Broken Kingdom (Corium University Trilogy 3)

Ren takes a few steps toward me. When I look up, I’m surprised to find him dressed already. “We need to get out of here before people panic.”

“Yes, but I need to make a pit stop on the way to the surface.”

“Her room is on the level above ours, and Lucas should be close. You don’t think he has already gotten her?”

“I can’t be sure. I’m gonna find her. You don’t have to come.” I don’t have to glance at my best friend to know he is probably rolling his eyes at me.

“Of course, I’m coming. Let’s go.”

We both slip on our shoes and jackets before leaving our room. The hallway is lit up by multiple phone flashlights from students piling out of their rooms, distressed murmurs, and questions filling the space.

Without saying it out loud, we move through the thickening crowd, past the elevator, and toward the staircase.

“Going somewhere?” Vito’s voice seems to come out of nowhere before he appears in front of me.

“Up,” I growl and move past him.

“I’ll join you,” he quips like we are friends about to hang out. I don’t even answer. I’m too obsessed with going up a level and making sure Aspen is safe.

Both Ren and Vito follow me as I climb up the stairs, taking two steps at a time. Ren is holding up his phone to give us enough light when we get to the door. Entering the staff hallway, it is apparent no one here has woken up yet.

I walk directly to Aspen’s door and start knocking.

“Should I be worried that you know where she lives?” Ren questions. He is one of the few people who knows why I can’t see Aspen. Putting my family in danger puts his family in jeopardy by association.

“No, but you shouldn’t be surprised either.” Of course, I know where Aspen is staying regardless of being able to see her or not.

When she doesn’t answer the door right away, my irritation grows, and I curse myself for not having a key card made already. I knock louder, hoping to wake her up before I realize she is probably awake already but simply not opening the door.

“Aspen, it’s me. Open up!” I yell through the heavy metal door.

It only takes a few seconds for the lock to disengage and the door to creep open. Aspen’s guarded face comes into view. Her large hazel eyes find mine, and even in the dim light, I can see the fear hiding within them. My gaze travels down her body, realizing she is already dressed.

“Why didn’t you wake up Lucas or Brittney?” My question comes out a little harsher than I mean it.

Aspen’s face turns from worried to annoyed. “I tried, smart-ass. They are not here or sleep very deeply, which I doubt, considering who we are talking about.”

“All right, let’s go upstairs. If the power doesn’t turn back on soon, we will run out of air.”

She steps out of her room and shuts the door behind her. I take a step back, not wanting to be so close to her because I know if I catch a whiff of her flowery shampoo, I’ll probably lose it and pull her into my arms.

I keep my distance for the same reason when we move back into the stairwell. Other students have caught on and are making their way to the surface. We climb the stairs until we get to the next level, where Lucas has his office.

“You guys keep going. I want to check on Lucas. If he isn’t in his apartment, he must be in his office.”

“I’m coming,” Aspen announces.

“No, you go up with Ren—”

“I’m coming,” Aspen repeats in a stern voice. “If Ren wants to carry me up the stairs, okay, but I’m not walking anywhere unless I want to.” The thought of someone else touching her, even Ren, has my blood boiling.

“Fine,” I growl, and without thinking, I reach for her hand. Before I can come to my senses, my fingers intertwine with hers, holding her with an iron grip. Tugging her along, I walk through the door and down the hallway to Lucas’s office.

I don’t turn around, but I can hear Ren and Vito following us as well, which only makes me pull Aspen closer. I trust Ren with my life, but I wouldn’t trust Vito to pour me a drink.

“Is that light coming from his office?” Aspen asks quietly.

“I think so.” I stare at the dim light peeking through the bottom crack of his door. “I guess that answers the question of where he is.”

I don’t bother knocking. He might not like us barging in, but I don’t have time for pleasantries. Keeping one hand wrapped around Aspen’s slender fingers, I grab the metal knob with the other, twist it, and push the door open.

Shocked, I look into the bright space. I figure Lucas has some lantern or other portable light source set up, but as we enter the room, it becomes very clear that I was wrong. It seems that his office is not affected by the power outage at all. Not only are all the lights on but Brittney is also sitting in front of a computer typing away like a mad scientist.