Castleside Academy

Chapter Twenty-Five: Lexi

All forty students, including Tyson who was found in the dungeon of the school (which I did not know exists), are in the Great Hall, waiting until matters are sorted out and we’re informed.

Maya, Henrietta, and I are standing in the back of the hall, huddled together, holding hands with each other. I’m shaking to death because this news shocked me. I though Duke Kilter cared about me as a student. He was just trying to get me killed. But it doesn’t make sense. He could’ve killed me when my parents disowned me. He could’ve killed me so many other chances he’s gotten, but he didn’t. So why didn’t he?

I haven’t seen Luther for a while. I was with Maya and Henrietta in the library, studying for a test we have Monday.

Now, we’re here.

“Look at this,” says Jared suddenly. Luther, Tanner, and Jared all stand a few feet away. They all look a little shaken, but safe. “Three beautiful girls all by themselves. What’s up?”

“Freaking out,” Maya says, releasing my hand and running into his arms. Jared kisses her head and rubs her back gently. He whispers in her ear soothingly.

Henrietta walks off with Tanner, awkwardly holding hands.

That leaves Luther and me.

Here it comes.

“Lexi,” he sighs, pulling me into his arms. He holds his hand to my cheek and kisses me gingerly. When we part, he hugs me tightly. “Are you all right?”

I nod. “I’m fine. You?”

He runs his hands up and down my arms, warming them because I’m only in a sundress that ties around my neck to keep from sliding down. “I’m okay. I did not see that coming, which makes me really confused.”

“Something’s not right about it,” I mutter.

Luther nods. “Everything will work out. It always does.”

I sigh, running my fingers nervously through my hair. “I’m so tired. It’s way past curfew.”

“Come here.” He pulls me in gently and holds me close. I rest my head on his shoulder, wrapping my own arms around him so I have something to hold on to.

I almost fall asleep standing up, but then a voice comes over the entire great hall.

“Attention, students!”

It’s Lord Pembroke.

“We understand all the confusion. We’re sorry for all of this. Unfortunately, there is word that some of Duke Kilter’s men are loose in the school. They have been spotted but unable to catch. So, in order to keep everyone safe at once, all of you will be spending the night in the great hall while most of our other guards search the building. Teachers will take turns keeping watch within the room. Right now, each of you will go with your roommates and two guards to your rooms. Get a few blankets, change into sleeping clothes, do all your nighttime things, and report back here by eleven,” says Lord Pembroke.

Everyone starts to gather with their roommates and head out to do exactly what he had directed. Luther kisses my cheek. “Be safe,” he says.

I nod. “You, too.”

Maya and Henrietta find me, and we take two of the biggest guards we can find. One is in front, one is behind. It’s kind of creepy how they know where our room is, but maybe it’s because all forty of the students have been attending Castleside since kindergarten.

When we get to the room, one guard stands by the window, one by the door. The three of us change in the bathroom. Since the great hall is so cold, all of us are wearing long, soft pants and long-sleeved nighttime shirts. Mine are green, Maya’s pair is pink, and Henrietta’s is a paler green than mine. We like to match in design, but not so much of color. Henrietta and I just liked the two greens better than the other colors.