Chapter 3 #3
Casimir clucked his tongue disapprovingly. “My, my, Farrow. Here I was, thinking you were such a stickler for rules. Then you go and break into the faculty lounge, steal coffee—”
“I didn’t break in,” I said, a little defensively, glowering up at him from the floor. “The door was unlocked.”
Casimir replied with an amused snort.
To my dismay, his attractiveness had not diminished overnight. This morning, he wore black jeans and a charcoal wool sweater beneath his leather jacket. His dark curls appeared tousled from the wind, his chestnut eyes rendered brighter by the morning light.
When he spoke again, I realized I’d been staring. I looked away, feeling my cheeks burning.
Casimir drawled, “You ran away so quickly last night that I didn’t get the chance to ask you something.”
I chucked the ceramic pieces into the trash and then sliced my gaze back to his. “Why can’t you just leave me alone?” I demanded.
Casimir merely stood there, wearing that arrogant, lazy smirk that was starting to irk me.
Gritting my teeth, I relented. “Okay, I’ll bite. What did you want to ask me?”
“Last night when I—” he began.
“Eavesdropped?”
“Overheard your conversation with August, he mentioned something about joining a secret society on campus.”
“So?” I gave an irritated huff and began making another cup of coffee.
His eyes burned with curiosity. “Do you remember the name of the one he was rushing?”
I frowned. “I’m not sure. Why does it matter? You don’t even know August.”
He hesitated. “I was just curious.” He gave a shrug that seemed intentionally casual.
I tamped down the coffee grounds harder than necessary. “If you want the information, you’ll have to tell me why you want to know.”
It was Casimir’s turn to look annoyed. “I don’t want anyone else getting involved.”
Too late, I thought. My curiosity was officially piqued. “Involved with what?” I asked innocently, my lips curving into a saccharine smile.
His expression darkened. “Remember that conversation we had about minding our own business?”
I snorted. “Yes.” I pressed a button on the machine and watched my cup fill. “And if I recall correctly, that discussion only occurred because you weren’t minding yours. In fact, it’s the only reason we’re having this conversation right now.”
Casimir sighed in frustration, and a pulse of delight shot through me.
I sipped on my espresso, smacking my lips in satisfaction. “Perhaps you ought to consider begging?”
Surprise flitted across his features, and then he released a huff of laughter. “Has anyone ever told you you’re a bit of a bitch, Farrow?”
I glared at him over my cup, concealing any traces of amusement. “Really now, is that any way to get what you want? Name-calling?”
“Alright, fine.” He yielded with a wave of his hand. “But before I tell you anything else, I’ll need some assurances.”
“And why should I give you assurances about anything?” I challenged.
He threw me an exasperated look. “Consider it a recompense for the courtesy of not spreading that rumor about you and Sinclair.”
I scowled and slumped into a chair so that he couldn’t see my expression. Asshole.
He rolled his eyes at my melodramatics before continuing. “The society I’m curious about—well—they prefer to stay secret.” He grimaced. “And they won’t take kindly to an outsider poking around asking questions.”
His evasive tone caught my attention, and I sat up swiftly. “I’m not going to give someone at The Gargoyle a salacious story, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
He shook his head. “I’m not worried about some campus gossip rag. I…” He hesitated. “I don’t want you to go looking for them.”
“Why? Are you saying they’re… what? Dangerous?” I stifled a snicker.
“Yes, Arden,” he said harshly. “That’s exactly what I’m trying to tell you.”
His mouth twisted into a frown, clearly displeased with the amount of levity with which I was treating his warning. But the idea that I should be terrified by a bunch of undergrads sitting around their dormitories playing with a Ouija board was beyond ridiculous.
Steeling myself for his reaction, I asked, “Does this society happen to involve Devereaux Graves?”
The flash of recognition that crossed his face would have been imperceptible if I hadn’t been waiting for it. My lips curled in triumph. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
Casimir’s scowl only deepened.
I sighed. “Look, if you don’t want me poking around this secret society, then why not just tell me what I want to know? That way we can avoid any future… issues.”
“Are we bargaining now, Farrow?”
“No,” I replied, choosing my words carefully. “I’m just curious. I want to know—”
“You should be careful who you make bargains with. You don’t even know me.” He was no longer smiling.
