LOGIN“I don’t need a handmaid,” I said.“I disagree,” Dominic replied.I pursed my lips.“It’s been arranged,” he said curly. “Mara starts today. She’ll have the room at the end of the east hall.”I looked between the two of them. Mara’s smile hadn’t moved an inch. Dominic’s expression hadn’t either.“Wh
Ellie’s POVThe restricted section was tucked behind a heavy door at the far end of the library’s upper floor, sealed with a lock that required the pass to be handed to the librarian on duty before she would let you through.The room beyond wasn’t large. It smelled like old paper and leather, and th
“Don’t you think,” I said carefully, “that at this point it might be simpler to just—”“Clearly, she’s being influenced by him,” Dominic cut me off. He crossed to his desk and began shuffling around papers. “Lucas has had his hooks in her for a long time, and she’s not going to snap out of it on her
Vivian’s POVI was done waiting.I had decided this morning. I had been patient. I had been strategic. I had played the long game and smiled through every single slight and setback, and what did I have to show for it?Ellie was still here. Still wearing the title that was supposed to be mine. Still
Empty. Just a couple racks of clothes and the faint scent of mothballs.Dominic stood there for a moment, staring into the empty space. I could only see the partial outline of his jaw from this angle, but I could see it tense. His hand fell to his side, and I could nearly scent the moment he realize
Ellie’s POVI woke up before my alarm went off the next morning.That wasn’t terribly unusual anymore. A good night’s sleep felt like a distant memory at this point; my mind was always racing too much for proper dreams to fill the space. This morning was no different. I laid there for a moment stari
Ellie POV Maybe…I pushed to far.His hand is still braced against the wall above, body pressed close when when footsteps echoed down the corridor.“Well,” Lucas says lightly, like he’s commenting on the weather, “either I have the worst timing in the world, or the best. Why does it always seem like
“Because of you,” She scoffed. “I was nearly exploded. Then Vivian wrote a letter of recommendation and saved my ass.”That made me pause. I glance at her. “What?”“Vivian wrote the teacher for me,” she says. “Not you. She told me a few days later. She’s a good friend. In the end.”I study her face.
Ellie POV The door slams shut behind me.Metal on metal. Loud. Final.“You assholes!” I snarled slamming a hand on the door.It had been late, my class ending deep into the night then I want. There was a chill in the air, enough to see my breath when suddenly I was swiped from the path and thrown i
Ellie POVI was on my way to class, clutching my notes to my chest. Gods, Dominic was such a pain. I just—I paused. My bag.I whipped around, fumbling.Crap. Left it back in the room. I stun around with a sigh, with any luck this would be quick.My hand was slugging my bag over my shoulder when I







