1

If anyone is surprised, I’m here, it’s me. I never expected to be sent here, not in a million years. Life at Glendale Academy was ok, and I was happy to a point, but when the principal called me into her office and informed me that my father was moving me, I remember thinking he was calling me home. Apparently not. I’m to finish my education at Rockwell Academy and I have mixed feelings about that.

Principal. Stoner smiles across his huge oak desk and I stare at a man who has seen it all before. He looks weary, a little beaten, and as if he’s given up already.

He consults the screen on his computer and sighs.

“I’ve paired you up with Emma Bayliss. An excellent student who will guide you along the right path. She’s one of our more studious pupils and an excellent role model.”

Some may think it strange, but all I want is to blend into the shadows and keep my head down.

“Is she my roomie?”

He raises his eyes. “Yes, her previous one moved across state. I’m sure you’ll get on; she keeps out of trouble, and I would be grateful if you followed her example.”

The sharp edge to his words makes me smile because I’m guessing he’s referring to my brother Angelo. This is his college, which is why I was surprised my father agreed to send me here and I’m not sure if I’m happy about that.

As much as I love my brother, it was good to have some independence from my family and try to pretend I was just an ordinary girl. For the most part, I succeeded, and I was happy enough, but there was that part of me that envied my fellow students because I will never have the opportunities they take for granted.

“Um, Principal. Stoner.”

He looks up and I sigh.

“Is there any chance I can be scheduled out of my brother’s classes? It’s just…” He looks at me with interest for the first time and I almost see pity in his eyes as he sighs, “You don’t need to explain, Miss. Sontauro. I would feel the same in your position. You know…” He shakes his head and says softly, “I’m always here if you need me.

Failing that, Mrs. Grayson, your housemistress, will be more than happy to listen. You’re not on your own; we can help.”

I nod and yet we both know that nobody can help me, and my request was just to buy me a little time.

“Does he know I’m here?”

Once again, he sighs and rakes his fingers through his thinning hair. “I think he knows everything, Miss. Sontauro and I doubt I need to remind you of that.”

A knock on the door makes me jump, and he calls out wearily, “Enter.”

I look with interest at the girl who makes it through the door as if she’s just run from a serial killer and I’m surprised to see the wild look in her eyes and the heaving of her chest. Her eyes are wide, and she looks scared shitless, and I catch the principal’s eye, noting he looks defeated already.

“Emma, is something wrong?”

“No, sir.” She keeps her eyes on the ground and won’t even look at me and he clears his throat and says with a voice filled with resignation.

“This is Winter, your new roommate. Show her around and make her welcome.”

I smile, but she won’t even look and an uneasy feeling washes over me.

She knows who I am, which means I’m fucked before I’ve even started.

Standing, I head across the room and say gently, “Hi, I’m Winter. Thanks for helping me out.”

She looks up and I see the fear in her eyes, which makes me sad. Smiling, I try to set her at ease, and she nods, the curiosity edging her fear slightly away.

“You may go.”

The principal’s voice makes her jump, and she looks toward the door as if there’s a firing squad waiting outside.

Taking matters into my own hand, I turn the handle and as I step outside, my heart sinks.

For fuck’s sake.

Now I know why she was so scared because filling the hall with dark rage is the one person I hoped to avoid for a few hours at least.

He’s not alone.

Four guys stand with him and it’s difficult to breathe the toxic air that surrounds them. Full of menace and wearing a dark edge like a uniform, these men in waiting would scare the devil himself.

I can’t even register them though because leaning against the wall, watching me approach, is Angelo and by the looks of things, he’s not that happy to see me.

“Winter.”

“Angelo.”

Emma is silent behind me, and I know she’s trying not to breathe for fear of attracting their attention and I sigh heavily and make my way toward my twin and whisper, “Thanks for the welcoming committee but you’re scaring the pants off my new roomie.”

The flash of his eyes and the dark twisted grin makes me smile and before I know it, his arms reach out and pull me close and as they wrap around me, it feels a lot like home.

Resting my cheek on his chest, I breathe in the familiar scent and as he kisses the top of my head, I can almost believe I’m happy. Angelo is happiness to me dressed as a knight of hell and God help me if this is what comfort feels like.

He pulls back and says in his low husky voice, “We’ll talk at the house.”

“No!”

“No?”

