Page 102 of Bound By the Sleeper’s Harp

Never let someone treat you like yellow Skittles. You’re a badass bitch. Pink Skittles all the way, girl.

A giggle burst from my lips and I glanced around the locker room.

Let me guess, you found that one online?

Vivi

Yeah, was it too obvious? It was for Starburst, but I like Skittles better, and since I changed a few words, it’s my creation now.

God, I love you way too much.

Vivi

Love you too!

Talk to you soon!

Vivi

Xoxo

If things went south tonight, at least I got to share a few words with her.

There definitely weren’t pink Skittles. Unless you counted Valentine’s Day candy. “God, Vivi, you’re such a weirdo,” I muttered. But knowing that only made me love her more.

Changing back into my official uniform, I rolled my shoulders back and lifted my chin. My hands trembled slightly, but I clenched them into fists. Pink Skittles—I could do this. I slipped through the back security door and outside. I held my breath, glancing around. A shadow materialized and my heart punched a wild rhythm in my chest.

“Hello, Elle.” My stomach clenched. I backed up a step, faltering, forgetting all about the bravado I’d had moments before. Luke held up his hands, like he was calming a frightened animal. He hesitated, watching me, his head tilting to the side. “Where’s your goblin friend?”

I glanced around, blinking. “I…don’t know.”

“No matter. You can't run from me anymore, Elle. Give it up. I know where you live, where you work. Did you like the little warning I sent?” My stomach hardened at the reminder of what he’d done to my apartment. “I’m not the same person you knew. I've...acquired some advantages since then."

A deranged laugh burst from my chest. "If you're trying to scare me, it isn't working. Where's the harp, Luke?"

He blinked, genuine surprise flickering across his features before settling into cruel amusement. "Well, well. Look at you. Putting all the pieces together. Been doing your research, have you?” His smile turned razor-sharp, condescending. "I'm almost impressed. Tell me, what else do you think you've figured out?"

“That you're still the same pathetic coward you always were. Just with fancier toys now."

His face twisted with rage. “Enough talk, Elle. I’m done playing your games. I told you I would make you wish you were dead, remember? Do I look like someone who goes back on my word?”

Ice slid into my chest. Luke darted forward. I froze like a deer in the headlights. He grabbed me, fingers going for my throat, driving me backwards. Oof. I grunted, slamming against the wall. His fingers squeezed and I choked, heart pounding, body completely unresponsive. He’d moved too quickly. I wasn’t ready.

A manic laugh slipped from his lips. He brought them close to my ear and my stomach turned rock hard. “If you think I’m going to kill you right here, right now, then you don’t know what I meant when I said you’d wish you were dead.”

I blinked, and my sluggish mind started screaming at me.

Fight back! This isn’t you anymore! Do something!

His grip tightened around my throat and he lifted me, until my feet were dangling. Stars burst in my eyes. “Nice trick, huh?” He said through clenched teeth. “I’m a lot stronger now, thanks to a nice little trinket I acquired.”

An artifact. Of course. Which meant he’d have others. That thought brought more clarity to my mind. Lifting my left arm, I reached for my right bicep. My fingers closed around the dagger strapped there. Bastian’s gift. I pulled it free.

A frown stole over Luke’s face. Since he couldn’t see it, my arm motions probably looked weird. I moved, plunging it forward, right into his side where Bastian had showed me.

He grunted and doubled over as the hand at my throat fell away.

I sank to my knees, gasping. Coughing. My eyes watered and I could barely see anything. But none of that mattered. Warmth spread through my body. I had done what I’d struggled to do in the past. I’d pulled myself free of fear and acted.