Read Online The Nightmare Charade by Mindee Arnett - Free Book Online Page A

voice cracked as I spoke, tears threatening.
    Eli reached over and squeezed my shoulder. “It’ll be okay, Dusty. We’ll make do.”
    â€œI know,” I said, sighing. “But I wish they’d cut us some slack.”
    â€œMe, too. But they just think they’re doing what’s best for us.”
    I ran my tongue over my lips, his reasonableness making me feel anxious instead of comforted. Last year, Lady Elaine had shared with him a vision of the future she’d seen—a vision of our future, mine and Eli’s. I didn’t know what had been in it, but it was bad enough that for a while he’d avoided letting our relationship extend beyond the friend level. I wasn’t sure what had changed his mind, although it might’ve had something to do with how I almost died trying to save Lyonshold. Or maybe he’d decided the same as I had, that our feelings were too strong to deny. So strong that there wasn’t any chance the curse could defeat it.
    Eli let go of my shoulder. “You could come to the gladiator practice tonight, if you want.”
    I coughed. “You mean like to train?”
    â€œSure why not?” he grinned. “You’re pretty good at combative magic.”
    I shot him a crazy look, eyebrows and mouth askew.
    â€œWhat? It’s true. I’ve seen you do it.” Eli’s eyes flicked briefly to Bellanax. He knew what it was, of course, although not the sword’s name. No one but me knew that. Well, except perhaps for Marrow.
    â€œI think I’d rather watch.”
    Eli shrugged. “Whatever makes you happy.”
    Just you, I thought.
    We got up as the bell rang and headed out the door. “I’ll see you at lunch.” Eli leaned in for a quick kiss and whispered against my ear, “Be careful today.”
    â€œWhat do you—” I broke off, remembering the dream from last night.
    â€œI’m sure it was just symbolic, but better safe than sorry.” Eli kissed me again and then pulled away. “We’ll talk about it soon.”
    â€œAll right.” Clinging to this hope, I headed down the hallway in the opposite direction. My spirits lifted a little when Selene turned out to be in my history and English class.
    Taking seats in the middle of the room, we did a quick schedule comparison. We had first, second, third, and sixth period together—a new record for us. Last year I would’ve been overjoyed about so many classes together, but my happiness was muted by the lingering disappointment with Eli’s schedule. But at least Selene was happy—Lance was in this class, too. He sat down on Selene’s other side, casting me his signature cocky grin, all teeth and smarm.
    â€œLong time no see, Dusty,” he said. “Cause any accidents today? Any scenes of mass destruction yet?”
    â€œNope,” I said. “But it’s still early. And now that you’re here, I’ve got more motivation. You do make the best target.”
    â€œI make the best everything,” he said, sliding his arm around Selene. She seemed to ignore him, but a rosy blush colored her cheeks, making her look more radiant than ever.
    Mr. Corvus greeted the class with his usual imperial gaze, the expression inevitable given the eye patch he wore over his missing left eye. Then he proceeded to hand out textbooks that were roughly the size of cinder blocks and stuffed with tissue-paper-thin pages.
    â€œWe will be starting this year off with a look at the Old English period, one of my personal favorites in both literature and history,” Mr. Corvus said with something like a smile on his face—or as close to it as he ever managed. “First up, Beowulf .” He snapped his fingers over his head, and magic filled the air. In front of him, a swirl of dark smoke appeared. It soon took on shape and began to materialize into something solid. Seconds later a giant creature that looked part man,