Thornhill Academy (By Sheridan Hartin) novel Chapter 85

He shakes his head hard, looking anywhere but at me. “Don’t. Just don’t, Ally. I’m trying to do the right thing here. For him. For you. But every time I look at you…” His voice fades, a strained laugh leaving his throat. “It doesn’t feel like a choice anymore.”

I open my mouth, but he’s already moving again, brushing past me, his scent of smoke and storm trailing after him like a ghost.

“Kael!” I call, but he just throws one last look over his shoulder, a look full of everything he won’t say, and disappears down the hall.

And I’m left standing there, heart pounding, wondering what the hell just happened.

“Stray,” Cage says again, leaning against the wall behind me with that smug, holier-than-thou look that makes me want to shove him down the nearest flight of stairs. “You’re late. Studying started ten minutes ago, if you actually want to learn something.”

I spin on my heel, crossing my arms and glaring at him. “Oh, forgive me, Professor Cage. I didn’t realise punctuality was suddenly your

best trait.”