My throat went dry. “Fine,” I said flatly. “I won’t.”
“Won’t what?”
I sighed in exasperation. “Won’t go looking for them, obviously.” I was beginning to feel uneasy about the trajectory of this conversation.
Casimir let out a frustrated huff. “Has anyone ever told you that, in addition to being a bit of a bitch, you’re also incredibly aggravating?” It wasn’t really a question.
I cast him a murderous glance, which he ignored.
“Tell me something,” he went on. “Why was your relationship with August such a secret?”
I bristled. “That’s none of your business.”
He arched one elegant brow, as if waiting for me to say more.
“And I’m certainly not going to explain anything to someone who keeps calling me a bitch,” I added.
“My apologies,” he said, lowering his chin like a penitent. “You’re right, that was ungentlemanly of me. You’re not a bitch; you’re just extremely irritating. Better?”
I fought the urge to roll my eyes at him and instead gave a slow, long-suffering sigh. “Ouverham isn’t known for being accepting toward… unconventional romances. So we decided to keep our relationship a secret.”
“I still don’t understand.” Casimir frowned. “What was so unconventional about your relationship with August that it warranted such secrecy?”
In other words, why would I agree to live a lie? I scrutinized his face, my brows knitting together in confusion. Was Casimir really so uninformed about the hierarchy that dominated this school? I didn’t imagine he would feign ignorance over something so painfully obvious.
“Why do you care?” I fired back.
“I guess I’m just starved for gossip,” he deadpanned.
Another lie, again without a trace of evidence. Was I starting to lose my touch?
My head pounded with my rising frustration.
Gods, was it not punishment enough to have Casimir bear witness to my humiliation in the Labyrinth?
Was I now also going to have to explain the circumstances of my breakup to this complete stranger?
A stranger, who, by the way, had intentionally eavesdropped on my private conversation.
Who was now watching me with an intensity that made my skin prickle.
I tore my eyes from Casimir to glower into my cup, considering my options.
On one hand, he had no right to demand answers from me.
On the other, I was desperate to get the hell out of this room and away from him and his probing eyes.
And… maybe it would feel good to tell the truth after so many months of secrecy.
Rain began to patter heavily against the windows as the light outside grew brighter. It must be nearly time for morning classes.
In a rush, I began to explain. “August claimed he was rushing some secret, highly exclusive society on campus. He said he couldn’t be seen…
er, dating me, if he wanted to have a chance of being inducted.
The students who run these clubs are, well—wealthy—and they have certain expectations when it comes to their members’ breeding and backgrounds. ”
Something like comprehension flared in Casimir’s eyes. He blinked, and the expression vanished. I was quickly learning that he possessed an uncanny ability to mask his emotions.
“What was the name of this secret society?” he asked, his gaze probing.
“He never told me.” I shrugged evasively. “Anyway, I should be going.” My eyes darted between Casimir and the door. “Classes start soon, and the professors will be here any minute…” I was preparing to bolt when he reached out to grab my hand. I froze at the sudden contact.
He must have heard my sharp intake of breath because he let go at once, and I felt the loss of his heat as if I’d plunged my hand into ice water, even as my cheeks heated with embarrassment.
Casimir broke the silence, the tenor of his voice more tender than I had expected. “I didn’t mean to rub salt in the wound.”
He was still standing too close. A shaft of light from the windows cast the shadows from his face, throwing his features into sharp relief. His expression was inscrutable as I met his eye.
“Sometimes we put our faith in the wrong people,” he said.
“Yeah, I’ll never make that mistake again,” I vowed.
My father had raised me to catch liars and then concealed his own secrets behind a mask.
August told me he loved me and then refused to acknowledge our relationship.
It wasn’t even eight in the morning, and I’d already spilled the mortifying details of my tangled romance to a near stranger. I expected to regret it.
“Never say never,” he said wryly.
My shoulders relaxed, and I drained the last of my coffee and set the cup on the counter.
“You should go before you get caught.” Casimir jerked his chin in the direction of the door.
I arched a brow in question, and he gave a low chuckle.
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone what you’ve told me.” Then, in a tone that was far too sultry for the early hour, he added, “Your secrets are safe with me.”
I almost believed him.
“See you around, Farrow.”
A small smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as I turned on my heel and left the room.