I sigh with exasperation. “I’m going with Emma, and you are going to let me. This is my last shot at freedom so give me that at least. I just want you to stay away and let me be normal for once.”

He doesn’t seem shocked and my heart sighs with relief when he takes a small step back.

“If that’s what you want.”

“It is.”

I stare at him defiantly and he nods. “I’ll be here if you need me.”

He looks past me and the amusement in his eyes makes me turn to watch the strangest scene.

One of his friends is watching Emma like a wolf salivating after his next meal, and she is finding the whole experience extremely unnerving. I’m not surprised because this guy looks as if he’s just escaped from an institution and the slightly mad look in his eye complements a chaotic beauty of saint and sinner combined. Tall, broad and devastatingly handsome, his hair color is the only light thing about him and the mad eyes that stare at my new friend would make anyone cower in fright.

I look at Angelo in disbelief and he smirks before saying abruptly, “We’re leaving.”

Without another word, he heads away down the hall and his friends just shrug and follow him without another look in our direction.

Immediately the atmosphere lightens, and I wonder if I need to resuscitate my guide because she slumps against the wall and takes in deep breaths of air.

“Are you ok?”

I feel quite concerned, and she shakes her head.

“That was intense.”

“Not really.” I roll my eyes. “Just ignore them. It works for me.”

She looks shocked and says with a quiver in her voice, “Angelo’s your brother?”

“Yes. Twin brother, actually.”

“I’m so fucked.”

“Why?” I can’t help but laugh and she straightens up and looks around as if the walls have ears. “With due respect, Winter, your brother is not the kind of company I keep. They wouldn’t want my company anyway, but I try to stay invisible around that group of guys. Most people do unless you’ve got a death wish or like to dance with the bad boys. When I say dance, I don’t mean actually dance, I mean…” She takes another deep breath and laughs nervously, “Sorry, I’m rambling. You’ll figure it out soon enough, but just for the record, they scare the shit out of me, just saying.”

We start walking and I do a little digging. “How does it work around here?”

“Same as most schools I guess, but there’s a big difference where it concerns your brother and his gang.”

“I kind of expected that, but aside from them, what’s it like?”

For the first time, she smiles. “It’s good mainly. The teachers are ok and the facilities the best in the State. If you like sport, you’re in the best place and academically it sends more students to the ivy league than most others.”

“What are you studying?”

“Law.”

She turns and I note the light in her eyes as she says with excitement, “I’m trying for a place at Harvard. I study a lot, so you’ll have to excuse me that. Though if you like to party, the best ones are at the Augustus house.”

“Why are they the best?”

“Because of the guys who throw them. I mean, seriously loaded, super good looking and they throw the best parties. Not that I’d know about that first-hand of course, but if that’s what you’re looking for, try to get friendly with the cheerleaders. They’re regulars there and could get you a pass.”

“I’m hardly the cheerleading type.”

I laugh softly and she shakes her head. “Maybe not, but you are their type. In fact, I’m guessing your most guys type, some girls too, not that I’m a … well, I like guys, not that any like me that is, but you know what I mean.”

She looks so awkward rattling words around like confetti as her nerves get the better of her and I rest my hand on her arm and smile. “Just for the record, I know exactly what you mean. To be honest, I’m not one to party much myself and like to study too. Maybe we can be study buddies.”

She looks a little shocked.

“Really.”

“Yes. I would like that.”

She smiles, but I see she doesn’t really believe I’m genuine, which saddens me a little.

Emma is the typical nerd that gets bullied at most schools. Practical clothes with oversized sweaters and jeans. Her brown hair probably always tied in a messy ponytail and her huge thick glasses making her eyes look larger through the lenses. Her acne is out of control and there is not a scrap of make-up on her face. She’s also larger than average and obviously prefers to study rather than exercise and I feel bad for her because she obviously has low self-esteem because of years of being ignored.

As we walk to our dorm, I think about Emma. The fact one of Angelo’s friends was giving her unwanted attention makes me mad. He was playing with her. Making her feel uncomfortable and I am not happy about that at all.

Thinking of my brother gives me mixed feelings. On the one hand, I’m happy he’s here. I missed him so much but know we are better apart. He has grown into the dark madness that lies inside his soul, and I am doing my best to detach myself from mine. We need each other but need to be apart to survive and once again, I wonder what my father’s plan was in sending me here at all.