back here for the night. I’ll make sure one of the rooms is ready for you.”
Landon nodded, adjusting his hold on my body and drawing me upright.
I didn’t remember when I’d fallen to the ground.
He lifted me into his arms. One hand cradled under my knees, the other wrapped around my back. He pulled me into his chest and quickly carried me away from them.
And even though I should’ve protested—not going with him, but at the very least being carried like a damsel in distress—I kept my mouth shut.
Slowly breathing in the scent of lavender and mint.
Fighting the tears pricking my eyes.
And letting myself have that moment of weakness.