Brutal Revelation: An Edgewood Academy Elite Novella (Edgewood Academy Elites) by P.H. Nix

Author:P.H. Nix [Nix, P.H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: P.H. Publishing
Published: 2023-06-15T16:00:00+00:00

8

SEBASTIAN

“Ariah.” That was Owen’s first word before the sedative took hold, and he passed out six hours ago.

Sighing, I rub my fingers along my stubbled jaw, then stand.

“Where are you going?” Wes asks.

“I need some air,” I reply without looking back as I stride through the door. A million thoughts swirl through my mind before I cross the threshold and step outside. The two most prominent—Owen’s recovery and Ariah’s safety.

I’m frustrated with Owen for going off without anyone, but he’s never been one to wait on anyone to do anything. I want to rage at Wes for his high-handedness and unilaterally deciding to choose Sam in such a public way that hurt Ariah, but given the circumstances, what choice did he have?

Tilting my head back, I suck in a lung full of summer air and listen as the crickets keep me in the present. So much has happened since Owen was taken. What feels like months has only been weeks, and with Ariah’s absence leaving a crater-sized hole in my chest, I’m forced to confront my feelings for her. Ones I’ve spent years mastering to hide. I should’ve seen it sooner—should’ve recognized the systematic way each interaction with her chipped away at the walls surrounding my heart. It shouldn’t have taken her leaving for me to realize the profound impact she’s had on me.

Have I been so stuck in my bitterness that I missed the moment I fell for her?

Lifting my head, I rub at the tension building in my neck as my thoughts continue to spiral.

Has my vitriol toward one woman cost me the love of another?

I thought Vivian ruined me—thought I would forever be too jaded to trust, much less love, another woman again. It’s why I agreed without hesitation when my uncle approached me to be part of the Selection. I fully intended to marry whoever became our Chosen and impregnate her, but I would never love her. Love wasn’t supposed to be on the table. I was never supposed to love again. I shut my eyes in hopes of blocking out my intrusive thoughts.

Is it too late?

“Fuck!” my shout momentarily pauses the chirping before it resumes.

“Finally seeing it?”

“Seeing what?” I mumble at Wyatt, knowing the little shit is keenly aware of the reason for my sudden outburst.

He steps from the shadows. His wild fiery hair is illuminated by the moonlight as he climbs the stairs and stands beside me. I’m not sure when he left Owen’s hospital room. In all the chaos, he must’ve slipped out. “How important she is,” he responds. His gaze lifts to the starlit sky and continues. “You finally understand what I’ve been saying to you all—she’s it for us. Anyone else, and this all will turn to shit. Especially if that anyone is Samantha fucking Davenport.” The sound of her name rolls off his tongue like the poison she is.

“We can’t bring her back,” I speak the words I know he doesn’t want to accept.

“We can’t leave her there,” he snaps. “She has to come home!”

I close my eyes at the conviction in his voice.

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