“We don’t have time,” Crestley replies.
I steadfastly hold my ground and refuse to walk. “I’m not going anywhere until she’s safe. Friends don’t leave friends behind.”
Reuben nods. “I’ll search for her. You keep going.”
“You promise?”
“You have my word.” He seems sincere. I hope I can trust him.
Doug pulls on my hand and I reluctantly let him lead me out again. Everything is happening so fast and I can’t make sense of it.
A loud crash sounds from where we just left. The shouting doesn’t stop. People are running everywhere, in all different directions.
The music is turned off.
We’re caught up in a sea of people as everyone rushes to get away from the danger. We funnel down a set of stairs as the crush of bodies starts to make everything too hot and stuffy to breathe.
I don’t stop until we are outside and the fresh air rushes into my lungs and cools my burning cheeks. The crowd disburses as people rush away.
Doug leads us into a small room on the ground floor and closes the door. It’s so silent in here that my ears feel weird, like they are stuffed with cotton wool.
The door opens and Brad, Reuben, and Hayley rush in. They close it again before Brad leans against it so nobody else can enter.
It takes a few moments for me to catch my breath and start to think straight again. Everything has happened so quickly that I can barely understand what just occurred.
“What was that all about?” I ask.
There’s another loud bang outside, much louder than the last one. It makes the walls vibrate. The four boys all look at me, as does Hayley.
“Will one of you please explain?” I practically beg. They’re all treating me like a child. I need to know things, I can’t just be handled like something fragile. That’s not how I’m going to live my life.
Brad is the first to speak. “Someone showed up to the party who wasn’t invited. He started a fight with some of the people there. It got out of hand.”
“Who wasn’t invited? Why did he show up?” I ask. I need to understand this. This place is my life now and knowing how it all works is imperative if I’m going to survive here.
“His name is Ethan,” Brad continues, “He’s part of the Dark Fae.”
I remember Mercury explaining about the Fae of the Light and Fae of the Dark. We were part of the Light and it was the Dark that didn’t like us continuing our reign. They want to take over this world and rule everyone.
“What business would he have here?” I ask. It was easier thinking about the Dark Fae when they seemed very far away. I didn’t think I’d be at risk of meeting any in person just yet.
Brad shrugs, he’s out of answers. Doug pushes off the wall to reply. “He most likely came to find out details of your arrival. When he didn’t get the information he wanted, he lashed out. The Dark Fae always defer to their fists when they don’t get their own way.”
So I had been the cause of the fight. It was my fault anyone got hurt in the melee. I guess I can understand why the boys thought it so important to get me out of there. Still, the whole thing doesn’t sit well. I hate the thought of anyone getting hurt because of me.
I look around at everyone in the small room. Three of my future advisors are here. I guess they already feel somewhat protective of me. But Brad? What the hell is he doing here?
I point to Reuben, Doug, and Crestley. “You three are all going to be my advisors. But what about you, Brad? Why are you in here?”
His brooding stare hits me right in the eyes. “I’m your advisor too.”
He’s lucky number four.
Chapter 7
My insides twist at the thought. I’m going to be in trouble if I keep having all these feelings for the womanizer. And if he’s going to be around more, then I’m going to have to remember to keep my heart away from him.
I’ll have to deal with that later.
I look at Hayley. “Are you okay?”
She nods. “Yeah, takes more than that to scare me. I’m just glad you’re alright.”
My hands shake from the adrenalin coursing through my body. I stuff my hands in my pockets so nobody sees just how shaken I am. If I’m a real princess, I have to make sure they see me as a leader.
Or at least I think that’s what I’m supposed to do. I wish there was a class on being a royal. That is the real education that I need right now.
“So what’s the plan?” I ask, directing my question to all my advisors. “Do we hide out here all night?”
Doug is the first to answer. “We wait until it is safe to move you. Then we will return you to your suites. We’ll keep guard tonight, just in case the Dark Fae are still around.”
“I’m sure the multiple locks on my door will be enough,” I reply.
Crestley shakes his head. “Not against the Dark Fae. There is nothing tangible that can keep them out. Not when they are determined. We can only try.”
So much for my bravado. A shiver runs down my spine. Perhaps I haven’t given enough thought to the Dark Fae. It’s pretty hard when I don’t know anything about them. If they think they’re protecting me by not telling me things, they are sorely mistaken.
Everything is quiet outside. I think that’s worse than hearing movement. I wonder what the Dark Fae looks like and how I can tell one from the Light Fae.
Our tablets start to beep all at the same time. Everyone except Hayley immediately pulls them out. There is a message from Mrs. Shephard, the school principal. She’s calling us into her office—right now.
“We’d better get there,” Reuben says as he pockets his tablet again. “I can do recon. Brad, you stay with Paige. Doug, you follow behind. Crestley, you float and keep Hayley safe with you.”
“I don’t need a chaperone,” Hayley protests.
“We’re just making sure you get home safely,” Crestley replies with his arms up in surrender. “I wouldn’t be a gentleman if I didn’t do that.”
She humphs but doesn’t argue any further. Reuben leaves the small room first. We wait for him to knock on the door before we follow after him.
The corridors are empty now. I hope that’s because everyone has returned to their suites now and not because the Dark Fae has taken them. If they came to the party to get to me, the blood of any innocents caught up will be on my hands.
The boys walk around me in formation, each taking their role seriously. It’s like I’ve got a personal posse of bodyguards. I guess that’s what they are right now. I’m glad to have them—even Brad.
Hayley walks next to me. She’s quiet. In the little time I’ve had to get to know her, I know that is something she rarely is. The whole thing must have spooked her too.
It’s eerie walking along the corridors and not seeing anybody. There were so many people at the party and now they’re all gone. There’s silence too where the music had been so loud on the dancefloor.
I’m acutely aware of where all the four boys are. Brad falls into step with me and never alters his pace so we remain side by side. The others keep to their spot and watch out for any threats.
We go via Hayley’s room and drop her off. She says a quick goodnight and closes the door. We don’t leave until we hear the click of her locks turn. I know Crestley said the Dark Fae will still get in but at least it’s something. It will slow them down, at least.