Chapter 102

Avery

The afternoon sun felt too bright, too cheerful for the knot of dread tightening in my stomach as I stood outside the dormitory building, scanning the trickle of students returning from lunch. I'd sent Maya a message ten minutes ago—*I'm waiting by the oak tree*—and forced myself to stay put, to not flee back to the safety of Ryker's arms.

I could still feel the phantom grip of Reece's han