Verum (The Nocte Trilogy 2)

“Help!” I scream out, but no one is there, not even Dare.

“Finn!” I shout. “Please!”

No one answers.

No one comes.

I’ve been cast away, and I’ll never be found.

Chapter 17

“We must host an event at the end of the week for Savage Inc. I want you to be there. I think being among people might be good for you.” Eleanor looks down her nose at me, and I squirm under her gaze. “That is all.”

I nod and scramble to my feet, heading for the door.

“Oh, and one more thing.”

We wait.

“Dress appropriately. The event will be formal.”

Oh, perfect.

I hurry out and when I’m down the hall, Finn is waiting for me.

“I’m sorry about last night. It’s not my business what you do.”

But his eyes are still hurt and it makes me feel awful.

“No, I’m sorry,” I tell him. “You were just being nice and I was being a bitch. I wasn’t feeling well, but that’s no excuse. I’m sorry, Finn.”

&n

bsp; He nods and all is forgiven, because he forgives me too easily. “Are you feeling better now?”

I nod. Because I am and I have no idea what was wrong with me last night.

“I was, until I heard we have to attend some formal party with the wicked witch.”

“Ahem.”

We whirl around to find Eleanor behind us. Her face is impassive despite the fact that she heard me call her a witch.

“I wanted to tell you that Jones will take you to London to be fitted for a gown. Who are you talking to, Calla?”

Her eyes meet mine, and for the briefest of moments, there’s something almost human in hers. Something… concerned, maybe even hurt. But then she blinks and it’s gone, and I must’ve imagined it.

“No one,” I stammer. “Just myself.”

She’s unconvinced, I can tell. But she hesitates before walking away.

“You look very much like your mother, Calla.”

She leaves now, her spine stiff and her posture completely rigid.

“Do you think Jones puts that rod up her ass every morning, or does she do it herself?” Finn snorts and I laugh at him, and the weird mood is broken.

I don’t tell him that I have to stop thinking about him soon.