All Chapters of Reckless Royals of Nocturne Prep: Chapter 121 - Chapter 130

RAE I stared at the empty suitcase on my bed. The thing looked bigger than it should have, like it was mocking me for how little I actually owned. Everything I'd brought to Nocturne Prep fit in the backpack I'd carried that first day. I opened the closet and pulled out the few things that belonged to me. A pair of jeans that were actually mine. Two shirts I'd managed to keep from before. The jacket that still smelled faintly like home. The clothes went into the suitcase in a messy pile. I didn't bother folding them. What was the point? They'd get wrinkled anyway. My hands moved on autopilot. Grab something. Toss it in. Repeat. The motions gave me something to focus on that wasn't the mess inside my head. Like Luca standing in the hallway asking to spend time with me or the fact that Magnus Vale wasn't my father and I had no idea who was. I threw in my toiletries. The cheap shampoo I'd gotten thanks to Martha. A toothbrush that had seen better days. The basics. Nothing more. The s

RAE I hurried back to my dorm, arms already aching from the weight of the books. The hallways blurred together as I walked faster, my thoughts caught somewhere between Cornelius's warning and that sleek black car waiting outside. My room looked bare when I stepped inside. I'd already packed most of my things last night, before the dream had swallowed me whole. The suitcase sat by the door, zipped and ready. I set the stack of books down on my bed, then grabbed my backpack from the closet and started shoving them inside. The Bloodline Codex went in first. Then the others, one by one, until the bag bulged at the seams. I tested the weight. Heavy, but manageable. I slung it over one shoulder and reached for my suitcase. "I guess you are going." I spun around. Kieran stood in the doorway. He leaned against the frame like he'd been there the whole time, watching me pack. His arms were crossed, his expression unreadable in that way he had. Like he was thinking ten things at once and sh

RAE I didn't respond to her question. Didn't even look at her. I just slung my backpack over my shoulder and grabbed my suitcase. The rude sentinel was still on his knees, clutching his throat. He finally managed to look up at Celeste. His eyes were wide, terrified. He bowed his head low, then scrambled to his feet and ran. Actually ran, like the devil himself was chasing him, which satisfied me the most. "I guess not then," Celeste said. She turned and walked back into the house. The door stayed open behind her, an invitation I hadn't asked for. I followed behind her slowly. My suitcase wheels scraped against the stone pathway, then went quiet as I crossed the threshold. The entrance hall looked the same as it always had. High ceilings, marble floors, a chandelier that probably cost a sweet fortune . Everything was as pristine, cold and perfect as I remembered. I turned left, heading toward the stairs that led down to the servant quarters. My place was down there. Small, barely

RAEI stood alone in the room, listening to Celeste's footsteps fade down the hallway. The silence that followed felt heavy, suffocating.I turned back to face the room. My new room. The thought still didn't sit right.My suitcase sat where I'd left it by the door. I hauled it onto the bed and unzipped it. Clothes spilled out as I dug through, looking for my inhibitors. My fingers finally closed around the small pill bottle. I popped two into my mouth and swallowed them dry.The effect wasn't immediate, but I felt the promise of relief coming. My wolf would settle soon. Those violent thoughts that came all too often now would quiet.I pulled everything else out. Folded shirts and pants went into the dresser drawers. I carried my toiletries to the attached bathroom. It was bigger than my entire space in the servant quarters. Marble counters, a shower that could fit three people, fluffy white towels on heated racks.I set my toothbrush down and walked back to the bedroom.My backpack st

RAESince I was Sigourney's daughter, I could use my blood or hair. I had a picture of her so I could make a mental image quite fine.I closed the book and stared at the wall. Tried to think. I wanted to persuade myself that this was a bad idea. That this would do no good. But the idea had taken root and I could not just let it go.I grabbed the small picture of my mother from my dresser. The frame was old wood, worn smooth at the corners from years of handling.I set the frame down and stared at my reflection in the vanity mirror. I had the same dark hair. Same shape of eyes. I pulled a strand forward and held the scissors against it.The metal felt cold.One snip. A lock of hair fell into my palm. It looked so ordinary. Just hair. But it was mine, which meant it was hers too. We shared blood. That had to be enough.I cleared space on the floor, pushing aside the broken lamp pieces. The book lay open to the locator spell page. I read through the instructions again, memorizing each ste