Caspian rolls the Jeep into the school parking lot, focusing as he maneuvers into a spot, the engine humming softly as he turns it off.
Climbing out, he glances around, scanning for a familiar face.
Aleira hops out, adjusting her backpack, while Josh bounds from the passenger seat, grinning as he notices Caspian’s distracted look.
“Well, well, well,” Josh teases.
“Who are you looking for? The new girl?”
Caspian chuckles but doesn’t answer.
Josh raises a knowing eyebrow.
“Fine, keep your secrets. I’ve gotta run over to the main building real quick. Meet you guys inside?”
Aleira gives Josh a skeptical look, crossing her arms.
“Oh, let me guess, you’re going to skip class again?”
Josh laughs, waving her off.
“Relax. I’ll be fine,” he replies, heading off.
“You’re impossible!” Aleira calls after him, shaking her head before turning to Caspian.
“I need to stop by the restroom, so I’ll catch up in class. And don’t think I forgot about our earlier conversation. We’re not done.”
Caspian sighs, knowing Aleira won’t let the matter drop easily—she is his twin, after all.
“Alright,” he replies, watching her dart away.
He then heads toward the school building alone.
Amid the chatter of students, his mind is on one person as he navigates the crowded halls, heading to Winter’s locker.
He spots Winter slipping books into her locker, unaware of his approach.
A mischievous grin tugs at his lips.
Perfect opportunity.
Leaning close, he whispers, “Winter,” near her ear.
Winter jumps, turning to find Caspian grinning beside her.
“Oh my God, this is the second time you’ve snuck up on me,” she complains, a mix of annoyance and amusement in her eyes.
“Do you understand how startling that is?”
Caspian leans casually against the locker, still grinning.
“Oh, stop pretending you don’t enjoy it. Besides, you’re tough to surprise—it’s a challenge.”
“Really? You think I enjoy being startled?” Winter scoffs, crossing her arms.
“Well, do you?” he teases, leaning closer.
Winter rolls her eyes but allows a small smile.
“If I enjoyed it, would I be complaining?”
Caspian chuckles.
“I suppose not. But maybe you like the attention.”
Winter smirks, stepping forward to meet his gaze.
“You like testing boundaries, don’t you?”
“Only with you,” Caspian replies, grinning as he notices Winter’s pupils dilate slightly.
Realizing he is falling under her spell, he quickly takes a step back, creating some space.
Winter notices his movement but doesn’t comment.
Instead, she changes the subject.
“You said we’d talk today, right?”
Caspian raises an eyebrow.
“Why waste time when life’s too short for games?” Winter counters, crossing her arms.
Caspian admires her straightforwardness.
She is right—they need to make time to talk so he can begin putting his plan into motion.
Before he can respond, the school bell rings, echoing down the hallway.
“Guess we’ll have to wait,” Winter says with a sigh.
“Maybe after school?” Caspian suggests.
“We could—”
“Uh… I can’t,” Winter interrupts, tucking a strand of white hair behind her ear.
“My mom and I are going shopping today.”
Caspian raises his eyebrows.
“Shopping? For what?”
“For the party on Friday,” she explains, deliberately omitting the upcoming wedding.
“Ah, the birthday party,” Caspian nods, seizing an opportunity.
“I need to pick up something to wear too. I wouldn’t mind driving you to the mall after school. That way, your mom could just meet us there.”
Winter hesitates.
The offer is appealing.
“That’s a nice idea, but I’ll have to check with my mom.”
“Check with your mom about what?” Aleira asks, appearing out of nowhere and smiling at Winter.
Winter greets Aleira with a hug.
“Oh, nothing major. Caspian just offered to drive me to the mall since I’m going shopping.”
“Oh, shopping?” Aleira’s eyes brighten.
“I need a new gown too! I should tag along.”
Caspian gives Aleira a playful, exasperated look.
“You have all the gowns in the world, Aleira. Do you really need another one?”
Aleira smirks.
“You’re not in my closet, Caspian. How would you know? Besides, why don’t you want me to come?”
Winter raises her hand between them, defusing their playful argument.
“Alright, alright. Both of you can come. It’ll be fun, right?”
“Fine with me,” Aleira agrees with a shrug.
Caspian sighs.
“Fine. Just don’t blame me when Aleira buys half the store.”
The three exchange playful glares as they make their way to class together.
As they walk, Drae observes from the shadows, clenching his jaw.
Winter has no idea what she is getting herself into.
He has warned her, hasn’t he?
But his threats clearly haven’t been enough to scare her off.
Drae doesn’t know the full extent of the danger, but he suspects Marcus won’t react well if he finds out about her time with the Hales.
And Caspian…
Caspian is acting like nothing happened between them.
The last time they spoke, Caspian had accused him of betrayal and thrown a punch, claiming Drae was responsible for his father’s death. New chapters come out on g.com first.
Drae takes a deep breath, steeling himself.
He has to confront Caspian and warn him to leave Winter alone.
Despite everything, she is innocent.
With that resolve, he follows them to class.
When the bell rings for lunch, Drae watches Caspian leave Josh behind and head toward the bathrooms.
Without hesitation, Drae follows, weaving through the crowd until he reaches the door.
Inside, Caspian is bent over the sink, hands gripping the edge as he stares at his reflection in the mirror.
He seems lost in thought.
Drae closes the door behind him, the sound echoing in the empty room.
Caspian’s head snaps up, eyes narrowing as they meet Drae’s in the mirror.
“Finally got the guts to come at me?” Caspian taunts, straightening.
Drae ignores the jab, stepping forward.
“Look, I know you’re angry, but leave Winter out of this,” he says firmly.
Caspian chuckles darkly.
“Oh, now you care about her? Funny, considering you’re the one pushing her away.”
“If you have a problem with me, face me,” Drae replies, his tone sharpening.
“Leave my family out of it.”
Caspian’s expression hardens.
“Like you left mine? I brought you into my home—my family—and you betrayed me by taking what wasn’t yours. What did you steal from my father’s office?” he demands.
This is the question Drae has been dreading, and he still doesn’t have an answer.
“Can’t you just let it go? Your dad is gone, Caspian. I’m sorry, but it’s time to move on.”
Caspian’s face twists in anger.
“I’ll move on after I get justice.”
They are inches apart now, tension crackling between them, when the door suddenly bursts open.
Josh stands in the doorway, eyes widening at the sight.
“Whoa, whoa! Are we seriously doing this in the bathroom? What is this, middle school?” he asks, stepping between them.
Neither Caspian nor Drae moves, both still locked in a silent standoff.
Josh glances between them, his playful demeanor giving way to concern.
“Come on, guys. Seriously?”
Drae breaks eye contact first, stepping back with a frustrated sigh.
“This isn’t over,” he mutters, glaring at Caspian.
“It definitely isn’t,” Caspian replies coolly.
With that, Drae turns and walks out of the bathroom.
Josh lets out a low whistle, turning to Caspian.
“Dude, you sure know how to pick your battles.”
Caspian shrugs, though tension lingers in his posture.
“He started it.”
“Yeah, but maybe don’t escalate things next time?” Josh suggests, leaning against the sink.
“We don’t need you getting suspended before graduation.”
Caspian scoffs, brushing off Josh’s concern.
“Yeah, maybe. But where’s the fun in that?”